Vol. XXVI

January, 1950

No. 1

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Published by the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society

in cooperation with

The California Academy of Sciences

CONTENTS

ROSS, THE ROLE OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL MUSEUM.. 1

BENESH, NEW FORMOSAN AND PHILIPPINE STAGBEETLES.JL1

LaRIVERS, THE MEETING POINT OF AMBRYSUS AND PELOCORIS...„.19

EVANS, LIFE HISTORY NOTES ON INCITA AURANTIACA.

ESSIG, A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF APHID FROM ALOE.22

McKEY-FENDER, NOTES ON CANTHARIS m......25

BOHART, MATING HABITS OF HALICTID BEES......34

IXTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY...35

VAN DYKE, ANOTHER EUROPEAN WEEVIL IN CALIFORNIA.35

PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS.36

San Francisco, California

1950

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

EDITORIAL BOARD

E. C. Van Dyke E. G. Linsley, R. L. Usinceh E. S. Ross

Associate Editor Editors Assistant Editor

R. C. Miller, Treasurer A. E. Michelbacher, Advertising

Published quarterly In January, April, July, and October with Society Proceed¬

ings appealing in the January number. Papers on the systematic and biological

phases of entomology are favored, Including articles up to ten printed pages on

insect taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution.

Manuscripts for publication, proof, and all editorial matters should be ad¬

dressed to the editors, 112 Agricultural Hall, University of California, Berkeley 4,

California. All communications regarding non-receipt of numbers, changes of

address, requests for sample copies, and all financial communications should be

addressed to the treasurer, R. C. Miller, at the California Academy of Sciences,

San Francisco 18, California

Domestic and foreign subscriptions, $2.50 per year In advance. Price for single

copies, 75 cents. Make checks payable to ''Pan-Pacific Entomologist.”

1. Introductory Account, by A. E, Michelbacher and E. S. Ross. Pp. 1-20, pis. 1-3

February, 1942 ........$0.25

2. Coleopiera: Cerambycidae, by E. Gorton Linsley, Pp. 21-96, pis. 4-5. Feb., 1942.75

3. Coleopiera: Buprestidae, by Edwin C. Van Dyke. Pp. 97-132, pis. 6-7. Mar., 1942.35

4. Neuroplera: Myrmeleonidae, by Nathan Banks. Pp. 133-152, pt. 8. March, 1942.20

5. Syrophyla, by A. E. Michelbacher. Pp. 153-160, pi. 9. March, 1942. .15

6. Diptera: Culicidae, by Thomas H. G. Aitken. Pp. 161-170. June, 1942.20

7. Coleopiera: Tenebrionidae, by Frank E. Blaisdell, Sr. Pp. 171-288, pla. 10, 11. 1.50

8. Lepidoplera: Rhopalocera, by F. H. Rindgc, Pp. 289-312, 1948.50

9. Hymenoptera: Eumeninae, by R. M. Bohart, Pp. 313-336, 1948. 50

10. Coleopiera: Scarabaeidae, by L. W. Saylor, Pp. 337-374, 1948...75

11. Coleopiera: Haliplidae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrophilidae,

Limnebiidae, by H. B. Leech, Pp. 375-484, 1948... 2.50

12. Coleopiera: Cleridae, by W. F. Barr, Pp. 485-519, 1950.65

Order from CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. SAN FRANCISCO 18, CALIFORNIA

PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

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Francisco. California, under Act of August 24. 1912.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Vol. XXVI January, 1950 No. 1

THE ROLE OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL MUSEUM 1

BY EDWARD S. ROSS

California Academy of Sciences

San Francisco, California

Before the turn of the Century, entomology was indeed a minor

science compared with what it is today. What there was of it

was largely limited to the field of taxonomy. There was no such

thing as a professional systematist. Most systematic entomology

was practiced as an avocation chiefly by physicians and clergy¬

men. Museums were still relatively small, means of communi¬

cation were poor, and most published work was based on private

collections. Gradually these private collections found their way

into museums. Museums gained financial support, sponsored expe¬

ditions, employed larger staffs, and ever added to the accumula¬

tion of research material.

More recently, coupled with the impetus of economic ento¬

mology, the museum is evolving into something new. There is

an increasing number of trained professional systematists and

skilled amateurs. Many of these have found it unnecessary to

build large private collections but have come to depend on the

museum as a source of research material. With modern service,

the greatest utilization of museum specimens is now through use

of the mails. The museum is becoming a concentration point and

a mail order house for insects and the curator, an experienced

shipping clerk whose diet is constantly supplemented by the glue

of postage stamps and address stickers.

As one of these well-nourished, label-licking curators, I should

like to take this opportunity to define some of the various func¬

tions of the entomological museum and to discuss some of its

problems as I see them.

Retiring presidential address read before the 208th meeting of the Pacific

Coast Entomological Society, December 3, 1949. The views expressed in this paper

are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this Society or of

the California Academy of Sciences.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

First of all, we might note that museums and libraries have

much in common; in fact, a library might be considered but a

kind of museum. Beyond their constant current use, museums

and libraries together comprise the link of knowledge between

past and present generations and those of the future. Libraries

preserve for future reference man’s published data and ideas.

Museums, whether dealing with the arts, history, or the sciences,

preserve samples of his material things. In systematic biology, at

least, there exists a very important bond between libraries and

museums for it is usually possible to find lodged in some museum

the very specimens upon which publication has been based. Since

the all-important need for checking conclusions developed in the

fields of morphology, physiology, the applied sciences, etc., is

dependent upon a common denominator of identification, it fol¬

lows that almost all branches of biology owe a debt to the mu¬

seum; the checking point for these vital identifications.

The need for active museums in any field of biology varies

directly with the degree of stability of its nomenclature, and the

quality of its monograpUs. When any taxonomic group has been

thoroughly sampled geographically, and when the type upon which

each proposed name is based has been expertly studied, the im¬

portance of specimens in museums diminishes. It is not sur¬

prising that the value of a museum specimen viewed in this light

decreases with the increased size of the species. For example,

many will admit that the museum phase in the fields of mam¬

malogy and ornithology is over. Thanks to a rather stable nomen¬

clature, these sciences are now well along with more interpretive

studies. For this reason it is surprising that most museums still

have mammalogy and ornithology departments about as well

staffed as ever whereas support for departments dealing with

certain smaller forms of life is often non-existent.

Although we have been at it a long time, the museum phase

of entomology is now hardly underway. The systematics of in¬

sects, even that of groups having great economic importance, is

far from settled. This has often resulted in an unfortunate fre¬

quency of name changing and much criticism of system atists,

especially by those engaged with applied problems. Beyond the

ever-present human factor, much of the difficulty has been due

to a failure to study available museum types and series. One

might add also the common tendency to rely too much on what

JANUARY, 1950]

ROSS-ENTOMOLOGICAL MUSEUM

is in museums with a resultant disregard of biology. Reference

to what is available in museums is, of course, not as easily had

as the uninitiated might expect. Types, if indeed extant, are scat¬

tered in museums all over the world and it is a costly and time

consuming matter to see them all. Nevertheless, we must rely

on the museum to preserve such material at least until all the

problems of nomenclature have been settled.

In thus preserving and making available for use the speci¬

mens upon which the literature is based the museum performs one

of its most important functions; namely, that of being a place

where collections can be received, curated, and preserved for

future reference.

Another important function of a museum is to act as a con¬

centration point for unstudied specimens—the “raw material” of

taxonomic research. A good part of such “raw material”, of

course, represents an assemblage of the unstudied portions of

private collections. The major and most intriguing part, how¬

ever, results from field expeditions sponsored by the museum.

Any enthusiastic systematist eagerly scans such fresh accumu¬

lations because the thrill of new discoveries and vistas of new

concepts is often his reward. When a museum fails to gather new

material it is as dead and as unproductive as a machine without

fuel.

I do not wish to imply that all new specimens are immediately

studied. Any museum possesses vast assemblages of unstudied

specimens. These need not be a cause for alarm. Entomology is

far too extensive a field to have specialists studying all groups

during any single period. In fact, many categories as high as the

family level haven’t yet had any serious attention. Sooner or later,

however, someone will appreciate the fact that specimens have

been stockpiled for his use in museums. He will thus be able to

base his work at a much higher level than privately possible, see

specimens from regions he may never personally hope to visit, and

arrive at sounder taxonomic conclusions that could only result

from an analysis of the maximum amount of data.

Museums go to considerable expense and labor in building

up these materials for taxonomic research. It is the duty of the

specialist to use this material in his work. Before publishing a

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

paper purporting to be a revision of a group, the worker should

always ask himself, “Is this paper as complete as reference to

all available accumulations in museums would render it?” If

not, the worker would be committing one of the crimes of science

in taking up precious publication space with conclusions that are

not based on analysis of all data.

This brings us to the subject of the means of using museum

facilities. All museums, of course, attempt to have table space

and equipment for visiting scientists. Most often this is the only

manner in which types may be studied. Obviously, however, it

is impossible for a specialist personally to visit each museum in

the course of a given taxonomic project. The only recourse is

the ever-increasing practice of borrowing specimens through the

mails. In this manner a worker can have before him at one time

the often vast reservoir of specimens available in museums. Cur¬

ators, because of pressure of other work, or a fear of losing speci¬

mens, unfortunately are not always eager to fill loan requests.

They should realize, however, that it is one of their primary

duties to honor any loi n request made by a worker in good stand¬

ing, or who is properly recommended. Unstudied specimens lying

idle in museums at a time when revisionary work is being done

might just as well be back in the field if they are not utilized

during such fleeting periods of activity.

The worker on his part should realize that there are certain

limits to a reasonable loan request. In general, curators dislike

packing up large portions of collections that have been placed in

definitive arrangement following more or less recent study by a

recognized worker. In these cases requests should be limited to

certain critical species. The worker should never expect to retain

duplicates from series correctly identified by others except on an

exchange basis. Certain collections, such as those of Leconte,

Horn, and Casey, upon which a tremendous amount of nomen¬

clature has been based, should never be freely loaned at least

until the types or type series have been recognized and separated.

Any portions of such collections that have not been mentioned

in the literature need not be treated with such reverence.

In all the hundreds of loans this Academy has granted, we

have had no losses in transport even in shipments to foreign

countries. Any damage enroute has usually been due to improper

packing rather than to rough handling. In spite of this, museums

JANUARY, 1950 ]

ROSS-ENTOMOLOGICAL MUSEUM

do suffer some abuses, but these are so rare that they should

not be an excuse for a discontinuance of the lending of speci¬

mens. Occasionally, though rarely, we have been unable to secure

a return of loaned specimens. In some cases excessive series of

duplicates, often the best specimens, have been retained in spite

of the fact that workers should strive, for the good of all, to

build up institutional collections rather than to reduce them. Most

of the abuse, however, centers around the desire to possess holo-

types. Much of this is legal but often borders on the unethical. I

might cite one example passed on to me by my predecessor, Mr.

Van Duzee. In this case a worker, having borrowed a few thou¬

sand unstudied western representatives of a family, discovered

that a large number of new species were represented. Unfortunate¬

ly for him, the types would have to be returned to this Academy.

What did he do? He used the borrowed collection as an itinerary

source for a very fruitful field trip. By visiting each of the poten¬

tial type localities at the season indicated on our labels, he was

able to secure and designate his own specimens as holotypes.

Abuses of the loaning privilege are more than offset by the

contributions to science and the museum that result. The lending

museum benefits by being able to make available to local workers

authoritatively identified reference material enhanced in signifi¬

cance by mention in the literature. Most specialists will also try

to fill in gaps in institutional collections with duplicates of needed

species from their own collection.

Another function of a museum is to be a “specialist.” Most

museums are unavoidably regional in scope. They naturally tend

to have the best collections from the areas in which they are

located and workers elsewhere tend to depend upon them as

sources for collections from such regions. There is also a desirable

tendency to explore certain adjacent foreign regions that are

faunistically related. Thus, for example, this Academy is a recog¬

nized source of research material from Western North America

but has also developed large accumulations from North Western

Mexico, Alaska, and the islands and shores of the Pacific.

Another form of museum specialty results from the research

inclinations of its staff. The resultant development of outstanding

collections in a taxonomic group is a desirable and an essential

step toward making real published contributions. It is undesirable,

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

however, for curators of any period to decide that their institu¬

tion will cease to build up collections of other groups. This can

even be aggravated by such curators using existing general col¬

lections as exchange material to augment their specialized collec¬

tions. Such taxonomic specialization is, however, quite admissable

in cases where a broad, general collection is being actively main¬

tained nearby by another institution.

A further function of many museums is to have a representa¬

tive set of insects from a world standpoint. It is becoming in¬

creasingly evident that it is impossible to study intelligently any

local fauna without a broad knowledge of genera from a world,

but more particularly a European, standpoint. In many Orders

higher categories have been very incompletely correlated from a

world standpoint. There is a need for first hand examination, not

a mere literature knowledge, of the type species upon which these

categories are based. A good deal of the frequent changing of

name combinations has been due to a tendency of certain workers

to know only a limited fauna. As we study northward on our

continent the need becomes more and more urgent to know the

Palaearctic fauna. As we proceed southward, a knowledge of the

Neotropical becomes indispensable. To fill this need with limited

funds and staff is one of the challenging problems of our museums.

The educational function of entomological museums asso¬

ciated with universities is obvious. The separately maintained

museum, however, has an opportunity to be of much broader

service. Whereas the services of a university museum must of ne¬

cessity be more or less limited to registered students and staff,

the independent museum spreads its influence to all age groups.

Very often it is the only place where youth, the post-university-

age amateur, and the professional entomologist can find the

means for pursuing his work. We take pride here at the Academy

in the number of young people who profit by our efforts. Many

have gone on into professional entomology, others continue as

enthusiastic amateurs. Avocational entomology can add to the

fullness of many a life and this fact alone could well justify the

place of museums in our society.

A well balanced public museum should also provide adequate

exhibits in the field of entomology. These should emphasize the

local fauna and answer common questions.

JANUARY, 1950 ]

ROSS-ENTOMOLOGICAL MUSEUM

So far I have tried to analyze some of the functions of the

entomological museum. At this time attention might be given

to some of its problems.

The major problem is that financial support of the activity is

more in proportion to the size of the organisms involved than

to the size of the job. Most museums receive material faster than

it can be assimilated. The chief bottle neck is the lack of suffi¬

cient cases and drawers to arrange identified collections and thus

make room for new material. Added to this is the lack of suffi¬

cient staff.

These shortages, it appears, all stem from the fact that mu¬

seum activity, like that of a library, is very unspectacular. It

fails to arouse the interest of the general public who these days

is constantly being steeped in publicity about some new insecti¬

cide, antibiotic, advances in atomic and medical research, etc.

Money today comes to the institution that is well promoted and

has something understandable to promote. It is in the field of

expeditions that the greatest chance for money drawing publicity

can develop but here, unfortunately, the most fruitful collecting

trips are simple, plodding affairs. The participants must return

bearing a tale of a narrow escape from the embrace of a boa

constrictor to attract much attention.

Most museums, to be truly scientific, tend to collect objectively

all insects regardless of any known economic significance. Be¬

cause only a very small percentage of the vast insect world di¬

rectly affects man’s welfare, it follows that a proportionately small

percentage of museum activity can be justified on economic

grounds. There is, however, great cultural value in objectively

knowing the inhabitants of this planet, their habits and distribu¬

tion. Our alternative is to remain ignorant of such things and

this is unthinkable. This is a difficult idea, however, to get over

to a materialistically minded public and the various legislative

bodies controlling appropriations. No one seems to demand an

economic return from certain other cultural pursuits of man such

as his art and music but when it comes to science, the public has

been educated to expect immediate and tangible returns. This

situation is often aggravated in the privately endowed museum

which is free from the pressure of the tax payer. Here there is

a tendency to engage purposefully in research that has no eco-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

nomic bearing. This, although almost suicidal, is as it should be.

Work on insect groups having economic importance can be well

justified in tax-supported institutions. If the worker in the private

museum clamors to work in these fields too, who will be left to

study the non-economic groups which constitute the bulk of the

insect world?

With the steady decrease in private fortunes, the hope is not

too good for any great increase in financial support for the

needed expansion of independent museums wherein most of the

major insect collections are lodged. With this in mind, systema-

tists should perhaps search for ways in which they can work more

efficiently under existing conditions.

Undoubtedly the greatest single boon to progress would be a

relaxation of institutionalism and individualism in regard to

types. In this country, at least, types are so woefully scattered

and often so poorly curated that many workers try to get along

without reference to them. This often results in errors that might

well have been avoided. With so much work to be done and so

few to do it, we cannot afford to have to continually go back to

correct errors. Every revision should have its nomenclature

firmly fixed by reference to types.

Is it not too much to hope for a central institution whose

function is to concentrate types or information about types? This

would mean a pooling of all available types in this country in

one safe place. Workers could then, in a relatively short time

and a limited journey, speed their work immeasurably and be

able to accomplish more in a lifetime. Space in journals would

be more efficiently used, concepts of species would be less pro¬

visional, and the value of each publication would be more lasting.

Such an institution could be built around a file covering the

citation, data, and institutional location of the type, or potential

lectotype, for every name proposed for insects and their relatives.

This file would be of great value in itself but the ideal objective,

(of course unobtainable) would be to possess a type specimen

for every name. It might be possible to exchange types of exotic

species present in American museums for types of American

species deposited abroad. This, of course, would not be so vital

in cases where types of a given group are already concentrated

in one institution. In cases where types cannot be obtained, each

JANUARY, 1950 ]

ROSS-ENTOMOLOGICAL MUSEUM

worker who goes abroad to see them could contribute compared

specimens together with copies of his notes, drawings, and photo¬

graphs. In many of the older collections, of course, types are not

yet clearly determined. Such types would not be separated from

the parent collection until they have been clearly worked out

by a good specialist. Workers actively engaged in continuous

research in a group would be permitted temporarily to hold the

types they create as long as they are needed. A policy of making

publication of a new name in a journal contingent on such event¬

ual deposit would not be unreasonable. If a worker expects the

world to recognize his new name, he should willingly place its

type where it is available to all.

I am sure the immediate reaction of many curators to this

proposal will be one of horror, but most of this horror I believe

would be based on unscientific selfish reasons. It is not the purpose

of types to make an institutional or private collection valuable or

indispensable. Admittedly it would mean that some museums

would give up more than others. As matters stand, however, no

institution is self-sufficient in regard to types and all stand to

gain in the long run. What is really important is that our pon¬

derous science would advance more rapidly with unwavering,

steady steps.

The question immediately arises as to the location of this

depository. I am sure that the authorities of the United States

National Museum would feel that theirs is the logical place. This

might be so if the National Museum was itself logically located.

But in this day we have very little assurance that Washington, D.C.

will not be a prime target in a future war and as long as there is

even a remote danger of such an unfortunate happening, it, or

any similar potential target area, is not the place for a museum.

Furthermore, the climate of Washington, D.C. is far from stim¬

ulating during the summer months when most workers are free

to study types.

I really didn’t intend to start a discourse on the location of

the National Museum, but now that I have, I might as well state

my opinion. This highly important national collection deserves

a much better deal than it is getting. A country as rich as this

should be well able to quarter and staff this worthy activity under

much better circumstances. Anyone who has recently visited this

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

museum and has noted the crowded research conditions in Ento¬

mology well knows of what I speak.

There is no good reason why the exhibit and research func¬

tions of the National Museum, or any other museum for that

matter, need be in the same building or vicinity. The exhibits

could take over the entire present structure and the research

activity should be given a separate, specially designed building

with ample space for expansion and for visiting workers. Most of

all, since a fresh start is already needed and a move must be made,

it should be moved to some smaller, non-industrial community

with a good climate and a pleasant natural history environment.

Under such conditions I am sure that the health of that rare

species, the museum systematist, would be improved and he

would spend much less time and energy in getting between his

home and his desk.

Many will propose that this dream institution should remain

on the Atlantic seaboard. Actually, however, the West and Mid¬

dle west are growing and there is a strong case for a more central

location. There are already a number of large museums along

the Atlantic Coast and the moving of the National collections

would not leave too great a void for workers in that region. The

identification service of the Department of Agriculture would

benefit by shorter mailing distances as well. Should the National

collections be adequately housed and more favorably located, I

am sure that many workers would favor the concentration of all

types in that collection. Such types should, of course, be housed in

special rooms and there should be a provision for a permanent

and adequate staff to care for them. The problem of past com¬

mitments regarding the permanent ownership of types in the

various museums might be overcome by the use of indefinite

loans. The policies and management could be under the sur¬

veillance of a democratically selected board of curators repre¬

senting the various institutions contributing to the pool.

The Pacific Coast for many years has had, with minor excep¬

tions, such a central type depository here at the California

Academy of Sciences. The present proposal is merely to extend

this principle to a National scale.

Perhaps this idea is too visionary and, because of man’s in¬

herent selfish nature, may never be put into effect. It would be

interesting, however, to hear the reactions of systematists.

JANUARY, 1950]

BENESH-STAGBEETLES

DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF STAGBEETLES

FROM FORMOSA AND THE PHILIPPINES

(Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

BY BERNARD BENESH

North Chicago, Illmois

A selected lot of Lucanidae of doubtful status, secured as a

loan from the California Academy of Sciences, reveals, after a

protracted study by me and comparison by the late Dr. Gilbert

J. Arrow with material in the British Museum (Natural History),

that it contains no less than twelve species, of which number six

are new to entomological science, whilst the others indicate new

localities, thus adding to their recorded ranges. The species are

members of the lucanid subfamilies Dorcinae and Figulinae,

and represent just a fraction of the stagbeetles collected by Fred

C. Hadden in the Philippines, and J. Linsley Gressitt in For¬

mosa. They are described in subjoined diagnoses, including

also the description of a new Philippine species of Aegus

from my personal collection. To complete the description of

one species (Dorcus gracilicornis ), of which only the male sex

was represented in the lot, the writer has drawn on his private

collection. Unless otherwise noted the determinations are mine.

I wish to express my gratitude to the entire entomological

staff of the Academy, who were of material assistance during my

brief visit, especially to Drs. Edwin C. Van Dyke, Edward S.

Ross, and last, but not least, to Hugh B. Leech, who graciously

permitted the use of his private binocular microscope. My thanks

are due also to Mr. Rupert L. Wenzel, Chicago Natural History

Museum for correction of this contribution.

The species are diagnosed as follows:

Subfamily Dorcinae

Genus Dorcus Megerle (Nomen catalogum)

The Antelope stagbeetles

MacLeay, Horae Ent., 1:111, 1819.

Dorcus gracilicornis Benesh, new species

Figures* 3, $, 4, 4a, $.

Male. Head transverse, broader than long, declivous in front,

finely granulate throughout, of satiny aspect, anterior half and

•Illustrations to appear in next issue.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

around the eyes remotely shallowly punctured, subopaque. Anter¬

ior angles obtuse, thence diverging diagonally to the canthus, which

is parallel and half way encompasses the eye; postocular section

slightly produced. Clypeus produced, broad, truncate. Anteocular

bosses prominent, with an elongate fovea. Mandibles falciform,

granulate, flattened on top, laterally rounded, and with a small

sub-median, inwardly directed acute, prong-like, tooth. Eyes ob¬

long, facetted, marbled, parallel. Antennae of ten segments, dark

reddish-brown, glabrous; scape nearly black, nitid, and as long

as the funicle and clava combined; funiele slightly longer than

the clava, funicular segments highly polished and strongly shin¬

ing; clava three-segmented with first and second segment lobate,

their bases glabrous and nitid, third circular in outline, depressed,

wholly pubescent, the pubescence ash-gray.

Pronotum transverse, depressed, anterior margin sinuate, cen¬

ter produced; anterior angles subacute, extending well beyond

the produced center; sides gently broadening from apex to basal

third, where there is a distinct acumination, thence diagonally

arcuate to basal angles, the latter broadly rounded; base straight.

Anterior margin paralleled by an impressed line; anterior angles,

lateral and basal margins punctured; disk granulate throughout

and more shining than the head.

Scutellum heart-shaped, punctured, depressed (on a lower plane

than the elytra). Elytra parallel, narrower at base, slightly at¬

tenuate posteriorly, black with a reddish tinge, nitid; humeri

feebly produced to front, simple (not mucronate); basal area

strongly rugose (as in D. glabripennis ), suture paralleled by a

punctate stria; between sutural stria and lateral declivity the

elytra are uneven by ill-defined striae; margins punctate striate,

posterior irregularly punctate.

Legs moderate. Anterior tibiae strongly furcate, furcation

downward bent, followed by three unequal, equidistant teeth; be¬

tween furcation and distal spur (above the tarsus) with a tuft

of golden setae; upper area ridged, setose in fissures; outer mar¬

gin fringed by long, unequal, golden setae. Intermediate and pos¬

terior tibiae armed in distal half with a single spine, and linearly

setose. Tarsi as long as the tibiae, black, excepting the praetarsus,

which is reddish-brown, glabrous dorsad and strongly shining,

fasciculate setose ventrad; praetarsus as long as the other four

segments of tarsus combined. Lower margin of anterior, and hind

margin of intermediate and posterior femora setose.

Beneath black, excepting the palpi, anterior margin of pro¬

sternum, margins of coxal cavities, geniculation of legs, and in-

flexed portion of the elytra, which are cherry-red. Mentum trans¬

verse, granulate, sculptured by large, confluent crescent-shaped and

irregular punctures; anterior margin feebly emarginate, lateral

angles obtuse. Genae, prosternal and metasternal episternum

strongly punctured; lateral area of metasternum pilose. Ventral

JANUARY, 1950]

BENESH-STAGBEETLES

segments finely punctured; margin of fifth (terminal) segment

fringed with long golden setae.

Female. Head transverse, black, nitid, rather large in propor¬

tion to the rest of the body, slightly narrower than the prothorax,

rugosely sculptured by irregular large punctures; vertex bituber-

culate in line with the eyes; occiput impunctate; anterior margin

nearly straight; clypeus produced and bilobate in front, diverg¬

ing towards the base; anterior angles very feebly arcuate, diag¬

onal to canthus, the latter gently dilated and halfway circumscrib¬

ing the eye; cheek slightly produced, thence converging to base;

eyes oblong, simple, slanting; mandibles slender, acute, trigonate

in cross section, carinate laterally, outer margin nearly perpen¬

dicular, top elevated in center, forming an oblongo-conical node;

inner margin armed with an inwardly directed tooth, this simple

on right mandible, slightly exised posteriorly on left, thus form¬

ing a supplementary denticle. Antennae dark piceous, glabrous,

excepting the sixth and seventh segments which bear golden setae

posteriorly; clava clothed with ashy-gray pubescence. Scape equal

in length to funicle and clava, club-shaped, feebly bent at middle.

Funicle slightly longer than the clava, first funicular segment

pyriform; second to fifth with base narrower and progressively

dilated apically, their apices square, sixth as the preceding but

diagonally truncate. Clava three-segmented, first and second seg¬

ments lobate, pubescent, their bases apically glabrous and nitid;

third segment circular, flattened, pubescent throughout.

Pro thorax convex, quadrangular, dark chocolate-brown, nitid,

anterior margin sinuate, fringed with short golden setae and paral¬

leled by an impressed line; anterior angles produced, but not as

strongly as in male, subacute; sides gently arcuate to posterior

quarter and diagonal to base, basal angle broadly arcuate, basal

margin straight, lateral and basal margins strongly punctate and

feebly reflexed; disc finely, but not closely, punctured.

Scutellum as in the male, but less punctate, medially impunc¬

tate. Elytra reddish-brown, excepting the suture, lateral margins

and scutellum which are darker; basad narrower and rugulose,

humeri rectangular, rounded, parallel for three-fourths of their

length, attenuate in posterior fourth and rounded apically; ir¬

regularly punctato-striate; striae deep and strongly delimiting

(overemphasized in the illustration) three broad elytral intervals,

which attain the lateral declivity, destitute of marked punctuation

in basal half; strial punctures (four rows) fairly large, oblong,

circular on lateral margins; punctuation of posterior third more

closer, confused.

Legs as in the male, but proportionally more robust; anterior

tibiae broader, five-dentate externally, and tibial spines stronger.

Underside dark chocolate-brown, excepting the mandibles and

mentum which are black, subopaque. Mentum transverse, slightly

hollowed medially, transversely rugose. Prostemal process plain

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

and obtuse behind. Ventral segments not so closely punctured as

in the male, fifth segment non-setose. On the whole, the ventral

pubescence described for the male is nonexistent in the opposite

sex, at most being indicated by inconspicuous minute setosity on

posterior margins of the femora.

Measurements (in millimeters) :

Length Width

$ $

Head .3.8 x 7.5 3.2 x 6.1

Mandibles.4.5 2.2

Prothorax .5.2 x 8.9 5.0 x 8.2

Elytra .14.5 x 9.3 13.5 x 8.2

Holotype: 1£, Arisan, Formosa, VI, 2, 1932, J. L. Gressitt,

collector, in the collection of the California Academy of Sciences

(ex coll. J. Linsley Gressitt). Allotype: 1$, Baibara, Formosa,

VII, 14, 1937, B. Benesh collection. Accession No. 4593 (ex coll.

Y. Miwa).

The male approximates in habitus D. vicinus Saund., from

which it is readily distinguished by the less exserted mandibles

and shining dorsum (vicinus opaque throughout). The female

with its broad head (nearly as wide as the prothorax) and elon¬

gate body, somewhat resembles, on a larger scale, our scaritid

groundbeetle, Scarites subterraneus; it was received from Dr.

Yushiro Miwa of Taihoku, Formosa, May 5, 1939, with the an¬

notation “unknown Dorcid 2.”

Dorcus clypeatus Benesh, new species

Figure 5, $

Black, depressed. Head, mandibles and pronotum finely granu¬

late, of satiny aspect; elytra roughly sculptured, shining; evi¬

dently a relative of Dorcus glabripennis Westwood.

Male. Head transverse, twice as broad as long, anterior nearly

straight, antero-lateral angles obtuse and slightly emarginate,

canthus parallel, circumscribing the eye in anterior half; post¬

ocular section slightly produced and gently arcuate to base; disk

sloping towards the front. Clypeus, from which the specific name

is derived, remarkable in its peculiar form and variation, differs

in the typical male from the two smaller paratype males; it is

broad, concavely excised, and has a lateral digitiform process; sub-

clypeus broader than the clypeus, acutely angulate on sides and

discernible, when viewed from top, as a small lateral projection;

in the two paratype males it is simply broad and truncate, with¬

out the excision and subclypeal process. Mandibles symmetrical,

acute, cylindrical in cross-section, near the upper center with a

strong, dorsally flattened and slightly backwards directed obtuse

tooth. Antennae with clava and funicle slightly shorter than the

JANUARY, 1950]

BENESH-STAGBEETLES

scape, clava rufous, pubescent; funicle and scape glabrous, black,

nitid.

Prothorax broader than long, sinuate in front, anterior angles

produced and subacute. Sides in anterior third with a feeble

emargination, uniformly arcuate to a pronounced acumination at

median third; posterior third diagonal to basal angles, the latter

broadly arcuate. Base apparently straight. Lateral margins nar¬

row and explanate, slightly reflexed and delineated by an im¬

pressed line, remotely punctured in anterior angles and along the

lateral margins.

Scutellum heart-shaped, broader than long, transversely ele¬

vated across the middle, front and rear declivous, cribripunctate.

Elytra ogival in the typical male (parallel in the two smaller

males), broadest in anterior third, humeri produced and mucro-

nate; sides gently convergent from near the middle to posterior

third, thence regularly rounded to apex; irregularly punctato-

striate from ante-humeral area to scutellar margin, forming un¬

even intervals between the four recognizable striae, these inter¬

stices slightly convex and with scattered punctures; sides more

rugulose than in adjacent areas and with two or three rows of

punctures.

Legs fairly short and stout; anterior tibiae strongly furcate

and externally four to six dentate; intermediate and posterior

tibiae armed in apical third with a single spine; tarsi slender,

shorter than the tibiae, ventrally setose.

Beneath finely punctured and more shining. Mentum trans¬

verse, narrowing towards the front, flattened, with basal trans¬

verse depression, anterior angles broadly arcuate, base straight;

sculptured throughout with horseshoe-shaped confluent impres¬

sions. Maxillary palpi piceous, shining. Prosternal process broad¬

ened posteriorly and terminating in a round node, with an elon¬

gate impression between coxal cavities; a lateral lamina present

on each side at base.

Female: Agrees in habitus with the female of preceding spe¬

cies, but with the following distinct characters: head more ru¬

gose; mandibles shorter and broader at base; eyes round and

parallel (not slanting as in gracilicorwis ); lateral margins of pro¬

thorax less arcuate; elytra more coarsely sculptured, with stria-

tion more pronounced; ventral punctuation coarser and more

remote. Prosternal process as in the male, but simple, without

depression; concolorous throughout (gracilicornis bicolored).

Measurements (in millimeters):

Length Width

$ 9

Head . 4.9 x 9.9 3.1 x 6.0

Mandibles . 6.0 1.9

Prothorax . 6.5 x 11.4 5.4 x 8.0

Elytra .—.14.3 x 11.5 13.7 x 8.5

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

Holotype: 1£, Sakahen, Formosa, VII, 15, 1934, J. L. Gres-

sitt, collector, in the collection of the California Academy of

Sciences (ex coll. J. L. Gressitt). Allotype: 19, Taiheizan, For¬

mosa, VII, 6, 1934, J. L. Gressitt, collector, in the collection of

the California Academy of Sciences (ex coll. J. L. Gressitt). Para-

types: 2$ <3, Hassonzan, Formosa, VII, 25, 1934, J. L. Gressitt,

collector, in the collection of the writer and that of the California

Academy of Sciences.

The three males are apparently of minor development, indi¬

cated by the feeble lateral emargination of the pronotum, and

irregular striation of elytra in the typical male. The smaller para-

type males display simple pronotum, without emargination or ex¬

cision, and the elytra are more regularly striate, approaching

that of the female. It can be safely assumed that in examples of

maximum development, when discovered, the pronotum will have

the characteristic S-like excision and smoother elytra of its gigan¬

tic congeners, as is evident in Dorcus antaeus, grandis, hopei and

parryi . Both females here described are remarkable for their

extremely pedunculate body, a character that is more pronounced

than in any other species of Lucanidae known to the writer.

Dorcus nitidus Kirsch

Mittheilungen Mus. Dresden, 2:138, 1877.

Two males and five females of this interesting species have

been collected by J. L. Gressitt in Formosa: 1$, Hori, VI, 21,

1932; 1$, Mizuho, VI, 21, 1932; 22 9, Hori, June 1932, April

1935; 12, Bukai, VI, 16, 1934; 2 2 2, Bukai, May 1935.

This is a new addition to the lucanid fauna of Formosa, hith¬

erto known from the Papuan Region; it is a well marked species,

in which the antennae are distinguished by double setae at the

apex of the anterior margin of each of the last four segments of

the funicle.

Genus Prosopocoilus Hope

The dish-faced stagbeetles.

Catalogue of the Lucanoid Coleoptera, p. 30, 1845.

(—Cladognathus Burmeister, Handbuch der Entomologie,

5:364,1847).

JANUARY, 1950]

BENESH-STAGBEETLES

Prosopocoilus piceipennis (Westw.)

Cladognathus piceipennis Westw., Trans. Ent. Soc., London (2)

3:202, pi. X, fig. 6, S, 1855.

Hemisodorcus picipennis Van Roon, Cat. Coleop., Pars 8, Lucan-

idae, p. 32, 1910.

Three females taken by Gressitt on Hainan Island: 2 9 9, Dwa

Bai, VII, 25, 1935; 19, Liamui, VIII, 3, 1935.

This record extends the known range of piceipennis from the

Asiatic mainland to an insular stepping-stone; it will probably be

found to occur on Formosa also. Westwood originally placed the

male with some doubt as a variety of P. gracilis (Saund.), from

which species it differs in having broader mandibles, that are

armed at base with an inwardly directed tooth. The female of

piceipennis is obovate, on the average much larger than gracilis,

has the dorsum rugulose and has a much broader canthus, which

is rectangular opposite the eyes.

Genus Aegus MacLeay

Horae Entomologicae, 1:112, 1819.

Aegus horridus Benesh, new species

Figures 1, la, $.

Dark chocolate-brown, opaque, with the exception of the head

which is black.

Male. Head transverse, nearly three times as broad as long,

anterior margin nearly straight, antero-lateral angles obtuse,

sides diagonally divergent from the anterior angles to a point

opposite the eyes; cheeks parallel; basal angles obtuse, converging

to basal margin; margins of anterior half of head beset with gold¬

en setae. Clypeus broad, semicircularly excised, setose on top and

front. Disk nearly flat, declivous to front, with a transverse-

frontal ridge, produced in center, on line with the anterior edge

of the eyes. Eyes small, facetted, golden-orange. Mandibles por-

rect, furcate at apex, strongly keeled above for three-fourths their

length; distantly punctured above and beneath; beset with sparse,

coarse, stubby setae; apical fourth and keel nude; inner margin

with an obtuse basal tooth, thence indentate to apical fourth;

apex somewhat palmate, with a large inwardly directed tooth and

a broad bicuspid. Canthus and cheek nearly united, with a minute

hiatus opposite the base of eyes, fully encompassing the eyes. An-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

tennae slender; scape nearly as long as the funicle and clava com¬

bined, black basally, geniculation blood-red, slightly bent. Funicle

as long as the clava, first funicular segment pyriform, cherry-red,

nitid; the rest of funicular segments black, opaque, setose on

anterior and posterior margin, and two rows of setae above and

below. Clava three-segmented, rufous, pubescent, beset with

golden setae.

Prothorax twice as broad as long; anterior margin sinuate,

anterior angles subacute. Sides diverging to apical third, thence

parallel to about basal third, basal third to base excised; basal

angles broadly arcuate, basal margin undulate. Disk with a feeble

median canaliculation, paralleled on each side by a frontal circu¬

lar and basal reniform depressions; disk sloping laterad; remotely

punctured by large shallow punctures, margins impunctate and

setose.

Scutellum ogival, broader than long, squamose. Elytra convex,

dark chocolate-brown, glabrous, impunctate; parallel, posteriorly

regularly rounded, apex setose.

Legs slender, setose throughout, excepting the tops of femora.

Anterior tibiae furcate, the furcation bent downwardly, outer

margin feebly and distantly six-dentate. Intermediate and poster¬

ior tibiae with a median, hardly discernible spinule. Tarsi shorter

than the tibiae, setose.

Beneath opaque throughout, excepting the mandibles which are

shining. Mentum broad, narrowing to front, anterior angles round¬

ed, anterior margin broadly concave and setose. Genae and gula

remotely punctate, squamose. Prosternal process shallowly canal¬

iculate, terminating in a round node. Ventral abdominal segments

emarginate, the margins somewhat elevated; terminal segment

strongly setose.

Female. Unknown.

Measurements (in millimeters) :

Length

Width

Head .

. 2.8

8.1

Mandibles: right .

. 5.4

left .

. 5.6

Prothorax.

. 4.2

8.2

Elytra .

....10.7

8.2

Holotype: 1 $ Nueva Vizcaya, Luzon, Philippine Islands,

in the B. Benesh Collection, North Chicago, Illinois, accession

No. 5240.

Apparently allied to Gnaphaloryx perforatus Rits. 1 from which

it differs in mandibular armature, vestiture and size.

1 Assigned to Aegus by Arrow, Trans. Royal Ent. Soc., London, 83:113, 1935;

whether it really is an Aegus is a moot question.

(To be continued in next issue.)

JANUARY, 1950]

LA RIVERS-NAUCORIDAE

THE MEETING POINT OF

AMBRYSUS AND PELOCORIS IN NEVADA

(Hemiptera: Naucoridae)

BY IRA LA RIVERS

University of Nevada, Reno

Until the recent discovery of a new species of Pelocoris in

Nevada, it was customary to think of that genus as confined to

the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, while Ambrysus

was the western representative of the family, neither overlapping

the other in range. With the description of Pelocoris shoshone

La Rivers (1949) from Ash Springs, Pahranagat Valley, the

range of the genus was extended over 800 airline miles westward,

the new species representing an apparently isolated population

completely surrounded by Ambrysi. The type locality was not

thoroughly collected at the time, and no other naucorids were

taken.

During a recent winter fish-collecting trip into southern Ne¬

vada, the general area was re-visited and more painstakingly

searched for additional naucorid material, with rewarding re¬

sults. The itinerary was from south-to-north, and the type locality

of P. shoshone was one of the last plages to be examined. Collect¬

ing northwesterly from Las Vegas, naucorids were first taken

at a remarkably endemic area known as Warm Springs, the source

of the Muddy or Moapa River, in Clark County just south of the

Lincoln County line. Lying in the old course of Pleistocene White

River, Warm Springs exhibits many remnant populations in both

its vertebrate and invertebrate faunas. I was initially attracted to

its possibilities by the fact that Hubbs and Miller had recently

described a new genus of cyprinid fish from there ( Moapa coria-

cea, 1948), specimens of which I wanted for our museum. During

preliminary collecting at Warm Springs, the first naucorid taken

was somewhat startling, being a new limnocorine, a subfamily of

Naucoridae hitherto unknown in the United States. In one of the

swift, warm outlet streams (pH 7.3, temperature 89°F) of the

main source pool, an occasional Ambrysus mormon Montandon

1909 was intermixed with the limnocorine population in the ratio

of approximately 1: :20.

Nearby, on a low rise, a small marsh gave rise to water which

spilled down the 15-foot slope at the east end of the marsh and

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

then meandered some 30 yards eastward through short grass to

the main stream. At its origin, the marsh water was 83°F; at its

terminus, 75 °F. This brief system was found to contain all three

genera of Naucoridae; in its lower reaches, the limnocorine was

present, giving way to increasing numbers of Ambrysus mormon,

which latter was the only species present in the swiftest portion

of the stream where it descended the slope. Above these points, in

the marsh waters, Pelocoris shoshone was the sole naucorid, oc¬

curring typically in the quiet waters under overhanging turf

banks. Previously, P. shoshone had been known only from the

type locality, some 55 airline miles northward.

Subsequent intensive collecting failed to alter the picture. It

thus seems that the above-mentioned naucorids are rather marked¬

ly restricted to certain specific habitats, although a full-season’s

sampling may alter this picture. Conversely, an associated Sten-

elmis was found abundantly represented in all these habitats, in¬

dicating much less specificity.

The next productive collecting spot northward was Ash

Springs, also on the remnant course of White River, where P.

shoshone was the commonest naucorid, and, in point of fact, the

commonest hemipteran—as at Warm Springs, it was confined to

quiet waters, preferring vegetation or the overhanging turf banks,

and so was found chiefly near the vicinity of the source springs

of the long, winding, Ash Springs channel; many of the springs

were in the nature of motionless seeps with several feet of mud

bottom. However, collecting at the point where two outlet creeks

carried water from the quiet channel, showed A. mormon to be

dominant; in only one instance, under a bank at the immediate

outlet, were Ambrysus and Pelocoris taken together in one sweep

of the seine.

Ambrysus mormon is already well-known as the most widely

distributed member of its genus in the United States; it and P.

shoshone are fully winged, and the latter may be expected to

occur more widely than its present known range indicates. The

limnocorine, however, is incapable of flight, and very probably

is restricted to the thermal waters of the Warm Springs area,

and there solely to swift streams with suitable gravel bottoms.

Literature Cited

Hubbs, Carl L. and R. R. Miller. 1948. Two new relict genera of

cyprinid fishes from Nevada. Occas. Papers Mus. Zool. Univ.

Mich. No. 507:1-30.

JANUARY, 1950

EVANS-INCITA AURANTIACA

La Rivers, Ira. 1949 (1948). A new species of Pelocoris from

Nevada, with notes on the genus in the United States (Hemip-

tera: Naucoridae). Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 41 (3) :371-376.

LIFE HISTORY NOTES ON INC IT A AURANTIACA HY. EDW.

(Lepidoptera: Phalaenidae)

BY WILLIAM H. EVANS

Sun Valley , California

In the Gavilan Hills of Riverside County, California, on April

19, 1948, I* observed several females of this species laying eggs

between the hair entangled terminal bracts of young plants of

Cilia virgata var. dasyantha (Brand.). Each moth required from

8 to 16 seconds to force its ovipositor through the dense wooly

hairs and attach an egg near the base of a bract.

In the breeding cage, the eggs hatched on May 8 and 9; and

the tiny larvae entered the Gilia buds. During the early instars

the larvae remained hidden inside the buds and fed on the par¬

tially developed floral parts; during the last three instars they

rested on the stems and ate blossoms and wooly hairs of the food

plant. Leaves and stems were never eaten. In their last instar, I

substituted flowers of Gilia densifolia Benth., which they readily

accepted. Larvae enter the soil to pupate. A brief description of

the mature larva follows:

Length 20 mm. Ground color greenish-white. A prominent

mid-dorsal brown stripe extends from the second segment to the

anal extremity. The following brown markings extend the entire

length of the body; a subdorsal stripe which is rather indistinct

on all but the first four segments; an irregular dorso-lateral stripe

consisting of two fine, confluent lines; a rather dim lateral stripe;

and a distinct supropodal stripe. There are a few brown markings

on the prolegs. In the dorso-lateral area of each segment from 3

to 10 inclusive, there is a conspicuous rounded black spot a little

forward of the center of the segment. The black spots on opposite

sides of each of these segments are connected by a transparent

orange bar which extends across the dorsal area. One larva lacked

black spots on the third segment.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF APHIDIDAE ON ALOE

(Homoptera)

BY E. O. ESSIG

University of California, Berkeley

A curious aphid which was collected on Aloe aristata in a

nursery at Glendale, California by members of the Los Angeles

County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, Los Angeles, Cali¬

fornia, was sent to the writer for identification. The specimens

could not be determined either to genus or species and a thor¬

ough check of literature failed to show that such a species had

ever been previously described or named. As this aphid attacks

ornamental plants of economic importance it seems advisable

to describe and name it so that it may be properly referred to

and recorded.

Aloephagus Essig, new genus

Apterous form. Body regulary oval, beset with relatively few

short stiff hairs or spines and with irregular and circular groups

of glands somewhat similar to those in Eriosoma; small rounded

tubercles—1 pair on the prothorax and 6 pairs on the abdomen.

Eyes small, 3-faceted. Antennae 5-segmented. Rostrum long and

slender. Legs short. Cauda triangular.

Type species: Aloephagus myersi Essig.

Aloephagus myersi Essig, new species

Apterous viviparous partheno genetic female (fig. 1). General

characteristics as indicated above for the genus Aloephagus.

Body dull-green or pruinose with dusky markings as illustrated;

sparsely covered with short spines arranged in transverse rows

on the abdominal segments; with groups of glandular areas;

rounded lateral tubercles on the prothorax, and six obvious ad-

dominal segments. Antennae 5-segmented, and with few hairs

nearly as long as the width of the segments; III only slightly

longer than V and with the unguis nearly twice as long as the base.

Eyes small and 3-faceted; rostrum long, extending nearly to the

tip of the abdomen, slender with apical segments somewhat swol¬

len with few short hairs. Cauda nearly the form of an isosceles tri¬

angle with many short, stout curving hairs.

JANUARY, 1950]

ESSIG-APHID ON ALOE

Fig. 1. Aloephagus myersi Essig, n. sp. Apterous form and

important characters including portion of front of head showing

wax glands, antenna, faceted eye (side and front), and rostrum.

(Drawing by Frieda Abernathy).

Host plants and distribution in California. Holotype: West Los

Angeles, October 28, 1939, on Aloe sp., nursery, F. R. Platt,

collector (first report). On Haworthia rugosa in quarantine from

South Africa, at Inglewood, December 4, 1940, 2 specimens; F.

R. Platt, collector. On Haworthia sp., Santa Monica, April 25,

1944, 1 specimen; J. Caldwell, collector. On Haworthia sp., nur¬

sery, Glendale, April 7, 1947, 4 immature specimens; M. Wag¬

ner, collector. On Aloe aristata, nursery, Glendale, October 3,

1947, 24 specimens; L. E. Myers, collector. These specimens were

fresh and covered with white pruinose wax. On Aloe variegata ,

Inglewood, November 12, 1948, 3 specimens; A. D. Phelps, col-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

Fig. 2. Aloephagus myersi Essig, n. sp. Immature apterous

forms. The extremely long rostrum grows but little after birth.

(Drawing by Frieda Abernathy).

lector. On Aloe variegata (?), Inglewood, September 24, 1948,

6 specimens; A. D. Phelps, collector. On Aloe sp. Glendale, Oc¬

tober 14, 1948, 3 specimens; W. D. Dyer, collector. An additional

collection, July 19, 1949, on Aloe africana, Glendale, W. D. Dyer,

numbering about 150 specimens on 13 slides received from L. E.

Myers.

The entire collection numbering some 193 specimens, mounted

mostly in diaphane on 32 slides is distributed as follows: type

and 26 slides of paratypes, in author’^ collection; additional para-

types: 2 slides to State Department of Agriculture, Sacramento;

1 slide to the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco;

1 sbde to the office of Los Angeles County Agricultural Commis¬

sioner, Los Angeles; 1 slide to the U. S. National Museum, Wash¬

ington, D. C.; 1 slide to the British Museum of Natural History,

London, England.

JANUARY, 1950] MC KEY-FENDER - CANTHARIS

NOTES ON CANTHARIS III

(Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

BY DOROTHY MC KEY-FENDER 1

McMinnville, Oregon

Some years ago when the author and her husband first be¬

came interested in Coleoptera, the late Ralph Hopping suggested

the Cantharidae as a group in need of revisional work. Beginning

on the genus Cantharis , the author assembled as much material

as possible (both Nearctic and Palearctic) and, in the hope that

a fresh approach might be of value, genitalic dissections of all

males were made and the species grouped solely on that basis.

The North American species fell into seven distinct groups, a

grouping that was later supported by other equally important

characteristics. The Palearctic material at hand seems to fit well

into the author’s concept of the subdivisions of the genus but the

limited material available necessitates postponement of a study of

other than the Nearctic material. The key to the groups herein

presented applies to Nearctic material.

The complex generic and subgeneric interrelationships of the

Cantharini as a whole offer a fascinating field for study but can

only be effectively worked out from the world standpoint.

Some of the subdivisions of the genus Cantharis as here con¬

stituted must more properly be considered distinct genera. This

is true of Divisions I and II of Green (1941), while the author

considers the groups under Division II at least of subgeneric rank.

In this paper the author presents a discussion of the groups into

which the North American Cantharis fall, with descriptions of new

material in some of the groups. The work is frankly preliminary,

but it was felt that further descriptions of new species without

correlating them with the rest of the genus were inadvisable.

The author’s appreciation is due W. J. Chamberlain for his

help in outlining these studies in their early stages; C. A. Frost

and P. J. Darlington for their examination of type material; J. W.

1 Because of the difficulties which arise from two persons of the same name

describing material in the same group, it has been considered advisable that

the author use the hyphenated name-form McKay-Fender, thus avoiding con¬

fusion with the work of her husband. K. M. Fender. The two species of Cantharis

previously described by the author should preferably be cited C. dentata McKey-

Fender and C. bUobata McKey-Fender.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

Green for the loan of his entire Division II collection and for his

friendly exchange of ideas; and the author’s husband, K. M.

Fender—a good listener. The cooperation of many individuals

and institutions in making material available for this study is

deeply appreciated and to E. S. Ross and Hugh B. Leech in par¬

ticular the author’s thanks are due.

Key to the Groups of North American Cantharis (5. lat.)

1. Third tarsal segment simple, insertion of fourth segment api¬

cal, last visible sternite of female unmodified. Division I

- Third tarsal segment emarginate, insertion of fourth segment

ante-apical, last visible sternite of female (where known)

modified. Division II .2

2. Mandibles toothed, anterior claw of all tarsi bluntly toothed or

thickened at base, cleft at tip, the two apical parts similar

(Fig. 16)*.Subgenus Cyrtomoptera

- Mandibles simple, claws not as above ...3

3. Elytral pubescence duplex, short appressed and longer scattered

erect hairs; only anterior claw of male protarsi thickened at

base, cleft at tip, the two apical parts dissimilar, all claws of

female simple (Fig. 15) .subgenus Cultellunguis

- Elytral pubescence simple (except some Cantharis, s. str.),

claws not as above ...4

4. Some claws cleft or toothed .5

- All claws simple ..7

5. All claws cleft (Fig. 17) . Carolina Group

- Some claws toothed .6

6. Anterior claws of all feet invariably acutely toothed (Fig. 18)

.Subgenus Ancistronycha (part)

- Anterior claws of at least some feet bluntly toothed or lamel¬

late (all males and some females, Figs. 19 and 20).

... Cantharis s. str.

7. Slender species, thorax appreciably narrower than elytra, tarsi

slender (applies to males, females of our species unknown).

........ A bsidia

- Robust species, thorax broad, tarsi broad, lobed (applies to

females, see couplet 6) ... Cantharis (s. str.)

Division I

Rhagonycha Esch. 1830 (part)

Green’s (1941) excellent treatment of this group of Cantharis

is the only systematic work on the genus since Leconte’s 1881

synopsis. It covers some forty species, all small and distributed

throughout the United States and Canada excepting for the West

•Illustrations to appear in next issue.

JANUARY, 1950] MC KEY-FENDER - CANTHARIS

Coast states, and which form a closely-knit group, presumably of

generic status. It includes the North American species usually

placed in Rhagonycha except C. Carolina Fab. and C. bilobata

McKey-Fender, which are in a distinct group, and those placed

in Ancistronycha in the Leng “Catalogue of Coleoptera” except

C. loweri Pic (decipiens Horn), a Cantharis ( s. str.), and C.

dentiger Lee. and C. neglecta Fall which with C. bilineata Say

probably are truly Ancistronycha. Though the generic or sub¬

generic name which should finally apply to Division I remains

in doubt, the old name Rhagonycha applies to many, possibly

most, of the species and is herein retained. Aside from the key

characters, the group may be characterized by the male genitalia

which have the dorsal plate a simple or emarginate lobe, the

median processes (median “hooks” of Division II) rudimentary,

represented only by chitinized patches on the median lobe, and the

internal sac with setiferous patches.

Division II

The species of Division II average much larger than those of

Division I. The internal sac of the male genitalia lacks the definite

patches of bristles of that of Division I, but the median lobe has

well developed hooks. The apex of the last visible sternite of the

female (eighth abdominal) in this group is variously modified.

While the shape of this modification offers good specific distinc¬

tions, the distortion of dried specimens prevents its taxonomic use

except by special methods of study and is therefore not empha¬

sized. The presence of such modifications in Absidia has not been

demonstrated, since the females of our species are unknown, nor

has the author seen females of European Absidia. Although the

author has made use of specimens relaxed and cleared with weak

KOH and observed in glycerine in the preparation of these studies,

emphasis is placed on characters apparent by conventional meth¬

ods of study. The genitalic drawings depict only the terminal parts

of the genital armature (dorsal view), these being sufficiently

diagnostic. Distribution data are based on material seen by the

author.

Subgenus Ancistronycha Mark. 1851 {part.)

Cantharis bilineata Say, 1823, C. dentiger Lee., 1851 and C.

neglecta Fall, 1919, constitute the North American representa¬

tives of this sub-genus. Their close relationship is clearly shown

by the male genitalia as well as the form of the ungual tooth

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

(Fig. 18). Dentiger and neglecta are kindred species, their spe¬

cific resemblances being emphasized by a hind-wing venation com¬

mon to both and unique in the Cantharis known to the author,

while bilineata, in wing venation and in the simple posterior claw

of each pair tends toward Cantharis (s . str.) , a relationship indi¬

cated by several European forms as well. Two apparently new

species in this group are in the author’s collection but are repre¬

sented only by females and therefore will not be described at this

time. The male genital armature of these species has the dorsal

plate very much shorter than the ventral lobes and truncate, the

ventral lobes very strong and hooked, the tips bi-dentate, the

median “hooks” dorso-ventrally flattened, short and triangular.

A key to the species follows:

1. Only anterior claw of each pair toothed, pronotal maculation

normally bilineate (Eastern U. S. south to Georgia, west to

Oklahoma and Minnesota) . bilineata

- All claws toothed, pronotal maculation confluent medially .2

2. Pronotum smooth, shining, sub-quadrate (Eastern U. S. south

to New Jersey, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota) . neglecta

- Pronotum densely punctate, rough, transverse (Northeastern

U. S. west to Ohio. The Leng catalogue also lists Indiana and

Texas) . dentiger

Carolina Group

Two closely related and very similar species fall in this group.

They are C. Carolina Fab. 1801 with its pale color-phase C. jae¬

tata Say 1825 and C. bilobata McKey-Fender 1941, also occasion¬

ally pale. The remarkably great development of the basal plate

of the male genital armature of these species is found in no other

North American group of Cantharis. It is very unlikely the name

Rhagonycha should apply to these two species, but description of

the group as new is postponed pending further study. No palearc-

tic species yet examined by the author belongs with these species.

The species may be separated as follows:

1. Pronotal maculation interrupted laterally, tips of ungual divi¬

sions divaricate, eyes large, pronotal margins broqdly reflexed,

disc comparatively flat, ventral lobes of tegmen bilobed api-

cally (boot-shaped) .. . (Quebec south to North Carolina, west

to New Mexico? or Oklahoma and northern Minnesota).

. bilobata

2. Pronotal maculation normally with unbroken edges, tips of

ungual divisions approximate, eyes small, pronotal margins

JANUARY, 1950] MC KEY-FENDER - CANTHARIS

narrowly reflexed, disc moderately to strongly convex, ventral

lobes of tegmen simple apieally (Maine to Key West, west to

Oklahoma and Minnesota) ... Carolina

Subgenus Cyrtomoptera Mots. 1859

Cyrtomoptera Motschulsky, 1859, Coleopteres Nouv. de la Cali-

fornie, Bull. Moscou, 32: 401.

(Cyrtomatoptera Mots.) ; loc. cit. p. 399.

In the above paper Motschulsky applied the name Cyrtomop-

tila, both in the key (p. 398) and the text (p. 401) only to the

European Cantharis lateralis L. In the key, Cyrtomoptila is dis¬

tinguished from Cyrtomatoptera in having the claws simple api-

caily (i.e., “non fendus a leurs extremites”). In the text (p. 401)

Cyrtomoptera (note spelling) is stated to be a new genus, the

species Cyrtomoptera latiuscula Mots, being described and Can¬

tharis binotata Mannh. and Telephorus divisus Lee. being desig¬

nated congeners, while the American species, i.e., Cyrtomoptera ,

are again noted to differ from the European genus Cyrtomoptila

in having the inner claw cleft apieally (C. lateralis). In view of

these facts it seems unlikely that Cyrtomoptila should take pre¬

cedence over Cyrtomoptera in spite of its anterior position in the

publication. As Cyrtomoptera is the spelling which accompanies

the “definition” of the genus, it should be preferred over Cyrto¬

matoptera, which is used only once in the key.

C. latiuscula Mots, has been made a synonym of Cantharis

divisa Lee., which thus becomes the type of the genus. C. bino¬

tata Mann, (ex err. notata Mann. 1843) has been renamed

C. americana Pic, 1906, and is the type of the subgenus Cultel-

lunguis (v. sub.). Thus of the older species C. divisa alone re¬

mains and this species together with C. dentata McKey-Fender,

1944, constitute the sub genus Cyrtomoptera.

In addition to Motschulsky’s characterization of this subgenus,

which emphasizes the form of the claws and the tuberculate sculp¬

ture of the elytra, attention must be called to the dentate man¬

dibles, a condition unique in the imagoes of North American Can¬

tharis. The male genital armature is characterized by the simple

dorsal plate with undeveloped lateral sinuations, the ventral lobes

expanded at least basally. The species may be separated as fol¬

lows:

1. Pronotum normally maculate, last ventral of female with a

rufous apical spot, not thickened laterally, dorsal plate of male

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

armature simple apically, 5.5 to 10 mm., averaging 8 mm. (Low

to moderate elevations along coast, San Diego, Calif., north to

Vancouver Is. and southwestern mainland of British Columbia,

and including the Sacramento, Calif., Willamette, Ore., and

Yakima, Wash., valleys.) ... divisa

2. Pronotum immaculate, last ventral of female rufous apically

and medially, thickened laterally, dorsal plate of male arma¬

ture emarginate apically, 6 to 10 mm., averaging 9 mm. (High¬

er elevations in the Sierra Nevada, and Mt. Hamilton, Santa

Clara Co., California.) . dentata

Cultellunguis McKey-Fender, new subgenus

Male : Size moderate (6.5 to 9 mm.), slender with relatively

long legs and antennae. Head shining, finely punctate, pubescence

fine, appressed. Antennae filiform, slender, second segment one-

half to two-third^ length of third. Clypeus comparatively short,

terminal segment of maxillary palpi elongate, trapezoidal, outer

limb much longer than the inner, distal side gently arcuate, apex

subacute (Fig. 14). Pronotum subquadrate or slightly elongate,

never transverse in the known species, narrower than elytra, shin¬

ing, virtually impunctate, pubescence fine and sparse. Elytra

rugose, tuberculate, sculpture arranged in faint longitudinal

lines the prominence of which varies in the species, relatively

slender, edges a little thickened. Elytral pubescence duplex, con¬

sisting of a relatively dense layer of soft appressed hairs and a

layer of longer scattered stiffer hairs. Tarsi lobed, apex of third

segment emarginate, insertion of fourth segment ante-apical.

Anterior claw of pro-tarsi thickened at base forming an inconspic¬

uous tooth, cleft at tip, the outer cleft portion flattened like a

knife blade,—i.e., cultellate (Fig. 15), all others simple. First

pro-tarsal segment a good deal longer than those following and

broad to very broad, the proportions varying specifically. Tarsi

otherwise rather slender.

Genital armature consisting of the well-chitinized, lobed tegmen

and tubular median lobe bearing the paired, strongly chitinized

median hooks and terminating in the membranous internal sac,

which is armed apically with a long flagellum composed of a bun¬

dle of long slender bristles. (This structure has been detected in

the majority of the species, scarcity of material preventing the

necessary preparations in the others.) The terminal portion of the

dorsal tegminal plate is bifurcate medially, sinuate laterally; the

ventral lobes are much flattened and folded; the basal portions

moderately chitinized, a pair of curved plates investing only the

proximo-lateral portions of the tegmen, leaving the terminal parts

well exposed. The form of the lobes offers reliable specific dis¬

tinctions.

Female : Differs in having the eyes relatively smaller, antennae

shorter, form a little stouter, the first protarsal segment not broad¬

er than the others, claws all simple.

JANUARY, 1950] MC KEY-FENDER - CANTHARIS

Type species: Cantharis americana Pic, 1906 (C. notata Mann.)

The knife-like shape of the outer cleft portion of the anterior

protarsal claws of the male is very characteristic and it is from

this feature that the subgenus takes its name. The shape of the tip

of this portion and its comparative length varies specifically. The

shape of the last segment of the maxillary palpi is also quite dis¬

tinctive (Fig. 14). Cyrtomoptera alone approaches it in form,

while species of the other groups have the two limbs more nearly

equal (Fig. 13) except a few Cantharis s. str. which are inter¬

mediate ( consors, rotundicollis, curtisii ) and subgenus Ahsidia

in which the inner angle is obscured (Fig. 12).

Cultellunguis includes a well marked group of species which

are concentrated in Southern California, one species having been

taken in Baja California, Mexico (Ensenada and Catavina), and

only one extending north of San Francisco along the coast through

Oregon and into Washington. Previously described species in¬

clude: americana Pic, 1906 ( notata Mann, 1843), americana lar-

valis Lee. 1860, lauta Lee., 1851, ochropa Lee., 1881, ingenua

Lee., 1881, and perpallens Fall, 1936. In addition hatchi, mac-

nabiana, mackenziei, americana montereyensis, perpallens sanc-

taeclarae and ingenua knulli are herein described. A key to the

species follows:

1 .

2 .

6 .

Legs pale or bicolored . 2

Legs black .10

Elytra dark . 3

Elytra pale . 8

Head entirely black behind eyes . 4

Head entirely pale or with a black occipital spot or spots of

variable size. 5

Clypeus scarcely emarginate apically, sides arcuate, apex of

abdomen pale, last ventral of male deeply, broadly emargin¬

ate, the sides produced and flattened . ochropa

Clypeus strongly emarginate apically, sides oblique, usually

piceous beneath (sides and apex of abdomen rarely narrowly

pale), last ventral of male simple . macnabiana

Anterior angles of pronotum distinct . 6

Anterior angles of pronotum not evident, evenly rounded into

the deeply convex anterior margin ....perpallens sanctaeclarae

Legs unicolorous .... americana americana

Knees black . 7

Prothorax yellow, form slender, male metacoxae with a con¬

ical projection . hatchi

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO, 1

- Prothorax maculate, form robust, male metacoxae simple .

... americana rnontereyensis (part)

8. Anterior angles of pronotum indistinct, evenly rounded into

the deeply convex anterior margin, coloration entirely pale,

form slender . perpallens perpallens

- Anterior angles of pronotum distinct, elytra pale with narrow

dusky border, pronotal and occipital maculations present, form

robust . 9

9. Legs entirely pale . americana larvalis

- Knees black.... americana montereyensis (part)

10. Long hairs of elytra fulvous or golden, last ventral of male

broadly, very deeply emarginate, the sides of the emargination

prolonged and flattened . mackenziei

— Long hairs of elytra black, last ventral of male broadly shal¬

lowly emarginate, sides not modified .11

11. Form robust, first male protarsal segment broadly expanded,

tegminal lobes broad ._. .ingenua ingenua

— Form slight, first male protarsal segment not broadly ex¬

panded, tegminal lobes not notably expanded ... .ingenua knulli

Unknown to the author: C. lauta Lee. 1851. It would run to

couplet four in the key.

Cantharis (C ultellunguis) AMERICANA Pic 2

Cantharis notata Mannerheim, 1843, Beitr. Kaferf. der Aleutischen

Ins. etc., Bull. Moscou, 16: 246.

Cantharis binoiata Motschulsky (nec Mannh.; ex err.) 1859, Bull.

Moscou, 32: 401.

Cantharis peregrina Boheman, 1858-1859, Kongliga Svenska Fre-

gatten Eugenies Resa, etc., Coleoptera, Stockholm, p. 80.

Cantharis americana Pic, 1906, L’Echange, 22: 81.

Elytra piceous, head flavo-testaeeous with black maculation

behind eyes varying from a pair of spots postero-medially from

antennae, to a black area occupying much of the head behind eyes;

antennae flavo-testaeeous, apical fourth often infuscate; pronotum

flavous to testaceous, paired or coalesced black or brown macula¬

tion on the anterior half of disc; scutellum, legs and sides and

apex of abdominal segments testaceous, sternum piceous; form

moderately robust.

Male : Width at base of elytra 1.75 mm., length 8 mm., antennae

6 mm. Clypeus short, emarginate, margin arcuate on either side

of center. Antennae not quite reaching two-thirds of body length;

eyes small. Pronotum subquadrate, anterior angles prominent,

anterior margin moderately convex from the anterior angles; sides

sinuate, constricted immediately behind anterior angles and again

less strongly immediately before the posterior angles; posterior

angles very distinct, a right angle or very slightly greater, poster¬

ior margin moderately convex from a little within the posterior

angles, not or very slightly sinuate at middle; pronotal edges re-

2 The name notata is preoccupied by C. notata Waltl., 1838, a synonym of

C. (Metacantharis) discoidea Abiens (Pic 1906).

JANUARY, 1950] MC KEY-FENDER - CANTHARIS

flexed, a broadly concave area on either side of anterior half

occupying one-third of width of disc and tapering posteriorly to

posterior fourth leaving a thin reflexed margin; median depressed

area extending from posterior edge to just short of anterior edge,

posterior edge most deeply reflexed at center and just within

angles, disc tumid on either side of posterior half. Elytra mod¬

erately stout, combined width one-fourth greater than thorax and

nearly one-third of elytral length, longitudinal sculptured lines

strong; short pubescence cinereous, erect hairs black. Anterior

claw of protarsi cleft, outer cleft portion cultellate, slightly ex¬

ceeding inner; apex obliquely arcuate; all others simple; first

protarsal segment expanded, width equaling two-thirds its length,

width of second equals three-fourths its length, width of third

equals its length which equals width of second. Posterior margin

of last ventral simple.

Male genital armature testaceous or dusky, dorsal bifurcation

of tegmen very short, forks narrow, apices acute, widely divergent;

median lobe stout, exceeding tegmen; lateral sinuations broadly

lobular; ventral lobes laterally flattened at tips, moderately long

(Fig. 1).

Female : Form slightly more robust, antennae shorter, not

nearly reaching two-thirds body length, claws all simple, pro-tarsi

not expanded. Width at base of elytra 2 mm., length 8 mm., anten¬

nae 5.5 mm.

Range : West Coast; Coastal California from San Diego north

to San Francisco Bay region, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties;

northward along the coast from Marin county into Oregon and

Washington.

Specimens examined (including the subspecies) : 151.

This species was the earliest described representative of the

subgenus and is herein designated the generic type. It is also of

widest distribution and has two well developed subspecific varia¬

tions. Its nearest relative appears to be C. hatchi but it is easily

separated by the smaller eyes, maculate head and thorax, more

robust form (eyes large, head and thorax pale, and form elon¬

gate in hatchi ), and the absence of the coxal spur characteristic

of the male in hatchi . Americana, particularly in the typical form,

may show a low metacoxal ridge which seems to foreshadow the

prominent spur of hatchi , but it can in no sense be said to be

spurred. From perpallens this species is readily separated by the

definite pronotal angles (anterior angles not evident in perpal¬

lens). In the Willamette Valley, Oregon, this species (subsp. lar-

valis ) is usually associated with the Garry oak, Quercus garryana

Dougl.

(To be continued in next issue.)

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

OBSERVATIONS ON THE

MATING HABITS OF HALICTID BEES

(Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

BY GEORGE E. BOHART

U. S. D. A., Agr. Res. Admin.,

Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine

In October, 1946, on the experimental farm of the University

of California, at Davis, rather large numbers of the following

species of halictid bees were observed on the fermenting juice of

broken watermelons: Apis mellifera L., Agapostemon cockerelli

Crawford, Halictus ligatus Say, H. farinosus Smith, H. rubicundus

Christ, and Lasioglossum sp. Except for the first, all belong to

the family Halictidae. Since the mating of most genera of bees

is not readily observed, the following notes are recorded.

Agapostemon cockerelli and Halictus ligatus , males and fe¬

males, were the most abundant, and the males of both species

spent most of their time trying to copulate with females. In these

attempts the males flew in circles about 4 inches above the water¬

melons and dropped precipitously upon the feeding females after

approaching them from behind. In most cases the females dis¬

lodged the males by simply taking flight or by first rolling onto

their backs.

In approximately 5 percent of the encounters observed, mating

was apparently successful. In such cases the male was seen to

straddle the female with his head above her neck. The tip of his

abdomen appeared to curl under and slightly to one side of the

tip of hers, but this was not clearly observed. When full contact

was made, the female crawled across the watermelon and in a

few cases took flight for an inch or more. During this activity

the male would usually lose hold with his fore- and mid-legs and

assume an almost perpendicular position, still clinging to the fe¬

male with his hind legs. The average time of contact was about

10 seconds. Mating was apparently terminated by the female, who

dislodged the male by twisting, rolling over, thrusting with her

legs, and then taking flight. The female, when free, immediately

resumed feeding, and the male in most cases started searching

for another female.

JANUARY, 1950] BOHART-HALICTID BEES

Little discrimination was shown by the males in selecting

females for attempted matings. Females observed to be already

mated were pounced upon as readily as the others, and females

of all the halictid species, with the exception of the Lasioglossum

which were very small, were subject to encounters by males of

at least the three commonest species. In no case, however, was

a male seen to make prolonged contact with a female known to

be mated or with a female of a different species. Table 1 shows

the results of a series of attempted matings observed in about

half an hour on one watermelon.

Table 1.—Results of attempted mating by males of two species

of Halictidae. 1 .

Agapostemon

Halictus

cockerelli

ligatus

Agapostemon cockerelli

32 A, 2 3S

14 A

Halictus ligatus

6 A

36 A, 4S

Halictus farinosus

4 A

8 A

Halictus rubicundus

4 A

Lasioglossum sp.

—

1 A

Observations were made by watching the females rather than the males.

2 A = Attempted mating; S = apparently successful.

IXth International Congress of Entomology

The IXth International Congress of Entomology will be held

from August 17th-24th, 1951, in Amsterdam (Netherlands).

Entomologists wishing to receive in due course programs and ap¬

plication forms are requested to communicate with the Secre¬

tariate, c/o Physiologisch Laboratorium, 136 Rapenburgerstraat,

Amsterdam. Further communications will follow in 1950.

Another European Weevil Established in California

A specimen of Baris ( Cosmobaris) scolopacea Germ, was col¬

lected at Antioch, Calif., on July 15, 1946, by D. Giuliani. Mr.

Peter Ting informs me that he has also collected this weevil at

Corral Hollow, near Tracy, on cattails, May 4, 1939, and near

Sacramento, June 25, 1949, on rag weed. Rag weed is its normal

food plant.— Edwin C. Van Dyke.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

G. F. Ferris E. S. Ross D. D. Jensen

Vice-President President Secretary

Proceedings

Two Hundred and Third Meeting

The two hundred and third meeting of the Pacific Coast

Entomological Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on January 29,

1949, in the entomological laboratories of the California Acad¬

emy of Sciences, San Francisco. President Ross in the chair.

The following members were present: E. S. Ross, J. M. Watson,

Victor Stomble*, A. Retan, Ernestine B. Thurman, D. C. Thur¬

man, F. X. Williams, Wm. D. Murray, K. D. Snyder, W. E.

Hazeltine, C. H. Spitzer, J. W. Tilden, E. G. Wegenek, R. L.

Doutt, H. B. Leech, R. S. Beal, Jr., K. E. Frick, F. H. Rindge,

J. E. Gillaspy, E. C. Van Dyke, E. L. Kessel, N. W. Frazier, W.

W. Middlekauff, N. D. Waters, C. P. Hoyt, B. E. White, H. H.

Blakemore, W. H. Hart, J, du Bois, XL S. Hagen, J. G. Edwards,

A. E. Michelbacher, S. H. Benedict, E. 0. Essig, D. J. Gould, L.

Quate, W. W. Wirth, P. D. Hurd, Jr., S. A. Sher, R. F. Smith,

John Hart, and D, D. Jensen. The following visitors were also

present: Ruth Ogren, Hal Brydon, Sherman L. Thomas, Sylvia

R. Hindebrant, Claude Smith, Kathryn Hoyt, Mrs. F. X. Williams,

J. W. Green, E. P. Cook, Jacques R. Heifer, J. H. Freitag, H. T.

Osborn, Mrs. H. T. Osborn, and Bap Reddy.

The minutes of the previous meeting, held December 18, 1948,

were read and approved.

The membership committee proposed and the Society elected

Thomas W. Cook to membership in the Society.

President Ross appointed the following members as a com¬

mittee to study the constitution and recommend amendments: Dr.

Linsley (Chairman), Dr. Michelbacher, and Mr. Hurd.

In response to the president’s call for notes, exhibits, and

remarks, Mr. Hazeltine displayed 165 males and 3 females of

Pleocoma conjungens Horn which were collected during the rain at

Mt. Hermon.

Dr. Ray F. Smith described his recent visit to the site of some

of Le Conte’s collections during this early entomologist’s trip

west in 1867. Slides were shown of two important type localities

which were formerly occupied by forts of the U. S. Army. Nothing

is left of Fort Wallace near what is now Wallace, Kansas. A

single tree stands on an uninhabited plain where the fort formerly

JANUARY, 1950] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

stood. Le Conte spent from June 24 to July 8, 1867, in this area.

Portions of several hundred adobe buildings still stand as the

remnants of Fort Union near Watrous, New Mexico. At the time

of Le Conte’s visit in August, 1867, Fort Union was the main

supply point and headquarters for the lesser forts in the South¬

west area.

Dr. Ross called attention to the fact that Dr. Duncan’s presi¬

dential address given before the Society in 1947 on the subject:

“Some Remarks on the Influence of Insects on Human Welfare”,

had been reprinted for distribution by the Smithsonian Institution.

President Ross then introduced as the main speaker of the day,

Dr. Francis X. Williams, recently retired Entomologist of the

Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association Experiment Station, who

spoke on the subject: “Notes on the Natural History of East

Africa.” Dr. Williams’ summary of his remarks follows:

The Pacific Science Board of the National Research Council,

on request from the United States Navy, sent me to Africa to

stady the habits and natural enemies of the giant African snail,

(Achatina fulica ) so destructive now on certain tropical Pacific

islands.

Not being a malacologist, I first spent ten days at the Museum

of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College, Cambridge, Massa¬

chusetts, to study some of the African land snails, under Dr. J. S.

Bequaert, entomologist, malacologist, and botanist, and who is well

acquainted with tropical Africa.

Mrs. F. X. Williams accompanied me to Africa. She took all

the photographs and helped in many other ways.

Nearly all our transportation was by air. We arrived at Mom¬

basa, Kenya Colony, British East Africa, early in December, 1947,

and left Africa for the United States on June 19, 1948. In the

search for a suitable headquarters for work on Achatina snails,

we visited the Island of Zanzibar and a number of localities in

Kenya Colony, Tanganyika Territory, and the Uganda Protec¬

torate in the interior. Incidental to the work on snails, many other

observations on natural history were made.

A very brief discussion of the faunal areas of the Ethiopian

region followed; these included the Lower Guinea forest district,

a wet area extending from the west into Uganda, some areas of

Savannahs, the East African Highlands, and the East African

Lowlands. The amount and annual distribution of the rainfall is

the chief factor in determining these faunal areas.

The lake region in Uganda is briefly described, the Victoria

Nile with its Murchison Falls roaring through a cleft less than

20 feet wide and flowing into Lake Albert, the wonderful macro¬

fauna along its banks—dozens of hippopotami, elephants, water

buck, baboons, etc., and large wading birds and fine fish eagles;

elsewhere the quantities of lake fish (Tilapia), catfish, and lung

fish caught overnight at a narrows, the huge marabou storks wait-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

ing for the offal. Extensive swamps of the Egyptian bulrush

(Cyperus papyrus), up to 15 or more feet tall, provide fine shelter

for certain birds, etc. The elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum)

is much employed by the Africans in building their huts and

fences.

On the highland plains, much large game was observed both

from train and automobile; they included many antelope, giraffe,

zebra, ostrich, and a small herd of buffalo. Secretary eagles were

noted striding through the fields. Several kinds of weaver birds

were observed nesting in colonies in palms and other trees. The

preponderance and destructiveness of the Indian house crow

(Corvus splendens) , introduced into the Island of Zanzibar, was

commented upon. The numerous beautiful species (Nectariniidae)

of sunbirds, the males in metallic greens, reds, etc., remind us of

our humming-bfrds, as they flutter among the flowers. Large birds

of prey and horntails are conspicuous in many parts of Africa.

Among insects, at least a half dozen species of Amputee e, or

cockroach wasps, were collected. The common Ampulex compressa

was found in and about habitations. Many kinds of fossorial wasps

were seen. Vespid wasps were well represented, large Eumenes

and Synagris constructing their mud nests in buildings. There

were fine species of carpenter bees (Xylocopidae) and the wild

honeybee ( Apis sp.), nesting in hollows of the huge baobab trees

(Andansonia digitata) , was very aggressive.

Several species of swallowtail butterflies were common in

forest glades. Immense neuropterous insects of the genus Palpares

flew up at your approach.

About Tanga, on the East African Coast, immense dark cylin¬

drical millipedes that attained a length of at least 9 inches were

common. Large millipedes play an important part hereabouts in

the reduction of plant trash into humus.

As elsewhere in the tropics, termites are a problem here. Power

poles and railroad ties are of metal, as a protection against ter¬

mites and decay. Termites are also eaten with gusto au naturelle

by Africans.

At the Diani Beach district on the Indian Ocean and but a few

degrees south of the equator, most of the work on snails was car¬

ried on. Snails of the genus Achatina were very numerous here

and reached a length of six inches.

In the Diani district the dry and wet seasons are sharply

marked. It is interesting to note here how quickly the waterloving

insects take advantage of rain puddles. Hardly have these formed

when dragonflies begin ovipositing in them, and water and shore

bugs appear almost by magic.

So brief a stay in Africa as ours makes us realize how little

we know of the natural history of that vast continent.

After a discussion of the paper the meeting was adjourned.—

D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

JANUARY, 1950] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

Two Hundred and Fourth Meeting

The two hundred and fourth meeting of the Pacific Coast Ento¬

mological Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on March 5, 1949, in the

entomological laboratories of the California Academy of Sciences,

San Francisco. President Ross in the chair. The following mem¬

bers were present: P. A. Adams, N. D. Waters, P. H. Arnaud,

R. L. Doutt, K. S. Hagen, W. D. Murray, A. E. Pritchard, E. C.

Van Dyke, R. P. Allen, D. W. Boddy, K. E. Frick, E. G. Wegenek,

A. H. Retan, V. Stombler, H. M. Armitage, J. W. Tilden, H. H.

Blakemore, K. W. Tucker, D. E. Bryan, V. M. Stern, T. W. Cook,

W. W. Sampson, D. J. Raski, M. W. Allen, G. L. Smith, E. B.

Thurman, D. C. Thurman, R. F. Fritz, D. Gould, J. E. Gillaspy,

P. D. Hurd, Jr., E. G. Linsley, F. X. Williams, N. W. Frazier, J.

W. MacSwain, R. van den Bosch, R. F. Smith, J. G. Edwards, W.

C. Day, C. A. Hanson, E. E. Seibert, Larry Quate, A. E. Michel-

bacher, E. S. Ross and D, D. Jensen. Visitors were present as

follows: Mrs. E. G. Wegenek, G. L. Stebbins, Alva Grant, Verne

Grant, W. W. Allen, J. H. Freitag, C. B. Huffaker, R. W. Bunn,

and Louisa Clark Williams.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

The membership committee proposed the following for member¬

ship in the Society: R. A. Underhill, Kenneth R. Hobbs, K. W.

Tucker, and R. W. Hunt. They were unanimously elected.

President Ross requested an expression of opinion from the

members of the Society as to whether an informal luncheon should

be held in a restaurant at noon before each meeting. After a brief

discussion it was decided that such luncheons would be held for

those who wish to attend them, but that members who wished to

bring their own lunches would meet at the Academy.

President Ross appointed the following members as a com¬

mittee to select a site for the annual field meeting of the Society

which will be held in May: P. D. Hurd (Chairman), J. W. Mac-

Swain, and Paul Arnaud.

In response to a call for notes, exhibits, and remarks, Dr.

R. F. Smith reported that on January 26, 1945, at the Fabian

Bell Tract near Tracy, California, a large colony of bees ( Exomal-

opsis sp.) was found. When 786 cells were dissected out, 173 (22

per cent) were found to have been destroyed by mold, 19 (2.4 per

cent) contained last instar bombyliid larvae, and 594 contained last

instar bee larvae of which one-third had mold on them. Forty-one

or 15.4 per cent of 267 Exomalopsis larvae had first instar Rhi-

pipho't'us larvae in them. These were full fed and occurred in

the ventral portion of the thorax where they fed on the fat body

of the bee larvae.

On February 15, 1949, at the Shiner Ranch east of Firebaugh,

33 per cent of the bee larvae examined contained Rhipiphorus

larvae.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

Dr. Smith stated that adults are rarely taken and at the

present time the biology is known for no American species of

Rhipiphorus.

Mr. H. B. Leach commented that in one day in British Colum¬

bia he had collected 40 specimens of a rhipiphorid species on

goldenrod.

Mr. Armitage reported that when Dr. H. T. Osborn found the

yellow clover weevil at Yreka, California, in 1948 it was thought

to be the first record for the species in California. Since it was

known to occur extensively in the eastern part of the United

States, the records of some of the eastern collections were checked.

In the Cornell University collection specimens were found which

had been collected at Eureka, Pomona, and Los Angeles, Cali¬

fornia, as early as 1907. This case was cited as an illustration of

the importance of museum insect collections for the economic en¬

tomologist. If these early collections had not been preserved as

evidence that the species had existed in California for many years,

a program might have been undertaken to determine its distribu¬

tion in the state. Moreover, quarantine or eradication measures

might have been invoked.

Dr. G. L. Stebbins, Professor of Genetics, University of Cali¬

fornia at Berkeley, was then called upon to present his address

entitled, “Insects and Evolution.” Professor Stebbins’ discussion,

which was illustrated with lantern slides, is summarized below.

Of the numerous problems in general evolution in connection

with which evidence from insects is important, two have been

selected for discussion, namely mimicry and the role of insects in

the pollination of flowers. The personal experience of the speaker

with mimicry began at the Hastings Natural History Reservation

in Monterey County in 1944, where he observed the activity of

the Sphingid moth, Hemaris senta, in pollinating the flowers of

Trichostema lanceolatuni, the turpentine weed. He was struck not

only by the morphological resemblance of this moth to a bumble

bee, but also by its similarity in behavior, and the fact that it flies

by day, while its relatives are mostly night fliers. Such a combina¬

tion of morphological characteristics and instincts must have been

built up through a complicated process of mutation and genetic

recombination guided by natural selection.

Two sets of experiments on mimicry were cited. The first, by

P. J. Darlington, consisted in placing specimens of the genus

Thonalmus (Lyeidae, Coleoptera) as well as certain of its mimics

in the family Cerambycidae, namely Calocosmus venustus, Trich-

rous divisus, T. pilipennis, and Heterops dimidiata, in cages along

with the insect-eating lizard, Anolis sagrei. In two experiments,

each lasting 5 days, the lizard failed to eat any of 4 specimens of

Thonalmus aulica or of 7 specimens of mimicking species of Cer¬

ambycidae, but did eat all of 20 specimens of non-mimicking

JANUARY, 1950] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

species introduced into the cage, including 10 different plain-

colored species of Cerambyeidae.

The second set of data cited were those of E. B. Ford on the

distribution of mimic, non-mimic, and imperfectly mimicking forms

of the African butterfly, Papilio dardanus. This author showed

that at Entebbe, where all of the aposematic, brilliantly colored

model species are abundant, there is a relatively large number of

different mimic forms of P. dardanus, while at Nairobi, where

models are relatively uncommon and some are absent, the mimics

are less abundant, and many of them are imperfect, due to the

presence of genetic modifying factors. The simple Mendelian in¬

heritance and consequently the genic basis of these mimic forms

has been demonstrated by raising broods from gravid females col¬

lected in the wild, and observing the segregation of different mimic

forms from these broods.

The first observations cited on flower pollination were those

of K. Mather at the John Innes Horticultural Institution, Merton,

England, on two species of snapdragon, Antirrhinum mo.jus and A.

glutinosum. A. majus is normally self pollinated but A. glutinosum

■is self incompatible and must be cross pollinated. Mather grew these

two species in alternating plots in his garden, and found that of

seeds gathered from A. glutinosum, only 2.9 per cent of hybrid

plants were recovered, while seed gathered from A, majus gave

only 0-1.2 percent of hybrids. Artificial cross pollination is success¬

ful between these two species as between two plants of the same

species. Hence Mather’s results can be explained only on the as¬

sumption that on a particular pollen collecting trip, the bees which

pollinate these flowers remain true to one or the other species.

Both species are pollinated by the honey bee, and it is possible that

the same bee may visit A. majus on one pollen collecting trip and

A. glutinosum on another, but bees which started their activity

on one of the two species were observed to fly over the plots con¬

taining the second species in their search for more plants of

the first species visited. Similar observations were made by Dr.

Verne Grant on honey bees pollinating two different races of

Gilia capitata. cultivated in Berkeley.

The work of Pouyanne in North Africa, as cited by Ames, has

shown that the orchid species Orphrys fusca and O. lutea are pol¬

linated by male bees of the genus Andrena, through the process of

pseudocopulation, while Orphrys speculum is pollinated by males of

the wasp Scolia ciliata in a similar manner. The attitude of pseudo¬

copulation is, however, different, since the Andrena species pol¬

linate with their abdomens, and the Scolia with its head. The

genus Orphr'ys, one of the most rich in species of the European

flora, has undoubtedly been greatly stimulated in its evolution by

the selective activity of the pollinating bees and wasps. Another

example is the Australian orchid, Cryptostylis leptochila, which is

pollinated by male flies of the genus Lissopimpla.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

Grant has shown that in species of which the flowers are pol¬

linated by Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, or birds, a very large pro¬

portion of the characters used by taxonomists for differentiating

species are based on the characters adapting them to insect pollina¬

tion, namely the corolla, stamens, styles, and stigmas; while in

those flowers pollinated by less discriminating insects, or by

wind or water, a much smaller proportion of the valid taxonomic

characters are found in these structures. In Aristolochia, however,

a fly pollinated flower, the 250 species are differentiated largely on

the basis of their tubular perianth, which is modified in different

ways to form different types of fly traps. In A. calif omica, the

perianth has its dark colored and transparent parts distributed in

such a way as to make use of the fly’s phototropism in guiding

it into the location of the stigma and anthers.

Finally, the speaker speculated on the suggestion of Diels, that

the earliest Angiosperms were pollinated by Coleoptera. In this

connection it is notable that the herbaceous species of Paeorria

native to the Old World are pollinated by bees, and have con¬

spicuous white, pink, crimson, lavender, or yellow flowers, which

are sometimes scented; while the two species native to the New

World have dull brownish or maroon flowers, much smaller and

inconspicuous, and without scent. Their pollinating agents are not

known, but Delpino has reported that the shrubby species P.

suffruticosa of China is pollinated by Cetoniae, which lick the

fleshy disk at the base of the carpels. In this connection it is im¬

portant to note that the disk of the American species, P. Browmi

and P. califomica, is the most highly developed of any species in

the genus. In the Old World species, the disk is progressively re¬

duced as the species become more advanced in their phylogenetic

position. Since Paeonia is one of the most primitive genera of

Angiosperms, the establishment of beetles as regular pollinators

of primitive species of this genus would have great evolutionary

significance.

After a discussion of the paper, the meeting was adjourned.—

D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Fifth Meeting

The two hundred and fifth meeting of the Pacific Coast Ento¬

mological Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on April 2, 1949, in the

entomological laboratories of the California Academy of Sciences,

San Francisco. President Ross in the chair. The following mem¬

bers were present: E. L. Kessel, E. S. Ross, R. L. Doutt, B. Brook-

man, K. D. Snyder, N. D. Waters, E. 0. Essig, A. E. Michel-

bacher, F. X. Williams, W. C. Day, E. C. Van Dyke, H. B. Leech,

J. W. MacSwain, W. W. Wirth, P. D. Hurd, Jr., K. E. Frick, P. A.

JANUARY, 1950] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

Harvey, R. C. Miller, C. P. Hoyt, P. Arnaud, W. L. Hoyt, T. W.

Cook, A. G. Applegarth, J. R. Walker, Feme E, Atkins, C. I.

Smith, R. F. Smith, R. E. Beer, R. van den Bosch, D. E. Bryan, E.

G. Linsley, F. Leigh, K. S. Hagen, J. P. Gillaspy, and D. D. Jen¬

sen. The following visitors were also present: Mrs. Lucy M.

Bryant, Owen Bryant, Edwin Cook, A1 Landi, Donald L. Shuman,

Hal W. Brydon, Kenneth F. Innes, Jr., William W. Allen and H.

H. Abram.

The minutes of the meeting held March 5, 1949, were read

and approved.

The membership committee proposed and the Society unani¬

mously elected the following as members of the Society: Ediom F.

Cook, Claude I. Smith, A. G. Applegarth, Owen Bryant, William

L. Hoyt, Mrs. Feme E. Atkins and Dr. Harold Elishewitz.

Mr. Hurd reported that Taylor State Park, in Marin County,

had been selected by the field day committee as the site for the

annual field meeting to be held May 8, 1949.

The president then called for notes, exhibits and remarks. Mr.

Armitage reported that in March, 1949, the Federal Government

had established a quarantine prohibiting the importation of Vanda

orchids from the Territory of Hawaii. This was done because the

Oriental fruit fly, Daciis dorsalis Hendel, had been found in the

egg and larval stages on the flowers of this orchid. The larvae were

found feeding on the petals. For some time this fly had been known

to injure the flowers by means of its egg punctures.

Dr. Kessel exhibited an interesting mechanical fly trap used in

the Orient to catch houseflies.

President Ross reported that on April 7, 1949, Dr. E. C. Van

Dyke will celebrate his 80th birthday and extended to Dr. Van

Dyke the congratulations, best wishes and appreciation of the

Society for his long and distinguished service in the field of ento¬

mology and in the Society.

Mr. Owen Bryant was introduced and commented briefly on

his experiences collecting insects in the Arctic region.

President Ross then introduced Dr. Richard L. Doutt, of the

University of California, who spoke on the subject: “Polyembryony

in the Parasitic Hymenoptera.” Dr. Doutt's discussion, which was

illustrated with lantern slides, is abstracted below.

Polyembryony refers to the production of two or more embryos

from a single egg. This phenomenon is known to everyone in the

cases of identical (monozygotic) human twins.

Experimental embryologists have artificially induced polyembry-

onic development in species typically monembryonic by isolating

blastomeres. The natural occurrence of polyembryony may be either

sporadic (human twins) or specific and the habitual mode of re¬

production (Armadillos, certain parasitic Hymenoptera).

The most striking examples of polyembryonic development are

found among the parasitic Hymenoptera. In this group there is

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

strong evidence that the development of polyembryony has under¬

gone an evolutionary process.

Among the polyembryonic Encyrtidae it is suggested that poly¬

embryony results primarily from a change in the cytoplasmic-

nuclear balance of the egg cell when a polar region is formed

from about half of the egg cytoplasm. This polar region gives rise

to a protective envelope, the trophamnion, which ultimately con¬

stricts around each germ and effects its isolation. The abundant

nutriment source provided by the host apparently stimulates de¬

velopment.

Peculiar, precocious, asexual larvae are produced from blas-

tomeres which do not receive the germ cell determinant. The nor¬

mal embryos in the polygerminal mass become intimately associated

with the fat body and tracheae of the host.

A significant sexual differential in the amount of polyembryonic

division exists in the Hymenoptera. This is explained by the in¬

fluence of sperm nuclear material in fertilized eggs. This hypo¬

thesis is strengthened by results of radiation experiments in which

androgenetic development was obtained.

After a discussion of Dr. Doutt’s address, the meeting was

adjourned.—D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Sixth Meeting

The annual field meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomological

Society was held at Taylor State Park, Marin County, California,

May 8, 1949, and honored Dr. Edwin C. Van Dyke, charter mem¬

ber of the Society and one of its most active and distinguished

members, for his 80th birthday which he celebrated April 7.

The recorded attendance was 73 persons, including 27 mem¬

bers, 20 adult visitors and 26 children. The following members

were present: E. C. Van Dyke, E. S. Ross, H. B. Leach, E. O.

E.ssig, W. W. Middlekauff, A. E. Michelbacher, M. W. Allen, D. P.

Furman, A. E. Pritchard, R. F. Fritz, D. C. Thurman, E. B.

Thurman, P. H. Arnaud, Jr., C. H. Spitzer, E. A. Smith, J. W.

Tilden, M. Marquis, R. G. Wind, W. H. Lange, S. Dorman, F. P.

Keen, N. W. Hazel, V. M. Stern, J. W. MacSwain, P. D. Hurd, Jr.,

J. E. Gillaspy, and D. D. Jensen. Visitors were present as follows:

Mrs. E. S. Ross and daughter, Mrs. H. B. Leach and family, Mrs.

Martha Michelbacher, Mrs. Marie Mauerhan, Mrs. M. W. Allen,

Mrs. W. W. Middlekauff and family, Mrs. D. P. Furman and fam¬

ily, Sylvia R. Hildebrant, Mrs. E. A. Smith and family, Mrs. Mar¬

quis and family, Mrs. R. G. Wind, Mrs. W. H. Lange and family,

Mrs. S. Dorman and family, Mrs. N. W. Hazel and family, Mrs.

V. M. Stern, Mrs. J. W. MacSwain and family, Mrs. P. D. Hurd

and family and Mrs. J. E. Gillaspy.

JANUARY, 1950] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

Although the region was wet from recent rains the day of

the field meeting was generally fair. Some insect collecting was

done along the stream and in the nearby hills but most of the time

was spent in visiting and playing games.—D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Seventh Meeting

The two hundred and seventh meeting of the Pacific Coast En¬

tomological Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on October 29, 1949, in

the entomological laboratories of the California Academy of

Sciences, San Francisco. President Ross conducted the meeting.

The following members were present: R. L. Usinger, G. F. Ferris,

J .W. Tilden, P. H. Arnaud, F. X. Williams, C. P. Hoyt, J. W. Mac-

Swain, R. W. L. Potts, R. C. Miller, K. D. Snyder, T. W. Cook,

P. A. Adams, H. H. Blakemore, L. W. Quate, A. E. Pritchard,

L. R. Gillogly, E. L. Kessell, Berta B. Kessel, Victor Stombler,

Wm. Hazeltine, C. D. Duncan, J. G. Edwards, N. W. Frazier, K,

S. Hagen, R. L. Doutt, E. C. Van Dyke, R. F. Smith, H, Elishewitz,

K. F. Innes, Jr., C. W. Hildebrand, H. B. Leech, D. D. Jensen, and

A. E. Michelbacher. The following visitors were present: James

R. Loder, Sam E. Hall, Jr., M. D. Morris, R. W. Nicholls, F. P.

Morishita, Barbara Hovanitz, William Hovanitz, E. A. Olson,

D. R. Thomas, H. L. Thomas, J. G. Edwards, Jo Ann E. White,

Don Wilton, Jerry Roberts and W. M. Hoskins.

The minutes of the meeting held April 2 and the minutes of the

field meeting held May 8, 1949, were read and approved.

The membership committee proposed and the Society elected

the following as members: Herbert H. Ross, C. Don MacNeil,

Frank S. Morishita, Evert I. Schlinger, John N. Simons, Robert

L. Sisson, C. W. Hildebrand, K. F. Innes, S. E. Hall, and Sherman

L. Thomas.

President Ross appointed the following members to serve as

a nominating committee to prepare a slate of proposed officers

for 1950 to be elected at the next meeting: J. W. Tilden, Chairman,

E. L. Kessel and E. G. Linsley.

The following were appointed by the president to audit the

financial records of the Society and submit a report at the next

meeting: Hugh B. Leech, Chairman, Paul Arnaud, Jr., and Paul

Hurd.

Copies of a paper entitled “Embedding insects in plastic” by

Wm. Hazeltine were distributed to the members present.

President Ross called on Dr. Usinger to comment on his acti¬

vities while in Europe on sabbatical leave and where he served as

the official representative of the Society at the 13th International

Congress of Zoology at Paris during July and at the 8th Interna¬

tional Congress of Entomology at Stockholm during August, 1948.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

Dr. Usinger gave a brief report of the far reaching action taken

by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature at

the Paris meetings and mentioned some of the institutions he

visited for entomological study.

The President then called on Professor Ferris who spent most

of the past year in the Orient. Professor Ferris explained that he

had been in China and Formosa most of the time where he made

approximately 1000 collections of scale insects.

In response to a call for notes, exhibits and remarks Dr. Tilden

exhibited specimens of Oxygrillus ruginasus (Lee.) (Scarabaei-

dae), which were causing damage to service stations in Arizona

by digging in the asphalt between cement blocks, thus loosening

the blocks. Dr. Tilden also displayed specimens of Xylotrechus

undulatus (Say) (Cerambycidae) which emerged through the

beech wood floor of his home in San Jose. They originated in conif¬

erous wood beneath the beechwood floor.

Mr. Leech reported that last July his sons collected a wasp

nest in Mill Valley. From the brood in the nest Mr. Leech reared

out several hymenopterous parasites. One of the cells in the comb

was opened October 28 and the pupa was still alive. Mr. Leech

suggested that a diapause may explain the long survival of the

wasp in the pupal state.

Dr. W. M. Hoskins, Professor of Entomology at the University

of California, Berkeley, was introduced by the President and spoke

on the subject: “The Significance of Chemosensory Responses to

Insect Biology.”

Dr. Hoskin’s paper is summarized below.

There is general agreement that the choice of food by insects,

as by man and animals, is strongly influenced by odors. However,

gal 15—bug book—jan 1950 .

it has been claimed by some experimenters that the finding of

mates from a distance, as in the case of the Oak Eggar moth

studied by Fabre, cannot possibly be an attraction to an odor be¬

cause of the great dilution of the odorous substance in diffusing

to a distance of a mile or more. Calculation of the amount of a

substance, e.g., skatol, which the human nose can detect at great

dilution, shows that if insects are equally sensitive to the sexual

attractions, then it is entirely possible for them to react to the

odor coming from a distance. This assumption of equal sensitivity

is substantiated by many tests which prove that man and many

insects are roughly equally sensitive to a variety of odors and

tastes and also are able to discriminate between similar substances

with about equal accuracy.

A number of attempts to isolate and identify the compounds

with which female insects attract males have not succeeded com¬

pletely but in several instances, they appear to be complex al¬

cohols. On the other hand, feeding attractants are very varied in

nature. For example, wireworms are attracted to extremely low

concentrations of various organic acids and amino acids, the Jap-

JANUARY, 1950] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

anese beetle comes to the terpene alcohols geraniol and eugenol,

the Colorado Potato beetle to a complex phenotic compound ac¬

cruing in potato leaves, the larvae of the cabbage butterflies to

mustard oils, and tent caterpillars to the glucoside amygdalin.

The above examples illustrate the significant fact that food

attractants are either useless nutritionally or present in too small

amounts to be of any value as foodstuff. The insect finds food by

reacting to them and hence they may be called “tokens.” It has

long been known that insects (and animals) may be trained to

respond to artificial tokens. The effect generally is short lived,

e.g., the honey bee continues to associate an essential oil with food

•for a few days only.

Egg laying on unnatural hosts is of frequent occurrence and

this results in prolonged exposure of the resulting larvae to un¬

natural tokens. If they are able to mature on the new host and

the cycle is repeated a few times, a new race conditioned to select

this host may result. Thus psysiological races or even species

may arise. It is interesting to note that sorting out of the resistant

individuals in a community by using an insecticide is a pheno¬

menon of the same type and results in several proven instances

in the establishment of a new physiological race.

Dr. Hoskins’ talk was followed by considerable discussion be¬

fore the meeting was adjourned.—D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Eighth Meeting

The two hundred and eighth meeting of the Pacific Coast En¬

tomological Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on December 3, 1949, in

the entomological laboratories of the California Academy of

Sciences, San Francisco. President Ross in the chair. The follow¬

ing members were present: E. S. Ross, J. W. Green, E. L. Kessel,

W. W. Middlekauff, A. E. Michelbacher, P. D. Hurd, Jr., R. F.

Fritz, P. H. Arnaud, Jr., P. A. Adams, E. C. Van Dyke, J. R. Hart,

J. W. MacSlwain, F. X. Williams, W. C. Day, H. B. Leech, W. D.

Murray, E. O. Essig, G. F. Ferris, E. A. Smith, Mrs. E. B. Thur¬

man, D. C. Thurman, J. P. Harville, H. R. Greenfield, S. L. Tho¬

mas, T. W. Cook, R. F. Smith, R. L. Usinger, J. W. Tilden, R. W.

L. Potts, W. W. Sampson, L. R. Gillogly, H. H. Blakemore, W. F.

Barr, M. Marquis, A. M. Heimpel, D. W. Davis, K. D. Snyder, 0.

W. Graf, and D. D. Jensen, The following visitors were present:

D. E. MacNeil, D. P. Wilton, and Galil Abul-Hab.

The minutes of the meeting held October 29, 1949, were read

and approved.

The membership committee proposed and the Society elected

the following as members: Donald W. Davis, A. M. Heimpel, Don¬

ald D. Linsdale, R. F. Stansbury, L. P. Coy, Otto W. Graf, Jr.,

and J. W. Green.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 1

Dr. Usinger, representing the Nomenclature Committee, called

the attention of the members present to the article, “Basic issues

in the controversy on zoological nomenclature” which appeared in

the December 2, 1949 issue of Science.

At the request of Dr, Linsley, Chairman of the special com¬

mittee appointed to recommend amendments to the constitution

of the Society, President Ross released Dr. Linsley as chairman

and appointed Mr. Hurd to be the chairman. Dr. Linsley was

retained as a member of the committee.

President Ross released Mr. Potts and himself from their tem¬

porary appointments as members of the nomenclature committee.

They had served during the past year in the absence of Professor

Ferris and Dr. Usinger, regular members of the committee.

The chairman announced that the term of appointment on the

Publication Committee had expired for Dr. Duncan and Mr. Keif-

fer and they were released with a vote of thanks for their service

over the many years. Dr. Kessel and Mr. H. B. Leech were ap¬

pointed as the new members of the committee.

In response to a call for notes, remarks and exhibits, Mr. P.

Adams exhibited a specimen of the Ithonid, Oliarces clara Banks

together with representatives of the other North American fam¬

ilies of Neuroptera. The Ithonid is the second of its family to

be taken in the Western Hemisphere.

Mr. Gillogly exhibited a directory of South American

naturalists.

Mrs. Ernestine B. Thurman reported the occurrence in Cali¬

fornia of an additional species of mosquito, Aedes pullatus (Coq.).

Specimens were collected by Phyllis T. Johnson at Tuolumne

Meadows, Yosemite National Park, on June 27, 1949. The deter¬

mination was confirmed by C. M. Gjullin and W. W. Yates of the

U.S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Corvallis, Ore¬

gon. Details of the biology will be presented in a later paper.

Professor Ferris displayed illustrations of some of the curious

scale insects which he collected in China.

The chairman appointed Dr. Middlekauff to be in charge of

the Society’s supply of surplus pamphlets and reprints which are

available to the members at a low cost.

Dr. Tilden, representing the nominating committee, proposed

and the Society elected the following officers for 1950: G. F. Fer¬

ris, President; R. L. Usinger, Vice President; D. D. Jensen, Sec¬

retary; and R. C. Miller, Treasurer.

The chairmanship of the meeting was turned over to the

president-elect, Professor Ferris, who called on Dr. Ross to give

his retiring presidential address entitled “The Role of the Ento¬

mological Museum.” (This address appears in full in the present

issue of the Pan-Pacific Entomologist.) After a discussion of

the paper the meeting was adjourned.— D. D. Jensen, Secretary .

ERIC M. FISHER

Vol. XXVI April, 1950 No. 2

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Published by the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society

in cooperation with

The California Academy of Sciences

CONTENTS

BENESH, NEW FORMOSAN AND PHILIPPINE STAGBEETLES.49

HURD. OBITUARY OF CLAUDE “I” SMITH.....59

SMITH, SYNANTFIEDON SAXIFRAGAE IN CALIFORNIA.60

McKEY-FENDER, NOTES ON CANTHARIS III...-.61

ROSS, ACADEMY RECEIVES FLEA COLLECTION.79

ALEXANDER. UNDESCRIBED WESTERN TIPULIDAE IY.81

JAMES. DIPTERA OF THE COCKERELL AND HUBBELL

EXPEDITIONS TO HONDURAS I: STRATIOMYIDAE,

TABANIDAE AND ACROCERATIDAE...86

SABROSKY, A NEW ERIBOLUS FROM CALIFORNIA.91

HOTTES. A LONG LOST APHIS SPECIES........93

LEECH, CARTODERE FILUM IN CALIFORNIA...94

MIDDLEKAUFF AND QUATE, NEW RECORDS FOR

NEARCTIC TABANIDAE.......95

BOOK NOTICES.....-...58, 80, 96

San Francisco, California

1950

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

EDITORIAL BOARD

E. G. Linsley P. D. Hurd, Jr., H. B. Leech R. L. Usinger

E. S. Ross Co-Editors E. C. Van Dyke

R. C. Miller, Treasurer A. E. Michelbacher, Advertising

Published quarterly In January, April, July, and October with Society Proceed¬

ings appearing in the January number. Papers on the systematic and biological

phases of entomology are favored, including articles up to ten printed pageB on

insect taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution.

Manuscripts for publication, proof, and all editorial matters should be addressed

to H, B, Leech at the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San

Francisco 18, Calif., or to P. D. Hurd, Jr., at 112 Agricultural Hall, University of

California, Berkeley 4, Calif. All communications regarding non-receipt of numbers,

changes of address, requests for sample copies, and all financial communications

should be addressed to the treasurer, Dr. R. C. Miller, at the California Academy

of Sciences, San Francisco 18, Calif,

Domestic and foreign subscriptions, $2.60 per year in advance. Price for single

copies, 75 cents. Make checks payable to “Pan-Pacific Entomologist.”

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

FOURTH SERIES

VOLUME XXIV

Contributions Toward a Knowledge of the Insect Fauna of Lower California

1. Introductory Account, by A. E. Michelbacher and E. S. Ross. Pp. 1 20, pb. 1-3

February, 1942 .,.-.......i0.25

2. Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, by E. Gorton Linsley, Pp. 21-96, pis. 4-6. Feb., 1942.75

3. Coleoptera: Buprestidae, by Edtvin C, Van Dyke. Pp. 97-132, pla. 6-7. Mar., 1942.35

4. Neuroptera: Myrmeleonidac, by Nathan Banks. Pp. 133-152, pi. 8. March, 1942.20

5. Symphyla, hy A. E. Michelbacher. Pp. 153-160, pi. 9. March, 1942.15

6. Diplera: Culicidae, by Thomas H. G. Aitken. Pp. 161-170. June, 1942... 20

7. Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae, by Frank E. Blaisdell, Sr. Pp. 171-288, pis. 10, 11. 1.50

8. Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera, by F. H. Rindge, Pp. 289-312, 1948.50

9. Hymenoptera: Enroeninae, by R. M. Bohart, Pp. 313-336, 1948.—. 50

10. Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, by L. W. Saylor, Pp. 337-374, 1948. 75

11. Coleoptera: Haliplidae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrophilidae,

Limnebiidae, by H. B. Leech, Pp. 375-484, 1948-------- 2.30

12. Coleoptera: Cleridae, by W. F. Barr, Pp. 485-519, 1950.65

Order from CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, SAN FRANCISCO 18, CALIFORNIA

BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE

Arrangements have been made for completing vol. 1, and for the publication

of volumes 2 (applications in regard to nomenclatural problems), 3 (documents

considered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature at Paris,

1948), 4 (Official Record of the International Commission at Paris), and 6 (Of¬

ficial Record of the section on Nomenclature of the thirteenth International

Congress of Zoology at Paris, 1948).

All inquiries regarding publications should be addressed to: International

Trust for Zoological Nomene.ature, 41 Queen’s Gate, London, S. W. 7, England.

The Pan-Pacific E ntomoiogist

Vol. XXVI, No. 2 April, 1950

DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF STAGBEETLES

FROM FORMOSA AND THE PHILIPPINES

(Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

BY BERNARD BENESH

North Chicago, Illinois

(Continued from last issue, p. 18)

Gnaphaloryx haddeni Benesh, new species

Figures 2, 2a, $

Male . Head transverse, twice as broad as long, nearly straight

anteriorly; clypeus produced, tricusped; anterior angles obtuse,

diverging diagonally to opposite the eyes; postocular section pro¬

duced, but not attaining the width of the canthus, thence narrow¬

ing towards the base; face declivous; vertex produced into a

conical, forward directed protuberance which is glabrous at apex;

ocellate punctate throughout, each puncture bearing fasciculate

brownish squamae. Eyes fairly large, incompletely divided by the

canthus and postocular expansion, which are separated by a hia¬

tus. Mandibles porrect, acute, gently arcuate, strongly keeled above

from base to apical third, densely clothed with elongate squamae;

flat below, with punctures which are distant and fasciculate; keel

on right mandible terminated by a rounded tubercle, left keel

gradually evanesces towards the apex; inner margin with a broad

basal tooth, the midsection endentate and terminated by a broad

tri-cuspid tooth, which on the left mandible has the anterior cusp

rounded, the median smaller and acute, the basal larger, rounded

and tuberculate on top; right mandible somewhat similar, with

anterior and median cusps equal in size and rounded, the posterior

largest and tuberculate. Antennae slender, black, opaque, scape as

long as the funicle and clava together, funicular segments progres¬

sively diverging to front and covered with several rows of golden

setae; clava tri-lamellate and shorter than the funiculus, the first

and second segment lobate, the ultimate circular, flattened, pubes¬

cent.

Prothorax similar to that of Aegus horridus, with anterior

margin less sinuate, sides more parallel, with two basal circular

depressions, adjacent to the basal angles. Disk with a median,

longitudinal depression, without distinct demarkation; punctured

throughout like the head, each puncture bearing a tuft of squamae.

Scutellum twice as broad as long, apex broadly arcuate, densely

squamose. Elytra reddish-brown, opaque, one and one-half times

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

as long as broad, humeri rectangular, sides parallel, apices regu¬

larly rounded, cribripunctate throughout, fasciculate, with sutural

area and posterior declivity nearly nude.

Legs slender, punctured, squamose; anterior tibiae furcate api-

cally, furcation glabrous and bent downward, outer margin triden-

tate, the intervals serrulate; intermediate and posterior tibiae

armed with an obsolete median denticle; tarsi slender, shorter than

the tibiae, finely setose.

Underside of silvery-gray aspect, punctured throughout, each

puncture fasciculate. Mandibles shining. Mentum transverse, three

times as broad as long, sides converging to apex, anterior margin

broadly excised, antero-lateral angles arcuate; cribripunctate,

squamose, strongly setose anterad. Subclypeus (epistoma) pro¬

duced to a subtuberculate point, bent downward and fully enclos¬

ing the mentum in front. Prosternal process simple. Metasternum

along the median line strongly impressed; trochanters posteriorly

with tufts of yellowish-gray setiform squamae. Posterior margins

of abdominal sterna emarginate, that of last sternum strongly

setose.

Female. Unknown.

Measurements (in millimeters) :

Length

Width

Head .

.3.2

6.2

Mandibles: right .

.3.8

left .

.4.0

Prothorax .

.3.1

6.2

Elytra .

.8.9

6.1

Holotype: 1 $, Kabasalan, Zamboanga, Mindanao, Philip¬

pine Islands, II, 1-18, 1932, Fred C. Hadden, Collector, in the

Collection of the California Academy of Science (ex coll. F. C.

Hadden).

Allied to Gnaphaloryx squalidus (Hope) and G. tricuspis Rits.;

differing from squalidus in the disposition of the squamose vesti-

ture, in that the mandibles are not broadened at middle and

dentate, and in having a broader tricuspid clypeus (in squalidus

the clypeus is narrower, truncate and tuberculate laterally); sep¬

arated from tricuspis by the form of the clypeus (in tricuspis the

central cusp is produced), mandibles (doubly bent in tricuspis)

and prothorax ( tricuspis distinctly narrowed or constricted in

middle).

I take pleasure in naming this species after the collector, Mr.

Fred C. Hadden of Santa Paula, Calif.

APRIL, 1950]

BENESH—STAGBEETLES

PLATE I: Figs. 1, la. Pronotum, head and mandibles of

Aegus horridus . Figs. 2, 2a. Same, S of Gnaphaloryx haddeni.

Fig. 3. Same, $ of Dorcus gracilicornis. Fig. 4 Same, $ of D.

gracilicornis; Fig. 4a. Elytron of D. gracilicornis. Fig. 5. Pro¬

notum, head and mandible of Dorcus clypeatus. Figs. 6-9.

Same parts Figulus manillarum, F. fissicollis, F. orthognathus ,

and F. curvicornis.

52 THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Genus Nigidius MacLeay

Horea Ent., 1:108,1819

Nigidius lewisi Boileau

Le Naturaliste, 27:61, 1905

Two examples taken by J. L. Gressitt on Hainan Island: Ta

Han, VI, 23, 1935; Chung Kon, VII, 18, 1935.

Described by Boileau from the Loo choo (Ryukyu) Islands.

The present record extends the range of the species several hun¬

dred miles closer to the Asiatic mainland. Identification by Dr.

Gilbert J. Arrow.

Nigidius lichtensteini Ritsema

Notes Leyden Museum, 1:129,1879.

Described from Celebes and so recorded by Van Roon in the

Junk-Schenckling’s Catalogus Coleopterorum. New records noted

here are from material collected at several Philippine localities

by Mr. F. C. Hadden. The specimens are in the Collection of

the California Academy of Science. Although all the localities

here cited are from only one island — Luzon — the writer has

seen examples in other collections from various islands of the

Philippine archipelago.

Mabatobato Pili, Camarines Sur, Luzon, V, 16, 1931 (8 ex¬

amples) ; Payambugan, Mountain Province, Luzon, VII, 9, 1931

(1 example); Mt. Makiling, Laguna, Luzon, elevation 400', V. 1,

1932; elevation 5,000 ft., VIII, 16, 1932, I, 16, 1932 (1 example

each date noted).

Genus Figulus MacLeay

Horae Ent., 1:109,1819.

Burmeister’s statement 2 that in Lucanidae the antennae are

always composed of ten segments certainly does not hold true

in the Figulinae. In Figulus the number of segments varies from

nine to ten, and in the variable Penichrolucanus, from seven to

nine. Of the species of Figulus treated here, manillarum Hope

and fissicollis Fairmaire have nine-segmented antennae, while

punctatostriatus Deyrolle and the three new species described here¬

in have ten-segmented antennae.

2 "lhre Gliederzahl ist immer zehn.” Handbuch der Entomologie, 5:306, 1847.

APRIL, 1950]

BENESH-STAGBEETLES

Figulus punctatostriatus Deyrolle

Trans. Ent. Soc., London, p. 413,1874.

Two examples from Garakayo, Palau Islands, VIII, 8, 1945,

E. Hagen, in the Collection of the California Academy of Science.

Described from Timor, and also known to inhabit Larat; Krie-

sche 3 considered punctatostriatus to be a race of confusus West-

wood. Identification by Dr. G. J. Arrow, British Museum (Nat.

Hist.), London.

Figulus manillarum Hope

Cat. Lucanoid Coleoptera, p. 26, 1845.

Nine examples from various localities in the Philippines: Ala-

bang, Luzon, V, 29, 1929, ex coll. Van Dyke; Kabasalan, Zambo¬

anga, Mindanao, V, 4, 1932; Mabatobato Pili, Camarines Sur,

Luzon, V, 16, 1931; Mt. Makilling, Laguna, VI, 29, 1931; San

Jose, Mindoro, IV, 1945, E. S. Ross; Tacloban, Leyte, XII, 1945,

E. S. Ross.

F. manillarum occurs also on Guam, whence it was recorded

by Zimmerman 4 as F. lilliputanus Westw.; the example upon

which the Guam record was based, was examined by me through

the kindness of Mr. 0. H. Swezey, to whom thanks are here ex¬

tended for helping to clarify a doubtful identification. Figure 6

represents a specimen of manillarum which Dr. Arrow compared

with the type of manillarum in the Hopean Museum (Oxford) and

pronounced typical. In so doing. Dr. Arrow discovered that the

species previously identified at the British Museum as manil¬

larum is entirely different; it is described herein under the

specific name curvicornis (fig. 9).

Figulus fissicollis Fairmaire

Rev. Mag. Zool., 1:414,1849.

Fifteen examples: Asingan, Pangasinan, V, 2, 1931, E. 0.

Sayos; Kabasalan, Zamboanga, V, 1, 1932; Mabatobato Pili,

Camarines Sur, Luzon, V, 16, 1931, F. C. Hadden; Malabringo,

Mt. Lobo, Batangas, VI, 1, 1932; Negros, P. L., 1,400', ex coll.

Van Dyke.

®Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung, 88:133, 1922.

^Insects of Guam, Bull. 172, Bishop Museum, p. 218, 1942.

54 THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

The preceding species and fissicollis are closely related, and

at first glance appearing identical, but are readily separated when

examined more closely. In manillarum the ocular canthus is emar-

ginate behind the anterior angle, and its posterior edge is diag¬

onal; in fissicollis the canthus is uniformly arcuate from the ob¬

tuse anterior angle and the posterior portion is nearly rectangu¬

lar. Through correspondence with two of the foremost workers

on Lucanidae in Europe, Dr. G. J. Arrow of London and Dr. R.

Didier of Paris, it has been ascertained that the original descrip¬

tion of fissicollis is erroneous and misleading; Fairmaire inad¬

vertently described the mandibles as edentate, when in fact they

are monodont. The species is also here recorded from Fiji, Gil¬

bert Islands (ex coll. British Museum), Palau Islands, and Guam,

the latter two localities based on material taken by Mr. Henry

S. Dybas, Chicago Natural History Museum. A fine series of ap¬

proximately seventy examples taken at various localities in Fiji,

from the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, disclosed two

synonymies. The most developed Fijian specimen of the species

was recently described by Didier 5 under the name monochromus,

whilst a like example from Palau Islands Kriesche 6 named lup-

inus. Although the pronotum is shown (fig. 7) without a frontal

tubercle, larger examples have the pronotum elevated in front,

tuberculate and laterally constricted, with two latero-marginal

depressions on each side.

Figulua ortho gnathus Benesh, new species

Figure 8.

Black, nitid. Head transverse, broader than long (3.1 x 1.1

mm), straight anteriorly; antero-lateral angles obtuse, feebly

emarginate to the canthus. Canthus broad, without a hiatus, com¬

pletely dividing the eyes; anteriorly arcuate, obliquely diverging

posteriorly to basal angles, the latter rounded, thence diagonally

converging to posterior margin of the head. Clypeus produced,

bilobate. Disk of head hollowed, delimited in front by two broadly

spaced anteocular, and two more closely placed occipital tubercles.

Head sparsely sculptured by small distant punctures, which are

more pronounced and closer around the eyes. Mandibles porrect,

externally slightly arcuate and rounded, upper surfaces laterally

with a feeble ridge and shallowly canaliculate; right mandible

with a single median tooth, the left mandible bidentate, with a

B Etudes sur lea Coleopterea Lucanides du Globe, fasc. 7, p. 171, 1930.

8 Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung, 83:131, 1922.

APRIL, 1950]

BENESH-STAGBEETLES

large median upper tooth and an anterior lower denticle. Antennae

ten-segmented, of characteristic figuline aspect, cherry-red, with

margins of elava and scape, darker, shining.

Prothorax longer than broad, convex, anterior margin gently

sinuate, antero-lateral angles produced and obtusely arcuate, sides

parallel, basal angles broadly arcuate, base nearly straight, feebly

bisinuate; anterior declivous, tuberculate at middle; strongly

punctured laterally; disk remotely punctured by fine, hardly dis¬

cernible pin-point punctures, and with two latero-median and two

latero-basal impressions.

Scutellum indistinct, wedge-shaped. Elytra parallel, nearly twice

as long as broad (7.0 x 4.0 mm), narrower at base, humeri mu-

cronate, apices regularly rounded; strongly tumulate and decli¬

vous, regularly punetato-striate by six, equi-distant striae, that

attain the humerus; linearly punctured at side, the punctures

ovate, shallow, interstices even; sutural stria outwardly bent on

posterior declivity, second and third, and fourth and fifth striae

incompletely united.

Legs short and stout. Anterior tibiae broadly furcate, with six

marginal serrations which gradually diminish in size; intermediate

tibiae trispinose, posterior tibiae bispinose in distal half.

Underside. Mentum slightly broader than long, sides sinuate,

anterior margin feebly excised, antero-lateral angles rounded,

basal margin straight; with two large, circular, closely placed

pits, which are abreast of one another and whose interiors are

finely granulate. Abdominal sterna sparsely punctured, their pos¬

terior margins emarginate. Length (mandibles included) 12.1

mm; width 4.1 mm.

Holotype: 1 example of undetermined sex, Santa Fe, Bukid-

non, Alt. 2,300-4,000 ft., Mindanao, V, 15, 1935, ex coll. Van

Dyke, in the Collection of the California Academy of Science.

Paratopotype: 1 example, in the collection of the writer.

Figulus foveatus Benesh, new species

In habitus resembling the preceding species, but with the fol¬

lowing differentiating characters:

Disk of head closely ocellately punctate towards the base; cly-

peus less produced and less lobate; anteocular tubercles more

prominent and closer to the eyes, basal or occipital tubercles more

distant than in orthognathus; mandibles monodont. Pronotum

broader than long, frontal tubercle more prominent and acute,

disk with a median longitudinal punctate fovea, which has shal¬

low basal impressions, somewhat resembling a clover leaf. Scutel¬

lum broader and canaliculate. Elytral interstices more convex.

Underside more shining. Mentum more rugulose, pits not circular

but ovate, and with smooth interiors. Metasternum with a median

longitudinal, deeply impressed line. Posterior margins of abdominal

sterna beset with short setae; abdominal sterna somewhat im¬

pressed laterally, the impressions pronounced on the terminal

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

segment. Length (mandibles included) : 10.4 mm., width 4.00 mm.

Holotype: 1 example of undetermined sex, Mt. Pulay, Moun¬

tain Province, 7,000 ft., VII, 6, 1931, ex coll. F. C. Hadden, in

the Collection of the California Academy of Science.

Paratypes: 1 example, Mt. Makiling, Laguna, P. I., VIII, 9,

1931, in the collection of the California Academy of Science; 1

example, Mt. Pulay, Mountain Province, 7,000 ft., VII, 6, 1931,

in the collection of the writer.

Figulus curvicomis Benesh, new species

Figure 9.

Head transverse, twice as broad as long (3.4 x 1.5 mm), black,

front with a reddish tinge, emarginate alongside the clypeus, an-

tero-lateral angles produced and obtuse, slightly emarginate ante¬

rior to the canthus; disk with a broad, somewhat diamond-shaped

depression, ocellate punctate within, quadrituberculate, basal tu¬

bercles smaller than the anterior and further apart than in the

two preceding species; front and canthus sparsely and finely

punctured; clypeus produced, feebly bilobate; canthus broad, with

anterior and basal angles arcuate, side of right canthus broadly

rounded, on the left less so, the center inconspicuously emarginate;

base of canthus diagonal, converging to base of head. Mandibles

shorter than the head, strongly curved and in apical half upward

bent, rounded laterally, obscurely keeled on top; right mandible

unidentate, left bidentate, similar to that of orthognathus. An¬

tennae as in the preceding species.

Prothorax broader than long (4.2 x 3.3 mm), somewhat flat¬

tened, anterior margin nearly straight, antero-lateral angles pro¬

duced and broadly arcuate; sides parallel, feebly crenulate on

basal half, basal angles broadly rounded, basal margin nearly

straight; anteriorly elevated and feebly tuberculate at middle,

disk impunctate, with a shallow, longitudinal, punctate fovea;

anterior angles and sides closely punctured, punctures diminish¬

ing in size and intensity towards the disk.

Scutellum wedge-shaped, plain. Elytra more convex than the

pronotum, one and one-half times as long as broad (6.7 x 4.1 mm) ;

striation as in the preceding species, but more sharply defined, the

punctuation more narrower or constricted, interstices impunctate,

convex basally, flattened towards middle and posterior.

Legs short and robust; anterior tibiae keeled above, furcate,

outer margin tridentate in distal half, the rest to geniculation

roughly serrate; intermediate and posterior tibiae unispinose, this

however may vary, as the left intermediate tibia shows indication

of another smaller spine above the regular media spine; tarsi

shorter than the tibiae, glabrous on top, with one or two setae

on the first and fourth segment.

APRIL, 1950]

BENESH-STAGBEETLES

Underside. Mention broader than long (1.2 x 0.9 ram) ; an¬

terior margin concave, sides rounded, base straight; roughly sculp¬

tured, with a transverse pit, which is deeper laterally and punc¬

tured basally. Lacinial brush or comb curved and directed in¬

wardly, not pointing forward as in most lueanids, apical setae

forming a distinct hook, resembling somewhat a digitus. Front

of prosternum and sides of metasternum fairly closely punctured

by medium size punctures. Femora finely punctured. Punctuation

of abdominal segments distant, closer on apical segment. Length

(mandibles included) 11.8 mm; width 4.2 mm.

Holotype: 1 example of undetermined sex, Mt. Makiling,

Laguna, P. I., VIII, 9, 1931, V. Madrid, collector, in the Collec¬

tion of the California Academy of Science.

Pctratypes: 1 example, Mabatobato Pili, Camarines Sur, V, 16,

1931, in the collection of B. Benesh (ex coll. F. C. Hadden) ; 2

examples, Marikima, Rizal Province, Luzon, P. I., June 1946, Dr.

Wm. Rose, collector, in the Chicago Natural History Museum.

This description was originally based on two examples from

the collection of the California Academy of Science that were

labelled laticollis Reiche; subsequently two additional examples,

without determination, were discovered in the Chicago Natural

History Museum. As far as is known to the writer F. laticollis

is a nomen nudum, no description of the insect being extant.

Through diligent research it was discovered that the name lati¬

collis first appeared in entomological literature in Dejean’s Cata¬

logue des Coleopteres, 3rd edition, p. 194, being credited to Es-

chscholtz; Reiche 7 alluded to laticollis in his criticism of Bur-

meister’s Handbuch der Entomologie, without describing the

insect, hence any reference to Reiche’s name as being the proto-

logist of the species is positively erroneous. It appears again in

the Thomson’s Catalogus 8 wherein Eschscholtz is given as the

originator of the name; the last record of the name appears in

Miwa’s Catalogus Coleopterorum Japonicorum, Pars 2, p. 11,

1936, where the purported laticollis is recorded from Kotosho,

Formosa. Dr. Arrow, who reviewed the specimens from the Cali¬

fornia Academy of Science, stated that the British Museum has

four examples of curvicornis, which were identified by the late

Chas. 0. Waterhouse as manillarum , corrected subsequently by

Arrow after comparison of examples of manillarum from the col¬

lection of the writer.

7 Ann. Soc. Ent. France (3) 1:84, 1853.

8 Ann. Soc. Ent. France (4) 2:402, 1862.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Book Notice

American Spiders, by Willis J. Gertsch. D. Van Nostrand Com¬

pany, Inc., New York, N. Y., xiii + 285 pages, 1949.

$6.95.

This is a book by an eminent authority in the field of spider

lore. In it he has presented an accurate and extremely interesting

general background of information on the spiders of the temperate

American region. The book is capably written and largely popu¬

larized, although at times the uninitiated will be puzzled by the

terminology used. A short glossary aids in clarifying the text.

The most outstanding feature of the book is its voluminous

series of color plus black and white photographic reproductions

of spiders and their works. The excellence of these plates alone

would make the work a valuable possession not only for the

libraries of those professionally interested in the field of Aran-

eology but perhaps even more so for the non-professional.

In following the frequent text references to the illustrations,

one could wish that the plates had been arranged in a single

section or that a single system of numbering both types of plates

as well as figures had been used.

The average reader will recognize in the revealing plates and

descriptions many of the spiders he has seen in his own environ¬

ment and will at the same time understand more fully the natural

history of the species. Although the title is “American Spiders”,

the author has wisely included forms not represented in the Amer¬

ican fauna where such inclusions seemed to provide better insight

into the interrelationships of spiders as a whole.

The reader will find answers to varied types of questions such

as: How did spiders evolve and when? Of what economic use are

spiders? How long do spiders live? What are the mating habits

of spiders? Are spiders commonly poisonous? What role does

silk spinning play in the lives of the various spider groups?

The author has given a brief but clear account of the medical

importance of spiders, in which is exploded the popular myth

about the venomous nature of most spiders to man. The known

species dangerous to man are considered. Among these the truly

venomous endowment of the black widow spider is emphasized

together with a description of symptoms following the bite and

APRIL, 1950 ]

HURD—SMITH OBITUARY

the status of present-day treatment. Naturalistic control methods

of this species are briefly discussed; however, the subject of

chemical control is only mentioned.

As an informative, well illustrated and interesting account of

the American spiders the book is highly recommended.— Deane

P. Furman.

CLAUDE “I” SMITH

1922 -1949

With the tragic loss of Claude “I” Smith on November 4,

1949, entomology has been deprived of a very promising lepi-

dopterist and insect biologist. Claude was born January 13, 1922,

in Chicago, Illinois. He moved a year later with his family to Los

Angeles, California where, in the following years, he attended the

San Pasqual Grammar School, the Luther Burbank Junior High

School, and the Benjamin Franklin High School.

At the age of three, Claude made the acquaintance of an elderly

butterfly collector who furthered the interest in entomology which

had first become manifest during family camping trips. Under

the guidance of this gentleman, Claude began his first collection

of Lepidoptera. That his early interests in insects were not entirely

confined to dried specimens may be seen in his attempt at the age

of four to biologically control aphids. His mother had mentioned

the relationship existing between aphids and ladybird beetles

whereupon Claude mass collected the beetles and transferred them

to aphid infested plants.

While in high school he became close friends with Frank Sala,

also a student, and Chris Henne, a professional collector and

owner of a large collection of Lepidoptera. This association led

to Claude’s membership in the Lorquin Natural History Club of

the Los Angeles County Museum, which through his active parti¬

cipation heightened his interests in entomology. Frequent collect¬

ing trips were made with these and other collectors which re¬

sulted in the formation of a large and excellent collection of

Lepidoptera.

Upon his graduation from high school and with the advent of

the war his formal education was interrupted and he sought em¬

ployment in the aircraft industry. In October of 1942 he entered

60 THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

the service of the United States Navy and saw action in the British

Solomon Islands. He was discharged in 1945 and resumed his

studies at Los Angeles City College in 1946 where he began to

major in entomology. Claude transferred to the Berkeley Campus

of the University of California in the fall of 1948 and was com¬

pleting his Bachelor of Science degree in entomology, which has

since been conferred posthumously, when the untimely accident

occurred.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the degree, Claude

was engaged in a revisionary study of the Phalaenid (=Noctuid)

genus Annaphila , and was conducting breeding experiments in

the hope of obtaining collateral information for defining the levels

of speciation of these moths, a study which is being completed by

Dr. F. H. Rindge of the American Museum of Natural History.

Also he was greatly interested in host-parasite relationships, par¬

ticularly of the Lepidoptera, and was accumulating for publication

such records secured by him in the rearing of parasitized material.

Claude is survived by his wife Ida, two sons, Mikael and Rod¬

ney, and his mother, Mrs. Laura Smith. Through the generosity

of his wife, Claude’s entire collection was presented to the Uni¬

versity of California where it forms a very important part of the

Division of Entomology and Parasitology collection of Lepidop¬

tera and stands as a memorial of his contribution to science.—

Paul D. Hurd, Jr.

SYNANTHEDON SAXIFRAGAE IN CALIFORNIA

Among some Aegeriids collected in the Sierra Nevada by C. D.

MacNeill of the University of California, was a perfect female of

Synanthedon saxifragae (Hy. Edwards). The specimen was taken

in flight, June 28, 1948, at China Flat, (Silver Fork of the Ameri¬

can River, 5400 feet), Eldorado County, California.

Engelhardt 1 gives the distribution of S. saxifragae as “Rocky

Mountains, Colorado, and Utah, 8,000 to 12,000 feet, Alaska,

Labrador, and Hudson Bay.” He mentions that only a few worn

specimens have been taken to date in separated sections of the

continent, all at high elevations or in Arctic regions. There are

ho published records of this species in the United States west of

Utah. —Claude I. Smith.

1 Englehardt, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 190:93, 1949.

APRIL, 1950 ]

MC KEY-FENDER—CANTHARIS

NOTES ON CANTHARIS III

(Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

BY DOROTHY MC KEY-FENDER

McMinnville, Oregon

(Continued from last issue, p. 33)

CANTHARIS (ClJLTELLUNGUIs) AMERICANA LARVALIS LeC.

Telephorus larvalis Leconte, 1860, U.S.P.R.R. Exp. and surveys,

Zool,, 47th parallel, Coleoptera, p. 48.

This subspecies differs from the typical in its paler coloration.

Elytra testaceous or dusky, margins piceous, short elytral pubes¬

cence flavous or luteous, erect hairs dusky to piceous, head and

pronotal spots brunneous to black. Otherwise as in the typical

form. Specimens examined: 48.

This pale form is northern in distribution, specimens of

americana from Washington, Oregon and Northern California

consistently being of this subspecies. The San Francisco Bay

region appears to be where its distribution overlaps that of the

typical form. Specimens from Marin county at hand all belong

to this subspecies while some of the Santa Cruz and San Mateo

county material is typical and some of the subspecies larvalis.

South of San Francisco in the Monterey region a similar but

distinct subspecies is found:

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) americana montereyensis

McKey-Fender, n. subsp.

Elytra usually lighter than in the typical form, testaceous or

dusky (piceous in one specimen), margined with piceous; legs

testaceous with tarsi infuscate as in the typical form, but knees

black, otherwise as in the typical form.

Range: California, Monterey county.

Holotype: male, Carmel, Monterey Co., California, June

15, 1915, L. S. Slevin [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Allotype: female, Carmel, Monterey Co., May 12, 1911, L. S.

Slevin [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Paratypes: 6 males, 9 females. Monterey Co., June 24, 1941,

D. J. and J. N. Knull, 2 specs.; Carmel, Monterey Co., May 10

to June 9, 1908, L. S. Slevin, 9 specs.; Carmel, August 5, 1923,

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

L. S. Slevin, 1 spec.; Monterey, June 21, 1898, A. Fenyes, 1 spec.;

Pacific Grove, June 5-8, 1904, 4 specs.

The diagnostic feature of this subspecies is the black knees.

All the specimens of this species at hand from Monterey and Car¬

mel show this character and it appears in no other specimens of

this species yet examined. All the types have the elytra testaceous

or dusky as in larvalis except one, which has the elytra piceous

as in the typical form. The types were collected in a rather re¬

stricted locality, but over a period of forty-three years.

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) hatchi McKey-Fender, n. sp.

Elytra piceous, head, pro-thorax and scutellum flavous, basal

segment of antennae flavous with apex black, remainder of an¬

tennal segments testaceous to dusky; legs flavous with knees

black, tarsi often testaceous; ventral surface of head, pro- and

mesosternum flavous, metasternum and medial portion of abdom¬

inal sternites piceous or brunneous, the latter bordered laterally

and apically with flavous. Form slender.

Male: Width at base of elytra 2 mm., length 8.5 mm., antennae

6.5 mm. Clypeas moderately long (for this group), emarginate,

evenly arcuate on either side. Antennae exceeding two-thirds of

body length, eyes large. Thorax subquadrate, a little longer than

wide, anterior angles prominent, obtuse, anterior edge evenly, shal-

Plate Legend

Figs. 1-8. Dorsal view of tip of aedeagus of Cultellunguis spp.:

l.s.—lateral sinuations; i.s.—internal sac; m.l.—median lobe; m.h.

—median hook; f.—bifurcation of dorsal plate of tegmen; v.l.—

ventral lobe. (All drawn to approximately the same scale.)1, amer-

icana, 2. hatchi, 3. macnabiana, 3a. detail of tip of fork of mac-

nabiana, 4. mackenziei, 5. ochropa, 6. perpallens, 7. ingenua, 8.

ingenua knulli. Fig. 9 same of Absidia sierrae (magnification rela¬

tively greater than Figs. 1-8), Fig. 10. Anterior edge of clypeus

of Cultellunguis macnabiana. Fig. 11. same of C. ochropa. Figs.

12-14. Last two segments of maxillary palpi: 12. Absidia insipida?,

13. CanthaHs sp. oregona complex, 14. Cultellunguis americana.

Figs. 15-20. Types of claws: 15. Cultellunguis, anterior protarsal

claw of males, drawn from americana; 16. Cyrtomoptera, charac¬

teristic of anterior claws of all feet, drawn from divisa (basal

tooth less developed in dentata) ; 17. Carolina group, characteristic

of all claws, drawn from Carolina; 18. Ancistronycha, drawn from

anterior claws of bilineata; 19. Cantharis (s. str.), a bluntly

toothed type, drawn from anterior protarsal claw of female, same

species as Fig. 13; 20. Cantharis s. str.; lamellate type, drawn

from anterior protarsal claw of male of same species as Fig. 13.

APRIL, 1950 ]

MC KEY-FENDER—CANTHARIS

ft ^ is /4

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

lowly convex from the anterior angles; sides sub-parallel slightly

constricted just behind anterior angles; slightly narrowed pos¬

teriorly, posterior angles distinct, a little over a right angle, pos¬

terior margin very shallowly convex, slightly sinuate; edges of

prothorax reflexed, disc with a broadly concave area anteriorly

over one-fourth of width of thorax on each side and tapering

postero-laterally to nothing at about the posterior fourth or fifth,

edge uniformly reflexed, disc tumid on each side posteriorly leav¬

ing a shallow median depression. Elytra slender, length three times

combined width; longitudinal sculptured lines apparent; short

pubescence cinereous, erect hairs dusky testaceous to brunneous.

Anterior claw of protarsi cleft, the outer cleft portion cultellate,

the two parts of equal length; all others simple. First protarsal

segment expanded, width equals two-thirds its length, second and

third segments equal one-half the width of the first, width of the

second segment equals two-thirds its length, width of third seg¬

ment. equals four-fifths its length. Metacoxae with a posteriorly

directed conical projection on ventral surface. Posterior margin

of last sternite simple.

Male genital armature testaceous, dorsal forks of tegmen mod¬

erate in length, slender, acute, posteriorly directed, scarcely di¬

vergent; lateral sinuations pronounced, broadly lobular; median

lobe short, moderately stout, shorter than the dorsal forks; tips of

ventral lobes produced, compressed in a slightly more lateral plane

than basal part, moderately long (Fig. 2).

Female : Differs in its relatively more robust form, smaller eyes,

shorter antennae, basal protarsal segment not expanded, claws

all simple, and the conical projection of the metacoxae lacking;

width 2 mm., length 8 mm., antennae 5 mm.

Range: California: Coastal counties and offshore islands, San

Jacinto Mts. north to Monterey.

Holotype: male, Keen Camp, Riverside Co., California,

June 6-12, 1917, E. P. Van Duzee [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Allotype: female, same data [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Paratypes: 8 males, 14 females; Cuyamaca Rancho State Park,

May 19, 1941, D. J. and J. N. Knull, 1 spec.; Oak Grove, June 5,

1941, D. J. and J. N. Knull, 1 spec.; Arroyo Seco, July, 1937, 1

spec.; Mt. Wilson, May 29, 1947, June 7, 1941, G. P. Mackenzie,

4 spec.; Keen Camp, May 24-June 14, 1946, D. J. and J. N. Knull,

10 specs.; Frazier Mt., Ventura Co., May 20, 1919, Hopping, 4

specs.; S. Madre, June, A. Fenyes, 1 spec.; Keen Camp, River¬

side Co., June 6-12, 1917, E. P. Van Duzee, 4 specs.; Waterman

Canyon, May 27, 1916, 8, v, 1 spec.; Bryson, April 24, 1917,

white oak, 1 spec.; Lytle Creek, San Bernardino Co., June 7, 8,

APRIL, 1950 ]

MC KEY-FENDER—CANT HARIS

1928, Van Dyke, 2 specs; Forest Home, San Bernardino Co.,

June 14, 1928, Van Dyke, 2 specs.; Santa Cruz Island, May 17,

1919, E. P. Van Duzee, 1 spec.; Catalina Island, May, No. 91

and 92, A. Fenyes, each pin bearing also a yellow disc, 2 specs,

(these specimens atypical).

The two specimens from Catalina Island, both female, differ

from the typical in having elytra and antennae entirely testaceous.

It is very likely these represent a good subspecies, but until more

specimens are available for study it seems unwise to give it a

name. This species, both male and female, is readily distinguish¬

able from C. americana monlereyensis which it most closely re¬

sembles by the more slender form and uniformly yellow head and

thorax (maculate in americana ). The best single diagnostic char¬

acteristic is the peculiar conical projection on the male metacoxae.

This is the only Cantharis showing this structure known to the

author. It differs from perpallens in its bicolored legs (uniformly

pale in perpallens ) and in the distinct pronotal angles (anterior

angles not evident in perpallens ). The conformation of the male

genital armature places this species nearest C. americana.

This distinctive species is named in honor of Dr. Melville H.

Hatch, whose suggestions in regard to this study are sincerely

appreciated.

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) macnabiana McKey-Fender, n. sp.

Elytra, prosternum and posterior part of head black or piceous,

front of head from a little before the center of the eyes, prothorax,

base of antennae, scutellum and legs rufo-testaceous; antennae

otherwise piceous, tarsi infuscate, meso- and metasternum and

venter piceous. Form moderately slender.

Male: Width at base of elytra 2 mm., length 8.75 mm., antennae

6.25 mm, Clypeus short, with a distinct triangular median notch,

margin oblique either side. Antennae attaining’ two-thirds of the

body length, eyes large. Pronotum subquadrate, anterior angles

present but very broadly obtuse and the anterior edge moderately

convex from the anterior angles; sides subparallel, slightly nar¬

rowed posteriorly; posterior angles distinct, a little over a right

angle, posterior margin shallowly convex, sinuate, edges of pro¬

notum reflexed, disc with a broadly concave area at anterior angles

occupying one-fifth of width on each side and tapering posteriorly,

leaving a thin margin at posterior fourth which joins the reflexed

portion of the posterior margin; posterior margin uniformly re¬

flexed, disc tumid either side posteriorly, a wide, shallow median

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

depression extending anteriorly nearly to the anterior margin.

Elytra slender, length equaling or slightly exceeding three times

combined width, longitudinal sculptured lines moderately strong,

short pubescence cinereous, erect hairs black. Anterior claw of

protarsi cleft, outer cleft portion cultellate, slightly exceeding the

inner, apex obliquely truncate internally, all others simple. First

tarsal segment broadly expanded, width equals two-thirds its

length, width of second equals three-fourths its length which equals

the width of the first; width of the third equals its length which

equals the width of the second. Posterior margin of last ventral

simple.

Lobes of dorsal bifurcation of tegmen slender, widely separated,

tips securiform; lateral sinuations short, acutely pyramidal; med¬

ian lobe slender, long-exserted; ventral lobes dorso-ventrally com¬

pressed, secondarily lobed apically, lobe directed mesad (Fig. 3).

Female : Differs in stouter form, smaller eyes, shorter antennae,

claws all simple, protarsi not expanded. Width at base of elytra

2.25 mm., length 8.25 mm., antennae 5.75 mm.

Range: California; San Diego County.

Holotype: male, San Diego, California, May 10, 1914, E. P.

Van Duzee [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Allotype: female, same data [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Paratypes: 8 males, 4 females; San Diego, May 10, 1914, E. P.

Van Duzee, 4 specs.; San Diego, April 24, 1920, W. M. GifEard,

1 spec.; San Diego, C. N. Sanford, 1 spec.; San Diego Co., F. E.

Blaisdell, 5 specs.

This species is named in honor of Dr. Jas. A. Macnab, one of

those all too rare individuals, a really inspiring teacher.

Very like ochropa (v. sub.) but slightly more robust, usually

darker, the pronotum wider rather than narrower anteriorly, the

clypeus strongly notched (biarcuate in ochropa ) and differs in

the male abdomen and genitalia. The possibility that lauta 1851

could be the female of this species cannot be completely dis¬

counted, but available evidence indicates it is not.

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) lauta Lec.

Telephorus lautus Leconte, 1851, Synopsis of the Lampyrides of

Temperate N. America; Proc. Ac. N. S. Phila. (2) 5: 340.

non T. lautus Leconte, 1881, Synopsis of the Lampyridae of the

United States, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 9: 54.

In his 1851 paper, Leconte described Telephorus lautus from

a single specimen as follows:

APRIL, 1950 ] MC KEY-FENDER—CANTHARIS

“T. lautus Lee., niger, cinero-pubescens, ore pedibus thoraceque

laete flavis, hoc quadrato, antrorsum subangustato, undique an-

gusto marginato, elytris scabris, substriatis. Long. .3. San Fran¬

cisco, Calif.”

In between 1851 and 1881 when he published his synopsis of

the U. S. Lampyridae, he associated a number of specimens with

the 1851 type and evidently drew up his 1881 characterization

from these specimens, representatives of a black-legged species,

since his 1881 description reads:

“Black, head in front of the eyes, prothorax, sides and apex of

abdomen yellow. Length 7-10 mm.; Cal.”

The type series of lauta as it stands at present consists of a

complex, mostly the dark-legged species referred to above, and

which has recently been described by this author as Cantharis

( Cyrtomotera ) dentata McKey-Fender (1944). Fall (1936) also

recognized that this was a different species. In his next key point

in the 1881 paper (p. 54) Leconte described as new a species,

T. ochropus, which he characterized only as:

“Similar to lautus but legs also ferruginous, length 9 mm.,

Cal., San Diego (Bolter).”

This inadequate description differentiates ochropa only from

lauta as construed in the 1881 synopsis, not from the original

(1851) description. According to C. A. Frost, the type of lauta —

i.e., the first specimen in Leconte’s series, a female, has the tip

of the abdomen pale, resembling ochropa (in litt.), and the pro-

notum of lauta is stated to be narrowed anteriorly, as is that of

ochropa; thus eventually ochropa may prove to be the male of

lauta. For the present, however, the name lauta is applied only

to the 1851 type female. If the type lauta can be shown to agree

with the female ochropa , particularly in the shape of the clypeus

which appears to be diagnostic, the name ochropa will have to be

suppressed in its favor, a step which the author does not wish to

take, however, without further study of the type lauta.

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) ochropa Lec.

Telephones ochropus Leconte, 1881, Synopsis of the Lampyridae of

the U. S., Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., 9: 54.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Elytra piceous, head from a little before center of eyes, pro¬

thorax, scutellum and legs flavous ; basal segment of antennae

flavo-testaceous, apical segments piceous; sides and apex of abdo¬

men dusky testaceous, ventral surface otherwise piceous, head black

behind center of eyes. Form moderately slender.

Male: Width at base of elytra 2 mm., antennae 6 mm., length

8.75 mm. Clypeus rather short, scarcely emarginate or merely

slightly flattened at center, shallowly arcuate on each side (Fig.

11); antennae attaining two-thirds of body length; eyes large.

Pronotum subquadrate, anterior angles very broadly obtuse and

anterior margin moderately arcuate from the anterior angles;

sides subparallel, slightly narrowed anteriorly; posterior angles

distinct, a little over a right angle; posterior edge sinuate, broadly

indented medially; anterior and posterior edges reflexed, disc with

a broadly concave area on each side anteriorly over one-fifth of

width of thorax on each side and tapering laterally to about

posterior third; posterior edge uniformly reflexed. Elytra slender,

combined width approximately one-third length, longitudinal

sculptured lines faintly evident, short pubescence cinereous, erect

hairs piceous. Anterior claw of protarsi cleft, the outer cleft

portion cultellate, longer than the inner, apex obliquely truncate;

all others simple; first protarsal segment only slightly expanded,

width a little less than one-half length, second segment a little

narrower, width equaling four-fifths of its length which equals

width of first segment. Posterior margin of last sternite deeply,

broadly emarginate, floor of the margination sinuate, the sides

apically produced, the edges of the produced portion flattened.

Lobes of dorsal bifurcation of tegmen broadly rounded, in¬

curved, inner surface clothed with long pubescence, median lobe

slender, long-exserted, ventral lobes dorso-ventrally flattened, mod¬

erately short, slightly exceeding lateral sinuations of dorsal plate

when viewed laterally, secondary lobe on apical third internally,

lateral sinuations short, a blunt lobe (Fig. 5).

Female: Eyes relatively smaller than those of male, form a

little stouter, width at base of elytra 2.25 mm., length 8.75 mm.,

antennae 5.5 mm., sides and apex of abdomen dusky testaceous, or

testaceous color restricted to tip, claws simple, protarsi not ex¬

panded.

Range: Southern California, type Santa Monica; all those

examined by the author, San Diego county.

Homeotype-plesiotype: male, San Diego, California, June 6,

1914, E. P. Van Duzee. [Calif. Acad. Sci.] This specimen was

compared with the unique male type of ochropa and the diagnos¬

tic abdominal characteristics found to agree. Comparison was

made by Dr. P. J. Darlington, Jr., whose assistance is sincerely

appreciated.

APRIL, 1950 ]

MC KEY-FENDER—CANTHARIS

Other specimens examined'. 2 males, 11 females, San Diego,

Mission Valley, May 1, 1928, on Lonicera, Geo. Smith 1 spec.;

San Diego, F. E. Blaisdell, 3 spec.; San Diego, C. N. Sanford, 1

spec.; S. Cal. (no further data, but contemporary with the follow¬

ing), 4 specs.; Smith’s Springs, S. Cal., 3300 ft., April 19, 1879,

1 spec.; San Diego, April 23, 1879, 3 specs.

This species is rare—at least in collections.

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) mackenziei McKey-Fender, n. sp.

Elytra black, head before middle of the eyes, pronotum and

scutellum flavous, antennae black except anterior surface of the

first two segments testaceous shading to brunneous apically; legs

black except procoxae testaceous, profemora brunneous basally and

meso-coxae brunneous; prosternum testaceous, mesosternum brun¬

neous and metatsternum and abdomen black. Form slender.

Male : Width at base of elytra 2 mm., length 8.5 mm., antennae

6.5 mm. Clypeas short, emarginate, margin gently oblique on either

side; antennae exceeding two-thirds of body length; eyes large.

Thorax subquadrate, a little longer than wide, narrowed anter¬

iorly; anterior angles broadly obtuse, evenly rounded into the

shallowly convex anterior edge, sides slightly sinuate, widest at

middle, posterior angles distinct, a little over a right angle, pos¬

terior edge gently convex, sinuate; edges of pronotum reflexed,

disc with a broadly concave area occupying the anterior third on

each side, narrowing postero-laterally to the posterior fourth, pos¬

terior edge uniformly reflexed, disc tumid on either side posteriorly,

a shallow median depression extending to the anterior third. Elytra

slender, length nearly three times combined width, sculptured lines

scarcely evident, short pubescence cinereous, erect hairs golden or

fulvous (brunneous in one specimen), never black. Anterior claw

of protarsi cleft, the outer cleft portion cultellate, exceeding the

inner, rounded at extreme tip, oblique internally, all others simple.

First protarsal segment slightly expanded, width equals one-half

its length; length of the second equals width of the first, width

of the second equals half its length, length of third equals width

of the second, -width of third equals half its length. Posterior edge

of seventh sternite deeply emarginate, floor of the emargination

sinuate, sides produced postero-laterally and expanded apically, a

raised ridge extending anteriorly from the produced sides para-

bolically across the lateral part of the last segment to the center

of the sixth visible (next to the last visible) segment.

Dorsal bifurcation of tegmen moderately long, lobes slender,

rounded at tips, tips widely separated, projecting diagonally down¬

ward and backward, ventral lobes dorso-ventrally flattened, long,

secondary lobe near tip, directed mesad, median lobe slender, long-

exserted, lateral sinuations prominent, narrowly lobular (Fig. 4).

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Female: Stouter than male, antennae shorter; width at base of

elytra 2.5 mm., length 9 mm., antennae 5.75 mm.; all claws simple;

protarsi not expanded.

Range: California; San Bernardino National Forest (L. Ar¬

rowhead and San Jacinto Mts.)

Holotype: male, L. Arrowhead, California, July 3, 1941,

G. P. Mackenzie [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Allotype: female, same data [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Paratypes: 22 males, 25 females. Forest Home, San Bernar¬

dino Co., June 14, 1928, 9 specs., June 15. 1928, 3 specs., June

10, 1926, Van Dyke, 1 spec.; Tahquitz Cn., Riverside Co., June

30, 1928, Van Dyke, 1 spec.; Idyllwild, July 3, 1928, June 21,

1940, Van Dyke, 5 specs.; San Jacinto Mts., 1932, F. E. Winters,

1 spec.; Santa Rosa Mt., San Jacinto Mts., May 31, 1940, Quercus

Fred H. Rindge, 1 spec.; June 15, 1946, D. J. and J. N. Knull,

1 spec.; L. Arrowhead, July 3-5, 1941, July 11, 1942, July 23,

1944, July 2-6, 1945, G. P. Mackenzie, 34 specs.

This species very closely resembles C. ingenua but the elytral

pubescence distinguishes it even from C. ingenua knulli, which it

most closely resembles, the erect hairs of the elytra being golden

or fulvous (invariably black in ingenua) . Males may also be sep¬

arated by the deeply emarginate last ventral segment (very shal¬

lowly emarginate in ingenua ). This character, though difficult to

express in words is very striking. C. ochropa, has the terminal

sternites similarly modified, though less strongly. The male pro¬

tarsi are not very broad, thus differing from typical ingenua,

though not from ingenua knulli. The male genital armature indi¬

cates a relationship to both ingenua and ochropa, that of ingenua

being a more expanded development of the same plan as the other

two species.

The author is pleased to name this fine species after Mr. G. P.

Mackenzie, through whose efforts most of the extensive type

series was obtained.

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) ingenua Lec.

Telephones ingenuus Leconte, 1881, Synopsis of the Lampyridae

of the United States, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., 9: 55.

Black except head before eyes and pronotum flavous to rufo-

testaceous, prosternum and anterior surface of first and second

antennal segments brunneous. Form relatively robust.

Male : Width at base of elytra 2.25 mm., length 9 mm., anten¬

nae 6 mm. Clypeus short, shallowly emarginate apically, evenly

arcuate on either side, antennae appreciably less than two-thirds

APRIL, 1950]

MC KEY-FENDER—CANT HARIS

of body length; eyes moderate in size. Pronotmn subquadrate, a

little longer than wide, slightly narrowed anteriorly; anterior

angles evident, broadly rounded into the moderately convex an¬

terior margin, sides nearly straight, posterior angles distinct, a

little over a right angle, posterior margin sinuate, shallowly con¬

vex, disc broadly concave either side before the middle tapering to

sides at posterior one-third, posterior margin uniformly reflexed;

disc tumid on either side posteriorly, a shallow median depres¬

sion extending anteriorly to anterior one-fifth. Elytra moderately

slender, combined width approximately one-third length, longi¬

tudinal sculptured lines faint, short pubescence cinereous, erect

hairs black. Anterior claw of protarsi cleft, the outer cleft portion

cultellate, slightly exceeding the inner, obliquely arcuate internal¬

ly; all others simple. First protarsal segment long and broadly

expanded, width equaling nearly three-quarters of the length;

width of second equals its length which equals one-third the length

of the first; width of the third equals one and one-fourth times its

length and equals the length of the second. Posterior margin of

seventh sternite broadly, very shallowly emarginate, the floor of

the emargination very slightly convex medially, a slightly swollen

ridge extending a short distance from the prolonged sides antero-

medially.

Male genital armature black; entire structure broadly ex¬

panded, in the dried specimens, crumpled, dorsal bifurcation of

tegmen very broad, investing tip of median lobe, lateral sinuations

uncomplicated, median lobe moderately stout basally, slender api-

cally, ventral lobes dorso-ventrally compressed, short, broad,

secondarily lobed internally, lobe small, nearly apical (Fig. 7).

Female : Stouter, width 2.5 mm., length 9.25 mm., antennae 6

mm., all claws simple, protarsi not expanded.

Range: California; Western Riverside Co., north to San Fran¬

cisco (typical). The type is said to be from Nevada.

Specimens examined; 60.

Homeo-plesiotype: male, Belvedere, California, May, 1937

[Calif. Acad. Sci.].

This specimen was compared with the Leconte type of T.

ingenuus by Dr. P. J. Darlington, Jr.

C. ingenua is the darkest of this group of Cantharis. The black

elytral pubescence distinguishes both sexes readily from C. mack -

enziei, its nearest relative. Typically the male first protarsal seg¬

ment is very broad and long and the succeeding segments are

also very wide. A subspecies lacking the broadened protarsi and

differing in certain other respects is described below:

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) ingenua knulli

McKey-Fender, n. subsp.

Smaller and form more slender than typical; width of male

1.75 mm., length 6.5 mm., antennae 5 mm.; female a little stouter

than male. Color as in the typical form except scutellum, pro¬

sternum and procoxae also fiavous, tegmen brunneous rather than

black, less strongly chitinized, lobes of dorsal plate not strongly

expanded and not collapsed; median lobe slender, more of its

length exposed than in typical form (Fig. 8). First protarsal seg¬

ment of male not at all expanded in dried specimens and only

slightly so even in relaxed, moist specimens,

so even in relaxed, moist specimens.

Holotype : male, Jacumba, California, May 18, 1941, D. J.

and J. N. Knull [Ohio State University].

Allotype : female, same data [Ohio State University].

Parotypes : 8 males, 6 females, Jacumba, May 18, 1941, D. J.

and J. N. Knull, 7 specs.; Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, May 19,

1941, D. J. and J. N. Knull, 1 spec.; Oak Grove, June 5, 1941,

D. J. and J. N. Knull, 2 specs.; Banning, May 20, 1941, Van

Dyke, 4 specs.

Collected at several points in the Cleveland National Forest

area of southern California, all of these specimens fitting the

above analysis very closely. Specimens from Whittier, Alhambra,

and Corona approach this form in coloration, the scutellum and

prosternum being light and the genital apparatus paler and some¬

what less strongly expanded than in specimens from other Los

Angeles area localities and the San Francisco Bay region, but

with the robust form and broadly expanded male protarsal seg¬

ment of male not at ali expanded in dried specimens and only

slightly so even in relaxed, moist specimens.

Unlike the other variants of the species of Cultellunguis, knulli

departs from the typical not so much in pigmentation as in degree

of development of certain structures. In the opinion of the author,

it is of subspecific rank, the restricted geographic range strength¬

ening this view. The male genital armature differs from the typi¬

cal only in the parts being less broadened.

Cantharis (Cultellunguis) perpallens Fall

Cantharis perpallens Fall, 1936, On certain species of Cantharis

( Telephones ), Pan. Pac. Ent., 22: 179.

The original description of this insect is readily accessible and

quite complete, therefore it will not be redescribed. The charac¬

ters included in the key and figures of this study should serve to

separate it. The shape of the pronotum is very distinctive, the an-

APRIL, 1950] MC KEY-FENDER—CANTHARIS

terior margin being more strongly convex than in any of the

species and the anterior angles obliterated.

The male genital armature is undescribed: Lobes of dorsal

bifurcation of tegmen moderately broad, wider at tip than base,

divergent, tips not appreciably curved downward, lateral sinua-

tions pronounced, acutely pyramidal; ventral lobes dorso-ven-

trally flattened, short, secondarily lobed at tips internally; me¬

dian lobe slender, long-exserted (Fig. 6).

Range: California west of the Sierras, north to Monterey and

south to Baja California, Mexico (Ensanada and Catavina).

The single specimen from Catavina, like the typical form, is

very pale and slender, but differs in having a faint brunneous

M-shaped pronotal maculation.

Cantharis (Cultellimguis) perpallens sanctaeclarae

McKey-Fender, n. subsp.

Although the pale coloration of perpallens has been considered

one of the more important diagnostic characters, specimens from

some localities represent a melanic subspecies: Elytra black, pi-

ceous or brunneous and the underparts dark; a dark occipital spot

may be present; head, pronotum, scutellum, legs and lateral and

median portions of the abdominal sternites yellow; long elytral

pubescence brunneous rather than pale. This subspecies agrees

with the typical in other respects, including the male genitalia.

Range: California; Santa Clara county and Monterey area.

Holotype: male, Cupertino, Santa Clara Co., California,

June 11, 1939, K. S. Hagen [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Allotype: female, same data [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Paratypes: 4 males, 8 females. Los Gatos, Aug. 15, 1933, J.

A. Kneche, 2 specs.; Los Gatos, June, 10, 14, A. Fenyes (each

bears a yellow disc), 3 specs.; Pacific Grove, June, 16, ’04, A.

Fenyes (a blue disc), 2 spec.; Monterey, June 24, 1916, 81, 1

spec.; Monterey, July 15, 1923, L. S. Slevin, 1 spec.; Pacific

Grove, Moonterey Co., Sept. 4 F. E. Blaisdell (a red rectangle),

1 spec.; Carmel, Monterey Co., June 21, 1915, L. S. Slevin, 1

spec.; Carmel, July 20, 1935, L. S. Slevin, 1 spec.; Monterey

June 24, 1916, J. O. Martin, 1 spec.

The seven specimens from Santa Clara county show this sub¬

species at its best development, while specimens from the Mon¬

terey area depart less from the typical form, the melanic areas

being of a lighter tone (brunneous). The Monterey area appar¬

ently is the point at which this subspecies intergrades with the

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

typical, since of the fourteen specimens of perpallens from Mon¬

terey county at hand for this study, seven, those mentioned above,

are perpallens sancataeclarae, while the remainder are typical

perpallens. Typical perpallens has not yet been seen from north of

Monterey Bay, nor has the new subspecies appeared in collec¬

tions from the southern part of the range of the species.

Subgenus Cantharis L. s. str. 1758

This remains the largest group in Division II. While it might

be broken into several sections, the species are so well connected

as to preclude such subdivision at present. The species include

Cantharis rotundicollis Say, 1825, consors Lee., 1851, curtisii

Kby., 1837, the European C. livida L. and rufa L. which have

been taken on the North Atlantic coast; C. transmarina Mots.,

1859, grandicollis Lee., 1851, fidelis Lee., 1851, oregona Lee.,

1866, scopa Lee., 1866, alticola Lee., 1881, marginellis Lee., 1851,

lecontei Fall, 1936, tuberculata Lee., 1851, loweri Pic, 1906 ( de -

cipiens Horn, 1894), and probably simpliunguis Blatch,, 1910

and westwoodii Kby., 1837. C. vittata Fab., 1801 remains un¬

known, not having been certainly identified by any worker since

its description. Its exact position is therefore uncertain. The first

five species listed above are not difficult to recognize and a partial

key covering these species is herein included, while most of the re¬

mainder defy analysis at present. The author has at hand several

readily recognizable new species in this complex, to nearly all

of the names more than one species being referrable. There are

also some points of synonymy in question. Revision of this com¬

plex group is deferred to a later study. In this group the posterior

claw of each pair is invariably simple while the anterior varies

from lamellate to simple. The arrangement of the claws, however,

usually holds to a rather definite formula. In most species the

anterior claw of the protarsi is mostly broadly toothed, often

lamellate (Fig. 20), and the anterior meso- and metatarsal claws

are successively less broadly toothed. The ungual teeth are less

broad in the females (Fig. 19), even being lacking on the meso-

and metatarsi of some species ( alticola group) and on all feet

in at least one species (an undescribed species from the Midwest).

Simpliunguis apparently is of this type. The male genital arma¬

ture has the ventral lobes strong, slender and uncomplicated, the

dorsal plate emarginate to bilobed.

C. loweri Pic ( decipiens Horn), placed by Horn with dentiger

Lee., has the ungual formation rather of Cantharis. (It appears

APRIL, 1950 ]

MC KEY-FENDER—CANTHARIS

to be a variety of oregona.) According to Mr. J. W. Green, who

examined Horn’s types, two males, the anterior claws of the pro-

and mesotarsi are lamellate, the posterior simple, while the meta¬

tarsal claws are missing in both specimens (in litt.).

On the basis of the original description, it is unlikely that C.

westwoodii Kby., 1837 is a synonyn of curtisii Kby., 1837 ( sam -

ouelli Kby, 1837). Curtisii does not have the thorax transverse

nor the legs dark. Horn (1876) recognized it as distinct from

curtisii , while Leconte in his North American synopsis (1851)

included it among his unknowns and in his U. S. synopsis (1881)

failed to mention it at all, presumably because of the extreme

northern locality of its capture (lat 65°). In the following key,

westwoodii would key out to livida L. ( andersoni Frost 1922) :

1. Color predominantly pale or dusky .2

- Color predominantly black.(species not treated here)

2. Eyes small, pronotum nearly as broad as elytra.3

- Eyes large, pronotum appreciably narrower than elytra.4

3. Pronotum definitely transverse, anterior angles evident, color

entirely pale; or legs, antennae and ventral segments dusky, a

dark M-shaped spot on thorax; size moderate—9 mm. (Maine

and Novia Scotia) . rufa

- Pronotum subquadrate or slightly transverse, in effect sub-

orbicular, margin deeply convex anteriorly, the anterior angles

evenly rounded, obscured; an occipital spot, tibiae and apical

parts of hind femora and outer two-thirds of antennae black,

elytra often dusky apically, size large—11-13 mm. (Massa¬

chusetts) .. livida

4. Legs unicolorous, testaceous or dusky, (eastern U.S. and Can¬

ada), size moderate to large . 5

- Knees, tibiae and tarsi piceous, elytra testaceous to dusky,

ventral segments sometimes piceous, size very large—14-19

mm. (Western California, San Diego north to San Francisco

Bay) . consors

5. Size large—12-14 mm., yellow, legs testaceous, ventral seg¬

ments sometimes dusky, rarely piceous, elytra often dusky,

male metatibiae produced in a spiniform process (Northeast¬

ern U.S. south to Virginia, west to Illinois and Minnesota)

. rotundicolHs

- Size moderate—10 mm., elytra and ventral segments regularly

piceous, legs testaceous, tarsi sometimes dusky, metatibiae of

male not produced (Extreme northern U.S. and Canada west

to Minnesota and Peace R., B.C.) . curtisii

C. rufa L. has not been heretofore included in the North

American fauna, being a rather common European species.

There are no differences between N. A. and European captures.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

North American localities: Maine; Millinocket, June 25, 1930,

2 specs.; June 28, 1930, Siepmann, 1 spec.; Lincoln Co., June 22,

1940 and June 18, 1946, D. J. Borror, 3 spec.; Medomak, June

9, 1938, 2 specs.: Nova Scotia; Truro, June 18, 1915, 1 spec.;

Middleton, June 22, 1914, W. E. E., 1 spec.

Subgenus Absidia Muls.

Two species, C. insipida Fall, 1907, and C. sierrae herein de¬

scribed, are provisionally placed in this subgenus. Insipida is

evidently related to the new species and, by comparison with

European material, these species were found to be quite near

Absidia pilosa Payk. and A. prolixa Mark., the only representa¬

tives at hand. In addition to the key characters, they agree with

European material in the head being rather long behind the eyes

and in the obsolete inner angle of the maxillary palpi (Reitter

1911), as well as in the form of the genitalia. The Cantharidae

section of the Junk Coleopterorum Catalogus (1939) gives Ab¬

sidia subgeneric rank under the genus Podistra, but for the pres¬

ent the author prefers to retain this group in the genus Cantharis,

leaving the study of the generic position for later treatment.

Cantharis (Absidia) sierrae McKey-Fender, n. sp.

Male : Form slender, length 6.5 mm., width at base of elytra

1.5 mm., antennae 4 mm. Elytra, ventral segments, antennae except

basal segment, sides of head and tarsi piceous, thorax and scutel-

lum yellow, otherwise dusky. Clypeus short, anterior margin bi-

arcuate, surface of head shining, vertex closely punctured; anten¬

nae less than two-thirds body length, moderately stout, first and

third antennal segments subequal, second approximately one-third

the length of the third; eyes large, separated by a distance very

slightly greater than the length of the eye, width of head includ¬

ing eyes slightly less than the width of the thorax. Thorax sub-

transverse, anterior margin very shallowly convex medially, an¬

terior angles indistinct, uniformly rounded into front and sides,

hind angles distinct, approximately right angles, posterior margin

very gently convex, plain, sides slightly wider anteriorly, sinuate,

slightly constricted just behind anterior angles and again just

before posterior angles, edges reflexed; disc shining, virtually im-

punctate except very finely punctate anteriorly, disc tumid either

side posteriorly, broadly impressed at anterior angles, a moderate

impressed line between the convexities, pubescence fine and scat¬

tered, testaceous. Elytra moderately slender, combined width about

one and one-half times width of the thorax, scabrously sculptured,

longitudinal lines evident, edges a little thickened, pubescence

suberect, rather sparse, dusky-testaceous. Last sternite broadly,

APRIL, 1950 ]

MC KEY-FENDER—CANTHARIS

moderately emarginate, floor of emargination simple, apparent

eighth sternite narrow, scarcely covering aedeagus. Tarsi slender,

claws simple, only slightly expanded at base.

Genitalia feebly chitinized, median hooks articulated on dorsal

face of median lobe, directed dorsad, meeting at center of anterior

edge of dorsal plate and on the same level; space between ventral

lobes wide and deep exposing most of median lobe, basal plates

feebly developed, lateral sinuations undeveloped (Fig 9).

Female : Unknown.

Type locality: California, Lake Arrowhead.

Holotype: male, Lake Arrowhead, July 3, 1941, G. P. Macken¬

zie [Calif. Acad. Sci.].

Paratype: male, Keen Camp, June 14, 1946, D. J. and J. N.

Knull.

The paratype is quite dark, the elytra and antennae except

basal segment being deep black and legs except femora and tro¬

chanters of pro- and mesotarsi piceous, elytral pubescence dusky.

In general body proportions, shape and sculpture of thorax,

length and thickness of antennae it agrees well with the type.

Cantharis (Absidia) insipidia Fall

Telephones insipidus Fall (w. Cockerell), 1907, The Coleoptera of

New Mexico, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 33: 235.

Two specimens of a species provisionally determined as C.

insipida Fall are at hand. This species differs C. (A.) sierrae

n. sp. in its paler, more uniform coloration and is more slender

and with longer antennae. The length of the distal antennal seg¬

ments is over five times their width against a length less than

four times the width in sierrae, while the antennal length is but

slightly less than the total length of the insect (less than two-thirds

the total length in sierrae ). The thorax is longer than wide with

more deeply convex anterior margin, sides equidistant (wider

anteriorly in sierrae ), and the longitudinal sculptured lines of

the elytra are a little less evident. These points all agree with

Fall’s description of insipida. What casts doubt on this species

truly being Fall’s species is the great disparity in measurements.

One of the California specimens is only 5 mm. long and the other

only 6.5, while the type of insipida is 9.5 mm. However, it is not

uncommon in Cantharis for individuals of a species to vary widely

in size (v. ant., C. divisa) . The species at hand is dusky testaceous

throughout, as is insipida, but the elytra, antennae and tarsi are

darkest, the elytral apices approaching piceous. The second an¬

tennal segment is scarcely one-third the length of the third (barely

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

half as long as three in C. insipida Fall). In spite of these differ¬

ences the author does not wish to erect a new species on the basis

of only two specimens and without checking the Fall type.

Specimens examined: California, Lake Arrowhead, July 6,

1941, G. P. Mackenzie; Forest Home, San Bernardino Co., June

14, 1928, Van Dyke.

Type locality of C. insipida Fall—New Mexico.

The male genitalia of the species examined by the author

differ in no tangible characters in the dried specimens available.

They are of a very simple, weakly sclerotized type and only from

relaxed and cleared specimens can a satisfactory study of such

types be made. These species appear to be very rare, only four

specimens having come to light in the thousands of Canbharis

seen by the author.

Though five specimens (including Fall’s type) scarcely offer

room for speculation, the fact that all five are males is interesting.

The female of the European A. prolixa Mark, is said to have the

elytra much abbreviated.

Literature Cited

Blatchley, W. S.

1910. Beetles of Indiana, Bull. Ind. Dept. Geol. and R. R., p. 836.

Delkescamp, K.

1939. Cantharidae, Coleopterorum Catalogus. Vol. 9 W. Junk

ed.

Fall, H. C.

1907. New Coleop. from the Southwest, III, Trans. Am. Ent.

Soc., 39: 235.

1919. New Coleoptera VIII, Canadian Ent., 51: 215.

1936. On certain species of Cantharis (Telephones ), Pan.-Pac.

Ent., 7(4) : 179.

Fabricius, J. C.

1801. Systema Eleutheratorum, Kiliae, 1: 296.

Frost, C. A.

1920. Notes on Coleop., Canadian Ent. 52: 251. (Biology and

morphology of T. neglectus Fall.)

1922. A new species of New England Cantharis, Psyche, 29(4) :

4-6.

1929. A synonym, Bull. Br. Ent. Soc., 24: 249. (C. andersoni

a synonym of C. livida L.)

Green, J. W.

1941. Taxonomic studies in Cantharis, Ent. Americana, 20 (4):

159-217.

Horn, G. H.

1876. Synonymy of Fauna Boreali-Americana of Kirby, Can¬

adian Ent., 8.

APRIL, 1950 ]

ROSS-FLEA COLLECTION

1894. Coleoptera of Baja California, Proc. Cal Acad. Sci. 2nd

ser., 4:380.

Kirby, William

1837. Insects in Richardson’s Fauna Boreali-Americana, p.

246-247.

LeConte, J. L.

1851. Synopsis of the Lampyrides of temp. N. A., Proc. Ac.

N. S. Phila. (2), 5: 331-347.

1866. New species of N. A. Coleop, pt. 1, 2nd ed., Smithsonian

Misc. Coll., 6(167) : 92.

1881. Synopsis of U. S. Lampyridae, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.,

9: 15-72.

Linne, Carl von

1758. Systema Naturae, ed. 10, Helmiae, 1: 647.

McKey-Fender, Dorothy (see first footnote)

1941. Notes on Cantharis I, Pan-Pac. Ent., 17: 126.

1944. Notes on Cantharis II, Pan-Pac. Ent., 20: 20.

Motschulsky, T. Victor von

1859. Coleopteres Nouv. de la Californie, Bull. Moscou, 32: 398

and 401. (Besides citations describes Oripa rubricollis now a

synonym of Cantharis grandicollis Lee. and O. transmarina

a Cantharis.)

Reitter, Edmund

1911. Fauna Germanica. Kafer, 3: 259. Stuttgart.

Say, Thomas

1823. Exp. to Rocky Mts., Journ. Ac. N. S. Phila., 3: 182.

1824. Descriptions of new species of coleopterous insects, Journ.

Ac. N. S. Phila., 5: 165.

ACADEMY RECEIVES FLEA COLLECTION

Dr. C. Andresen Hubbard of Tigard, Oregon, well known for

bis exhaustive work “The Fleas of Western North America,” has

made up a series of twenty depository collections of fleas of the

Pacific Northwest. These have been very generously presented to

various museums in this country and abroad. In addition, a master

collection is deposited in the U. S. National Museum.

The collection recently received by the California Academy of

Sciences is second in completeness only to that of the U. S. Na¬

tional Museum. It comprises 108 slides, each usually with a male

and female, of 108 species or subspecies of fleas from the Western

States. Included are paratypes of sixteen species or subspecies

described by Hubbard. The collection is a model of neatness, com¬

pleteness and uniformity of labelling, and of good preparation.

The collection will be permanently maintained as a separate

unit and will be available to qualified students visiting the Acad¬

emy.—E. S. Ross.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Book Notices

The Life of William T. Davis. By Mabel Abbott. Cornell

University Press, Ithaca, New York, xv -j- 321 pp., frontis¬

piece and 18 figs. 1949. $3.50.

In this day, in which it is commonly thought that money alone

will buy the “fuller life,” this book should be widely read. The life

of William T. Davis was simple, but full of the high adventure

and deep pleasure available to anyone who cares to examine and

study the natural history marvels of his immediate environment.

Davis’ environment, Staten Island, New York, can in effect, be

duplicated by almost any suburban area of this country and his

full life can readily be emulated by others.

Davis’ work on the cicadas gave him his widest reputation and

we thus tend to claim him as an entomologist. A story of his

life, however, cannot be strictly entomological for he was a

naturalist in the broad sense. Nevertheless this book is recom¬

mended reading for entomologists, especially those who have

become so involved in the laboratory and economic phases of

the science that they can no longer be called naturalists.

The book is skillfully and entertainingly written. Its pages

carry frequent, well selected excerpts from Davis’ “Natural His¬

tory Note Book” which give the reader a keen insight into his

character and personality. A complete list of Davis’ published

writings at the end of the book will be most useful.—E. S. Ross.

The Siphonaptera of Canada. By George P. Holland, Publi¬

cation 817, Tech. Bui. 70, Canada Dept. Agric., Ottawa. 306

pp., including 42 pis. of 350 figs., 44 maps, September, 1949.

This paper is well planned, ably written, fully illustrated, and

nicely printed. The clarity and uniformity of treatment show that

much thought has been given to making it easily used by readers.

The tabulations, maps, documentation, and index are excellent

for quick reference.

The first 52 pages include a checklist and distribution by

provinces, notes on life history and ecology, host specificity, geo¬

graphical distribution, relationships of nearctic and palaearctic

fleas, economic importance of fleas in Canada, and their anatomy

as applied to systematics. A key to the genera is given on pp.

53-57, and keys to the species in the text (pp. 59-182). Maps show

distributional records, often superimposed on the ranges of the

hosts. Pages 183-195 give a host-flea index.— Hugh B. Leech.

APRIL, 1950 ]

ALEXANDER—TIPULIDAE

UNDESCRIBED SPECIES OF TIPULIDAE FROM THE

WESTERN UNITED STATES Part IV

(Diptera)

BY CHARLES P. ALEXANDER

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

The preceding part under this title was published in the Pan-

Pacific Entomologist, 23: 91-96; 1947. The species discussed

herewith are all from California and Oregon and were collected

by Mr. Kenneth M. Fender and the writer, chiefly during 1948-

The types of the species are preserved in my collection. My deep¬

est thanks and appreciation are extended to Mr. Fender for his

most enthusiastic and successful efforts to make known the rich

Tipulid fauna of Oregon.

Dicranoptycha melampygia Alexander, new species

General coloration dark gray, including the pleura; praescutum

with four poorly defined darker stripes; tips of the femora and

tibiae darkened; wings brownish yellow, the prearcular and cos¬

tal fields a little clearer yellow; abdomen, including hypopygium,

brownish black; outer dististyle of male hypopygium gradually

narrowed into a slender apical spine, the outer margin of style

with numerous strong spines extending almost to the base.

Male. Length about 8.5-9 mm.; wing 8-8.5 mm.

Rostrum black, pruinose; palpi black. Antennal scape and pedi¬

cel obscure yellow, flagellum black. Head uniformly dark gray.

Thorax dark gray, the praescutum with four darker stripes,

the intermediate pair more distinct; posterior sclerites of notum

and the entire pleura clearer gray. Halteres with stem yellow, knob

weakly infuscated. Legs with coxae yellow, the fore pair a trifle

darker; trochanters yellow; femora yellow basally, with about the

outer third more darkened, gradually becoming brownish black;

tibiae pale brown, the tip narrowly darkened, the base less evi¬

dently so; tarsi passing into black. Wings weakly brownish yel¬

low, the prearcular and costal fields a little clearer yellow; veins

pale brown, the trichia darker brown; costal fringe of male rela¬

tively long and dense. Venation: Scl ending just beyond level of

fork of Rs, Sc2 near its tip; Rs slightly less than twice the basal

section of R4+5; m-cu about two-thirds its length beyond the

fork of M.

Abdomen, including hypopygium, brownish black. Male hy¬

popygium with the tergal arms of moderate length, the flange on

the concave margin back from the acute tip relatively short, only

about one-third the total length of the arm. Outer dististyle grad-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

ually narrowed into a slender apical spine, the outer margin with

numerous strong spines that extend almost to the base. Inner dis-

tistyle entirely darkened, its apex obtusely rounded. Phallosome

without conspicuous projections, the general outline obtuse.

Holotype, 8 Prairie Creek State Park, Humboldt Co.,

California, August 11, 1948 (C. P. Alexander). Paratypes,

8 2, Peavine Ridge, Yamhill Co., Oregon, July 12, 1945, July 3,

1946 (K, M. Fender) ; 8 , Zena, Eola Hills, Polk Co., Oregon,

June 5, 1948 (K. M. Fender).

The only generally similar regional species is Dicranoptycha

nigrogenualis Alexander, which differs in the coloration of the

wings and legs, and in the structure of the male hypopygium,

particularly of the outer dististyle and phallosome.

Dicranoptycha stenophallus Alexander, new species

Thoracic dorsum almost uniformly gray, the praescutal stripes

virtually lacking, the sternopleurite paler; wings with a brownish

tinge; costal fringe of male short but dense; abdominal tergites

brown, the subterminal segments scarcely more darkened, hypopy¬

gium yellow; male hypopygium with the outer dististyle relatively

short and stout; aedeagus unusually small and slender, smooth, the

tip decurved.

Male. Length about 8-10 mm.; wing 8-10 mm. Female. Length

about 11-12 mm.; wing 9.5-10 mm.

Rostrum dark brown; palpi black. Antennae with the scape and

pedicel yellow, flagellum black; flagellar segments cylindrical,

shorter than the verticils. Head gray.

Thoracic dorsum almost uniformly gray, the praescutal stripes

lacking or very indistinct. Pleurotergite and dorsal pleurites light

gray, the latter with a short brown mark on the ventral anepis-

ternum; ventral pleurites, especially the sternopleurite, paling to

brownish yellow, sparsely pruinose. Halteres yellow, knob infus-

cated. Legs with the coxae yellow, pruinose; trochanters yellow;

remainder of legs obscure yellow, the outer tarsal segments dark¬

ened. Wings with a brownish tinge, the costal border slightly more

saturated, brownish yellow; veins pale brown. Costal fringe of

male short but dense. Venation: Rs a little longer than cell 1st

M2; m-cu one-half to two-thirds its length beyond fork of M.

Abdominal tergites brown, the sternites a little paler, the sub¬

terminal segments slightly to scarcely darker; hypopygium yellow.

Male hypopygium with the tergal arms pale, unusually long and

slender, the tips acute and microscopically roughened. Outer dis¬

tistyle relatively short and stout, the apical spine moderately

long; spines of outer margin subappressed but conspicuous, in¬

cluding approximately the distal two-thirds, weak to obsolete on

APRIL, 1950]

ALEXANDER-TIPULIDAE

the lower face of style. Inner dististyle flattened, the tip obtuse;

surface, and especially the lower margin, with long' pale setae, the

longest only a little shorter than the diameter of the style. Phallo-

some distinctive, including an oval central structure and a low,

weakly divided lobe with several pale punctures; aedeagus small

but elongated and slender, smooth, the decurved tip pale.

Holotype , 5 , Madron a Camp, Siskiyou National Forest,

Del Norte Co., California, August 1, 1946 (C. P. Alexander).

Allotype, 2 , Little Phillips Creek, above Elgin, Blue Mts., Uma¬

tilla Co., Oregon, 2850 ft., July 2, 1948 (C. P. Alexander). Para-

types, 8 , with the allotype; 5 2, Langdon Lake, Blue Mts.,

Umatilla Co., Oregon, 4995 ft., August 17, 1948 (C. P. Alex¬

ander) ; 5 2 , Peavine Ridge, Coast Range, Yamhill Co., Oregon,

Stations 1, 2 and 3, July 11-12, 1945, May 20, June 20, July 3,

August 13-20, and September 13, 1946; July 3, 1947; July 16,

1948 (K. M. Fender) ; Humbug Mountain State Park, Curry Co.,

Oregon, August 11, 1948 (IC. M. Fender); State Line Creek,

Curry Co., Oregon, August 9, 1948 (Alexander & Fender) ; Castle

Crags State Park, Shasta Co., California, 2050 ft., August 13,

1948 (C. P. Alexander).

While similar in its general appearance to species such as

Dicranoptycha occidentalis Alexander and D. spinosissima, new

species, the present fly is quite distinct in the structure of the

male hypopygium, as described.

Dicranoptycha spinosissima Alexander, new species

General coloration of head and thorax gray, the praescutum

with two poorly indicated brown stripes; legs yellow, the outer

tarsal segments brownish black; wings narrow, yellowish gray,

costal fringe of male long; abdomen brown, the subterminal seg¬

ments brownish black; male hypopygium with the lateral tergal

arms unusually slender; outer dististyle long and slender, at tip

narrowed into a black spine, the outer surface of apical third

with microscopic spines; apex of inner dististyle obliquely trun¬

cated; phallosome produced into two slender rods that are expand¬

ed into pale membrane densely set with minute spinous points.

Male. Length about 9-10 mm.; wing 9x2 mm. Female. Length

about 10 mm.; wing 10 mm.

Rostrum gray; palpi black. Antennae with the scape infuscated,

pruinose, pale at outer end; pedicel yellow, flagellum black; flagel¬

lar segments cylindrical, shorter than the verticils. Head light

gray.

Pronotum gray, the scutellum more obscure yellow. Mesonotum

gray, the praescutum with faint indications of two pale brown

intermediate stripes; humeral region paler gray, enclosing the

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

black pseudo sutural foveae. Pleura gray, the dorsal pleurites dark¬

er than the ventral sternopleurite; dorsopleural membrane buffy.

Halteres pale brown, the base of stem yellow. Legs with the coxae

yellow, the fore and middle pairs slightly more pruinose; remainder

of legs yellow, the outer tarsal segments brownish black. Wings

narrow, tinged with grayish yellow, the prearcular and costal

fields slightly clearer yellow; veins pale brown. Costal fringe of

male relatively long and conspicuous. Venation: Its shorter than

cell 1st M2; -cu gently sinuous, at near one-third the length of

cell 1st M2.

Abdomen brown, the subterminal segments deepening to brown¬

ish black; hypopygium obscure yellow. Male hypopygium with the

lateral lobes of the tergites low and tumid, the tergal arms un¬

usually slender, their tips paling into membrane. Outer dististyle

unusually long and slender, the tip abruptly narrowed into a

straight black spine, the outer surface of the apical third with

microscopic suberect to appressed spinulae. Inner dististyle short¬

er, the tip obliquely truncate. Phallosome distinctive, at apex pro¬

duced into two slender rods that expand into pale membrane that

is densely set with acute spinous points, these directed clockwise,

those of the inner edge being directed outward, those of the outer

margin more retrorse.

Holotype, S, Hatchet Pass, near Burney, Shasta Co., Cali¬

fornia, 4000 ft., July 9, 1947 (C. P. Alexander). Allotype , 9,

Little Phillips Creek, above Elgin, Blue Mts., Umatilla Co., Ore¬

gon, 2850 ft., July 2, 1948 (C. P. Alexander). Paratype, S, with

allotype.

The most similar regional species are Dicranoptycha occi-

dentalis Alexander and D. stenophallus , new species, which, while

generally similar in appearance, differ very conspicuously in the

structure of the male hypopygium.

Limnophila amabilis Alexander, new species

Praescutum gray pruinose, with a narrow black median stripe;

basal two segments of antennae blackened, the flagellum with the

more basal segments brownish yellow; halteres yellow; legs yellow,

the femoral tips and tibial bases and tips blackened; wings pale

yellow with a heavy brown spotted pattern; abdomen black; male

hypopygium with the outer dististyle dilated at base, gradually

narrowed into a long apical spine, before midlength on ventral side

bearing a lateral tooth or flange, the style entirely glabrous.

Male. Length about 7-7.5 mm.; wing 6.5-7 mm.; antenna about

1.2 mm. Female. Length about 9-10 mm.; wing 8-8.5 mm.

Rostrum black, grayish pruinose; palpi black. Antennae short;

scape black, pedicel brownish black, flagellum brownish yellow,

the outer segments darker; basal flagellar segments Bubglobular

to short-oval, with short verticils; outer segments more elongate,

ALEXANDER-TIPULIDAE

APRIL, 1950 ]

more or less dilated at near midlength where they bear long con¬

spicuous verticils. Head dark, more pruinose on front and orbits.

Pronotum brownish black, pruinose. Mesonotal praescutum

grayish pruinose, with a narrow but conspicuous black median

stripe, narrowed behind; pseudosutural foveae black, relatively

large. Pleura black, sparsely pruinose; dorsopleural membrane

dusky. Halteres pale yellow. Legs with the coxae black, sparsely

pruinose; trochanters obscure yellow; femora light yellow, the tips

abruptly blackened, the amount subequal on ail legs and involving

about the distal eighth; tibiae yellow, the extreme base and slight¬

ly broader apex black; basal three tarsal segments yellow, the

tips narrowly darkened; outer two tarsal segments brownish black;

tibial spurs black. Wings pale yellow, the costal region clearer

yellow; a heavy brown spotted pattern, arranged much as in

certain species of Elaeophila, the markings restricted to the vicin¬

ity of the veins, as follows: Areulus; origin of Rs; midway between

the two latter; a more or less developed spot on Rs; cord and outer

end of cell 1st M2; fork of Ml-f2; and as a series of marginal

spots, largest over Sc and at the wing tip where the individual

spots tend to become confluent; paler brown washes in cells M,

Cu and the Anals; axilla narrowly darkened; veins brown, yellow

in the clearer yellow parts. Venation: Scl ending about opposite

the fork of Rs, Sc2 at its tip; Rs long, angulated and slightly

spurred at origin; inner ends of cells R4, R5 and 1st M2 in ap¬

proximate transverse alignment; R2+3+4 subequal to basal sec¬

tion of R5; vein R24-3 perpendicular at origin, with a short spur

at the bend; cell Ml subequal to or shorter than its petiole; M-cu

at from, one-third to midlength of cell 1st M2; anterior areulus

preserved.

Abdomen, including hypopygium, black. Male hypopygium with

the central region of the tergite only moderately produced. Basi-

style unarmed. Dististyles terminal in position, the outer dilated

at base, gradually narrowed into a long slender apical spine, be¬

fore midlength on ventral side bearing a lateral tooth or flange, the

style entirely glabrous. Inner dististyle broadly flattened, dark

colored. Aedeagus long, provided with a subtending flange. Gona-

pophyses appearing as simple flattened clubs.

Holotype, 8, Hatchet Pass, near Burney, Shasta Co., Cali¬

fornia, 4000 ft., July 9, 1947 (C. P. Alexander). Allotopotype,

9. Paratopotypes, 4 8 2,

This unusually beautiful and distinct fly is named for Mrs.

Charles P. Alexander, using the Latinization of her given name,

Mabel. While superficially resembling some species of the sub¬

genus Elaeophila, especially in the wing pattern, the fly is en¬

tirely distinct from all other members of the genus Limnophila

so far described. Of the various subgenera the species fits most

nearly into Phylidorea but from the basic plan of the male hy¬

popygium can scarcely be placed therein.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

THE DIPTERA COLLECTED ON THE COCKERELL

AND HUBBELL EXPEDITIONS TO HONDURAS

Part I: STRATIOMYIDAE, TABANIDAE,

AND ACROCERATIDAE 1

BY MAURICE T. JAMES

State College of Washington, Pullman

During the winter of 1946-47, Professor and Mrs. T. D. A.

Cockerell visited the Escuela Agricola Panamericana, Zamorano,

Honduras, for the purpose of studying the insect fauna. Through

their own efforts and those of students of the school, whom they

interested in the project, they collected widely in the various

orders. The present paper is based on a part of their Diptera,

augmented by collections which T. H. Hubbell sent me for study.

Dr. Hubbell visited various areas in Honduras in 1923, and in

1948 he revisited that country, on which occasion some time was

spent at Zamorano.

Stratiomyidae

Hoplitimyia mutabilis (Fabricius), 1787, Mantissa Insector-

um, vol. 2, p. 331 (Stratiomys) . Zamorano, thicket, 2650 ft.,

July 29, 1948 (T. H. Hubbell), no. 162, 1 female; Dept. Cholu-

teca, 3776 ft., El Chinchayote, Sa. de Colon, E. of San Francisco,

July 31, 1948 (Hubbell).

Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus), 1758, Systema Naturae, 10th

ed., p. 589 (Musca) . Zamorano, November, 1946 (Vidales),

Nov. 23, 1946 (G. Cisneros), and Aug. 6 and 22, 1948 (Hubbell),

5 females; Tela, Lancetilla, July 28, 1948 (Hubbell), 1 female.

Hermetia flavipes Wiedemann, Aussereuropaische Zweifliigel-

ige Insekten, 1830, vol. 2, p. 26. Tela, Guaimas Dist., May 2, 1923

(Hubbell), no. 442, 1 male.

Hermetia albitarsis Fabricius, 1805, Systema Antliatorum, p.

63. Tela, Lancetilla Creek, March 11, 1923 (Hubbell), 1 female;

Tela, Lancetilla, July 28, 1948 (Hubbell), 1 specimen, damaged.

Chrysochlorina varia (Curran), 1929, Amer. Mus. Novitates,

no. 339, 1 p. 3 {Chrysochlora) . Ridge between La Montanita and

*1 am grateful to Dr. Cornelius B. Philip for reviewing the Tabanidae section

of this paper and for making some valuable suggestions on it.

APRIL, 1950 ] JAMES—HONDURIAN DIPTERA

C. Uyuca, about 5 kilometers southwest of Suyapa, Morazan

Dept., 5200 to 5400 ft., Aug. 5, 1948 (Hubbell), no. 195, 1 fe¬

male; Mt. Caculatepe, 4200 to 4500 ft., Aug. 6, 1948 (Hubbell),

no. 203, 1 female.

Sargus thoracicus Macquart, 1834, Histoire Naturelle des Dip-

teres, vol. 1, p. 261. Zamorano, 2600 ft., at light, July 3, 1948

(Hubbell), no. 19, 1 female.

Sargus speciosus Macquart, 1846, Dipteres Exotiques, suppl.

1, p. 56. Zamorano, 2600 ft., at light, July 3, 1948 (Hubbell),

no. 19, 1 female.

Pedicella notata (Wiedemann), 1830, Aussereuropaische Zwei-

fliigelige Insekten, vol. 2, p. 34 ( Sargus ). Zamorano, Oct. 26,

1946 (Cisneros), 1 female.

Merosargus cingulatus Schiner, 1868, Novara Reise, Diptera,

p. 62. Zamorano, October, 1946, (A. Carr), Nov. 18, 1946 (A. A.

Area), July 15, 1948 (Hubbell), no. 79, and Dec. 17, 1946, 4

females; Tela, Lancetilla, July 28, 1948 (Hubbell), 1 female;

Tela, Dakota Farm, May 17, 1923 (Hubbell), no. 515, 1 speci¬

men, damaged; Rio Sangrelaya, April 19, 1923 (Hubbell), no.

312, 1 female (?), damaged.

Merosargus bequaerti Curran, 1928, in Gowdey, Ent. Bull.

Dept. Agric. Jamaica, 4, p. 31. Tela, Lancetilla, July 28, 1948

(Hubbell), 1 female.

Microchrysa bicolor (Wiedemann), 1830, Aussereuropaische

Zweifliigelige Insekten, vol. 2, p. 41 {Sargus). Tela, May 31, 1923

(Hubbell), no. 694, 1 female.

Ptecticus testaceus (Fabricius), 1805, Systema Antilatorum,

p. 257, 6 {Sargus). Zamorano, 2600 ft., on citrus, Aug. 16, 1948

(Hubbell), no. 225.

Tabanidae

Assipala melanoptera (Hine), 1905, Ohio Nat., 6: 391 ( Chry -

sops). Tela, April 6, 1923 (Hubbell), no. 187, 3 females; Tela,

La Fragua Farm, March 8, 1923 (Hubbell), 2 females; Rio

Paulaya, Barranco, April 17, 1923 (Hubbell), no. 303, 1 female.

Esenbeckia mejiai Fairchild, 1942, Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 35:

198. The male is previously undescribed. It differs from the

female as follows.

Male. Eyes broadly contiguous, the ocellar triangle in conse¬

quence more pronounced and more distinctly elevated than in the

female. Proboscis, to base of labella, about 1.25 times head height;

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

labella about 0.12 length of haustellum, slightly inflated, elongated-

oval, and rounded at apex. Antenna as in female, the terminal seg¬

ment of flagellum somewhat narrower than in Fairchild’s draw¬

ing, the length in proportion to the basal and subapical widths

respectively 11:1 and 15:1. Palpus with basal segment (Fig. 1)

strongly inflated, more hairy than in female, with particularly

long hairs below; apical segment more slender than in female.

Pile of thorax and abdomen somewhat more pronounced than in

female.

Fig. 1. Esenbeckia mejiai Fairchild, palpus of male.

Described from three males, Agua Amarilla, Honduras, Dec.

1, 1946 (Cisneros) and Dec. 15, 1946. Comparison made with

one female, in good condition except for loss of the antennal flag¬

ellum, Agua Amarilla, Dec. 15, 1946.

Chrysops scalarata Bellardi, 1859, Saggio di Ditterologia Mes-

sicana, pt. 1, p. 72. Palajas, near Agua Azul, brushy slope, Lake

Yojoa, Dept. Cortes, Aug. 14, 1948 (Hubbell), No. 217, 1 female

(det. Philip).

Dichelacera pulchra Williston, 1900, Biologia Centrali-Ameri-

cana, Vol. I, suppl., p. 263. Zamorano, October, 1946 (A. Carr),

2 females.

Dichelacera fulminea (Hine), 1920, Ohio Jour. Sci., 20:187

(Tabanus) . Dept. Cortes, Palajas, near Agua Azul, east side Lake

Yojoa, Aug. 14, 1948, (Hubbell), No. 212, 1 female.

Lepiselaga crassipes (Fabricius), 1805, Systema Antliatorum,

p. 108 ( Haematopota ). Rio Claura, April 13, 1923 (Hubbell), No.

259, 1 female; Tela, May 9, 1923 (Hubbell), No. 499, and May

2, 1923 (Hubbell), No. 440, 2 females.

Diachlorus jerrugatus (Fabricius), 1805, Systema Antliatorum,

p. Ill (Chrysops). Tela, May 31, 1923 (Hubbell) No. 696, 1

female.

APRIL, 1950 ] JAMES—HONDURIAN DIPTERA

Hybomitra quadripunctata var. amabilis (Walker), 1848, List

of . . . Dipterous Insects in the . . . British Museum, pt. 1, p. 154

(Tabanus). Zamorano, March 30, 1946 (M. Morales), 1 female.

Tabanus lineola var. carneus Bellardi, 1859, Saggio di Dittero-

logia Messicana, pt. 1, p. 62. Zamorano, Oct. 12 (G. Vidales) and

Oct. 13, 1946 (L. 0. Williams), 2 females.

Tabanus unistriatus Hine, 1906, Ohio Naturalist, 7:28. Tela,

Jilamo farm, May 28, 1923 (Hubbell), No. 654, 1 female (det.

Philip).

Stenotabanus longipennis Krober, 1930, Encyclopedic Ent., B,

Diptera, V (1929), p. 127. Ruinas de Copan, 3500 ft., Dept.

Copan, Aug. 4, 1948 (Hubbell), No. 191, 1 female (det. Philip).

Amphichlorops sp. near venenatus (Osten Sacken). Palaja9,

near Agua Azul, east side of Lake Yojoa, Aug. 14, 1948 (Hub¬

bell), No. 212, 1 teneral male (det. Philip).

Hine (1925, Occ. Papers Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, no. 162,

pp. 1-35), has recorded the following species on the basis of

specimens obtained by the Hubbell expedition of 1923.

Esenbeckia prasiniventris (Macquart) (recorded as Pangon-

ius) —Progresso.

Scione aurulans (Wiedemann)—Progresso; Tela.

Chrysops scalarata Bellardi (recorded as C. lateralis Wiede¬

mann, misidentification; cf. Fairchild, 1946, Ann. Ent. Soc.

Amer., 39: 565)—Tela.

Chrysops latifasciatus Ballardi—Tela.

Tabanus claurensis Hine—Rio Claura.

Tabanus unipunctatus Bigot (recorded as T. jilamensis Hine;

synonymy fide Philip, from Hine’s manuscript notes).

Tabanus unistriatus Hine—Tela.

Tabanus subruber Bellardi—Tela.

Tabanus bigoti Bellardi—Tela.

Leucotabanus leucaspis (Wiedemann) (recorded as Tabanus )

—Tela.

Acroceratidae

Ocnaea cisnerosi James, new species

Male. Vertex black, shining laterally, dulled by greyish pollen

between the two rather large yellow ocelli; front about 1.5 as

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

long as the diameter of an ocellus, brownish, shining, becoming

yellowish next to base of antennae; short facial triangle and most

of occiput yellowish, with concolorous pollen. Eyes black, with

rather dense hairs which are mostly as long as the first antennal

segment and which range from blackish above to yellow below.

Pile of vertex and occiput concolorous. Antennae yellow on scape,

somewhat darkened on pedicel, distinctly blackish on flagellum,

especially on outward surface; ratio of segments 9;4:95, com¬

parable head height 75; flagellum curved, about as broad on basal

third or two-fifths as pedicel, thence tapering to a narrowed

though blunt apex; antennae bare except for a prominent tuft of

yellow hairs dorsally on the pedicel. Proboscis almost completely

obscured by lower part of head; pile yellow.

Thorax mostly yellow; three broad brownish stripes on meso-

notum, the lateral ones abbreviated anteriorly, the median one

reaching the anterior margin but stopping short of the scutellum ;

most of sternopleura and lower part of pteropleura brownish,

bare; thorax otherwise mostly clothed with yellowish pile. Legs

yellow, the femora and tibiae brownish-yellow; pile yellow. Wings

hyaline; vein R 4+5 furcate, the branches forming practically a

right angle at the fork and both reaching the wing margin; cell

R 5 broadly open.

Abdomen yellow; broad posterior margins of terga, especially

laterally, brownish.

Length, 11-12 mm.

Holotype, male, Zamorano, Honduras, Dec. 9, 1946 (G. Cis¬

neros) ; State College of Washington Type Coll. No. 169. Para-

type, male, Zamorano, Honduras, Feb. 26, 1947 (Archie Carr).

In Aldrich’s key (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 81 (9) : 3, 1932)

this species runs to auripilosa Johnson or, if the femora are con¬

sidered as infuscated, to trivittcita Aldrich. The lack of black

abdominal markings will easily distinguish it from both those

species. Other color characters, particularly the black thoracic

stripes, will further distinguish trivittata , also described from

Honduras. 0. micans Erichson, in which the abdomen is wholly

“fuscous” or “testaceus”, is described as having a clavate flagel¬

lum. The two North American species which have been described

subsequent to the publication of Aldrich’s key, namely 0. smithi

Jenks and 0. sequoia Sabrosky (cf. Sabrosky, Amer. Midi. Nat.,

39:385-387, 1948), both have the thorax shining black and the

abdomen marked with black or bluish-black.

APRIL, 1950 ]

SABROSKY—ERIBOLUS

A NEW SPECIES OF ERIBOLUS FROM CALIFORNIA

(Diptera, Chloropidae)

BY CURTIS W. SABROSKY

Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine,

Agricultural Research Administration,

United States Department of Agriculture

A revision of Elachiptera and related genera, including Eri-

bolus Becker, was recently published by the writer (1948, Jour.

Wash. Acad. Sci. 38(11) : 365-382) with a key to the Nearctic

species. Since then several specimens of both sexes of a new spe¬

cies of Eribolus have been discovered. The species is an interest¬

ing example of the difficulty often observed in Chloropidae, of

finding consistent characters to separate groups of closely related

species. Absence of the characteristic pair of well-developed

fronto-orbital bristles and the slenderness of the arista would

ordinarily have placed this species in Oscinella rather than in

Eribolus, but the structure of the head and thorax, the chaetotaxy,

and its close similarity to E. nearcticus Sabrosky all cause me to

consider it as merely an aberrant Eribolus.

Eribolus californicus Sabrosky, new species

$, 9. Almost entirely black, the third antennal segment bright

yellow in the male, but orange with narrow infuscation along dor¬

sal and distal margins in the female, palpus yellow to orange, and

halter knob bright yellow; entire head dark gray to leaden gray

pollinose, the frontal triangle only weakly distinct from the front;

mesonotum, scutellum, metanotum, and upper portions of meso-

and pteropleuron gray pollinose, the lower half of pleuron smooth

and polished black; abdomen rather shining, though sparsely and

inconspicuously pollinose.

Front at vertex nearly half the width of head (0.46) and

nearly as broad as long (0.86-0.90); frontal triangle three-fourths

the length of front; length and height of head subequal; eye

diagonal, the longest axis approximately 45° from vertical axis of

head; cheek strongly slanting mesad, in profile its height only

half the breadth of third antennal segment; arista slender, not

thickened except for basal segment; no fronto-orbital hairs out¬

standing, though the middle hairs in the fronto-orbital row are

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

somewhat longer than the others. Mesonotum relatively smooth,

with scarcely any obvious punctures and only minutely roughened

on the flattened posterior slope; bristles moderate to short, not

conspicuous, the posterior dorsocentrals especially weak; 14-1

notopleural; only the apical pair of scutellars evident, strong

though short, erect, and black; subapicals pale, weak, and not

appearing as distinct bristles. Second and third costal sectors

subequal, the second barely longer (1.02-1.07 times). Length, 2 mm.

Holotype female, San Diego, Calif., Nov. 18, 1916 (H. G.

Dyar), U. S. National Museum, Type No. 59283. Allotype; Mar¬

tinez, Calif., July 11, 1917 (J. M. Aldrich) [Malloch Colin.].

Paratypes: $, same data as allotype [Malloch Colin.]; $, San

Simeon, Calif., Sept. 25, 1938 (M. Cazier) [Amer. Mus. Nat.

Hist.].

The entirely black legs, with no color even at the knees, and

the marked contrast between the entirely or predominantly yellow

to orange third antennal segment and the black basal segments,

easily distinguish this species from its congeners.

Key to the Four Nearctic Species of Eribolus

1. Legs predominantly bright yellow, including fore coxa, fore

femur entirely or predominantly, and mid and hind femora

basally; palpus yellow in male, more or less infuscated in

female; eastern North America. E. longulus (Loew)

-. Legs entirely or predominantly black, including fore coxa and

all femora except sometimes knees narrowly; northern and

western North America.2

2. Antenna entirely black, or virtually so; palpus black in both

sexes. E. swdeticus Becker

-. Antenna entirely or in large part yellow to orange; palpus yel¬

low to orange in both sexes.3

3. Basal antennal segments black, contrasting strongly with the

bright yellow to orange third segment; legs entirely black.

.-.. E. calif omicus Sabrosky

-. Basal antennal segments testaceous; legs with yellow tibiae and

tarsi, at most the distal tarsal segments infuscated and the

hind tibia with a median brown band. E. nearcticus Sabrosky

APRIL, 1950 ]

HOTTES—A LOST APHIS

A LONG LOST APHIS SPECIES

(Homoptera: Aphididae)

BY F. C. HOTTES

Grand Junction, Colorado

The writer recently had occasion to look up the works of John

Curtis in Index Litterature Entomologicae by Horn and Schenk-

ling. While doing so I came across the following citation, “On

Aphis borealis from the Polar Sea. In Parry, Narrative of an

Attempt to reach the North Pole. 1828. Appendix.” Not having

heard of an aphid species by that name an attempt was made to

find it in aphid literature without success. A copy of the work

by Parry was located in the Library of Congress and photostats

of the title page and of page 201 on which Aphis borealis was

described were obtained. The title as given by Horn and Schenk-

ling, while highly descriptive, is theirs and not that of Parry or

Curtis, for the species is described under the simple title “Insect”,

and one finds that it was the only insect taken during the voyage.

The original description follows:

“Order, Hemiptera, Linn., &c. Omoptera, Leach.

Fam. Aphidae, Lat. Leach.

Genus, Aphis, Linn., &c.

A. Borealis, Curtis’s MSS.

“Corpus magnum, atrum, hirsutum, femoribus basi ferrugineis:

alis magnis, subfuscis, ad costam atris.

“At first sight this insect might be mistaken for A. Piceae of

Panzer, which it resembles in size and colour. Upon a closer ex¬

amination, however, it will be seen that the whole surface, except¬

ing the wings, is covered with rather long and somewhat hoary

tomentum or pubescence; and the base only of the thighs is fer¬

ruginous; whereas, in A. Piceae, the whole insect is naked, and the

antennae, thighs, and tibiae are ferruginous or reddish at their

base.”

The circumstance of Aphis borealis having been found on float¬

ing floes of ice in the Polar Sea, at one hundred miles distance

from the nearest known land, and as far north as 82%°, renders

it in a more than ordinary degree interesting.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Its very near resemblance to Aphis piceae, which feeds on the

silver fir ( Pinus picea Linn.), whence it derives its name, would

induce the belief that the floating trees of fir, that are to be

found so abundantly on the shores and to the northward of Spitz-

bergen, might possibly be the means by which this insect has been

transported to the northern regions. It was never seen on the

wing, and the few specimens that were obtained were in a very

languid state, but revived by the heat of the hand. The last para¬

graph of observations was written by Parry.

Aphis borealis Curtis 1828 is most likely a synonym of the

species Schizolachnus pineti (Fab.) which is the same species

described by DeGeer as Aphis ( tomentosa ) pini and often incor¬

rectly credited to him.

It is of interest to report that Elton (1925) records the finding

of Dilachus piceae Panzer (now placed in the genus Cinara) in

great numbers on the snow on Spitzbergen where the nearest land

source is the Kola Peninsula of Russia some eight hundred miles

away. Elton reports finding one aphid every thirty or forty yards

and eighty percent of these were alive, on an eight mile trip.

References Cited

Elton, C.S. 1925. The Dispersal of Insects to Spitzbergen. Trans.

Ent. Soc. London, pp. 289-299.

Parry, William Edward, Captain R. N., F. R. S. 1828. Narrative

of an Attempt to Reach the North Pole, in boats fitted for the

purpose, and attached to His Majesty’s Ship Hecla, in the Year

MDCCCXXVII. John Murray, Publisher to the Admiralty, and

Board of Longitude, appendix p. 201.

CARTODERE FILUM IN CALIFORNIA

(Coleoptera: Lathridiidae)

Examples of this tiny elongate beetle were reared from a small

log of California laurel ( Umbellularia californica Nutt.), collected

in the woods in Mill Valley, Marin Co., California. C. filum Aube

feeds on the spores of fungi, and is more commonly associated

with human dwellings. Dr. E. C. Van Dyke has taken it from

herbarium specimens in Berkeley, Calif.—H. B. Leech.

APRIL, 1950 ] MIDDLEICAUFF & QUATE-TABANDAE

NEW DISTRIBUTION RECORDS FOR SOME

NEARCTIC TABANIDAE

(Diptera)

BY WOODROW W. MIDDLEKAUFF 1 AND LARRY W. QUATE 2

University of California, Berkeley

During the recent growth and reorganization of the family

Tabanidae in the California Insect Survey collection at the Uni¬

versity of California, a number of new records have come to light.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the courteous assistance ren¬

dered by Dr. Cornelius B. Philip for identifying and confirming

many of the following specimens. The new records are as follows:

Stonemyia pigra (0. S.). 1$ Atlanta, Ga., 1 July, 1943. (W.

Middlekauff).

Chrysops callida O.S. 1 2 Pryor Springs, Decatur, Ala., 9 June,

1941. (J. N. Belkin).

Chrysops celeris O.S. 1 2 Londonville, Ohio, 6 June, 1915.

Chrysops cuclux Whitney. 1 2 Plainfield, Vt., 23 June, 1941.

(R. H. McCauley, Jr.).

Chrysops flavida flavida Wied. 3 2 2 Ship Island, Miss., 15

August, 1943.

Chrysops flavida reicherti Fairchild. 12 Pryor Springs, De¬

catur, Ala., 13 July, 1941. (J. N. Belkin).

Chrysops nigra Macquart. 1 2 Plainfield, Vt., 17 June, 1941.

(R. H. McCauley, Jr.).

Hybomitra telrica rubrilata (Philip). 12 White Mts., Ariz.,

5 July, 1935.

Tabanus acutus (Bigot). 12 Biloxi, Miss., 3 September, 1943.

Tabanus endymion O.S. 12 Biloxi, Miss., 18 September, 1943.

Tabanus fulvulus pallidescens Philip. 1 2 Eagletown, Okla., 12

June, 1939. (Kaiser - Nailon).

Tabanus fuscicostatus Hine. 12 Broken Bow, Okla., 19 June,

1934. (J. Stankavich).

Tabanus gladiator Stone. 12 Biloxi, Miss., 3 September, 1943.

Tabanus molestus Say. 12 Camp Croft, S. C., 21 June,

1942. (W. W. Middlekauff).

1 Assistant Professor of Entomology and Assistant Entomologist in the Ex¬

periment Station, Division of Entomology and Parasitology.

2 Researeh Assistant, Division of Entomology and Parasitology.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 2

Eagletown, Okla., 12 June, 1939. (Kaiser - Nailon).

Tabanus nigrescens nigrescens Palisot de Beauvois. 1$ Pike

Co., Mo., 2 July, 1945. (G. M. Dodge).

Tabanus vittiger schwardti Philip. 1$. Urbana, Ill., 16 June,

1938. (G. T. Riegel).

Tabanus vittiger schwardti Philip. 12, 1$. Urbana, Ill., 16

June, 1938.

9 September, 1938. (G. T. Riegel).

Book Notice

Insects Affecting Forest Products and Other Materials. By W.

J. Chamberlin. Oregon State College Co-operative Assoc.

Corvallis, Ore. 159 pp., 100 text figs. 1949. $2.75.

This Photo Offset publication is intended as an introductory

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which attack the forests and forest products. The various groups

are defined and selected examples discussed and well illustrated

along with examples of their methods of work and types of in¬

jury. Emphasis is placed upon the economic phase of the sub¬

ject and the various methods of control are dealt with. A fairly

extensive bibliography of the more important works dealing with

forest insects is given as well as a most useful index.

The work should serve as a useful guide and reference book

for those who are interested in the forests, their protection, and

the preservations of all such products as are derived from them.

Edwin C. Van Dyke.

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Vol. XXVI July, 1950

No. 3

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Published by the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society

in cooperation with

The California Academy of Sciences

CONTENTS

HATCH, COLEOPTERA OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST II.

CARABIDAE : BEMBIDIINI .,._..... 97

ROSS, COLLECTIONS ACQUIRED BY ACADEMY—._.„.106

JOHNSON AND THURMAN, AEDES PULLATUS IN CALIFORNIA..107

ROSS, PHILIPPINE ANT SPECIALIST RETURNS—.....—.110

BOHART, CALIFORNIA SNOW MOSQUITOES....Ill

GRIMES, DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORD FOR PLEOCOMA BEHRENSII.JL18

TILDEN, OVIPOSITION AND BEHAVIOR OF LIRIOMYZA PUSILLA.119

BEAL, GENUS FORMICILLA IN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO_122

KROMBEIN, A NEW NITELA FROM CALIFORNIA....„.130

HURD, NOMENCLATORIAL NOTES ON THE GENUS PEPSIS-..J32

GRESSITT, TWO NEW ORIENTAL PRIONIDS.....134

NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY.....136

ADAMS, NOTES ON OLIARCES CLARA.....137

LEWALLEN, BRISTLE DENSITY IN TWO HOUSE FLY STRAINS...138

MELANDER, TAXONOMIC NOTES ON SOME SMALLER BOMBYLIIDAE....139

San Francisco, California

1950

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

EDITORIAL BOARD

E. G. Linsley P. D. Hurd, Jr., H. B. Leech R. L. Usinger

E. S. Ross Co-Editors E. C. Van Dyke

R. C. Miller, Treasurer A. E. Michelbacher, Advertising

Published quarterly in January, April, July, and October with Society Proceed¬

ings appearing in the January number. Papers on the systematic and biological

phases of entomology are favored, including articles up to ten printed pages on

insect taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution.

Manuscripts for publication, proof, and all editorial matters should be addressed

to H. B. Leech at the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gale Park, San

Francisco 18, Calif., or to P. D. Hurd, Jr., at 112 Agricultural Hall, University of

California., Berkeley 4, Calif. AH communications regarding non-receipt of numbers,

changes of address, requests for sample copies, and all financial communications

should be addressed to the treasurer, Dr. R. C. Miller, at the California Academy

of Sciences, San Francisco 18, Calif.

Domestic and foreign subscriptions, $2.50 per year in advance. Price for single

copies, 75 cents. Make checks payable to “Pan-Pacific Entomologist.”

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

FOURTH SERIES

VOLUME XXIV

Contributions Toward a Knowledge of the Insect Fauna of Lower California

1. Introductory Account, by A. E. Michelbacher and E. S. Ross. Pp. 1-20, pis. 1-3

February, 1942 .........$0.25

2. Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, by E. Gorton Linsley, Pp. 21-96, pis. 4-5. Feb., 1942.75

3. Coleoptera: Buprestidae, by Edwin C. Van Dyke. Pp. 97-132, pis. 6-7. Mar., 1942.35

4. Neuroptera; Myrmeleonidae, by Nathan BankE. Pp. 133-152, pi. 8, March, 1942.20

5. Symphyla, by A. E. Michelbacher. Pp. 153-160, pi. 9. March, 1942.... .15

6. Diptera: Culicidae, by Thomas H. G. Aitkcn. Pp. 161-170. June, 1942.....20

7. Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae, by Frank E. Blaisdell, Sr, Pp. 171-288, pis. 10, 11_.... 1.50

8. Lepidoptera; Rhopalocera, by F. H. Rindge, Pp. 289-312, 1948...50

9. Hymenoptera: Eumeninae, by R. M. Bohart, Pp. 313-336, 1948.50

10. Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, by L. W. Saylor, Pp. 337-374, 1948.75

11. Coleoptera: Haliplidae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydropbitidae,

Limnebiidae, by H. B. Leech, Pp. 375-484, 1948.... 2.50

12. Coleoptera: Cleridae, by W. F. Barr, Pp. 485-519, 1950.65

Order from CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, SAN FRANCISCO 18, CALIFORNIA

BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE

Arrangements have been made for completing vol. 1, and for the publication

of volumes 2 (applications in regard to nomenclatural problems), 3 (documents

considered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature at Paris,

1948), 4 (Official Record of the International Commission at Paris), and 5 (Of¬

ficial Record of the section on Nomenclature of the thirteenth International

Congress of Zoology at Paris, 1948).

All inquiries regarding publications should he addressed to: International

Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, 41 Queen’s Gate, London, S. W. 7, England.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Vol. XXVI, No. 3 July, 1950

STUDIES ON THE COLEOPTERA

OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

II: Carabidae: Bembidiini

MELVILLE H. HATCH

University of Washington, Seattle

The specimens on which this paper is based are in the collec¬

tion of the author at the University of Washington.

Bembidion (Metallina) 1 keechelus Hatch, sp. n.

Shining* black, without aeneous lustre, the first four segments

of the antennae below and the legs piceous; head with frontal

striae sinuate, divergent behind the anterior supraorbital seta, the

eyes large; pronotum about three-fifths as long as wide, widest

just in front of middle, the base equal in width to the apex, the

side margin strongly arcuate in front, sinuate in front of the

nearly rectangular carinate hind angles, the basal impressions deep

and bistriate and connected by a feebly impressed feebly rugose

transverse impression; elytra with first and eighth striae entire and

impressed, the second through the sixth striae feebly impressed,

obsolete towards apex, the first through the seventh striae and the

scutellar stria coarsely punctate, the eighth distinct from the mar¬

gin, the third interval with two dorsal punctures distant from the

third stria, the marginal line obtusely angulate at the humerus

and inwardly prolonged to the base of the fourth stria; mentum

with a large entire tooth; length 3.75 mm.

Type: L. Keechelus, Washington, May 3, 1935, Hatch and

Wilson. Distinguished from aleneanum Csy., perturbatum Csy.,

and atrolucens Csy. by its lack of aeneous lustre, and from dyschi-

rinum LeC. (agitabile Csy.) by the coarser punctures of the

elytral striae that become obsolete behind the middle rather than

at the middle as in that species.

Bembidion (Trechonepha) rainieri Hatch, sp. n.

Shining black, the trochanters feebly picescent; head, pronotum,

and elytra above strongly aeneous and strongly alutaceous, the

elytra especially coarsely deeply and opaquely alutaceous; prono¬

tum transversely quadrate, about two-thirds as long as wide, the

1 For the status of the subg. Metallina Mots, in America see Hatch, Jour. N. Y.

Ent. Soo. LVII, 1949, pp. 145-146.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

apex about six-sevenths as wide as the base, the sides broadly

arcuate in front, sinuate and subparallel before the slightly obtuse

and carinate hind angles, the median line present at middle and

deeply impressed, the apical and basal transverse impressions

feeble, the basal impressions large and feebly bistriate and more

coarsely alutaceous than the rest of the pronotum; elytra with a

scutellar and eight discal striae, the eighth stria deeply impressed,

the others feebly impressed except the first, second, and fifth

which are well impressed at extreme apex, the striae not or very

vaguely punctate, the third stria with two dorsal punctures in

large impressed foveae; length 5-5.75 mm.

Type and five paratypes: Mt. Rainier, Washington, Sunrise

Park, Sept. 6, 1934, M. H. Hatch. Six paratypes: Sunrise Park,

(Aug. 27, 1931), Paradise Park (Aug. 20, 1934; Sept. 27, 1934;

July 18, 1937; July 28, 1946), both on Mt. Rainier. The types

and paratypes were taken between five and six thousand feet.

Differs from previously described North American species of the

subgenera Trechonepha and Plataphus (Micromelomalus Csy.)

by its coarsely deeply opaquely alutaceous elytra.

Bembidion (Trechonepha) stillaguamish Hatch, sp. n.

Shining black, above finely alutaceous, the basal antennal seg¬

ment and legs rufous, the elytra rufo-flavous with the lateral mar¬

gins and epipleurae piceous or rufous, the antennae and abdomen

black to rufous; pronotum about three-fourths as long as wide,

apex about nine-tenths as wide as base, the carinate hind angles

rectangular, the side margins in front of the hind angles subparal¬

lel and then sinuate, the median line impressed at middle, obsolete

at either end, the anterior and posterior transverse impressions

feeble, the large basal impressions vaguely bistriate; elytral

striae with eighth strongly impressed, the others feebly but dis¬

tinctly impressed except the first, second, and fifth, which are

strongly impressed at extreme apex, the striae not or very vaguely

punctate, the third stria with two dorsal punctures in large im¬

pressed foveae, the marginal line arcuate at humerus and extend¬

ing inward to the fifth elytral stria only; length 3.7-4.6 mm.

Type and eight paratypes: King Co., Washington, Snoqual-

mie R., Snoqualmie Falls, May 13, 1928, M. H. Hatch. 48 addi¬

tional paratypes from the following western Washington locali¬

ties: Chehalis, Duvall, Green R., North Bend (Maloney’s Grove),

Snoqualmie Falls, Soda Springs (Snohomish Co.), Stillaquamish

R., Van Horn, White R. (Mt. Rainier). Two paratypes from Sil¬

ver Cr. Falls and White R. (Mt. Hood), Ore.

July, 1950] hatch—carabidae 99

Distinguished from other members of the subgenus by its

pale color, narrow elytra, and less extensive basal elytral mar¬

ginal line.

Bembidion (Plataphus 2 ) planiusculum Mann.

I denominate specimens with pale elytra, legs, and basal

antennal segment Bembidion planiusculum Mann., ab. pallidum

nov. Type and five paratypes: Pierce Co., Washington, White

River, White River Camp, Aug. 27, 1927, M. H. Hatch. 52 para¬

types: American R., Ellensburg, Longmire, Mt. Baker, Parkway,

Snoqualmie Falls, Sullivan L., Sultan, Swauk C., Wenatchee,

White R. Camp, Yakima R. (near Ellensburg), in Washington;

Morrissey, B. C.; Cornucopia and Multnomah Falls, Ore. There

is some evidence of intergradation with the typical form, but typi¬

cal examples of the aberration give every evidence of being fully

matured rather than teneral individuals. They are distinguished

from the pale B. ( Trechonepha ) stillaguamish described above

by the feebly or unimpressed dorsal punctures.

Bembidion (Plataphus) farrarae Hatch, sp. n.

Shining black, the elytra very faintly iridescent, above very

finely alutaceous, the extreme bases of the legs picescent; pronotum

about two-thirds or slightly more as long as wide, the apex about

nine-tenths as wide as base, the side margins in front of the

carinate subrectangular hind angles very briefly subparallel and

then sinuate, the median line impressed, obsolete at either end,

the apical and basal transverse impressions well marked to feeble,

the basal impressions bistriate; elytra with striae well impressed,

the sixth and seventh more feebly so, the striae vaguely but more

or less evidently punctate, the third stria with the two dorsal

punctures not or very feebly impressed, the marginal line arcuate

at apex and extending to the base of the fourth stria; length

3.2-4.7 mm.

Type and 11 paratypes: Mt. Rainier, Washington, Sluskin

Falls, July 29, 1932. 36 paratypes from the following localities on

Mt. Rainier; Longmire, N. Puyallup R., Paradise Park, Rick-

secker Point, below Sluskin Falls, Tipsoo L. Named for Mrs.

Elizabeth Farrar Kinney who pointed out to me many years ago

Examination of an example of the PaJaearctic R. prasinum Duft., the type of

the subgenus Plataphus Mots., convinces me that Casey's Micromelomalus is

synonymous with Plataphus. I have not recognized any of the species ( blanditum

Csy., etc.) that Casey assigned questionably to Plataphus, but suspect they belong

in his Trechonepha.

100

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

that our series of “planiusculum” was composite. Distinguished

from planiusculum Mann, by the humeral line attaining the base

of the fourth rather than the fifth elytral stria and from par-

vulum Notman by its subrectangular posterior pronotal angles.

Bembidion (Trachelonepha) kincaidi Hatch, sp. n.

Shining black, above finely alutaceous, the legs and elytra and

sometimes the occiput and abdomen piceous; head with tempora

well developed but not particularly elongate; antennae elongate,

about nine-tenths as long as the elytra; pronotum about four-fifths

as long as wide, the base not quite as wide as the apex and broad¬

ly arcuate, the basal margin within the sharply obtuse hind

angles evidently oblique, the side margins in front of the hind

angles subparallel and then sinuate, the median line impressed at

middle and obsolete at either end, the anterior transverse impres¬

sion well developed, the basal transverse impression absent, the

hind angles obscurely carinate, the basal impressions obscurely bi-

striate; elytra together about four-sevenths as wide as long, the

striae impressed, vaguely punctate, the third stria with two unim¬

pressed dorsal punctures; male with first two tarsal segments

dilated and spongey pubescent beneath; length 5.4-5.8 mm.

Type and five paratypes: Mt. Baker, Washington, IX-5-1912,

T. Kincaid. Two paratypes: Seattle, Wash., July 30, 1929 and S.

F. Skykomish R., Wash., July 4, 1928. Distinguished from falsum

Blais, and electum Csy. by its piceous elytra and from extensum

Csy. by its shorter elytra (twice as long as wide in extensum ).

Named for my good friend and former chief, Prof. Trevor Kin¬

caid, who has had so many animals named after him that I am

sure he will not object to one more!

Bembidion subj. Pseudoperyphus Hatch nov.

Type of genus: Bembidion chalceum Dej. Established for those

species of Casey’s subgenus Peryphus Steph. in which the seventh

elytral stria is better developed, being subequal in its development

to the sixth stria and either deeply sulcate and moderately punc¬

tate as in chalceum Dej. and reticolle LeC. or coarsely punctate

and feebly impressed as in nigrum Say, concolor Kby., quadrulum

LeC., and longulum LeC. In general the group appears to include

the species in the second part of Hayward’s honestum- group (the

humeri not being truly angulate) and in his concolor- group, and

appears to include the species between 512 and 531 inclusive

and between 589 and 593 inclusive in the Leng catalogue. As a

July, 1950]

HATCH-CARABIDAE

101

result, Peryphus is restricted to species with the seventh elytral

stria reduced to an unimpressed sometimes subobsolete series of

minute punctures.

Bembidion (Peryphus) immaculosum Hatch, sp. n.

Shining black, the elytra sometimes with faint piceous tinge,

the legs picescent towards extreme base; pronotum about three-

fifths as long as wide, the apex nearly nine-tenths as wide as the

base, the carinate hind angles subobtuse or nearly rectangular,

the side margins in front of the hind angles broadly sinuate curv¬

ing out almost immediately, the anterior and posterior transverse

impressions distinct, the latter coarsely vaguely punctate, the me¬

dian line distinct behind the anterior transverse impression, the

basal impressions large, bistriate, tuberculate; elytra with the

striae moderately finely punctate for the basal two-thirds and

finely impressed, the seventh stria an unimpressed series of

punctures, the eighth stria deeply impressed and impunctate;

length 4.2-5.8 mm.

Type and four paratypes: Spokane, Washington, July 15,

1927, M. C. Lane coll. 19 paratypes: Ewan, Hooper, Kahlotus,

Newman L., Pullman, Ritzville, and Upper Grand Coulee in east¬

ern Washington and Condon and Tygh Valley, Oregon. Related

most closely to nevadense Ulke, from which it is distinguished by

its immaculate elytra and of which it may be a color variety.

Hayward (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XXIV, 1897, p. 76) says of

nevadense: “Prothorax ... as wide at base as apex,” whereas I

find the base about one-tenth wider than apex. This is mentioned

to call attention to a systematic error in Hayward’s monograph

of over-estimating the width of the apex of the pronotum relative

to the base, as revealed by a precise micrometer measurement

from the crest of one anterior angle to the crest of the other.

Bembidion (Peryphus) wenatchee Hatch, sp. n.

Shining black, legs and antennae rufous, segments four to

eleven of antennae with the apical portions more or less fuscous,

elytra finely alutaceous and rufous, the seutellar region, a medio-

lateral area, and the apex darker, separate subapical and humeral

spots flavate, abdomen sometimes rufous; pronotum nearly seven-

tenths as long as wide, the apex about nine-tenths as wide as base,

the side margins before the carinate subrectangular hind angles

subparallel and then sinuate, the transverse apical impression

feeble, the transverse basal impression moderate and feebly ru¬

gose, the impressed median line present between the transverse

apical and transverse basal impressions, the basal impressions hi-

102

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

striate; elytral striae impressed, obsoletely so towards apex, mod¬

erately punctate towards base, more finely to obsoletely so behind

middle; length 5.8-6.3 mm.

Type: Wenatchee, Washington, August 22, 1932, M. H.

Hatch. Three paratypes: Moses Coulee, Wash.; Vantage, Wash.;

Gold Hill, Ore. Distinguished from northwestern specimens of

rupicola Kby. (lucidum LeC., suhstrictum LeC.) by its larger size

(length 4.6-5.2 mm. in rupicola) and black rather than rufous

body color. Ustulatum L. is distinguished by its darker elytral

ground color, its smaller size (length 5.4-6.0 mm.) and the sub¬

equal width of the pronotal apex and base.

Bembidion (Peryphus) fenderi Hatch, sp. n.

Dark rufopiceous to rufous, shining, the elytra finely aluta-

ceous, the legs, antennae, and mouthparts rufous, the elytra with

the subapical and humeral spots virtually confluent resulting in

a flavate elytra with only a common scutellar triangle and the

apices darker, the suture variably dusky; pronotum about five-

sevenths as long as broad, the apex about ninety-five percent as

wide as the base, the side margins in front of the carinate hind

angles subparallel and then sinuate, the apical and basal trans¬

verse impressions evident, the basal impressions bistriate; elytral

striae finely impressed, finely distinctly punctate especially before

the middle; length 5.8-7.0 mm.

Type and eight paratypes: Seaview, Washington, July 25,

1930. 22 paratypes: Fort Canby, Long Beach (Pacific Co.), Moc-

lips, Ocean Park, Oysterville, Sea View, Snag Is. (Pacific Co.),

all in Washington. 19 paratypes: Cannon Beach, Gold Beach,

Sea Side, Tillamook, Woods, all in Oregon. Apparently con¬

fined to the sea beach. Named in honor of my friend and col¬

laborator, Mr. Kenneth M. Fender of McMinnville, Ore. This

species is distinguished from other northwestern species of the

same subgenus by the virtually confluent subapical and humeral

elytral spots. Its averagely larger size and finely impressed elytral

striae are likewise highly diagnostic. I place it next to rupicola

LeC. and wenatchee Hatch (see above) in the classification.

Bembidion (Notaphus) aberti Hatch, sp. n.

Dark rufous, shining, the head evidently alutaceous, the pro¬

notum and elytra nearly smooth, the antennae, legs, and most of

July, 1950] hatch—carabidae 103

the elytra somewhat paler, the latter with obscurely darker areas

about the scutellum, towards the median lateral margins, and

towards the apex; pronotum nearly three-fourths as wide as the

elytra together, about seven-eighths as long as wide, the apex not

quite as wide as the base, the side margins in front of the some¬

what variably minutely rectangular carinate hind angles briefly

and feebly sinuate, the median line fine, the transverse apical im¬

pression feeble, the transverse basal impression rugose, the basal

impressions bistriate; elytra with striae distinctly impressed and

entire, distinctly punctate basally becoming obsoletely punctate to

impunctate behind the middle, the third interval with two dorsal

punctures; length 3.8-4.4 mm.

Type and eight paratypes: L. Abert, Oregon, June 16, 1938,

M. H. Hatch. Distinguished from obtusangulatum LeC. by its gen¬

eral rufous color. It most closely resembles scudderi LeC., from

which it is distinguished by the third elytral interval possessing

two rather than three dorsal punctures, its smaller size, more rufous

body, and less distinctly alutaceous elytra.

Bembidion (s. str.) alutaceum Hatch, sp. n.

Black, shining, the legs except the apices of the femora piceous;

head and pronotum very finely alutaceous; pronotum cordate,

nearly four-fifths as long as wide, the base about nine-tenths as

wide as the apex, the side margins narrowly reflexed, the sides

in front of the minutely prominent carinate hind angles briefly

subparallel and then sinuate, the hind margin just within the

hind angles emarginate, the anterior transverse impression vague,

the median line entire in front of the basal transverse impression

which is deep and rugose with foveiform impressions between the

rugae; elytra evidently alutaceous with a nebulous small subhum-

eral testaceous spot, the striae coarsely punctate and evidently im¬

pressed to apical fourth or fifth behind which both striae and punc¬

tures become obsolete; length 3 mm.

Type: Blue Mts., Oregon, Mottet Meadow, Sept. 19, 1937,

M. H. Hatch. Runs to mutatum G. and H. and vegetum Csy. in

Casey’s key (Mem. Coll. VIII, 1918, p. 151), from which it is

distinguished by its more evidently alutaceous elytra with smaller

subhumeral spot and more coarsely punctate more evidently im¬

pressed striae.

The two following new species of Bembidion subgenus Diplo-

campa Bedel belong to the digressum-group of Casey (Mem. Col.

VIII, 1918, p. 155) characterized by alutaceous elytra. Hayward

104

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

(Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XXIV, 1897, pp. 124-127) did not refer

to this character in his treatment of the group, but I find the elytra

nearly smooth in his acutifrons LeC., cautum LeC., and assimile

Gyll. Casey found them smooth in connivens LeC. and habile Csy.

Bembidion (Diplocampa) elizabethae Hatch, sp. n.

Black, sometimes tinged with piceous, the basal antennal seg¬

ment and the legs paler, the elytra usually with a brownish tinge,

a lateral anteapical spot flavate, the apex and sometimes the

suture and a vague humeral area variably and vaguely paler;

elytra evidently microreticulate, the head and pronotum nearly

smooth with only the faintest trace of microreticulation; pronotum

about four-fifths as long as wide, the base subequal to the apex

in width, the sides narrowly reflexed, usually briefly sub parallel

in front of the rectangular carinate hind angles, the basal im¬

pressions deep and bistriate, the anterior transverse impressions

vague, the median line distinct, abbreviated towards apical and

basal margins, the basal transverse impression deep, coarsely punc¬

tate; elytral striae impressed, coarsely punctate, the intermediate

striae and the punctures more or less obsolete at apical third or

fourth; length 2.8-3.2 mm.

Type and 7 paratypes: King Co., Washington, Licten

Springs, May 27, 1932, E. Farrar. 63 paratypes: Bay Center,

Bothell, Cedar Mt., Chase L. (Snohomish Co.), Chehalis, Duvall,

Evans Creek (King Co.), Enumclaw, Fall City, Fidalgo Is., Friday

Harbor, Lewis and Clark State Park, Loveland, Martha L. (near

Edmonds), Mt. Rainier (Paradise Park), Nasel R., Olympia,

Plantation Pond (Seattle), Seattle, Silver L. (Snohomish Co.),

Snoqualmie Falls, Sterling, and Vashon, all in western Washing¬

ton. 3 paratypes: Dayton and McMinnville (K. M. and D. M.

Fender, coll.), in western Oregon. I take pleasure in naming this

species likewise for Mrs. Elizabeth Farrar Kinney.

From previously described species of the digressum-gioup

elizabethae is distinguished by its smaller size, from digressum

Csy. by its black ventral surface, and from digressum and concre-

tum Csy. by its less transverse pronotum. From anguliferum LeC.

it is further distinguished by its nearly smooth head and prono¬

tum, its subequal pronotal base and apex, and by its distribution,

being confined as far as at present known to the region west of

the Cascade Mountains.

July, 1950 ]

HATCH—CARABIDAE

105

Bembidion (Diplocampa) microreticulatum Hatch, sp. n.

Black, the elytra frequently piceous or rufo-piceous with the

apex sometimes vaguely paler, the basal antennal segment and

legs piceous or rufo-piceous; elytra microreticulate, more finely so

in male, the head and pronotum nearly smooth; pronqtum about

three-fourths as long as wide, the base and apex about equal in

width, the sides of the pronotum narrowly reflexed, the side mar¬

gins in front of the slightly obtuse carinate hind angles slightly

to scarcely divergent and broadly sinuate, the basal impressions

deep and bistriate, the anterior transverse impression vague, the

median line fine, abbreviated towards the anterior and posterior

margins, the basal transverse impression deep and punctate; ely-

tral striae impressed, more feebly so towards side, moderately

punctate, the intermediate striae and the punctures obsolete at

apical fourth; length 3.3-3.8 mm.

Type S and 2 paratypes ( S and 9 ): Stickney L., Washing¬

ton, May 8, 1931, M. H. Hatch. 12 paratypes: Bothel, Dry Falls

(Grand Coulee), Evans Cr. (King Co.), Martha L. (near Ed¬

monds), Mt. Adams, Satus Creek, Seattle, Stickney L., Tieton

Dam. Distinguished from other members of the digressum-group

by its immaculate elytra. From anguliferum LeC. and elizabethae

Hatch it is further distinguished by its somewhat more elongate

form. From acutijrons LeC., which is likewise immaculate, it is

distinguished by its microreticulate elytra and its more finely

punctate elytral striae.

Tachys (Tachyura) parvulus Dej.

This species is a native of south middle and southern Europe

including southern England (Jeannel, Faune de France 39, 1941,

p. 437), and has not before been recorded from North America.

I have five specimens collected in western Washington: two from

the University of Washington campus, Seattle, April 9, 1940;

two from Cedar Mt., southeast of Seattle, May 22, 1941, and one,

same locality, May 15, 1945. It is distinguished from other Euro¬

pean and American species of the subgenus (Group IV of Hay¬

ward) by its entire impressed marginal elytral stria, and may be

described briefly as follows:

Dark rufous, shining, the basal antennal segments and legs

paler, the elytral apex evanescently paler; pronotum about seven-

tenths as long as wide, the apex nearly as wide as base, the sides

oblique in front of the briefly carinate hind angles, the anterior

transverse impression vague, the basal transverse impression deep,

106

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

punctate, with three enlarged punctures at middle, the basal im¬

pressions obsolete; elytra with an entire impressed sutural and

a marginal stria, the latter with one or two seta-bearing punctures

anteriorly and about four such punctures posteriorly, the disc

with four or five finely impressed striae abbreviated at about

apical third, the striae not or obscurely punctate, the third stria

with two dorsal punctures; length 2 mm.

SOME COLLECTIONS RECENTLY ACQUIRED BY

THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

THE DUDLEY MOULTON COLLECTION OF THYSANOP-

TERA (Purchase). During the past year the Academy was for¬

tunate enough to secure this important collection together will all

of Moulton’s literature and papers pertaining to the thrips. This

collection is world-wide in scope, rich in Moulton types, and in

those of other leading thysanopterists. It comprises some 25,000

slides.

THE HEWES COLLECTION OF LEPIDOPTERA (Bequest).

Comprising 6572 neatly mounted and completely labelled speci¬

mens, this collection results from a nearly successful lifetime effort

to acquire every kind of butterfly listed for America north of

Mexico. Included in this number is a smaller collection of moths

and one of foreign butterflies. The late Dr. Laurence I. Hewes

was by profession one of the foremost U. S. highway engineers.

His zeal as an amateur lepidopterist was well expressed in his ar¬

ticle “Butterflies—Try and Get Them” (National Geographic Mag.

69:667-678,1936).

THE MAEHLER COLLECTION OF COLEOPTERA (Gift).

This is a general collection of North American beetles especially

rich in Meloidae because of Mr. K. L. Maehler’s special interest

in the family. The collection totals 6159 specimens.

THE HUBBARD INDEX COLLECTION OF THE FLEAS OF

NEVADA (Gift). Dr. C. Andresen Hubbard of Tigard, Oregon,

has distributed among several institutions a number of index col¬

lection of the fleas of Nevada, to be used in reference to his publi¬

cation on this subject (Bull. S. Cal. Acad. Sci., 48:115-128, 1949).

The collection received by the Academy is made up of 46 slides

representing as many species.—E. S. Ross.

July, 1950 ] Johnson and thurman—aedes

107

THE OCCURRENCE OF AEDES (OCHLEROTATUS)

PULLATUS (COQUILLETT), IN CALIFORNIA 1

(Diptera: Culicidae)

BY PHYLLIS T. JOHNSON AND

ERNESTINE B. THURMAN

Entomologists, Bureau of Vector Control, California Styite

Department of Public Health, Berkeley, California

The collection of Aedes ( Ochlerotatus) puttatus (Coquillett),

1904 in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne

County, on June 27, 1949, brings the total number of recognized

species and subspecies of the mosquito fauna in California to 39 2

(Reeves, 1941; Bohart, 1948). A. puttatus, a dark-legged snow

mosquito has a wide distribution, having been reported from the

Alps of Europe (Dyar, 1922), Alaska, and the Yukon south along

the Rocky Mountains to Colorado (Matheson, 1929; 1944), and

in Montana (Mail, 1934), Utah (Rees, 1934; 1942), Idaho

(Harmston and Rees, 1946), Oregon (Gjullin, personal com¬

munication), and Washington (Boddy, 1948).

Fourth instar larvae and pupae of A. puttatus were collected

with third instar larvae of Culiseta incidens (Thomson) and Culi-

seta sp. from two small sunlit depressions which were void of

vegetation in temporary water courses formed by melting snow.

At this elevation, 8600 feet, the snow had melted by the 19th of

June, and at the time of the collection only the depressions con¬

tained water. From 66 larvae collected, 6 males and 24 females

were reared in correlated series and an additional 32 males and

22 females were reared from pupae. Females of A . puttatus were

taken in biting collections in association with Aedes ventrovittus

Dyar, A. hexodontus Dyar, A. fitchii (Felt and Young), A. com¬

munis (DeGeer), and Culiseta incidens from the Tuolumne Mea¬

dows Public Campground area.

1 From Bureau of Vector Control, California State Department of Public

Health, and the Communicable Disease Center, Public Health Service, Federal

Security Agency, Atlanta, Ga.

2 Excludes Anopheles pseudopunctipennis franciscanus var. boydi (Vargas)

(Reeves, 1941) and Anopheles punctipennis var. perplexens Ludlow collected at

Hamilton Field, Marin County, July 28, 1944 (H. H. Dodge), determined by Dr.

George H. Bradley, reference letter of November 26, 1944, unpublished record on

file in the Bureau of Vector Control.

108

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

Figure 1. Diagram of the structures of the male terminalia of

Aedes pullatus (Coquillett), 1904

Legend: *

A-L

apical lobe

A-M

anal membrane

B-L

basal lobe

BL-VS

ventral spines of basal lobe

B-P

basal plate

basistyle

CLhF

filament of claspette

CL-S

stem of claspette

dististyle

Ds-C

claw of dististyle

Ix-T

ninth tergite

IXT-L

lobe of ninth tergite

phallosome

paramere

X-S

tenth sternite

♦Terminology follows that employed by Carpenter, Middlekauff and Chamber-

lain (1946, p. 34).

Specimens of A. pullatus have been deposited in the collection

of the Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California; the U. S.

National Museum; and the Communicable Disease Center, Public

Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia.

July, 1950] Johnson and thurman—aedes

109

The structures of the male terminalia are refigured for the pur¬

pose of more accurately illustrating the position of the curved

spines on the ventral surface of the basal lobe of the basistyle.

Dyar (1928, Plate XXXVIII, No. 125) and Matheson (1944,

Plate XVII, No. 6) figure the spines as arising in the same dorsal

plane with the lobes of the ninth tergite. Dyar (1928, p. 171) is

of the opinion that the basal lobe is obsolete, “but a large, strong

spine remains, inwardly of which are two short curved spines con¬

nected by chitin.” Matheson (1944, p. 178) describes the basal

lobe as “small, with a prominent spine and 2 or 3 adjacent small

ones and a few setae; the inner margin of the basal lobe turns

ventrad, then outward and caudad, to end in a short, chitinous,

stout stem which bears 2 apical, large, curving spines.”

In a mounted specimen flattened by the weight of the cover

glass and insufficient mounting medium, the folded basal lobe ap¬

pears to be as previously figured. In a wet mount with the struc¬

tures in normal position, the basal lobe appears to be small,

rounded, with a single prominent spine and 3 or 4 smaller ones

on the dorsal surface, a few setae scattered over the area curving

ventrad. From the ventral apex arise two spines, somewhat shorter

than the dorsal spine, curving dorsally from beneath the stem of

the claspette. There does not appear to be a “short, chitinous, stout

stem” from the ventral surface of the basal lobe.

An additional correction may be mentioned in the number

of spines found on the lobes of the ninth tergite. Matheson (1944,

p. 178) lists “7-9 stout spines” and figures only 3 (Plate XVII, No.

6). Dyar mentions and figures 5-6 spines in his description. Speci¬

mens involved in the current study have demonstrated from 3 to 6

spines on the lobes of the ninth tergite.

Acknowledgments

The authors are pleased to extend special acknowledgments to

Mr. C. W. Gjullin and Mr. W. W. Yates, U. S. Department of

Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Corval¬

lis, Oregon, for the privilege of comparing the specimens with

those in the collection in Corvallis and for confirming the identifi¬

cation of all Aedes species listed herein; to Dr. Martin W. Johnson,

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, and

Miss Mary Lou Beaty, University of California, for assisting in

the collection of the specimens; and to D. C. Thurman, Jr., S. A.

San, PHS, and to Harry D. Pratt, Scientist, PHS, for offering

valuable suggestions in all phases of the study and reviewing the

manuscript.

110

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

References Cited

Boddy, D. W.

1948. An annotated list of the Culcidae of Washington. Pan-

Pac. Ent., 24(2) :85-94.

Bohart, R. M.

1948. The subgenus Neoculex in America north of Mexico (Dip-

tera, Culcidae). Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer., 41(3) :330-345.

Carpenter, S. J., Middlekauff, W. W., and Chamberlain, R. W.

1946. The Mosquitoes of the Southern United States East of

Oklahoma and Texas. Univ. Press, Notre Dame, Ind., 292 pp.

Dyar, H. G.

1922. The mosquitoes of the United States. Proc. U. S. Nat.

Mus. No. 2447, 62(1) :1-119.

Harmston, F. C. and Rees, D. M.

1946. Mosquito records from Idaho. Pan-Pac. Ent. 22(4) :148-

156.

Mail, G. A.

1934. The mosquitoes of Montana. Mont. State College, Agric.

Exp. Sta., Bull. No. 288, 72 pp.

Matheson, R.

1929. A Handbook of the Mosquitoes of North America. C. C.

Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 274 pp.

1944. A Handbook of the Mosquitoes of North America. Corn-

stock Pub. Co., Ithaca, N. Y., 313 pp.

Rees, D. M.

1942. The mosquitoes of Utah. Bui. Univ. of Utah, 33(7) :l-99.

1943. Supplementary list of mosquito records from Utah (Dip-

tera, Culicidae). Pan-Pac. Ent. 43(2) :77-82.

Reeves, W. C.

1941. List of the mosquitoes of California. Supplement to Proc.

Calif. Mosq. Control Assn. 16 pp.

PERSONAL NOTE: JAMES W. CHAPMAN

Dr. James W. Chapman, Chairman of Science Faculty, Emer¬

itus, Silliman University, Dumaguete, Oriental Negros, Philippine

Islands, and well known specialist on Philippine ants, has recently

retired to the U. S. He is currently studying at the California Acad¬

emy of Sciences. In September Dr. Chapman will move to Pasa¬

dena for the winter and plans then to take up residence near the

Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard.

After 35 years of Philippine field work and teaching he expects

to prepare for publication his comprehensive studies on the tax¬

onomy and ecology of Philippine ants. Dr. Chapman was a member

of Dr. William Morton Wheeler’s first entomology class at Harvard

and later supplied Wheeler with much of his study material from

the Philippines.—E. S. Ross.

July, 1950]

BOHART-SNOW MOSQUITOES

111

OBSERVATIONS ON SNOW MOSQUITOES

IN CALIFORNIA

(Diptera: Culicidae)

BY RICHARD M. BOHART

University of California, Davis

In the course of a general study of Californian mosquitoes a

number of collections were made during the spring months of

1947, 1948 and 1949 in the central and northern Sierra. These

included many of the so-called “snow Aedes”, the larvae of which

breed in pools resulting more or less directly from melting snow.

These species are characteristic of the colder parts of North

America including northern United States, and some of them

extend their range south at progressively higher altitudes along

the mountain ranges.

The snow Aedes are mainly in the subgenus Ochlerotatus which

contains some of the most difficult species of mosquitoes taxonom-

ically speaking. The females are separated largely on the scutal

pattern and as this is subject to some variation, no existing key is

entirely satisfactory. Differences in the male genitalia are mostly

slight, particularly between closely related species. The larvae

offer some of the best characters, but these are unfortunately

plastic and few published descriptions have given the range of

variation. Keys are frequently based on the exact branching of

the head hairs or the number and shape of the comb scales which

may result in exclusion of 10 to 25 per cent or more of a variable

population. Some of these variations are discussed below.

Eight species have been known to occur in California and a

ninth is herein added to the list. Also, personal locality and date

records are given for the benefit of collectors in the future.

Aedes increpitus Dyar

This species is the most widespread snow mosquito in Cali¬

fornia. It occurs in various parts of the state from 7,500 feet ele¬

vation to practically sea level. At lower elevations its outbreaks

are worst following extremely cold winters. The larvae are found

112

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

in shade or sun, in meadows or roadside ditches, in pine-needle

pools or water in dense willow thickets, in hoofprints or in large

ponds. The adults are the chief open sun, day-biting mosquito of

the Sierra at elevations of 6,000 to 7,000 feet.

The larvae are similar to those of communis except that the

upper head hairs (C) are usually double or triple and the lower

head hairs (B) are single or double. However, this distinction

does not always hold. In 50 specimens selected at random from a

collection made from a large willow-shaded pool near Alturas,

Modoc Co., 52 of the upper head hair are single, 46 are double,

and 2 are triple, giving an average of 1.5 branches. Furthermore,

17 of the 50 specimens have all 4 of the head hairs single. This

same tendency toward singleness is present in a collection from a

large willow-shaded pool near Susanville, Lassen Co. Here, a

check on 21 specimens reveals 10 upper head hairs single, 29

double and 3 triple, giving an average of 1.8 branches. These

figures can be compared with a coast range collection made in

Sonoma Co. where 14 specimens have 27 upper head hairs double

and 1 triple for an average of 2.0 branches. A further comparison

can be made with Sierran material in which 18 larvae from sev¬

eral central Sierran localities have 13 upper head hairs double,

21 triple and 2 quadruple for an average of 2.7 branches. Fur¬

thermore, of the lower head hairs, which are almost invariably

single from other localities, 6 out of 36 in the central Sierran

material are double. The Susanville and Alturas specimens are

distinguished by having most of the comb scales very broad,

whereas only a few of the scales are of this type in the material

from the other localities mentioned. The broadened comb scales and

frequently single head hairs increase the chance of misidentifying

single larvae as communis. However, the comb scales of increpitus,

even when stout, are pointed instead of rounded at the tip as in

communis.

Personal records of larval collections are as follows: Chimney

Rocks near Alturas, Modoc Co., May 24, 1949; Canyon Dam,

Plumas Co., April 30, 1947; Susanville, Lassen Co., May 8, 1948;

Calpine, Sierra Co., April 29, 1947; Little Truckee River near

Lake Tahoe, Eldorado Co., June 1, 1947; Grass Lake (Luther

Pass), Eldorado Co., May 21, 1948; Meyers Meadows, Eldorado

Co., May 21, 1948; Emigrant Gap, Placer Co., April 29, 1947; 7

miles west of Sonora Pass, Tuolumne Co., April 4, 1949; Cor¬

delia, Solano Co., April 6, 1949.

July, 1950]

BOHART-SNOW MOSQUITOES

113

Aedes FITCHII (Felt and Young)

This is one of the two snow mosquitoes in the state with band¬

ed tarsi, the other being increpitus. Adults can be distinguished

by the more uniform distribution of white scales on the wing of

fitchii. The species is relatively uncommon but when found, the

females bite readily in light shade. The larvae seem to prefer

sunlit ponds of moderate size, particularly if they contain tules.

Personal collecting records of larvae are from Sierraville, Sierra

Co., April 29, 1947; Little Truckee River near Lake Tahoe, June

1, 1947; and near Baxter, Placer Co., April 29, 1947.

Aedes communis (DeGeer)

This species is abundant and widespread at elevations of 5,000

to 6,000 feet in the northern Sierra and 6,000 to 8,500 feet at

the latitude of Tuolumne Co. The larvae are almost always re¬

stricted to shaded pine needle pools. The adults bite in deep shade

during the day but are particularly troublesome at dusk. There

is frequent association with hexodontus and both species in the

female have a short pale basal costal spot, all dark palpi, front

surface of the mid femur unevenly and not contrastingly speckled,

and no hypostigial spot. Females of communis, however, usually

have the outer surface of the torus yellowish; mixed pale and

dark upright vertex scales (in California specimens); the scutum

with a median, often split, golden line; and the supra-alar bristles

dark.

Personal larval records are: Canyon Dam, Plumas Co., April

30, 1947; Calpine, Sierra Co., April 29, 1947; near Baxter, Placer

Co., April 29, 1947; Cisco Grove, Placer Co., April 29, 1947;

Camp Sacramento, Eldorado Co., May 17, 1947; Carson Pass,

Alpine Co., April 29, 1947; Blue Lakes, Alpine Co., July 12,

1948; 7 miles west of Sonora Pass, Tuolumne Co., June 10, 1948.

Aedes hexodontus Dyar

Although larvae of this species do not occur in the tremendous

swarms in which communis are found, it is more catholic in its

requirements both as to altitude and type of breeding place. It

is often found in shaded pine-needle pools with communis but

also in the open sun in meadow pools and hoofprints. I have col¬

lected it from 5,000 to 9,500 feet and it probably occurs at still

higher elevations. Adult females are often confused with com -

114 THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

munis but the torus in hexodontus is dark, the upright vertex

scales are yellow, the scutum has a broad median brownish-yellow

band and the supra-alar bristles are yellow.

In the larvae the complete sclerotized ring of the anal segment

is unique among the California species of snow Aedes. Other

characters are as follows: In 41 specimens (34 individually

reared) from 10 different localities, 1 has 9 comb scales, 3 have

8 scales, 7 have 7 scales, 50 have 6 scales and 21 have 5 scales,

giving an average of 5.94 scales. The upper head hairs vary from

single to triple, the average being 1.9 branches. The lower head

hairs are single or double, the average being 1.8 branches. The

variation in siphon tuft branches is 4 to 9 with an average of

6.1 branches.

According to Matheson (1944), “hexodontus should probably

fall as a synonym of A. punctor” Knight (1948) theorizes that

hexodontus represents a western subspecies of punctor and that

specimens which he studied from Umiat, Alaska represent an ex¬

treme of hexodontus. This problem evidently needs more study.

Matheson’s punctor has the head hairs (C and B) usually double,

the comb of 8 to 17 scales in a double row and the siphon tuft

with 3 or 4 branches. Knight’s punctor (or hexodontus) from

Alaska has the head hairs usually single, the comb of 5 to 13

(usually 7 to 8) scales, and the siphon tuft with 3 to 6 branches.

As contrasted with these, California hexodontus have the head

hairs usually double, the comb of 5 to 9 (usually 5 or 6) scales

and the siphon tuft usually with 5 to 7 branches. Differences

in female scutal pattern are also present, though somewhat vari¬

able. If it seems desirable to separate the Alaskan material, it

will fall under either cyclocerculus Dyar or punctodes Dyar. In

the meantime it appears best to place the Californian material

under hexodontus as a distinct species.

Personal larval records are: Greenville, Plumas Co., May 8,

1948; Yuba Pass, Sierra Co., April 30, 1947; Calpine, Sierra

Co., April 29, 1947; Hampshire Rocks Camp, Nevada Co., April

29, 1947; Little Truckee River, Eldorado Co., June 1, 1947;

Meyers Meadows near Lake Tahoe, Eldorado Co., May 21, 1948;

Camp Sacramento, Eldorado Co., June 10, 1947 and June 10,

1948; Grass Lake near Luther Pass, Eldorado Co., May 21, 1948 ;

Carson Pass, Alpine Co., June 10, 1947; Winnemucca Lake, Al¬

pine Co., 9500 feet, July 14, 1948; Silver Lake, Amador Co.,

July, 1950]

BOHART—SNOW MOSQUITOES

115

June 10, 1947; Ebbett’s Pass, Alpine Co., July 13, 1948; Sonora

Pass, Tuolumne Co., 9500 feet, June 22, 1949.

Aedes cataphylla Dyar

The contrasting white and dark scales of the palpi in both sexes

distinguish the adults of this species from those of pullatus which

agree in having a long pale basal costal spot and a hypostigial

spot of scales. Also, California cataphylla have the upright vertex

scales of the female black or mixed black and pale, whereas in

pullatus females these scales are golden.

The larvae of cataphylla are the only ones in California with

pecten spines beyond the siphon tuft. The head hairs are com¬

monly said to be single but this is not invariable. In 50 specimens

collected in the Lake Tahoe region near the type locality, 6 of

the upper head hairs are double, 1 is triple and 1 lower head hair

is double. Thus, 93 percent of the upper head hairs are single

and 99 per cent of the lower hairs are single. Similarly the state¬

ment is encountered in the literature that the pecten has 2 or 3

teeth beyond the pecten tuft (Matheson, 1944; Dyar, 1928),

whereas the disposition of the pecten teeth is rather variable in

my material. In 50 specimens, 11 have one or more detached teeth

before the tuft and 5 have 4 or 5 detached teeth beyond the tuft.

The total number of detached teeth varies from 2 to 5 with an

average of 3.7. The comb is reported by Dyar (1928) to contain

“about 15 scales.” In my material the number varies from 10 to

21 with an average of 12.8 scales in 50 specimens.

The preferred larval breeding places seem to be in rather large

ponds in the open meadows at altitudes from 6,000 to 9,500

feet. Adults bite in shade or at night. Personal larval records are:

meadows south of Lake Tahoe, Eldorado Co., May 21, 1948; Mey¬

ers Meadows near Lake Tahoe, May 21, 1948; Hope Valley, Al¬

pine Co., May 31, 1947 and May 21, 1948; Carson Pass, Alpine

Co., June 10, 1947; Sonora Pass, Tuolumne Co., 9,700 feet, June

10, 1947.

Aedes pullatus (Coquillett) 1

The only previous record of this species in California is that

given by Howard, Dyar and Knab (1917), “Summit, Placer

County, California, July 19, 1915 (H. G. Dyar).” Judging by

1 Since this paper was submitted for publication, Aedes pullatus has been re¬

ported from Tuolumne Co., California, by P. T. Johnson and E. B. Thurman. See

Pan-Pacific Ent. 26(8) :107-110.

116

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

the date, the record was based on an adult female, and the identi¬

fication was corrected to A. communis tahoensis in the appendix

of the same volume. However, the species does occur in California

as proven by my collection of larvae and reared adults of both

sexes from Sonora Pass, Tuolumne and Mono Counties, about

9,500 feet, June 10, 1947. Larvae were taken from sunlit pools

both in the large meadow west of the pass and a small meadow

to the east. Associated larvae were Aedes hexodontus, catapliylla

and ventrovittis. Attempts to find it in 1948 and 1949 were not

successful. The adult female is the only one of the snow mosquitoes

in California with the combination of a hypostigial patch of scales

and all yellow upright scales on the vertex.

The larvae are similar to those of communis except for the

more slender comb scales and the multiple head hairs. According

to Dyar (1928) and Matheson (1944), the upper head hairs

have 8 branches and the lower have about 4 branches. In my

material from California, Colorado and Wyoming the upper head

hairs rarely have as many as 8 branches. The California material,

consisting of 15 specimens, have the upper head hairs with 5 to

8 branches, the average being 6.3, and only 1 of the 15 speci¬

mens has 1 hair on one side with 8 branches. The lower head hairs

vary from 3 to 5 branches except 1 hair on one side with 8

branches, the average being 4.2 branches.

Aedes ventrovittis Dyar

At certain times and places this small, dark mosquito occurs

in great numbers. I have seen it so abundant at Young’s Lake,

Tuolumne Co., 10,300 feet, that the swarms dimmed the sunlight

and hikers were forced to run through the infested areas. In

spite of the abundance of the females at elevations from 6,000 to

11,000 feet in the central Sierra, the larvae are rarely seen. In

fact the only published records are those of Dyar (1921, 1924)

in which he recorded the larvae in snow-water pools in a meadow

at 7,000 feet near Summit, Placer Co., and at Lake Tahoe at

6,000 feet in a roadside ditch fed with water from a snow bank.

The 4 localities in which I have found larvae were all over 8,500

feet. These were a meadow above Winnemucca Lake, Alpine Co.,

9,200 feet, July 14, 1948; a meadow near Blue Lakes, Alpine Co.,

8,600 feet, July 13, 1948; and meadows on either side of Sonora

July, 1950 ]

BOHART-SNOW MOSQUITOES

117

Pass, Tuolumne Co., 9,500 feet, June 10, 1947. In each case the

larvae were associated with a lesser number of hexodontus in

small, open, shallow pools, the water in which was warm to the

touch. A single male was collected at the Blue Lakes locality

flying near the breeding site. At the summit of Ebbetts Pass, Al¬

pine Co., 8,700 feet, July 13, 1948, I collected larvae of Culiseta

incidens (Thomson) in large pools and Aedes hexodontus in small

meadow pools. A few ventrovittis females were biting and males of

the same species circled above my head in singing swarms of

several hundred individuals. As many as 50 were taken in one

swoop of the net. According to Dyar (1928) and Matheson (1944)

the larval head hairs are single, the comb has 7 (Dyar) or 6 to 9

(Matheson) scales, and the last 2 pecten teeth are more widely

spaced. An examination of 50 specimens from Winnemucca Lake,

Alpine County, gives the following figures: The head hairs are

occasionally split toward the apex and 1 out of 100 upper head

hairs is double. The comb scales vary in number from 6 to 18,

are usually 8 to 12, and average 9.7. The detached pecten teeth

vary from 1 to 4 with average of 1.9.

Aedes impiger (Walker)

I have not collected this species, the larvae of which are sup¬

posed to occur with cataphylla according to Dyar (1928).

Aedes cinereus hemiteleus Dyar

The use of the subspecific name for Californian specimens of

this species is probably justified by their generally darker body

color. The small size and almost or entirely continuous line of

white along the side of the abdomen are distinguishing features of

the adult. Also, the male palpi are very short. The larvae have

multiple head hairs, the comb in a partly double row, the siphon

tuft situated at the apical one-third of the siphon and preceded

by 2 or 3 detached teeth. In 22 specimens from the central Sierra

the number of comb scales ranges from 9 to 14, with an average

of 12.0. I have found larvae in meadow pools shaded by willows,

the water often containing brown algae. The adults were observed

to bite in the sun, but timidly and only near the ground. Personal

larval records are: Little Truckee River, Eldorado Co., May 30,

1947; Meyers, Eldorado Co., May 28, 1949; Hope Valley, Alpine

Co., May 31, 1947.

118

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

Literature Cited

Dyar, H. G.

1920. The American Aedes of the stimulans group. Ins. Ins.

Mens. 8:106-120.

1928. The mosquitoes of the Americas. Carnegie Inst. Wash.,

Pub. no. 387, pp 1-616.

Howard, L. O., Dyar, H. G. and Knab, F.

1917. The mosquitoes of North and Central America and the

West Indies, 4:525-1064. Carnegie Inst. Wash., Pub. no. 159.

Knight, K. L.

1948. A taxonomic treatment of the mosquitoes of Umiat, Alas¬

ka. Nav. Med. Res. Inst. Bethesda, Proj. NM005017, Rept. 2,

pp. 1-12.

Matheson, R.

1944. Handbook of the mosquitoes of North America. Comstock

Pub. Co., Ithaca, pp. 1-314.

A NEW DISTRIBUTION RECORD FOR

PLEOCOMA BEHRENSII

(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

BY PETER S. GRIMES

While on a field trip to Tomales Bay, Marin County, Cali¬

fornia, in October, 1948, the writer found a female specimen of

Pleocoma behrensii LeConte 1 which has proved to be the most

northernly confirmed record for the species. Previously it had

been found only in the region immediately surrounding San

Francisco Bay. 2

The writer was examining the Pleistocene and Recent sedi¬

ments in this area for fossils when the specimen was found about

15 feet below the top of the bank on the east shore of Tomales

Bay, approximately 4 miles north of Point Reyes Station and

nearly opposite the town of Inverness on the west shore of the

Bay. The abdomen of the beetle was protruding from the bank

out of a cavity which had apparently been exposed by wave

action and recent rains. The bank was well rooted. The specimen

was apparently dead when found.

determination by E. G. Linsley.

2 Linsley, E. G., 1938, Pan-Pacific Ent. 74 (2) :56; (3) :103.

July, 1950 ]

TILDEN—LIRIOMYZA

119

OVIPOSITION AND BEHAVIOR

OF LIRIOMYZA PUS1LLA (MEIGEN)

(Diptera: Agromyzidae)

BY J. W. TILDEN

San Jose State College, San Jose, California

Among the normal fauna of Baccharis pilularis D. C. is a leaf¬

mining agromyzid that produces blotch mines. Mr. C. T. Greene

was so kind as to identify the fly as Liriomyza pusilla (Meigen).

A difference of opinion exists as to the identity of pusilla , inas¬

much as A. E. Pritchard (personal communication) has pointed

out that certain records in the literature refer to pusilla as a ser¬

pentine miner, while K. E. Frick (personal communication) states

that certain European writers apparently limit the name pusilla

to a blotch miner of euphorbia. It is clear that there is some

confusion in the literature on this matter.

The mines of this fly may be found on Baccharis from March

through June, but activity declines rapidly with the onset of dry

weather and the attendant slowing up or cessation of growth.

The larvae reappear in the fall after the rains begin. In general,

the activity of the larvae coincides with the period of growth of

the plant.

It has been noted, as for instance by Needham, Frost and Tot-

hill (Leaf-mining Insects, 1928, pp. 231-278) that leaf-mining

Diptera are often far from host specific, and it is very probable

that Baccharis pilularis is not the only host of L. pusilla. How¬

ever, no other species was reared from Baccharis , so it appears

that in the Peninsula district of the San Francisco Bay region, this

is the usual agromyzid leaf-miner of Baccharis. The damage done

is negligible, the percentage of infested leaves per plant being

small.

Freshly emerged adults were confined over a branch of Bac¬

charis pilularis subspecies consanguinea D. C. on March 24. On

the afternoon of the same day, the female was observed running

rapidly over the leaves, pausing at times to stroke the surface

with the labella. After considerable examination, a spot was select¬

ed and the ovipositor inserted into the leaf. Peristalsis of the ab¬

domen followed, and to all appearances oviposition was taking

place. After each puncture had been completed, the female re-

120

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

treated a few steps and smoothed the puncture with the labella,

also feeding on the exudate. This caused the punctures to be

very inconspicuous. The entire process was repeated many times,

but it became increasingly apparent that no eggs were being de¬

posited. After several days of this behavior, the female was re¬

moved and the leaves minutely examined, and as suspected, no

eggs had been laid in any of the punctures.

Concurrent with this experiment, a feral female taken on April

25 was similarly confined over a branch of the plant. The same

behavior, consisting of inspection, puncture, and feeding on the

puncture, was observed in this field-taken female, but it was easily

evident that an egg was being laid in each puncture. On April

28 the leaves were examined and many eggs were found.

The egg is oval, somewhat pointed at each end, and inserted

into the tissue of the leaf just below the epidermis and parallel

to the leaf surface, not vertical to it. The egg lies about its own

length from the entrance to the puncture and at a magnification

of 30x is easily visible as a swelling below the epidermis. Fifty-

seven eggs were found quite evenly distributed over the surface

of seven large leaves, and were about equally numerous on both

upper and lower surfaces. Only large leaves were used for oviposi-

tion. Numerous other punctures did not contain eggs.

The eggs increased in size after oviposition, and it is believed

that this is due to imbibition of fluids from the plant tissues. Cer¬

tain of them increased to fully twice the dimensions of freshly

laid eggs. Some necrosis of the plant tissue resulted from the in¬

sertion of the ovipositor, but in every case this was slight. The

hatching of the eggs was unfortunately not seen since no method

was devised to prevent the leaves from wilting in the laboratory.

However, several field-collected larvae were reared. It was

found that they fed as do certain other leaf-mining diptera, (such

as Anthomyiidae), moving the anterior end of the body in a

lateral horizontal plane, from side to side. This was accompanied

by scraping movements by the mouth hooks, the mesophyll of the

leaf being removed and ingested. The mines were linear and in¬

conspicuous at first, but became blotchy later, and eventually

involved most of the leaf surface. Although eggs were laid on

both upper and lower surfaces of leaves, there was no differentia¬

tion into upper and lower surface mines, all becoming similar in

appearance as the larvae matured.

July, 1950 ]

TILDEN—LIRIOMYZA

121

The larvae are able to leave one leaf and to enter another.

This is done when the larva reaches the end of a leaf, even when

material remains uneaten in other parts. It cuts a crescent-shaped

slit in the epidermis and squeezes out. It then crawls across the

leaf-surface by alternately elongating and telescoping the body.

The anterior end of the body is advanced and a hold obtained

with the mouth hooks. Then the posterior part of the body is

advanced by contracting the intersegmental membranes. The anal

disc is also used in pushing forward. To enter a leaf, the larva

cuts a small gash in the epidermis and begins to feed in the usual

manner, gradually working its way in. The surface of the body

is moist and viscid and it leaves a track of slimy deposit.

At maturity, the larva exits from the leaf by a crescent¬

shaped opening and wanders around for some time, as much as

several hours. Most of the larvae that were observed entered soil

to pupate, but some individuals pupated on leaves, stems, or on

the sides of rearing vials. The puparium is yellowish-brown, with

the segmentation of the larval skin distinctly visible. There are

two prominent dorsal projections and two much less well marked

lateral posterior projections. These are the tubes mentioned in

descriptions. The puparia average 2.0 mm. in length.

The reason for lack of success in obtaining eggs from females

reared in the laboratory is not entirely understood, but it is as¬

sumed to be due to a lack of certain essential foods that are

available to females under field conditions. The situation may be

similar to that existing in Callophora, as cited by Brues (Insect

Dietary, 1946, pp. 59-60), in which certain protein foods must be

available to the female, and in which, moreover, a certain length

of time is required for the eggs to mature.

Two species of hymenopterous parasites were reared, both

emerging from the puparia. One was a species of Opius, a member

of a genus known to parasitize Agromyzidae. The other was a

species of Melanips (Figitinae) of a group, the members of which

are frequently hyper-parasites. It is likely that Melanips is sec¬

ondary on Liriomyza through some primary parasite.

I am indebted to Dr. C. F. W. Muesebeck for the determination

of the Opius species, to Dr. L. H. Weld for the determina¬

tion of the Melanips species, and to Mr. C. T. Greene for exam¬

ining some of the adult flies. Thanks are due also to Dr. A. Earl

Pritchard and to Mr. Kenneth E. Frick for their helpful sugges¬

tions.

122

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

SYSTEMATIC NOTES ON THE GENUS FORMICILLA

IN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

(Coleoptera: Anthicidae)

BY R. S. BEAL, JR.

University of California, Berkeley

Present definitions of species of Formicilla seem to be drawn

largely from characters of little taxonomic significance or from

features which are generic in nature rather than specific. The

genus itself has been defined on the basis of but a few of its real

taxonomic characters and hence has been erroneously separated

from that group of genera now classified as Anthicus, within

whose phylogenetic limits it more properly lies. However, since

Casey’s genera seem for the most part to be valid on the basis of

numerous, clear, morphological differences throughout the whole

range of American Anthicids, it seems best to retain Formicilla

for the present as a distinct genus. Unfortunately the South

American species have not been available for this study, but it is

hoped that this paper will simplify the task of assigning them

to their correct systematic position.

The writer is especially indebted to E. G. Linsley for his helpful

suggestions and criticisms in connection with this paper. For the

loan of material from their own collections or from those in their

care particular thanks are expressed to E. S. Ross and Hugh B.

Leech of the California Academy of Sciences, E. A. Chapin of the

United States National Museum, Frank H. Parker, K. S. Hagen,

and A. T. McClay.

Genus Formicilla LeConte

Formicilla LeConte, 1851, Ann.' Lyc. Nat. Hist. New York, 5:152;

Casey, 1895, Ann. New York Acad. Sci., 8:644; Pic, 1911, Junk

Coleopt. Cat., pars 36, p. 22.

Anthicus LeConte, 1852, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 6:94 (not

Anthicus Paykull, 1798).

Formicus LeConte, 1861, Class, of Coleopt. Part I, Smithson. Misc.

Col., 3:266.

Formicomus LeConte and Horn, 1883, Class, of Coleopt., p. 412

(not Formicomus LaFerte, 1848); Champion, 1890, Biol. Centr.-

Amer., 4(2) :220; Fall, 1901, Occas. Papers Calif. Acad. Sci.,

8:180-1.

July, 1950 ]

BEAL—FORMICILLA

123

Pubescence of dorsal surfaces variable, punctation setiferous,

fine, and remote; ventral surfaces and legs covered with light re¬

cumbent to sub-recumbent pubescence, punctation minute and re¬

mote. Head convex, unimpressed at base; antennae gradually in-

crassate, eleventh segment entire and conoidal; ultimate palpal

joint securiform. Pronotum elongate, strongly constricted at about

basal third, constriction not extending across dorsal surface; collar

narrow but deeply constricted; basal margin distinct. Elytra more

or less convex with slight posthumeral depression or flattening;

maculation consisting of median, apical, and sometimes humeral

dark areas; intervening light areas transparent with variable,

opaque reticulation; vannal veins of hind wings two, simple and

unbranched. Anterior coxal cavities partially but not entirely

closed by inward prolongation of lateral lobes behind coxae. Meso-

sternum extended laterad in broad, flat, laterally rounded, shining

plate, wider than base of pronotum and visible from above in

humeral angle, anterior margin subtransverse, lateral setae long,

curving upward, inserted singly (not in pairs). Mesepisternum

widely joined at mid ventral line, not visible from above and not

visible between lateral margin of mesosternum and base of elytron.

Medio-anterior margin of metasternum evenly concave and not pro¬

duced between coxal cavities. Legs long and slender, profemora

only moderately elavate, tibial spurs present, penultimate segment

of metatarsus variable. Sixth abdominal sternite of male with nar¬

row median cleft to base, inner margins of cleft slightly bilobed,

tip of apical lobe bent slightly downward. Median lobe of aedeagus

long and slender, evenly tapering to apex, without lateral para-

meres. Apical expansion of spicule triangular and bearing 1 on either

side a thin, sclerotized appendage. Last abdominal tergite apically

rounded and not thickened, not reflexed internally, nor otherwise

modified.

Genotype —Formicilla munda LeConte (monobasic).

Formicilla is readily separable from other neartic genera on

the basis of pronotal, sternal, and genital characters as well as by

its vestiture and general shining appearance. The narrow cleft of

the sixth abdominal sternite is unlike that of any North American

Anthicid I have seen, while the mesosternum with a dilation so

broad that the mesepisternum is not visible between its lateral

edges and the bases of the elytra separates it from all genera

except Dilandius . However, the latter is distinct through differ¬

ences in the median lobe and sixth abdominal sternite, in the

shape of the pronotum in which the constriction extends across

the dorsal surface, and in the peculiar shape of the head. In de¬

scribing the procoxal cavities of Formicilla I have found it neces¬

sary to disagree with Casey, who stated that they were closed; in

124

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

Dilandius they are unmistakably closed, but only partially so in

Formicilla.

The determination of species limits is made difficult by appar¬

ent gaps in the geographical record, gaps which are possibly not

real but conceivably the result of a failure to collect these minute

beetles. It is certainly true that there are two distinct complexes

in the genus, that of scitula in the south-eastern United States and

Texas, and that of munda with its allied forms extending from the

San Joaquin Valley of California into Mexico and Central Amer¬

ica. Specific characters are to be found in the vestiture, in the

form of the elytra, in the shape of the penultimate metatarsal

segment, in elytral coloration and maculation—though these are

subject to considerable variation—and in a comparison of the

width of the head with that of the anterior pronotal lobe. Careful

comparative measurements of the lengths of the last three antennal

segments show small mean differences, but the extremes overlap,

at least in the species considered here, and hence the comparisons

of these made by Casey do not have diagnostic value. The same

thing has been found true of comparative measurements of the

length and width of the pronotum, and of the length and width

of the elytra.

Key to the Species of Formicilla

in the United States and Mexico

1. Elytra with fine, sparse, subrecumbent hairs and usually long

setae; penultimate metatarsal segment much longer than wide,

barely emarginate apically, ultimate segment inserted near

apex; anterior lobe of pronotum round; ratio of width of head

to width of pronotum very nearly equal. 2

- Elytra with long setae but without subrecumbent hairs; pen¬

ultimate metatarsal segment short and bilobed, ultimate seg¬

ment inserted before the middle; anterior lobe of pronotum

obovate; ratio of width of head to width of pronotum closely

approximating 1:0.9.4

2. Ground color of elytra definitely lighter than color of pronotum

and head; median band wide, faintly interrupted or confluent

at suture; posterior band enveloping apex; Arizona and Sin¬

aloa, Mexico . gilensis

- Ground color of elytra same as color of pronotum and head;

median band wide to narrow, interrupted widely to narrowly

at suture; posterior band only occasionally enveloping apex....3

July, 1950 ]

BEAL—FORMICILLA

125

3. Humeri of elytra not or faintly marked with dark, apex of

elytra never entirely enveloped by posterior fasciae; California

and Arizona . munda munda

- Humeri of elytra occasionally strongly marked with dark, apex

of elytra occasionally enveloped by posterior fasciae, fasciae

occasionally extremely reduced; Southern Mexico to Guate¬

mala . munda gracilipes

4. Median fasciae separated by space equal to half width of ely¬

tron; posterior band narrower than space between it and apex;

islands off coast of So. Carolina and Georgia. scitula scitula

- Median fasciae contiguous or separated by space equal to less

than half width of elytron; posterior band wide, as wide or

wider than space between it and apex or enveloping apex,

sometimes confluent with median band; Georgia mainland to

Texas . scitula evanescens

Formicilla gilensis Casey

Formicilla gilensis Casey, 1895, Ann. New York Acad. Sci., 8:647-8;

Pic, 1911, Junk Coleopt. Cat., pars 36, p. 22.

Polished, head and body light to dark piceous, dorsal surface

sparsely set with fine, short, subrecumbent hairs and usually with

sparse, long, erect setae, but latter rarely limited to head. Head sub¬

quadrate behind eyes, temporal angles rounded; width behind eyes

closely approximating width of anterior lobe of pronotum. Pro-

notum with obovate anterior lobe; ratio of pronota.1 width to

length ranging from 1:1.37 to 1:1.57. Elytra ochreous; maculation

of humeri dark brown to black, reduced to small spots or expanded

into wide band contiguous at suture; median band brown to black,

contiguous or faintly interrupted at suture; apical band wide,

brown to black, enveloping apex; ochreous bar intervening be¬

tween median and apical bands narrow, and Y-shaped, transverse,

or nearly obsolete; sides subparallel, widest near middle; profile

not raised above level of pronotum, slightly convex, visibly im¬

pressed behind humeri; humeral angles prominent and evenly

rounding; ratio of width to length ranging from 1:1.4 to 1:1.9.

Undersurface of thorax piceous; posterior margin of anterior

coxal floor not produced behind in acute cusp but rather slightly

angulate and not projecting beyond middle of lateral lobes. Pen¬

ultimate metatarsal segment narrow, not lobed, barely emarginate

at apex, ultimate segment inserted near apex. Abdomen slightly

to much darker than thorax, dark piceous to black. Length of male:

2.2 mm. to 2.5 mm.; width: 0.6 mm. to 0.8 mm.; length of female:

2.3 mm. to 2.8 mm.; width: 0.6 mm. to 0.8 mm.

Type locality —Tucson, Arizona. No other recorded distribu¬

tion.

126

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

New records —Sedona, Arizona, May 19, 1947 (Edwin Potts);

Phoenix, Arizona, May 8, 1947 (R. S. Beal); Willcox, Arizona,

February 2, 1934 (Bryant); Nogales, Arizona, August 12, 1906

(specimen in Cal. Acad. Sci. collection); Robles Ranch, Pima

Co., Arizona, August 17, 1947 (A. T. McClay); Los Mochis,

Sinaloa, Mexico, July 20, 1922 (C. T. Dodds).

Though sympatric with munda and differing from it in few

morphological characters, the large series I have examined never

seem to intergrade with it. I have taken specimens running about

on damp ground near streams and flying to lights. One adult

specimen was collected under the bark of a decaying cottonwood

at Tucson in the early part of March.

Formicilla munda LeConte

Polished, oehraceous-buff to light piceous, dorsal surface sparse¬

ly set with fine, short, subrecumbent hairs and usually with long,

erect setae. Head subquadrate behind eyes, temporal angles round¬

ed; width behind eyes closely approximating width of anterior

lobe of pronotum. Pronotum with obovate anterior lobe; ratio of

pronotal width to length ranging from 1:1.25 to 1:1.51. Elytra with

same ground color as head and pronotum; humeral maculae pres¬

ent or absent; fasciae at middle interrupted widely to narrowly

at suture, occasionally much reduced; posterior fasciae wide,

joined at suture, enveloping apex or not; sides subparallel, widest

near middle; profile not raised above level of pronotum, slightly

convex, visibly impressed behind humeri; humeral angles promi-

ment and evenly rounding; ratio of width to length ranging from

1:1.3 to 1:1.7. Undersurface of thorax ochraceous-buff to light

piceous; posterior margin of anterior coxal floor not produced

behind in acute cusp but rather slightly angulate and not project¬

ing beyond middle of lateral lobes. Penultimate metatarsal seg¬

ment narrow, not lobed, barely emarginate at apex, ultimate seg¬

ment inserted near apex. Abdomen identical in color to rest of

undersurface. Length of male: 2.2 mm. to 2.5 mm.; width: 0.7 mm.

to 0.8 mm.; length of female: 2.3 mm. to 2.7 mm.; width: 0.8 mm

to 0.9 mm.

Formicilla munda munda LeConte

Formicilla munda LeConte, 1851, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. New York,

5:152; Casey, 1895, Ann. New York Acad. Sci., 8:646; Pic,

1911, Junk Coleopt. Cat., pars 36, p. 22.

Anthicus munda LeConte, 1852, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 6:94.

Formicus munda LeConte, 1861, Class, of Coleopt., Part I, Smith-

son. Misc. Col., 3:266.

July, 1950]

BEAL-FORMICILLA

127

Formicomus munda (LeConte), Champion, 1890, Biol. Centr.-

Amer., 4(2):220; Fall, 1901, Occas. Papers Calif. Acad. Sci.,

8:181.

Humeri of elytra not or faintly marked with black; fasciae at

middle extending to or but narrowly interrupted at suture; pos¬

terior fasciae variable, but never entirely covering apex at suture.

Type locality —Yuma, California. No other recorded distri¬

bution.

New records —Visalia, California, September 10, 1944 (L. R.

Gillogly); 4 miles south of Dos Palos, Merced Co., California,

September 7, 1946 (K. S. Hagen) ; Ehrenberg, Arizona, July,

1938 (F. H. Parker); Blythe, California, July 8 to August 24,

1947 (J. W. MacSwain); Globe, Arizona, August 3, 1935 (F. H.

Parker). I have examined one specimen now in the collection of

Mr. K. S. Hagen labeled simply “Tex.”, but its validity may well

be questioned until verified by subsequent collections in that state.

The coloration and vestiture of this subspecies is somewhat

variable, occasional forms lacking the long tactile setae on both

the elytra and pronotum, although never the short recumbent

hairs. In this respect it varies in a different direction than the

following subspecies, which apparently always possesses the setae,

but which varies to a greater degree in the extent of its elytral

maculation, which may be quite reduced or much heavier.

Formicilla munda gracilipes (Champion), new status

Formicomus gracilipes Champion, 1890, Biol. Centr.-Amer., 4(2) :

220, and plate x, fig. 1.

Formicilla gracilipes (Champion), Pic, 1911, Junk Coleopt. Cat.,

pars 36, p. 22.

Humeri of elytra strongly marked with black or not, apex of

elytra enveloped by posterior fasciae or not; fasciae occasionally

extremely reduced or median fasciae expanded and confluent at

suture.

Type locality —Not recorded.

Recorded distribution —Cordova, Mexico; Vera Cruz, Mexico;

Champerico, Guatemala; Paso Antonio, Guatemala.

New record —5 miles south of Cuernevaca, Mexico, Nov. 19,

1946 (E. S. Ross).

The information concerning the extremes of variation in this

subspecies has been drawn from Champion’s description and rec¬

ords in the Biologia Centrali-Americana. The two specimens I

have examined differ so far as I can tell in no significant detail

128

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

from munda munda, but the apparent geographic isolation of the

two forms and the seemingly different ranges of genetic variability

of each serve to justify the subspecific categories.

Formicillascitula (LeConte)

Highly polished, pale rufo-testaceous, dorsal surface sparsely

set with long, erect, tactile setae. Head just discernably less pale

than body, oval, temporal angles broadly rounded and indefinitely

defined; ratio of width of head measured just behind eyes to

width of pronotum closely approximating 1:0.9. Pronotum with

anterior lobe rounding and widest about middle; ratio of width to

length ranging from 1:1.37 to 1:1.66. Elytra of same ground color

as pronotum; setae always present, fine recumbent hairs lacking;

humeri with or without dark marking; brown to black fasciae just

before middle not at all or widely interrupted at suture, extending

to or widely removed from apex; sides rounding, widest near

middle; profile convex, slightly raised above level of pronotum,

slightly flattened behind humeri; humeri obtuse and sharply round¬

ing; ratio of width to length ranging from 1:1.4 to 1:1.7. Under¬

surface of thorax light piceous; posterior margin of anterior coxal

floor produced behind in acute cusp projecting to edge or beyond

edge of lateral lobes. Penultimate metatarsal segment short and

bilobed with ultimate segment inserted before middle. Abdomen

identical in color to rest of undersurface. Length of male: 2.1 mm.

to 2.7 mm.; width: 0.7 mm. to 0.9 mm.; length of female: 2.1 mm.

to 2.7 mm.; width: 0.8 mm. to 1.0 mm.

Formicilla scitula scitula (LeConte)

Anthicus scitula LeConte, 1852, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 6:94.

Formicus scitula LeConte, 1861, Class. Coleopt., Part I, Smithson.

Misc. Col., 3:266.

Formicilla scitula (LeConte), Pic, 1911, Junk Coleopt. Cat., pars

36, p. 22.

Humeri without maculation; median fasciae separated by space

equal to half width of elytron; posterior band narrower than space

between it and apex, barely interrupted at suture.

Type locality —South Carolina. No other recorded distribution.

New records —St. Simons Island, Georgia, July 12, 1931 (C. A.

Frost); Tybee Island, Georgia, June 20 (H. W. Wenzel).

Formicilla scitula evanescens Casey, new status

Formicilla evanescens Casey, 1895, Ann. New York Acad. Sci.,

8:646; Pic, 1911, Junk Coleopt. Cat., pars 36, p. 22.

Formicilla scitula, Casey (nec LeConte), 1895, Ann. New York

Acad. Sci., 8:644.

Humeri with or without dark markings; median fasciae con¬

tiguous at suture or separated by space equal to less than half

July, 1950 ]

BEAL—FORMICILLA

129

width of elytron; posterior band wide, as wide or wider than space

between it and apex and often enveloping apex, interrupted at

suture or not, sometimes confluent with median band.

Type locality —Austin, Texas.

Recorded distribution —Sebastian River, Florida.

New records —Brownsville, Texas, Sept., 1942 (E. S. Ross);

Del Rio, Texas, July 23, 1924 (Wickham); Fedor, Texas (Birk-

man); Houston, Texas (Wickham); Corpus Christi, Texas, Oct.

20, 1905, April 13, 1906 (F. C. Pratt); Columbus, Texas, (Hub¬

bard and Schwarz); Hidalgo, Texas, Sept. 2, 1940 (B. C. House);

Roxie, Miss., Sept. 16, 1908 (W. D. Pierce); Maudeville, La.,

(H. Soltau); Shreveport, La., Sept. 14, 1908 (E. S. Tucker) and

April 13, 1937 (Anderson); Peach Co., Ga., Nov. 19, 1937 (Tur¬

ner) ; Jasper Co., Ga., July 25, 1936; Experiment, Ga., Nov. 10,

1935 (T. L. Bissell); Capron, Florida (Hubbard and Schwarz).

In his redescription of scilula Casey evidently had before him

specimens from Florida only, which, although tending to be some¬

what lighter in color than the Texas form, are closer to it than

to the form originally described by LeConte from South Carolina.

Perhaps other subspecies of scitula should be recognized than

those here described, but present collections are not extensive

enough to afford their determination.

Species Described but Unrecognized

Formicilla punctata Pic, 1904, Ann. Mus. Zool. St. Petersb., 9:491;

Pic, 1911, Junk Coleopt. Cat., pars 36, p. 22.

I feel reasonably certain that punctata, said to be distinguished

by large serial punctures of the elytra, especially on the disc, will

prove, upon examination of the type, to be a synonym of one of

our described species. The locality given by Pic is “Etats-Unis:

Obisop (ex Motschulsky).” Since good diagnostic characters are

not mentioned in the description, its systematic position must

remain in doubt.

Bibliography

Blackwelder, R. E.

1945. Checklist of the coleopterous insects of Mexico, Central

America, the West Indies, and South America, Part 3. Smith-

son. Inst., U.S.N.M. Bui. 185, pp. 432-435.

Casey, Thomas L.

1895. Coleopterological Notices VI, “Anthicidae.” Ann. New

York Acad. Sci., 8:624-809.

130

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

Champion, George C.

1890. Fam. Anthicidae. In: Biologia Centrali-Americana. In-

secta, Coleoptera, Heteromera (Part), 4(2) : 190-250 and plates

9-10.

Fall, H. C.

1901. List of the Coleoptera of Southern California. Occ. Papers

of the Calif. Acad. Sci., 8:1-282.

LeConte, John L.

1851. Descriptions of new species of Coleoptera from California.

Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. New York, 5:125-216.

1852. Syn. of the Anthieites of the United States. Proc. Acad.

Nat. Sci., Phila. 6:91-104.

1861. Classification of Coleoptera, Part I, Smithson. Misc. Col.,

3:1-285.

LeConte, John L. and Horn, George H.

1883. Classification of the Coleoptera of North America. Smith-

son. Misc. Col., 26(507) :xxxviii+1-568.

Pic, Maurice

1904. Notes sur diverses especes d’Anthicides. Annuaire du

Musee Zoologique de 1’Acad. Imp. St. Petersb., 9:490-494.

1911. Anthicidae. In Junk, Sehenkling, Coleopterorum Cata-

logus, Berlin, pars 36, pp. 1-102.

A NEW NITELA FROM CALIFORNIA

(Hymenoptera, Sphecidae)

BY KARL V. KROMBEIN

Arlington, Virginia

The present species, the first known from the United States

from west of the Mississippi River, is described at this time so

that the name will be available for inclusion in the forthcoming

synoptic catalog of North American Hymenoptera.

Nitela townesorum 1 Krombein, new species

Female. Body length 4.3 mm., forewing 3.1 mm. Mandible ex¬

cept base, tegula, trochanters and tarsi, ferruginous; palpi and

tibial spurs testaceous. Pubescence inconspicuous, short, pale and

sparse. Wings hyaline, stigma dark brown, venation lighter brown.

Head opaque, the front with numerous small punctures, the

interspaces finely lineolate, temples finely lineolate; clypeal lobe

obliquely angulate laterally; median carina of clypeus low, termi-

1 I take pleasure in naming this species for its collectors, Henry, Marjorie,

George, David and Jean Townes.

July, 1950 ]

KROMBEIN—NITELA

131

nating apically in a polished, impunctate triangular bevel and bas-

ally at the base of clypeus; front not at all gibbous in lateral view,

the frontal carina evanescent, its location indicated by a short pol¬

ished streak; interocular distance at upper level of antennal scrobes

1.86 the shortest interocular distance on vertex; distance between in¬

ner margins of antennal scrobes 1.5 the distance between outer mar¬

gin of antennal scrobe and lower inner angle of compound eye; post-

ocellar distance 2.5 the oeelloeular distance; eyes with very fine

hairs; length of malar space 0.5 the distance between outer margin

of antennal scrobe and lower inner angle of compound eye.

Thorax subopaque dorsally, subopaque to shining laterally, the

propodeum shining; pronotum with fine transverse rugulae, with¬

out a transverse carina, posteriorly with a shallow ill-defined sul¬

cus which is not foveolate; mesonotum punctured similarly to

front, the lateral and posterior margins weakly foveolate; anterior

margin of scutellum foveolate; mesopleuron sculptured similarly

to cerasicola; dorsum of propodeum regularly reticulate, the mesh

finer than in cerasicola ,

Forewing with recurrent and transverse cubital veins inter¬

stitial, submarginal cell rectangular.

Abdomen shining, with very sparse, fine scattered punctures.

Male. Unknown.

Type: 9 ; near Glacier Point, Yosemite Park, California,

July 17, 1948 (H., M., G., D. and J. Townes) [Townes Collec¬

tion].

Paratypes: 29 9; same data but July 16, 1948 [Townes and

Krombein Collections]. The paratypes agree in all essential de¬

tails with the above description of the type.

N. townesorum is immediately distinguished from the other

Nearctic species by having the recurrent and transverse cubital

veins interstitial. It agrees with cerasicola Pate and floridana

Pate, and differs from virginiana Rohwer, in having hairy eyes

and a rectangular submarginal cell, and in the lack of a strong

transverse carina on the pronotum and an antero-lateral foveolate

area on the mesonotum. It differs further from floridana and

cerasicola in that the front is not at all protuberant, from cerasi¬

cola in lacking the deep posterior sulcus on the pronotum and

the well-developed frontal carina, and from floridana in the less

strongly converging compound eyes (interocular distance at an¬

tennal scrobes 2.14 the shortest interocular distance on vertex in

floridana ), the foveolate anterior margin of the scutellum and

the longer malar space (length of malar space in floridana one-

third the distance between outer margin of antennal scrobe and

lower inner angle of compound eye).

132

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

NOMENCLATORIAL NOTES ON THE GENUS PEPSIS

(Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

BY PAUL D. HURD, JR.

University of California, Berkeley

During a recent study of the names applied to the genus Pepsis

Fabricius, 1805 (1804) :207, several instances of names requiring

nomenclatorial changes were detected. In order to facilitate the

citation of these names in a forthcoming paper this opportunity is

taken to effect the necessary changes.

Included herein are three cases involving primary homonymy,

one of secondary coexistent homonymy, and one of species mis¬

interpretation.

Pepsis accipitrinus Hurd, nom. nov.

Pepsis accipitrinus Hurd, nomen novum pro Pepsis fuscipennis

Smith, 1873:50, $, nec Pepsis fuscipennis Fabricius, 1805

(1804):210.

Pepsis atricoma Hurd, nom. nov.

Pepsis atricoma Hurd, nomen novum pro Pepsis fusca Lucas,

1895:788, $, plate 33, figure 181, nec Pepsis fusca (Christ),

1791:256.

On page 788 of his monograph Lucas described a “variety”

of nessus Lucas, 1895:787, as fusca and indicated by reference to

page 711 and also on page 811 its affinities with Pepsis guatemal-

ensis Cameron, 1893:216. Brethes, 1914:255, in his “Tableau

Dichotomique des Pepsis” has accorded fusca of Lucas full spe¬

cific rank which places it in homonymy with Pepsis fusca

(Christ), 1791:256 which has been shown to be a member of the

genus Pepsis by Kohl [in lift.] to Dalla Torre, 1897:254.

Pepsis linsleyi Hurd, nom. nov.

Pepsis linsleyi Hurd, nomen novum pro Pepsis bonariensis Lucas,

1895:754, 755, 760-762, £$, plate 31, figure 81, plate 32,

figure 112, plate 33, figures 205, 215, nec Pepsis bonariensis

Lepeletier, 1845:476, $.

Lucas, under the impression that he had the Lepeletier species,

treated a species from Costa Rica and Mexico (Orizaba) as

July, 1950 ]

HURD—PEPSIS

133

Pepsis bonariensis Lepeletier. However, Brethes, 1914:322-333,

356, has shown that Pepsis bonariensis Lepeletier [from “Buenos-

Ayres”] is not a member of the genus Pepsis, and is referred by

him to the genus Salius . Therefore Pepsis bonariensis of Lucas

is left without a name and is named Pepsis Unsleyi in honor of

Professor E. Gorton Linsley of the University of California who

has been of invaluable assistance in the writer’s studies on the

genus Pepsis.

Pepsis palliata Hurd, nom. nov

Pepsis palliata Hurd, nomen novum pro Pepsis obscura Lepeletier,

1845:490, $ $, nec Pepsis obscura Fabricius, 1805 (1804) :213.

Pepsis somatochlora Hurd, nom. nov .

Pepsis somatochlora Hurd, nomen novum pro Pepsis apicalis Lepel¬

etier, 1845:472, 9, nec Pepsis apicalis Gray, 1832:516. $.

Literature Cited

Brethes, Jean

1914. Contribution a l’etude des Pepsis. Ann. Mus. Nac. Hist.

Nat. Buenos Aires, 26:235-360, plates IX-XI.

Cameron, Peter

1888-1900. Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta. Hymen (Fos-

sores), 2:215-222, plate 12. (Pepsis).

Christ, J. L.

1791. Naturgeschichte, klassification und nomenclatur der in-

sekten vom Bienen-, Wespen-, und Ameisengeschlecht. Frank¬

furt am Main. p. 256.

Dalla Torre, C. G. de

1897. Catalogus Plymenopterorum, 8:246-265. (Pepsis).

Fabricius, J, Chr.

1805(1804). Systema Piezatorum, Brunsvigae, pp. 207-216.

(Pepsis).

Gray, G. R. [in Cuvier, Le Baron]

1832. The animal kingdom arranged in conformity with its or¬

ganization, the class Insecta arranged by Baron Cuvier with

supplementary additions to each order [by Edward Griffith and

others]. London, vol. 15, Insecta, 2:796pp.

Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, M. le Compte Amedee

1845. Histoire naturelle des insectes. Hymenopteres. Suite a

Buffon. 3:470-492. (Pepsis).

Lucas, Robert

1895. Die Pompiliden-Gattung Pepsis. Berlin, entom. Zeitschr.,

39:449-831, 1 frontispiece, plates XXII-XXXIII.

Smith, Frederick

1873. Descriptions of new species of fossorial Hymenoptera in

the collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser.

4, 12:49-59.

134

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

TWO NEW ORIENTAL PRIONIDS

OF THE GENUS MEGOPIS

(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

BY J. LINSLEY GRESSITT

Lingnan Natural History Survey and Museum

Lingnan University, Canton, China

The following descriptions are based on material from the

Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University and speci¬

mens sent to me by P. S. Nathan from South India. The type material

is deposited in the above institution, as well as the California

Academy of Sciences, the Lingnan Natural History Museum and

the Forest Research Institute of Dehra Dun, U. P., India. I am

indebted to Dr. P. J. Darlington for the loan of material.

Megopis (Aegosoma) mediocostata Gressitt, new species

Male: Dark reddish brown, darker on head and prothorax;

pitchy black on costae, margins, sutures, parts of mandibles and

apices of antennal segments; more reddish on abdomen and dis¬

tinctly reddish on femora. Body very sparsely and briefly clothed

with adpressed tawny hairs, somewhat longer on mesepimera and

adjacent areas; first four antennal segments with fairly short

curved oblique tawny hairs of subequal length on all sides; only

a few scattered hairs on following segments.

Head more than one-half again as long as prothorax and broad¬

er than anterior margin of latter; irregularly granulose, more

coarsely so on antennal tubercles, with a median darkened narrow

smooth line; frontoclypeus impressed; eyes slightly closer above

than antennal insertions, well separated from genal margins;

genae finely punctured; mandibles each sharply notched beyond

middle of external margin, nearly forming an accessory tooth.

Antennae slightly longer than body; scape stout, densely rugose-

punctate; third segment slightly arched, slender, densely granu¬

lose, a little longer than next three segments combined; fourth

granulose, finely punctured at apex, as long as next two combined;

fifth to last finely punctured, flattened and carinate externally.

Prothorax nearly twice as broad as long (including tubercles),

irregularly granulose, emarginate at middle of apex; each side

with an acute tubercle at middle and with lateral margin distinct

July, 1950]

GRESSITT-MEGOPIS

135

posteriorly, though without a prominent basal angle, and obsolete

anteriorly; disc concave in center and with three swellings at each

side, arranged obliquely. Scutellum short and subrounded. Elytra

distinctly narrowed posteriorly, finely granulose, minutely so pos¬

teriorly, subrounded apically; disc of each with two shiny raised

costae; first extending only for a basal quarter, second extending

from near end of basal fifth to a short distance from apex, ending

suddenly, strongly raised except near its basal end. Thoracic sterna

minutely granulose; abdomen micropunctulate; last abdominal

sternite slightly emarginate apically. Legs long and slender;

femora nearly parallel-sided, fully two-thirds as long as abdomen;

last tarsal segment about as long as first three combined. Length

34 mm.; breadth 8.7 mm.

Female: Antennae flattened from apex of fourth segment, sub-

glabrous, nine-tenths as long as body; elytra broad at humeri and

strongly narrowed. Length 49.4 mm.; breadth 13.8 mm.

Holotype, male (in Calif. Acad. Sci.), Anaimalai Hills, at

1300 meters, S. Madras, S. India, June 28, 1946, P. S. Nathan;

allotopotype, female (in Forest Research Institute), and paratype

(in Lingnan N. H. Mus.), same data.

Differs from M. ( Aegosoma ) cingalensis (White) in being

larger, less parallel-sided, darker, with the prothorax much less

hairy, more tuberculate at middle of each side and less tubercu-

late at basal angles and more finely and densely granulose, and

the elytra impunctate, densely granulose and with much abbre¬

viated first costa and very strongly raised second costa.

Megopis (Aegolipton) piliventris Gressitt, new species

Male: Ochraceous; head and prothorax darker, pitchy; elytra

testaceous except for ochraceous bases, costae and sutural margins

and blackish outer margins; antennae pitchy basally, becoming

reddish from apex of third segment; legs slightly reddish ochra¬

ceous. Body clothed with fine erect pale golden tawny hairs except

for glabrous elytra.

Head one-half again as long as, and distinctly narrower than,

pro thorax, distinctly granulose, sparsely or irregularly punctured

behind eyes and on genae, subrugose beneath, with a fine smooth

median line on dorsum; frons and vertex each transversely rounded

-concave; clypeus emarginate apically, making labrum subellip¬

tical; eyes distinctly closer above than antennal insertions, widely

separated from genal margins, distant beneath; mandibles each

with an inner basal emargination, forming a posteriorly delimited

tooth. Antennae eighth-ninths as long as body, not very stout,

fringed beneath to about seventh segment; scape gradually but

136

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

sub-irregularly thickened, granulose; third segment as long as next

three combined, granulose-punctate, more feebly so distally; fourth

to sixth rather smooth with a few shallow punctures; seventh to

last irregularly sculptured or rugose-punctate; last superficially

divided and with a group of short erect hairs at apex. Prothorax

more than one-half again as broad as long; each side with lateral

margin well defined and bearing three teeth; median and posterior

teeth more pronounced and acute; disc subeven, granulose to ru¬

gose at sides and shallowly punctured in center. Seutellum rounded

behind, finely punctured. Elytra somewhat narrowed posteriorly,

subrounded apically; disc of each covered with low granules and

bearing four low costae, the outer two very indistinct, the inner

two uniting at beginning of apical fifth, then separating again

immediately with inner branch going towards suture obliquely,

and outer branch apparently fusing with third. Ventral surfaces

finely punctured, more sparsely so on abdomen. Legs flattened;

hind femora about one-half as long as abdomen; last hind tarsal

segment not quite as long as first three combined. Length 43 mm.;

breadth 10.3 mm.

Female: Inner notch of mandible not evident; antennae three-

fourths as long as body, basal segments with a few scattered hairs

beneath; prothorax with lateral teeth longer and more slender;

elytra with first two costae not united, but with a suggestion of

a transverse connection; fifth abdominal sternite deeply and ob¬

tusely emarginate apically. Lenth 46.8 mm.; breadth 12.7 mm.

Holotype, male (in Museum of Comparative Zoology), Mt.

Angka, at 2150 meters, Siam, March, 1933, Asiatic Primate Ex¬

pedition; allotopotype, female (in Lingnan N. H. Mus.), same

data.

Differs from M. ( Aegolipton ) marginalis (Fabr.) in being

larger, more even and flattened above, paler, with shorter and

smoother antennae, distinctly toothed prothorax and longer elytra.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY

The ninth International Congress of Entomology will be held

at Amsterdam, The Netherlands from August 17 to 24,1951. Those

who are planning to attend should obtain from the Secretariat of

the IXth International Congress of Entomology, 136 Rapenburger-

straat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands a preliminary application for

membership in order to insure the receipt of all circulars concern¬

ing the Congress.— Paul D. Hurd, Jr.

July, 1950]

ADAMS-OLIARCES CLARA

137

NOTES ON OLIARCES CLARA BANKS 1

(Neuroptera, Ithonidae)

BY PHILIP A. ADAMS

University of California, Berkeley

This handsome insect, the only representative of its family

known to occur in the Western Hemisphere, was described by

Banks from a single male specimen collected at Walter’s Station,

California. 2 Since that time there have been no other recorded

captures of the species. Mr. C. D. MacNeill has kindly presented

me with a female which he took at light, three miles southwest of

Parker Dam, San Bernardino County, California, on May 25,

1949. It agrees well with Banks’ description, to which the follow¬

ing additions can be made:

Alara expanse, 44 mm.; length to tip of abdomen, 18 mm. Anten¬

nae fuscous, 9 mm. long. In the forewing the posterior branch of

the media does not unite with the cubitus, but runs parallel to

the anterior branch for a distance, and then forks; four branch-

lets running to hind margin of wing. Anterior branch of cubitus

also with four branchlets to hind margin. Eighth, ninth, and tenth

abdominal segments dark brown, more heavily sclerotized than

others. Seventh sternite produced behind to an obtuse, heavily

sclerotized point. Ninth segment with a deep longitudinal invagi¬

nation, short dorsally, produced posteriad beneath to support the

sand-plow, or “Psammorotrum.” Psammorotrum small, slender,

erect, fitting tightly against posteroventral surface of tenth seg¬

ment, bearing a short tactile appendage on each side of apex. Tenth

segment obtusely conical, flattened above.

Dr. Banks’ specimen has the posterior branch of the media in

the fore-wing fused to the anterior branch of the cubitus. Varia¬

tion in the wing venation of the Neuroptera is often great, and

could easily account for the difference between the two specimens.

In all other respects the venation of the specimens before me

checks with the description of the other. Neither specimen has

the media and cubitus fused in the hind wings.

The insect undoubtedly oviposits under the surface of the sand,

as do the Australian species, 3 although the hard points on the

*Ent. News 19, 1908, pp. 203, 204, fig.

2 Location unknown.

“Tillyard, R. J., Proc. Linnaean Soc. of New South Wales, 44:427, 1919.

138

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

seventh and tenth abdominal segments, together with the small,

appressed psammorotrum, indicate an ability to oviposit in some¬

what harder ground. The flight is swift and moth-like.

BRISTLE DENSITY OF THE FIFTH ABDOMINAL

STERNITE OF TWO HOUSE FLY STRAINS

(Diptera: Muscidae)

BY LAWRENCE L. LEWALLEN

University of California, Riverside

A comparison of the average number of bristles on the fifth

abdominal sternite of a house fly strain from California and a

strain from Illinois has disclosed that the Illinois strain has a

higher number of bristles per sternite. The two strains under

consideration are the laboratory strain from the University of

California and the Hyman strain (chlordane-resistant) which was

originally obtained from the University of Illinois.

The fifth abdominal sternite of one hundred female house flies

of each strain and fifty male house flies of each strain was exam¬

ined to obtain the averages. The California females averaged 42

bristles per sternite, whereas the Illinois females averaged 49

bristles per sternite. California males averaged 82 bristles per

sternite and Illinois males averaged 89 bristles per sternite.

In computing the averages, some overlapping of figures oc¬

curred in the original data; therefore it would not be practicable

to identify either strain merely by counting the bristles on the

fifth abdominal sternite. However, it is interesting to note that

when a series is examined, differences in the averages are evident.

July, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliidae

139

TAXONOMIC NOTES ON SOME SMALLER BOMBYLIIDAE

(Diptera)

BY A. L. MELANDER 1

The arid Southwest is especially favored with Bombyliidae.

The larger and conspicuous species have found their way into

museums and collections, but many of the smaller species have

been overlooked. Not less fascinating, the small forms deserve

attention, and would be better understood were dipterists as num¬

erous as their colleagues, the collectors of beetles and butterflies.

In reviewing the smaller Bombyliidae of my collection I have

brought together various notes and descriptions which deserve

publication. The outcome of this study is presented herewith, and

its importance is indicated by the announcement of the extension

of two palaearctic genera, Platypygus and Heterotropus, to Amer¬

ica, the suppression of the Old World genus Alloxytropus as a

complete synonym of our Prorates, the inclusion of keys to sev¬

eral genera, and descriptions of thirteen new species and one

new genus. The collection of Bombyliidae at the Citrus Experi¬

ment Station of the University of California, at Riverside, has

been of service in furnishing data on many of these flies.

Mythicomyiinae and Cyrtosiinae

There are a few Bombyliidae which have a single submarginal

cell because the third vein is not forked. These genera are stymied

in Curran’s Manual at couplet 31, page 197, where provision is

made only for the forms having two or three submarginal cells.

The genera with reduced venation may be keyed thus:

31. One submarginal cell; anal cell open (only exceptionally closed

and petiolate) .a

a. Second vein short, ending in first vein, or imperfect, or want¬

ing (Mythicomyiinae)..b

— Second vein ending in costa well beyond first vein (Cyrtosi¬

inae) ; discal cell complete . Platypygus Loew

’Research Associate, University of California at Riverside. Paper No. 632, Uni¬

versity of California, Citrus Experiment Station, Riverside, California.

140

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

b. Discal cell imperfect .....c

— Discal cell complete.. Mythiconnyia Coquillett

c. Discal cell confluent with the large second basal cell.

... Glabellula Bezzi

— Discal cell confluent with the third posterior cell.

.. Empidideicus Becker

Platypygus americanus Melander, new species

Length 3.5 mm.—A greatly hunchbacked, plump, quite bare,

yellow species, with unforked third vein, complete discal and open

anal cells. Head in profile longer than high, occiput convex with

the lower angles rectangular to enclose the deep mouth opening,

lower side of head nearly straight but evenly rounding opposite

the proboscis into the prominent anterior mouth cavity which in

profile is at a right angle to the face; antennae midway between

front ocellus and oral margin, face and front in same plane, face

convex from side to side, front quadrate, slightly depressed along

middle; eyes obliquely oval, widely separated, minutely indented

above antennae, ocelli at vertex; proboscis uniformly thick, straight,

porrect, shorter than head; basal antennal joints very small, equal,

third joint longer than basal two together, pyriform, with a thick

cylindrical style almost as long as the joint and tipped with a

microscopic seta. Abdomen about equal to the thorax, stout, last

sternite globular and enveloping the genitalia. Legs without

bristles. Costa thinning at wing tip beyond third vein, ambient

vein thin, second vein ending midway between first and third

veins, anterior crossvein just before middle of discal cell.

Wholly yellow except the black third joint of the antennae, the

blackish occiput and small supra-antennal spot, and the dark brown

strong wing veins. The lower occipital angles are yellow. Face,

front, base of antennae, mouth cavity, scutellum, legs and halteres

flavous; mesonotum opaque, marked -with three incomplete broad

vittae of reddish-yellow tone, the middle one abbreviated in front

of scutellum, the lateral ones not reaching the humeri; remainder

of body largely luteous; pleurae and abdomen shining; pubescence

yellow.

Holotype: Mountain Home Canyon, on west slope of San

Bernardino Mountain, California, June 3, 1946. The specimen

is probably a female.

This is the first report of the occurrence of this palaerctic genus

in America. While the sides of the mouth cavity are prominent

they do not project so strongly as to come in the sub genus Cyrti-

siopsis Seguy.

July, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliidae

141

Empidideicus flavifrons Melander, new species

Second vein vestigial, no marginal cell, basal cells coextensive,

veins largely thin and pale; legs yellow except the broad last tarsal

joint; front, face, base of antennae, sides of notum broadly, much

of pleurae and hind margins of abdomen yellow, more extensively

so in the female; occiput, disk of thorax, scutellum and base of

abdominal segments black, vestiture pale.

Front one-half wider at ocelli than at antennae, face half as

long as front, anterior ocellus in advance of the others; facets

uniform; third antennal joint pyriform, the thickened style half

as long as the third joint; proboscis projecting half the head-

height. Yellow of sides of notum broadened beside the humeri, a

short dark line immediately above root of wing; pleurae centrally

darkened, a yellow spot above front coxae and another in front of

halteres. Yellow of abdominal segments increasing posteriorly;

genitalia brown. Last joint of front tarsi forming a circular flat

disk, claws black. Posterior cells 1—3 of equal extent along margin,

petiole of fourth vein three-fourths length of intercalary vein,

anal lobe wider than anal cell; halteres wholly ivory.

Two males, one female: Palmdale, California, March 27, 1947.

The species is readily recognizable by its completely yellow front.

In the Annals of the Entomological Society of America, vol.

39, p. 455 (1946) I announced the occurrence of this palaearctic

genus in California and Arizona and described three species.

Glabellula Bezzi

Glabellula arctica Zetterstedt has had a complicated generic

history, successively appearing as Platygaster Zetterstedt (preoc¬

cupied, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera), Sphaerogaster Zetterstedt

(preoccupied, Coleoptera), Glabella Loew (preoccupied, Mollus-

ca) and Glabellula Bezzi. This little black hunchbacked fly is rare

in collections and is found through Northern Europe and Siberia.

What seems almost certain to be the same was described by C. T.

Greene as Pachyneres crassicornis, from specimens from the Dis¬

trict of Columbia, Pennsylvania and Manitoba. The American

specimens have the legs black, the true arcticas have the knees and

tarsi brown. The palaearctic fauna has two partly yellow species

of Glabellula (femorata Loew, Turkestan, and nobilis Kertesz,

Asia Minor) and a wholly black species ( unicolor Strobl, Alps,

which may be arctica with black halteres); and Malloch has de¬

scribed australis from the Philippines.

Glabellula is related to Mythicomyia, differing mainly in that

the discal cell is confluent with the large second basal cell and

142

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO, 3

the fifth vein arises directly from the anal ceil without the angu¬

lation normally to be found at the base of the discal cell. While I

have collected thousands of specimens and many diverse species

of Mythicomyia^ in fifty years of collecting I have found only 19

individuals of Glabellula. These specimens are closely alike yet

probably represent six not easily differentiated species. The flies

measure one to two millimeters in length, are chunky, with flat¬

tened abdomen, black in color, the thorax more or less yellowish

at the sides, with only microscopic pubescence, the legs short and

antennae stubby. Like Mythicomyia they frequent flowers. The

distinctions for the American species are given in the following

table.

Key to the Species of Glabellula

1. Notum polished, pleurae, coxae and femora shining, sides of

notum narrowly yellow along notopleural suture, legs black,

front and face black or brownish, abdomen wholly black, an¬

tennal style thick, its diameter one-fourth the third joint;

length 2 mm. (D. C., Penn., Mont,, Ida., Manitoba).....

................ crassicornis Greene

- Notum, upper pleurae, coxae and femora subshining, knees

and tarsi more or less brown, front and face bright to dull

yellow, sides of thorax usually more broadly yellow along

notopleural suture, expanding upward along transverse suture

...... ....2

2. Third antennal joint rotund, the style less than half as long as

the joint, second vein meeting first to form a small but distinct

triangular marginal cell ....-.-.--®

— Third antennal joint pyriform, about twice as long as deep, the

style about half as long and one-third as thick as the third

joint, second vein arising proximally so that the marginal cell

is virtually crowded out, metatarsi yellow, abdomen wholly

black; length X mm. (Cal.)... ..metatarsalts Melander

3. Wings shortened, with semicircular apex, anal and posterior

„ veins almost as strong as anterior veins, head black, abdomen

wholly black, length 1.5 mm. (Cal.). rotundipennis Melander

- Wings with parabolic apex, posterior veins weak and trans¬

lucent .........4

4. Antennal style one-fourth as thick and nearly one-half as long

as third joint, abdomen subopaque black; length 1.24 mm.

(Cal.) .... .....pumila Melander

— Antennal style thin, one-sixth as thick and much less than one-

half as long as third joint; abdominal segments with more or

less evident yellowish hind margins .

July, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliidae

143

5. Yellow of hind margins of abdominal segments somewhat tri-

angularly widened laterally, abdomen dull. (Mont., Ida., Wash.)

..... fasciata Melander

- Hind margins uniformly and narrowly yellow, abdomen shining

(Cal.) .... nanella Melander

Glabellula fasciata Melander, new species

Male. Length 1.2 mm. Depressed yellow part of front reaching

almost to anterior ocellus, with central black spot; face yellow al¬

most to oral margin; proboscis slightly projecting; third antennal

joint rounded oblong, one-fifth longer than deep, style about one-

fourth as long as third joint. Humeri, spot at transverse suture

and posterior calli light yellow; upper pleurae mostly yellow. Sixth

and seventh tergites tipped with uniform yellow margin, segments

two to five marked only with yellow lateral triangles progressively

increasing in size. Legs blackish, knees narrowly brownish. Wings

hyaline, anterior veins dark brown, other veins translucent; knob

of halteres yellowish.

Female. Sides of mesonotum widely yellow, mesopleura with

large diamond-shaped yellow mark, humeral mark extending down

to front coxae and back along upper pleurae to below wing. Yel¬

low lateral marks of abdomen larger than in male, those of fifth

segment meeting.

Holotype and allotype: Blewett Pass, Cascade Mountains,

Washington, July 17, 1920. Seven paratypes: with the types;

Kamiac Butte near Pullman, Washington, July 25, 1914; Moscow

Mountain, Idaho, July 13, 1907 and Saltese, Montana, August

22, 1916.

Glabellula metatarsalis Melander, new species

Female. Length 1 mm. Front yellow almost to anterior ocellus

but with a round black supra-antennal spot, face yellow to the black

cheeks, carinate, half as wide as the front; antennae longer than

in the other species, style one-third as thick as last joint; pro¬

boscis scarcely protruding. The short pubescence of notum, scutel-

lum and abdomen white, notum shining black, humeri and posterior

calli light yellow, notopleural suture dull yellowish, encroaching

on transverse suture and on pleurae; pleurae mostly black, an oval

yellow spot over front coxae and an irregular line over the others.

Abdomen wholly black. Legs black, apex of femora fuscous, meta¬

tarsi yellow. Wings hyaline, apically semicircular, anterior veins

brown, others translucent; halteres white, the stalk dull yellowish.

Holotype: Borego, California, April 3, 1946. Paratype:

Palm Springs, California, April 3, 1925, on mesquite, P. H. Tim-

berlake, collector, in Citrus Experiment Station.

144

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

Glabellula nanella Melander, new species

Male. Length 1.25 mm. Depressed area of front three times as

wide as high, not attaining front ocellus, yellow, with a round

black supra-antennal spot, face yellow on upper two-thirds; pro¬

boscis scarcely projecting; third antennal joint rotund, style one-

fifth as long and one-sixth as wide as third joint. Humeri, lateral

spot at transverse suture and postalar calli pale yellow; humeral

spot extending down on pleurae to base of front coxae and hori¬

zontally to root of wing, a horizontal yellow line across top of star

nopleura. Hairs of abdomen brownish, venter black. Legs black,

knees yellowish extending on both femora and tibiae, hind meta-

tais,i biown. Wings hyaline, anterior veins blackish, posterior veins

thin and translucent, marginal cell very small, twice as long as

its greatest width, apex of wing almost semicircular.

ffolotype: Camp Angelus, on the west side of San Bernar¬

dino Mountain, California, elevation 5800 feet, May 26, 1947.

A cuished specimen from the South Forks of the Santa Ana River,

about eleven miles east of Camp Angelus, elevation 6250 feet,

June 19, 1915, is probably the same, but the incisures of the shin¬

ing abdomen do not show yellow.

Glabellula pumila Melander, new species

Mah. Length 1.25 mm. Depressed area of front twice as wide as

ong, cull yellow, with a round median black spot, upper half of

tace dull yellow; proboscis scarcely projecting; third antennal

join Co cu ar, style relatively stout. Humeri, postalar calli and

connec mg line yellowish, notal pubescence short and grayish,

^ e ^f ae f ne ,^ COa ^ e d except center of sternopleura, the yellowish

a. o Pleurae vague. Abdomen almost completely black, only

tirnTr/! Ic ^ti°n of pale hind margins at the sides. Knees and

v • 1 p a . ar ^ roWT b rest of legs black. Wings hyaline, anterior

j ., ac * s ’ P° st erior veins thin, pedicel of third vein (i. e.

tprin 16 ° ™ ar ip n al cell) half as long as following section, pos-

same as anterior crossvein, apex of wing

ffolotype. Mill Creek in the San Bernardino Mountains,

aueornu, at elevation 6000 feet, July 18, 1947, on Rhamnus

nica, co lected by P. H. Timberlake, in collection of Citrus

j,7- 7 i*T* 0n ! knowledge of the extent of variabil-

, f of U ° ^*' S s P ec ' men given species rank. The dimen-

stant i° ,t, e antennal st y le and third joint seem to be fairly con¬

i' e eenus and in this instance set pumila apart from its

nearest relatives, nanella and jasciata.

(Continued)

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ERIC M. FISHER

Vol. XXVI October, 1950

No. 4

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Published by the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society

in cooperation with

The California Academy of Sciences

CONTENTS

MELANDER, TAXONOMIC NOTES ON SOME SMALLER BOMBYLIIDAE.... 145

MALKIN, NOTES ON CERTAIN MEXICAN COCCINELLIDAE. 156

BROOKMAN & REEVES, A NEW NAME FOR A CALIFORNIA

MOSQUITO....... 159

ABBOTT, PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY MIGRATION... 161

HOBBS, CLASSIFICATION AND BIOLOGY OF TORYMUS. 173

THURMAN & JOHNSON, TAXONOMIC CHARACTERS OF

CULISETA LARVAE ......_..... 179

COTT, A SECONDARY HOMONYM IN THYSANOPTERA..... 187

HAZELTINE, OBSERVATIONS ON FLIGHTS OF PLEOCOMA

CONJUNGENS ....._. 188

ARNAUD, THE GENUS PROCATHAROSIA IN NORTH AMERICA. 190

VAURIE, A WESTERN RACE OF LANGURIA MOZARDI... 191

San Francisco, California

1950

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

EDITORIAL BOARD

E. G. Linsley P. D. Hurd, Jr., H. B. Leech R. L. Usinger

E. S. Ross Co-Editors E. C. Van Dyke

R. C. Miller, Treasurer A. E. Michelbacher, Advertising

Published quarterly In January, April, July, and October with Society Proceed¬

ings appearing in the January number. Papers on the systematic and biological

phases of entomology are favored, including articles up to ten printed pages on

insect taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution.

Manuscripts for publication, proof, and all editorial matters should be addressed

to H. B. Leech at the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San

Francisco 18, Calif., or to P. D. Hurd, Jr., at 112 Agricultural Hall, University of

California, Berkeley 4, Calif. All communications regarding non-receipt of numbers,

changes of address, requests for sample copies, and all financial communications

should be addressed to the treasurer. Dr. R. C. Miller, at the California Academy

of Sciences, San Francisco 18, Calif.

Domestic and foreign subscriptions, $2.60 per year in advance. Price for single

copies, 75 cents. Make checks payable to “Pan-Pacific Entomologist.”

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

FOURTH SERIES

VOLUME XXIV

Contributions Toward a Knowledge of the Insect Fauna of Lower California

1. Introductory Account, by A. E. Michelbacher and E. S. Ross, Pp. 1-20, pis. 1-3

February. 1942 ......$0.25

2. Coleoptera: Ccrambycidae, by E. Gorton Linsley, Pp. 21-96, pis. 4-5. Feb,, 1942.75

3. Coleoptera: Bupretstidae, by Edwin C. Van Dyke. Pp. 97-132, ph. 6-7. Mar., 1942— .35

4. Neuroplera : Myrmeleonidae, by Nathan Banks. Pp. 133-152, pi. 8. March, 1942.20

5. Symphyla, by A. E. Michelbacher. Pp. 153-160, pi. 9. March, 1942.15

6. Diptera; Culicidae, by Thomas H. G. Ailken. Pp. 161-170. June, 1942...20

7. Coleoptera: Tenebtionidae, by Frank E. BlaisdeJl, Sr. Pp. 171-288, pis. 10, 11. 1.50

8. Lepidoplera: Rhopalocera, by F. H. Rindge, Pp. 289-312, 1948. 50

9. Hymenoplera: Eiuneninae, by R. M. Bohart, Pp. 313-336, 1948.50

10. Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, by L. W. Saylor, Pp. 337-374, 1948.—.....75

11. Coleoptera: Haliplidae, DytiBcidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrophilidae,

Limnebiidae, by H. B. Lcecb, Pp. 375-484, 1948. 2.50

12. Coleoptera: Cleridae, by W. F. Barr, Pp. 485-519, 1950.65

Order from CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, SAN FRANCISCO 18, CALIFORNIA

BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE

Arrangements have been made for completing vol. 1, and for the publication

of volumes 2 (applications in regard to nomenclatural problems), 3 (documents

considered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature at Paris,

1948), 4 (Official Record of the International Commission at Paris), and 5 (Of¬

ficial Record of the section on Nomenclature of the thirteenth International

Congress of Zoology at Paris, 1948).

All inquiries regarding publications should be addressed to: International

Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, 41 Queen’s Gate, London, S. W. 7, England.

Entered as second class matter, February 10, 1925, at the post office at San Fran,

cisco, under act of August 24, 1912.

Xhe Pan-Pacific Entomologist

VOL. XXVI, No. 4

October, 1950

TAXONOMIC NOTES ON SOME SMALLER BOMBYLIIDAE

(Diptera)

BY A. L. MELANDER 1

(Continued from last issue, p. 144)

Glabellula rotundipennis Melander, new species

Male. Length 1.3 mm. Depressed part of front dull brownish,

face black; third antennal joint oval, one-fourth longer than deep,

style short and thick, one-half longer than wide and one-fourth

as long as third joint; proboscis slightly projecting. Humeri, nar¬

row notopleural suture and posterior calli yellow; pleurae with an

irregular inconspicuous yellow median line. Abdomen altogether

black, opaque, its hairs black. Legs black, apex of femora slightly

brownish. Wings lightly infuscated, veins blackish; halteres dull

yellowish, the stalk brown.

Holotype: South Forks of Santa Ana River, San Bernardino

Mountains, California, at elevation 6250 feet, June 18, 1945.

A female from Camp Baldy, San Gabriel Mountains, California,

July 1, 1945, has the hind margin of the seventh abdominal seg¬

ment narrowly yellow.

Prorates Melander

Syn.: Alloxytropus Bezzi, Bull. Soc. Roy. Entom. Egypte, 1924:

186 (1925).

In Entomological News, 1906, p. 372, I erected the genus

Prorates for a small species, claripennis , from New Mexico, plac¬

ing it in the subfamily Hybotinae of the Empididae. Reviewing

the genus in Genera Insectorum, fasc. 185: 376 (1927) I trans¬

ferred it to the Bombyliidae within the subfamily Heterotropinae.

The Bombyliid genus Alloxytropus Bezzi, known from two

Egyptian species, is the same as Prorates. Efflatoun has published

lengthy and well illustrated descriptions of the palaearctic species

(Bull. Soc. Fouad l er Entom. 1945). His specimens were taken in

the heat of early afternoon as they hovered slowly.

146

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

On May 3 and 4, 1945, I took a dozen specimens of P. clari-

pennis inside my automobile while in camp at Palm Canyon in

the Borrego Desert in Southern California. The flies were taken

early in the morning on the windshield and windows as they en¬

deavored to escape from the car, which they had entered for the

night.

Apystomyia Melander, new genus

Eyes of male contiguous from ocelli almost to antennae, not

notched, the facets of upper two-thirds coarse, lower facets abrupt¬

ly minute; front of female very broad above; occiput quite flat;

ocelli of male large, on the elevated vertical triangle; mouth open¬

ing broad and large, obliterating the face, the cheeks wide, eyes

distantly separated below; antennae inserted low on head, basal

joints minute, third joint rotund and compressed, microscopically

pubescent, the apical style csflindrical, blunt, about one-third as

long as the third joint; mouth parts vestigial, fleshy, not project¬

ing. Thorax glistening jet black, with long coarse hairs, scutellar

margin setose; pleurae bare. Abdomen slender, tapering, pilose in

male, not tomentose, pygidium minute, globular, with two small

erect spatulate dorsal palps enclosed by a pair of almost triangular

lateral valves tipped with a few setulae, ventral piece small. Legs

with coarse hairs, almost setose on femora and tibiae, without

tomentum, pulvilli present. Wings very delicate, costa continuing

to fourth vein, first vein chitinized, other veins of male thin and

translucent, anal lobe very large, alulae moderate, third vein

■forked near tip of wing, fourth vein forked, the petiole of second

posterior cell about as long as posterior cross vein, discal cell nar¬

row, elongate, anterior crossvein at basal third, petiole of anal

cell about as long as the arched anal crossvein; calypteres with

nearly straight edge, heavily fringed.

Genotype: A. elinguis Melander, new species, following.

This enigmatical little fly does not seem to be related to any

other genus, and its assignment to the Heterotropinae is made

because it does not conform with any other subfamily or family.

Superficially the neuration is of the same pattern as Prorates ,

that is, the same veins and cells are present, but the proportions

and dimensions of vein sections are so wholly dissimilar that the

resemblance can at best be only coincidental.

Because of the almost complete absence of the ambient vein

the genus will key to the Scenopinidae in Curran’s Manual, etc.,

but it will be recalled that also in Prorates as well as in Caenotus

canus the costa stops near the tip of the wing. Apystomyia has

October, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliidae

147

very delicate neuration, with the fourth vein forked and the anter¬

ior crossvein toward the base of the discal cell, an abundance of

rather stiff pile, and a strong antennal style, all of which charac¬

ters preclude inclusion in the Scenopinidae.

Apystomyia elinguis Melander, new species

Male. Length 3 mm. Black, head and thorax polished, abdomen

and legs subopaque; hairs of head and thorax abundant, rather

stiff and black, of abdomen finer and white. Sides of occiput with

dense coarse pile directed laterally; ocellar triangle with four erect

stiff hairs; the very small front with two projecting long hairs;

hairs of the wide cheeks numerous and less stiff. Hairs of thorax

well separated, but long, erect and rather stiff, denser above

notopleural suture, scutellum with twelve long marginal hairs.

Abdominal hairs long on basal half, becoming shorter eaudally.

Inferior hairs of front femora black, about three times diameter

of the joint, hairs of posterior femora finer and white; front tibiae

with an extensor row of eight hairs; middle tibiae gradually en¬

larging distally, with a subapical stout broad spur underneath, at

base of which the tibia is strongly excised, with ten extensor hairs

and underneath with a closer row of hairs which are small along

the middle, the last one a stout seta; hind tibiae with a double

row of extensor hairs, the anterior ones black, the posterior row

white, no hairs beneath; last third of middle metatarsi strongly

capitate; basal half of hind metatarsi and all of third and fourth

joints white. Wings milky translucent, root black, costa and first,

second and third veins mostly brownish though thin, other veins

translucent whitish, third vein forked just before end of second

vein, the branch only slightly arched and two-thirds as long as

last section; alula with long white fringe, calypteres black an¬

teriorly, white behind, the fringe long and white; halteres wholly

full black.

Female. Occiput without the lateral bunches of hairs; hairs of

thorax less abundant, six scutellar bristles; abdomen quite bare;

hairs of legs inconspicuous, all black, middle legs normal, hind

tarsi wholly black. Wings subhyaline, not milky, posterior veins

more or less like anterior.

Holotype and allotype: Wrightwood, on the north slope of San

Gabriel Mountains, California, May 24, 1945. The specimens

were discovered in sweepings from vegetation along the small

stream which later disappears in Sheep Creek Canyon. Paratypes:

Five males, six females: with the types, and Sheep Creek Canyon,

same day; Camp Angelus and Sugarloaf Mountain in the San

Bernardino Mountains, May to July; and near Keene Camp on

Mount San Jacinto, June 7, 1942. The specimens from Sugarloaf

148

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Mountain were found along the overflow from a small spring at

elevation about 7000 feet. The species seems to be subalpine and

attracted to moisture.

Apystomyia, Greek, literally, a fly of which nothing is known;

elinguis, Latin, without a tongue.

Caenotus Cole

The genus Caenotus was originally placed in the Therevidae,

from which family it differs in the lack of bristles, the short an¬

tennae, and in having the second basal cell pointed distally, with¬

out being blunted by the characteristic “small crossvein.” Cole

described two closely related species, inornatus with four posterior

veins and minutus with three veins from the discal cell. Both

species were taken at Alamogordo, New Mexico, with Prorates

claripennis at Highrolls, near by.

In the Genera Insectorum, fasc. 185: 376 (1927) I transferred

Caenotus to the Bombyliidae, where it can be placed in the sub¬

family Heterotropinae. Caenotus minutus and the following new

species key to the Bombyliidae in Curran’s Manual, but inornatus ,

because of its five posterior cells, leads to the Therevidae.

Key to the Species of Caenotus

1. Discal cell emitting four posterior veins; hind tibiae yellow¬

ish; male genitalia wholly luteous. (N. Mex.) ....inornatus Cole

- Discal cell emitting three posterior veins; legs blackish; male

genitalia more or less blackened .2

2. Thorax of male openly pilose, notal hairs erect; pygidium pos¬

teriorly open below and with a pair of projecting caudal styles;

facets of male eyes nearly uniform above antennae.3

- Thorax nearly bare, the sparse notal hairs short, reclining and

white; pygidium closed, spherical, without projecting caudal

processes; uppermost facets of male much smaller than those

toward antennae. (Cal.) . canus Melander

3. Pile of head and mesonotum white; wings slightly milky be¬

cause of the white mierotrichia, second submarginal cell evenly

enclosing wing-tip; body opaque, lightly cinerous; eighth ter-

gite of male not developed. (N. Mex.) . minutus Cole

- Pile of head and mesonotum mostly black; wings clear hyaline,

branch of third vein ending just before wing-tip; body black,

the abdomen shining; eighth tergite of male subequal to sev¬

enth. (Ariz.) ........ kospes Melander

October, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliidae

149

Caenotus camis Melander, new species

Male. Length 3 mm. Black, head and upper side of body lightly

coated with cinereous pollen, more densely on mesonotum. Upper

occiput concave, the hind margin of the eyes forming a broad V,

ocellar triangle not protuberant, facets near ocelli as small as those

of the sunken lower area of the eye; chin with a few white hairs;

mouth parts retracted; third joint of antennae conical, two and

one-half times as long as wide, the apex scarcely constricted.

Hairs of rear of notum and of seutellum sparse, short and erect; me-

sopleura with a few fine white hairs; sternopleura polished below.

Hairs of abdomen scattered and inconspicuous; pygidium polished

black, its hairs sparse and pale, eighth tergite not developed; ven¬

ter glabrous, first four segments polished, remainder lightly cin¬

ereous. Legs black, hairs inconspicuous. Wings hyaline, broader

than in the other species, veins brownish becoming paler towards

base, sides of second submarginal cell nearly parallel, third vein

(R 3 ) ending at wing-tip, costa continuing to third vein, no ambient

vein, the three posterior veins not reaching margin, anal cell three

times as long as wide, last section of anal vein two-thirds length

of anal crossvein, anterior crossvein at middle of discal cell;

halteres with large white knob, the stalk dusky.

Holotype: About live miles south of Adelanto, California,

May 23, 1945.

Caenotus hospes Melander, new species

Male . Length 4-5.5 mm. Black, the pollen of head and thorax

dark gray, seutellum and whole abdomen shining. Upper occiput

not encroaching on eyes, ocellar triangle elevated, its black hairs

proclinate, upper facets virtually uniform, the ventral area of

small facets not sunken; chin and palpi black-pilose; basal joints

of antennae with rosette of hairs; third joint with nearly round

base and subequal thick styliform end. Notal pile rather dense,

erect and black, but the hairs of humeri, mesopleura and sterno¬

pleura white, sternopleura not shining; front edge of mesonotum

marked with a white pruinose spot on each side next to the hum¬

eri. Hairs of abdomen long and fine but shorter on ventral seg¬

ments; pygidium distinctly longer than wide, the upper cover de-

flexed apically at the sides. Legs black, the femora with fine whit¬

ish hairs. Wings hyaline, veins light brown becoming yellowish

at base, costa thinning at tip of wing but continuing as the am¬

bient vein around hind margin, second submarginal cell widen¬

ing apically, all veins reaching margin, anterior crossvein at mid¬

dle of discal cell, anal cell four and one-half times as long as wide,

last section of anal vein not half the length of the anal crossvein;

halteres white, the stalk dusky at base.

150

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Female. Pubescence much shorter, hairs of chin, palpi and sides

of notum whitish, notal pubescence mostly reclinate; head and

notum mostly brownish-pollinose; front two-thirds as wide at ocel¬

li as at antennae, uniformly opaque. Wings lightly infumated,

veins dark to base. The head is relatively smaller and the ab¬

domen longer than in the male.

Types: Organpipe Cactus National Monument, southern

Arizona, at Headquarters camp, 62 males and 6 females, taken

during the latter part of April, 1947 and 1948. Nearly all the

specimens were found on the outside of the windows of our house

trailer during the day. A very few were attracted to light. One

specimen has the second posterior cell separated from the pointed

discal cell by a short petiole.

Heterotropus senex Melander, new species

Male. Length 4 mm. A short, stocky, black, opaque, heavily

glaucous, white-pilose fly with massive pygidium, separated eyes

and rather long antennae. Most of the insect is black, but the

front except upper third, face and cheeks are yellow, three-fourths

of the tibiae and apical parts of pygidium are reddish yellow,

abdominal incisures are obscurely yellowish and the halteres are

mostly whitish. Eyes separated more than the width of an ocellus,

lower facets smaller than upper, front and face bare, cheeks and

chin with long loose hairs, pile of upper occiput and ocellar tri¬

angle curved, face one-fifth as long as front; antennae as long as

head, first antennal joint twice the size of the globular second

joint and furnished with loose long hairs, third joint subulate,

twice as long as basal pair, the thick apical style one-third as long

as the third joint and appearing as a continuation of it, under

high magnification the apex shorn off below and bearing a minute

sensilla in the middle of the depression; proboscis strong, about

head-height, obliquely porrect; palpi slender, apparently two-

jointed. Hairs of mesonotum and scutellum erect and uniformly

distributed, mesopleura with scattered hairs, pleurae otherwise

bare. Abdomen clothed with similar hairs, shorter on venter; pygi¬

dium comprising a large dorsal hood beneath which are two strong

claspers having their apex spoon-shaped, curved outward and

chitinized, ventral piece heavily convex, its apex deeply emargin-

ate. Legs with normal pubescence, becoming pilose under femora;

middle tibiae with two small apical spurs. Wings hyaline, veins

yellowish at base, becoming brown, first vein ending opposite pos¬

terior crossvein, third vein forked nearly midway between anterior

crossvein and wing tip, the branches greatly diverging to include

tip of wing, anterior crossvein slightly before middle of discal

cell, anal cell closed at margin, ambient vein strong.

Holotype: Organpipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona,

October, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliidae

151

at Headquarters, April 16, 1948, taken on flowers of desert mari¬

gold, Baileya multiradiata.

This is the first record of the occurrence of this palaearctic

genus in America. Engel, 1937, listed twenty-six named species

and varieties, and these show a sufficient range in color and struc¬

ture to admit the American species to the genus without question.

Heterotropinae

Heterotropus, Caenotus, Prorates and Apyslomyia may be

grouped together in the subfamily Heterotropinae. As such they

are differentiated from the other Bombyliidae by having the occi¬

put flattened, eyes of male bisected into two sizes of facets but not

indented behind, tibiae without seriate spines, third vein forked,

first posterior cell open and anal cell petiolate. To provide for

these genera the following modifications may be made in Curran’s

key in his Manual, pp. 195, 197. Oncodocera and Phthiria are not

related, but key into this group.

19.

24.

31.

36.

37.

39.

With four or five posterior cells .24

First posterior cell open .31

Two submarginal cells .-.36

Anal cell closed.37

Proboscis projecting- beyond the anterior oral margin .39

Proboscis short, not projecting beyond the anterior oral mar¬

gin .b

The intercalary vein between the fourth and fifth veins aris¬

ing from the discal cell .a

The intercalary vein arises from the fourth vein, the second

posterior cell petiolate; no ambient vein; third antennal joint

conical, style microscopic . Prorates Melander

Third antennal joint subulate; costa continued around hind

margin as the ambient vein . Heterotropus Loew

Third antennal joint scarcely tapering, the apex excised or

more or less truncate, with a microscopic sensory hair; pro¬

boscis long, labellae narrow; ambient vein stopping at anal

vein .- Phthiria Meigen

Abdomen much broader than the thorax and densely pilose;

hind margin of eyes concave and indented, facets uniform in

male . Oncodocera Macquart

Abdomen elongate and not furry; eyes not indented behind,

facets of two distinct sizes in male...c

Third vein forked near discal cell, second posterior cell sessile,

discal cell shorter than basal cells; thorax opaque pollinose—

.. Caenotus Cole

Third vein forked near apex of wing, second posterior cell

long-petiolate, discal cell longe rthan basal cells, thorax

glistening jet black. Apystomyia Melander

152

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VoL. XXVI, No. 4

Cylleniinae

Exepacmus nasalis Melander, new species

Female. Length 5 mm. Face strongly protuberant, conical, the

head transversely impressed at antennae, face shining black, al¬

most bare but with some white pruinosity in back, cheeks yellowish,

receding, front black, mostly shining, orbits narrowly and anterior

part continuing on facial orbits, white-pruinose, pile scattered,

erect, wholly black, front three-fourths as wide at ocelli as at

antennae, slightly convex; occiput deeply grooved behind ocelli,

the sides swollen, pile short and whitish above, absent below; first

antennal joint almost cubical, second joint very short, third joint

about twice length of basal joints together, with short pyriform

base smaller than first joint, and with thickened styliform process

nearly twice as long and half as deep as base, the apical two-thirds

of the end process slightly expanded and terminated by a weakly

sutured square style bearing a minute seta. Thorax opaque black,

with whitish tomentum and hairs, scutellum with eight yellow

marginal bristles; pleurae whitish-pilose above, centrally with

white tomentum. Abdomen opaque blackish, tomentum yellow above,

white on venter, hairs sparse and yellow, a few black hairs dorsally

at rear of segments, most abundant on seventh segment, eighth

segment large, deflexed, rufous, distally with appressed golden

fringe, genitalia tipped with rosette of yellow spines. Coxae and

femora black, bearing white scales, knees briefly and tibiae yellow¬

ish, hind femora and all tibiae with strong seriate black spines,

tarsi black, base of middle metatarsi yellowish, pulvilli as long as

claws. Wings hyaline, veins firm, second vein arising from third

at basal fourth of discal cell, forming an angle of about 70 degrees

and then rounding off, anterior crossvein at middle of discal cell,

third and fourth veins apically nearly parallel, apex of anal cell

slightly narrower than that of first posterior cell; halteres yellow.

Holotype: Sheep Creek Canyon, four miles south of Phelan,

California, April 25, 1946,

The species agrees well with Coquillett’s description of the

genus and E. johnsoni, the only other species, except that the

genotype has the face, base of antennae and femora yellow. Ap¬

parently the face of the new species is more protuberant and the

antennal depression is not mentioned by Coquillett.

Exepacmus has the knee-like origin of the second vein similar

to that in Exoprosopa, but the second vein arises much before

the anterior crossvein.

Desmatoneura argentifrons Williston

This genus and its single species was described in 1895 from

a single male from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It measures 8

October, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliibae

153

millimeters, has black legs with the knees alone yellowish, the

wings broadly brownish across the middle with the distal part

of the wing cinerous. I have received through Dr. H. Hagan two

females collected August 1 and 2, 1918 at Lynndyl, Utah, by

George E. King, that may be the dimorphic other sex of argejiti -

frons. They differ in size, being 4 and 5 millimeters long, in hav¬

ing yellowish tibiae and nearly hyaline wings, uniformly but

slightly infuscated, the costal cell fuscous almost to end. One

specimen has the origin of the second vein about twice the length

of the anterior crossvein from the latter, as in Curran’s figure 80

in his North American Diptera, page 199, but the anal cell is two-

thirds as wide as the first posterior cell on the margin. The other

specimen is abnormal in having the anterior crossvein duplicated

in the right wing, but in the left wing the knee of the second vein

arises at a distance the length of the anterior crossvein from the

latter, and the anal cell is almost closed, as in Curran’s figure.

Female. Postocellar groove deep, front broad, widening below

to slightly more than twice the distance between the eyes at the

vertex, moderately white-pollinose, with short white proclinous

pubescence, the front edge yellowish; antennae widely separated,

the third joint with bulbous base and styliform process as in most

species of Ajjhoebantus; face retreating. Tomentum and hairs of

body whitish. Tip of abdomen and last ventral segments yellowish.

PARACOSMUS Osten Sacken

Loew described (Centuries X, 48) Allocotus n. gen. edwardsii

from a female from California. Osten Sacken (Western Diptera,

262) noted that Allocotus was twice preoccupied and established

the name Paracosmus. Later (Biol. Centr.-Am., Dipt. I, 155) Os¬

ten Sacken described a second species, P. morrisoni, from Sonora.

From the descriptions it should be possible to separate the two.

P. edwardsii has a distinct row of median triangles along the ab¬

domen, black halteres, and the front of the female white-pollinose

except above and below. In morrisoni the margins of the abdomi¬

nal segments are. uniformly whitish, the halteres more or less

yellow, and the frontal orbits alone are pollinose. When trying

to allocate the 44 specimens before me I would assign those from

California to edwardsii and those from Arizona and New Mexico

to morrisoni. This is in agreement with material determined by

Coquillett and C. W. Johnson, but Cole identifies the Californian

specimens as morrisoni.

154

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

There is much intergrading between edwardsii and morrisoni ,

so it is doubtful if two species exist. The size of the white tri¬

angles on the abdomen varies and especially in the females has

a tendency to flatten out; the color of the halteres is not reliable;

and the extent of the pollen on the front of the female is subject

to much variation. Venation, pollinosity and color of the face are

of no help. The characters selected for the following table show'

some correlation, but identification will depend on which side of

the couplet holds most agreement with the specimen. Paracosmus

insolens Coquillett is a distinctive species, and the new species,

rubicundus, is quite unrelated to the others.

Key to the Species of Paracosmus

1. Head and body almost wholly black; lower occiput polished;

front of female largely polished, of male argenteous; antennae

black; veins black; pygidial parts large, projecting caudaliy.~2

- Head, body and legs almost wholly or largely yellow; first an¬

tennal joint yellow; veins mostly yellow; pygidial parts very

small; front and occiput silky. rubicundus Melander

2. Femora and tibiae reddish or brown; hairs in front of halteres

loose; anterior crossvein distinctly beyond middle of discal

cell; first antennal joint about twice as long as second; lateral

valves of pygidium not lobate; size 5 - 10 mm. ..^

Legs black, only extreme base of tibiae yellowish; a dense cluster

of silver-white pile in front of halteres, similar dense pile along

notopleural suture and at sides of first abdominal segment;

anterior crossvein near middle of discal cell; basal antennal

joints subequal; lateral valves of pygidium ending in large

■incurved lobes; size 3.5 - 4.5 mm .... insolens Coquillett

3. Whitish abdominal fasciae expanding in the middle into a series

of triangles decreasing in size posteriorly; front of female pru-

inose except anterior third and at vertex, twice as wide at an¬

tennae as at ocelli; halteres usually blackish; lateral valves of

pygidium nearly as wide near apex as near base, all black,

ventral piece rotund and not tapering; veins black to brown....

.......... edwardsii LoeW

“ Whitish abdominal fasciae without definite triangular expan¬

sions in middle; front of female pruinose narrowly along orbits,

scarcely twice as wide at antennae as at ocelli; halteres usually

paler; lateral valves distinctly narrower apically, usually with

yellowish border, ventral piece shaped somewhat like a scor¬

pion’s stinger; veins yellowish to brown -.*****

..... morrisoni Osten Sacken

October, 1950] melander—smaller bombyliidae

155

Paracosmus rubicundus Melander, new species

Male. Length 5.5 - 7.5 mm. Vertex blackish, about one-third

as wide as lower front, center of occiput black in ground color,

roof oi oral cavity narrowly blackish, remainder of head flavous,

mostly sericeous, cheeks shining; second joint of antennae black¬

ish, third joint wholly black, elongate elliptical, four times as long

as wide, widest at middle, the apex obliquely truncate, longer be¬

low, with a microscopic sensilla at upper angle; proboscis one-half

longer than head, black except basal sheath, palpi very slender,

U-shaped, the enlarged tip black. Disk of thorax black, with close

appressed pubescence, sides largely flavous, hairy in front of wings;

scutellum with small blackish median spot at base; pleurae marked

with blackish on lower mesopleura and near legs, inesopleura and

hypopleura hairy, anterior pteropleura shining; all vestiture

whitish. Abdomen robust, first segment and hind margins of others

flavous, remainder reddish, the sides of segments three and four

each with an oval black spot; genitalia not projecting, the sides of

the ninth segment infolded as short flaps, ventral piece rotund

but small. Tarsi apically brown, anterior pairs with minute pul-

villi, no pulvilli on hind tarsi. Wings hyaline, anterior crossvein

at two-thirds discal cell, third vein without spur, first posterior

cell at margin three times as wide as end of anal cell; halteres

ivory white.

Female „ Vertex half as wide as Lower front; genitalia forming

a round truncated end to the abdomen, the sides with long golden

fimbria.

Types: Sonora, Mexico, 83 kilometers south of the Border,

on the road to Rocky Point, April 21, 1947. The flies were found

in considerable numbers on the sand dunes from which they were

reluctant to fly. Finally, they were caught by laying the net flat

on them and removing them with the fingers, often a painful

operation for the dunes were filled with long-spined barbed sand-

burs, usually just hidden under the sand. Professor Timberlake

and I found the species also near Palm Springs, California, on

May 6, 1946. There are 22 paratypes.

This species differs strikingly from the black species in color,

sericeous not shining coating, reduced pulvilli, small pygidial

parts, and elongate third joint of the antennae. The black females

have the end of the abdomen compressed.

156

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Key to the Species of Metacosmus

1. Face, cheeks and chin mostly pale yellow; legs largely yellow¬

ish; anal cell narrowed apically though wide open; abdomen

bare ...........-.*...2

- Face, cheeks and chin mostly black; legs black, anal cell not

tapering apically; abdomen pubescent. (Cal.) . ..nitidus Cole

2. Legs yellowish brown; anterior crossvein at last third of discal

cell; stem of halteres brown. (Cal., Ariz.) . ...exilis Coquillett

- Legs partly black, the extreme base of hind femora, apical part

of anterior tibiae and base of tarsi yellow; anterior crossvein

at three-fifths the discal cell; stems of halteres white. (Penn.)

.......... mancipennis Coquillett

Curran has figured the wing and head of mancipennis in his

Manual of the Genera of American Diptera. F. X. Williams has

collected exilis in the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona (Citrus Ex¬

periment Station collection). Timberlake has nitidus from Santa

Rosa Mountains, California, at 7500 ft. altitude, and I have taken

the same species at the South Forks of the Santa Ana River, in

the San Bernardino Mountains, at 6800 feet.

NOTES ON CERTAIN MEXICAN COCCINELLIDAE

(Coleoptera)

BY BORYS MALKIN

University of Washbigton, Seattle

During the summer of 1947 the writer spent three months col-

Iecting insects in various parts of Mexico, mainly in the states of

Nayarit and Oaxaca. In the coleopterous family Coccinellidae about

forty species were accumulated. Of these, five seem to be new

records for Mexico and were not listed in the Blackwelder cata¬

logue 1 of the Latin American beetles. The following species of

Scymnus the writer regards as new.

1 Blackwelder I R, E. 1945. Checklist of the coleopterous insects of Mexico,

tral America, the West Indies, and South America. Part 3. U. S. Nat. Mus., Bui. 185-

October, 1950] malkin—coccinellidae

157

Fig. 1. Scymnus mexicanus Malkin, new species. A. Prostemal

carinae. B. Abdominal plate.

Scymnus mexicanus Malkin, new species

Head: Dark, yellow-brownish, strongly punctured. Clypeus yel¬

low. Palpi conical, yellow. Pronotum: very regularly curved, slightly

more than twice as wide as long. Distinctly but not very strongly

punctured and with dense golden pubescence. Color of thorax yellow

with the usual black spot in the center reaching the base of the

elytra. Elytra: very slightly longer than wide. Shining black except

for the posterior portion where there is a brown-red spot on each

elytron. These spots are prolonged into a spur and reach the middle

of the disc, and coalesce only at the apex of elytra. Punctures on the

elytra distinct and denser toward the sides. Yellow pubescence pres-

sent throughout. Epipleura black except at the extreme apex where

they are brown. Prosternum: yellow, darkened in the middle. Coarse¬

ly and closely punctured. Prostemal carinae converging in front,

very distinct and uninterrupted. Metasternum: smooth, shining

glabrous in the middle and sparsely pubescent toward the sides,

with a feeble median impression. Punctures present on the sides,

sparse. Abdomen: black, indistinctly punctured. Abdominal plates

regularly curved not reaching the basal line of the first segment.

Legs: dark yellow, femora darker in the middle. Length 2.1 mm.,

width 1.5 mm.

Type, of undetermined sex, in the American Museum of Natural

History, New York. The specimen was collected by the writer at

Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico, July 9-17, 1947, while sweeping

miscellaneous vegetation. Salina Cruz is a port on the Pacific coast

in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region. It is an arid area approach¬

ing the conditions of the Sonoran Desert.

158

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

This species does not seem to be related very closely to any of

the known Mexican forms of Scymus but comes quite close to S.

postpinctus Csy., described from Wyoming 2 . From this it differs

in somewhat smaller size, rounder form, sparser punctulation of

the dorsal surface, entirely dark sides of the elytra, a well defined

prosternal carinae, and larger and better defined elytral spots.

The additions to Blackwelder’s catalogue are as follows:

Hyperaspis rotunda Csy.—Tequixistlan, Oaxaca, July 18 (1 speci¬

men) . Described from Texas and Louisiana.

Brachyacantha bolli Cr.—Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Sept. 14 (1 speci¬

men) . Former distribution as above.

Brachyacantha bistripustulata decora Csy.—Oaxaca, Oaxaca, July

20-24 (1 specimen). Described from Texas.

Brachyacantha bistripustulata guttata Weise—Oaxaca, Oaxaca,

July 20-24 (6 specimens). This variety was taken with a very

large number of B. bistripustulata (Fab.). The latter was also

collected at Tepic, Nayarit, and Tolosa, Oaxaca (Atlantic slope

of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in tropical rain forest), while I

have seen specimens taken by Mr. B. E. White at Brownsville

and Uvalde, Texas. Mr. White has also taken the variety guttata

at Omos Park, Texas (all of his records in July, 1941) which

incidentally would represent a new record for guttata in the

United States. Blackwelder lists this variety only from Colom¬

bia, S. A. As all these records cover a very wide and diverse

topographical province the exact status of the variety guttata

is uncertain.

Brachyacantha tau Lee.—Oaxaca, Oaxaca, July 20-24 (several

specimens), September 13-20 (3 specimens). Previous records

are from Nebraska and Montana.

2 Casey, T. L. 1899. A revision of the American Coccinellidae. Jour. New York

Ent. Soc. 7(2) : 71-169.

October, 1950] brookman and reeves—mosquito

159

A NEW NAME FOR A CALIFORNIA MOSQUITO

(Diptera, Culcidae)

BY B. BROOKMAN 1 AND W. C. REEVES

The George Williams Hooper Foundation for Medical Research,

University of California, Medical Center, San Francisco

P. Galindo, in an unpublished thesis (Contribution to our knowl¬

edge of the genus Culex in California, Master of Science Thesis,

Division of Entomology and Parasitology, University of California,

Berkeley, 1943, pp. 49-55) proposed the name Culex (Neoculex)

reevesi for a hitherto unknown species of mosquito from the coastal

region of California. Wirth included C. reevesi Galindo in keys to

the Culicidae of California (in Usinger, R. L., La Rivers, I., Chand¬

ler, H. P., and Wirth, W. W., Biology of Aquatic and Littoral In¬

sects, University of California Syllabus Series, Syllabus SS. Uni¬

versity of California Press, Berkeley, March, 1948, p. 230 and 231)

in the mistaken assumption that the name had been published.

Apparently Wirth based his diagnosis of the species on Galindo’s

unpublished description. However, since these keys were validly

published in a form which complies with recent opinions of the

International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature, meeting in

Paris in 1948 (Usinger, personal communication), the name C.

reevesi Wirth must hold under the rules of priority as being the

first published for that particular species.

R. M. Bohart (The subgenus Neoculex in America north of

Mexico, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am., 41(3): 342, Sept., 1948) de¬

scribed what he believed to be the same species as that of Galindo,

and, in deference to Mr. Galindo, retained the name, C. reevesi.

However, we have found this species to differ from C. reevesi Wirth

both in adult and in larval characters and consider it another species.

Therefore, C. reevesi Bohart becomes a primary homonym of C.

reevesi Wirth.

In order to clarify this situation, the present authors wish to

designate Culex boharti Brookman and Reeves, n.n. for C. reevesi

Bohart, September, 1948 (not C. reevesi Wirth, March, 1948).

Sanitarian (R), Communicable Disease Center, Public Health Service, Federal

Security Agency, Atlanta, Ga.

160

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

A complete description of C. reevesi Wirth will be published by

us in a forthcoming paper, “New records of mosquitoes from Lower

California, Mexico, with descriptions of Culex ( Neoculex ) reevesi

Wirth and the immature stages of Culex ( Melanoconion ) anips

Dyar.”

Book Notice

The Nature of Natural History. By Marston Bates. Charles Scrib¬

ner’s Sons, New York. [10+] 309 p. 1950. Price S3.50.

This is a book written to popularize science, to reveal its methods

and motives, its techniques and philosophy, as applied to natural

history. It succeeds admirably, helped by Dr. Bates’ clarity and

humor, and by being written in the first person. Yet it is equally

a book for scientists, and especially for entomologists. The thought-

provoking ideas and broad viewpoint, the simplification and sum¬

marization necessary for his purpose, are helpful to the student

who has read voluminously but become lost in the details and failed

to emerge with basic principles.

The first half of the book is expository, and moves a little slowly

for the naturalist, but is essential for a wide audience. The rest is

more philosophical. The author has spent years in the neotropics—

indeed most of the manuscript was written at Villavicencio, Colom¬

bia—and has been impressed less by the idea of nature red in tooth

and claw, than by the cooperation between organisms and within

populations. This thought is being expressed widely these days, as

in Ashley Montagu’s “On Being Human.” Whole paragraphs from

Bates’ book would not sound at all out of place in Overstreet’s “The

Mature Mind.”

In his own words, the first three-quarters of the book discusses

“the naming and cataloguing of organisms; their reproduction and

development; their relations with the environment and their organi¬

zation into populations and communities; and finally, their evolu¬

tion, the explanation of the diversity of organic form and of its fit¬

ness or adaptation.” For the last he apologizes as follows: “The

project is, furthermore, dangerous, because all of my colleagues will

read this book (not for information, but to find what mistakes I

have made—I do 1 the same thing with their books) and none will

agree with the emphasis or the point of view, and they will be

volubly dismayed at the topics I have neglected. I am caught, though,

because it would be unthinkable to write a book on natural history

without a chapter on evolution.”

The last three chapters treat on the application of science, its

relation to human economy; scientists themselves, personal quirks

and all; and the nature of the scientific method. There are 7 pages

of annotated selected references, and a full index in 11 pages.

—Hugh B. Leech.

October, 1950] abbott—painted lady butterfly

161

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF MIGRATION

OF THE PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY,

VANESSA CARDUI, IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1

CHARLES H. ABBOTT

University of Redlands, Redlands, California

The British naturalist, C. B. Williams, has for some years

been collecting information from correspondents all over the

world relating to migratory species of butterflies. In addition, he

has made numerous observations of his own in various parts of

the world (Williams, 1930; Williams et al, 1942). Yet little seems

to have been done to concentrate on a single migratory species in

a single region. The studies of Woodbury, Sugden, and Gillette

in Utah (Woodbury et al, 1942; Sugden, et al, 1947) and of

Beall in Ontario, Canada (1941) are important exceptions.

The author, who is not an entomologist, but who is interested

in migration problems from the standpoint of animal ecology,

first came in contact with the migration of the painted lady but¬

terfly, Vanessa ( Pyrameis ) cardui, in the spring of 1924, in what

appears to have been the greatest migration of the species since

1901. As a newcomer in southern California, he did not realize

that such a migration was an exceptional phenomenon, in spite

of the numerous questions which were asked him about it. It

was not until the spring of 1925, when during the entire spring

he saw only two painted ladies, and when he found that the

literature was almost entirely lacking in reports of the 1924 migra¬

tion, that he realized that here was an ecological problem of a

spectacular nature which was being almost entirely neglected. As

Redlands is popularly supposed to be strategically located on the

migratory routes of birds, it promised to be a favorable location

for analyzing butterfly migration.

Since that time there have been three migration years, 1926,

1941, and 1945, none of them involving as large numbers as 1924,

but all conspicuous and lasting for several weeks. The plan of

analysis has been to organize observers in all parts of southern

California for making simultaneous observations and reports. The

fact of one interval of fifteen years between migrations shows the

difficulty of much organizing in advance (Abbott, 1941, 1946).

’A paper presented at a Symposium of the Zoology Division of the Seventh

Pacific Science Congress of the Pacific Science Association, New Zealand, Feb*

ruary, 1949.

162

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

This plan of study has involved in general two parts: detailed

records at the University of Redlands with the assistance of stud¬

ents in zoology classes; and reports from other regions in south¬

ern California. In 1926 and 1941, I wrote to individuals whom I

knew, mostly former students, in locations from which I desired

information. In 1945, through lack of time to make contacts by

correspondence, I advertised the matter in the press, and this

proved to be the most fruitful in results. Of the many volunteer

contributors, I wish to mention in particular Mr. Roy Cain of

San Bernardino, who, with an occupation making him travel to

all parts of San Bernardino County, kept detailed daily records

for the entire period of the migration, approaching two months.

The study is a long way from solving any fundamental prob¬

lems of insect migration. But it has established a few facts which

are at least the basis for further work.

In the following summary, migration is used for any mass

movement of animals from one locality to another, without as¬

suming any theory as to its cause. Butterflies refers to the species

Vanessa cardui unless otherwise specified.

Duration in Time

A migration extends over a considerable period of time, ap¬

proaching two months. The 1924 and 1926 migrations were from

early February to late March; the 1941 and 1945 migrations

were from early March to late April. Most of the printed accounts,

such as those of California observers summarized by Williams,

deal only with a few days at the height of the migration.

The beginning of a migration can be noted by observing that

the butterflies are all flying in the same direction, each one in a

straight line. When ten butterflies are seen crossing a city street

at the same angle in a distance of half a mile, it is time to open

a notebook.

Each year’s migration consists of a series of waves, the num¬

bers increasing more or less daily to a maximum, then diminish¬

ing and increasing again. In 1926 and 1941 there were thus

three peaks of maximum abundance at scattered intervals. In 1945

there were apparently three peaks within two weeks, so close to¬

gether as to make separation somewhat uncertain. The relation of

the waves to weather conditions is discussed later in this paper.

October, 1950] abbott—painted lady butterfly

163

Geographical Extent

The geographical extent should be considered in relation to

the map of southern California (figure 1). It appeared to vary

slightly in the different years, yet this variation may have been

due to incompleteness of reports from certain regions. The 1941

records show best the complete path of migration from Campo on

Figure 1. Map of Southern California, showing the principal

localities referred to. Migrants were reported from all these points

in 1945, except those marked 1941. Cajon Pass is the principal

pass through the mountain ranges to the Mohave Desert on the

north. South of it is the interior valley and coast region of South¬

ern California. Between Borego and the Colorado River is the

Colorado Desert. (Drawn by D. L. Soltau.)

164

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VoL. XXVI, No. 4

the Mexican border north to the southern slope of the San Ber¬

nardino Mountains in the vicinity of Cajon Pass. There they ap¬

peared to be crossing the east-west range without taking advan¬

tage of the pass. Intermittent observations north of the mountains

followed them to Calico in the Mohave Desert, a distance of 170

miles from Campo.

The country covered south of the mountains was the type of

California semi-desert known as brush or chaparral. North of

the mountains it was true desert of the high altitude Mohave

Desert type.

The eastern border of the migration extended well into the

Colorado Desert, which is lower in altitude and hotter than the

Mohave and in general a barrier to distribution as the Colorado

River is approached. Incomplete records on the western border

indicated that the butterflies did not quite reach the ocean beaches

that year.

The 1945 records are valuable as showing a cross section of

simultaneous migration from Hermosa Beach to Needles on the

Colorado River, a distance of 225 miles. Over most of this front

the butterflies crossed the mountains from the southern valleys

and spread north over the Mohave Desert, reaching a point 225

miles north northwest of Campo. Reports indicated approximately

the same peak days over the entire cross section.

As there was no opportunity for records from south of the

Mexican border, the point of origin of the flights could not be

determined. But in California they covered an area at least 225

by 225 miles. No reports were received of their crossing the

mountains further west to Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley

or to Santa Barbara on the coast.

The figures just given for the extent of the migration do not

indicate that butterflies were evenly distributed over the territory

at any one time. Counts showed axes of migrating paths, the

numbers diminishing toward the boundaries. For example a wave

of migration from March 14 to 21, 1941, had its axis in Red¬

lands, with its boundaries approximately eight miles west and

eight miles east of Redlands. By March 22 and 23 the axis had

shifted a few miles west. W. S. Wright wrote of passing through

three migrating paths in 1926 during a sixty mile ride inland

from San Diego in an easterly direction, the butterflies being

absent in the intervening regions.

October, 1950] abbott—painted lady butterfly

165

Direction of Migration

The direction of migration throughout the territory was usual¬

ly north-northwest, varying to northwest or north. This in general

was directly against the prevailing wind. Yet there were enough

exceptions to suggest that butterflies can fly as efficiently at right

angles to the wind as directly against it. It may be noted that

Woodbury, Sugden, and Gillette (1942), in studying the 1941

migration in Utah and adjacent states, found the direction of

flight varying from north to northeast. The territory studied by

them is separated from that included in the present paper by a

hot dry desert which is an effective barrier to many moisture-

requiring species.

The possibility that flights against the wind may be flight to¬

ward more favorable moisture conditions is taken up later.

Topography and Direction of Flight

The course and direction of the flight were not determined by

natural topographic features. Cajon Pass, San Gorgonio Pass, and

the branch of the latter known as San Timoteo Canyon are popu¬

larly thought of as migration routes. Yet the butterflies flew in

straight lines, crossing these canyons and their branch canyons

at any angle, or sometimes missing them entirely.

To maintain their straight path of migration, butterflies regu¬

larly rose over obstacles such as hedges and trees, even tall eu¬

calyptus trees and three story buildings, yet they consistently

kept within a few feet of the ground otherwise. Each individual

butterfly appeared to be maintaining an even distance above the

ground. A striking illustration could be seen from the roof of the

Hall of Science at the University of Redlands where one looked

down on the migrants and observed that when they flew over trees

they flew no higher than necessary. When they reached the ver¬

tical south wall of the Hall of Science, most of them stopped to

feed on a lantana bush, and on leaving flew around the west end

of the building before resuming the north-northwest direction.

A few, however, ascended in a spiral and passed over the roof.

It was also interesting to watch them cross a narrow canyon

with steep walls. They consistently flew down one wall and flew

up the opposite wall rather than crossing from rim to rim, which

to the observer would have seemed the simpler method of fol¬

lowing a straight line.

166

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Rate of Flight

Each butterfly appeared to be flying at a steady even rate,

although there were obvious individual differences. Measure¬

ments were made of the rate of flight by recording with a stop¬

watch the time required to pass over a measured distance of

ground, the measurements being taken on days when the wind

was very slight. The 1941 measurements showed times of between

5 and 10 seconds in flying 100 feet. The average, 7.5H" seconds,

gives approximately 6.6 minutes for one mile and 9.1 miles per

hour. A similar set of figures, made on the same field in 1945,

averaged 7 seconds for 100 feet, 6.16 minutes for one mile, and

9.7 miles per hour.

Time of Day and Weather Conditions

During a migration the largest flights occurred in warm, sun¬

ny weather, with a flight ceasing almost entirely if several cold,

rainy days came together. This subject needs further investiga¬

tion as a factor in the varying curve of abundance during the

entire migration period.

The best statistical record of the hours of daily flight was kept

at Redlands by M. Salmond, March 20 to 27, 1941. On all of

these days the flight began between 8:15 and 9:00 a.m., and

ended between 3:20 and 5:15 p.m. This was during a period

when there was fog from late afternoon to early morning.

The actual beginning of a daily flight was described by Miss

Salmond on April 25, 1941, when, at 6:50 a.m. six butterflies,

which apparently had been “sleeping” on the lawn, flew up, circled

around more or less, and flew off to the northwest.

Feeding

Butterflies stopped freely to feed. Favored food plants were

lantana, apricot, greasewood (Adenostoma fasciculatum ), pussy¬

willow, various flowers of park and campus.

Other Species

Were other species associated with Vanessa cardui in the mi¬

gration? It is difficult to give an absolute answer, because the

common species Vanessa caryae, usually considered non-migra-

tory, remembles cardui so closely that they look alike when flying.

However, it is easy to identify the two species when they are feed¬

ing on a lantana bush. The author did this many times, and,

October, 1950] abbott—painted lady butterfly

167

while both species fed together, only individuals of V. cardui

were seen to arrive from the southeast and leave in a northwest

direction. The V. caryae left in any direction, usually flying to

other plants.

Occasionally single individuals of Vanessa atalanta, easily dis¬

tinguished, were seen in a migratory swarm of V. cardui, and

these also fed commonly on the same food plants. It was noted,

however, that the individuals of V. atalanta stayed longer on a

food plant, and not once was one seen to fly away from it in

a definite direction. Therefore the present conclusion limits the

migration to the one species.

Discussion

The migration of V. cardui is spectacular, always in the same

direction with minor variations, at very irregular intervals, and

through country where the climatic and vegetation types change

very slightly. There is no present evidence that any of the mi¬

grants return, and they do not increase the permanent population

of the territory over which they pass.

The two questions which most commonly occur are:

(1) Why do they migrate?

(2) What determines the direction of migration?

The most commonly proposed theory for the cause of this type

of migration is the “pressure of population theory.” This has been

applied to migrations of insects, mammals, and even the rhythmic

migration of birds.

Chapman, in his paper “Insect population problems in rela¬

tion to insect outbreak” (1939), shows in detail how this theory

holds true for insects under the most complex combinations of

conditions. He includes migration as one of the manifestations of

an insect outbreak.

To quote the part directly applicable to V. cardui:

“In cases represented by insects having a high biotic potential,

the relaxation of environmental resistance during a single genera¬

tion, or even for a very short time during a critical part of the

reproductive period, may result in a population increase of out¬

break proportions. On the other hand, in case of a low biotic poten¬

tial or a slight relaxation of environmental resistance, it may he

necessary to have several successive periods of reduced resistance

occur to make it possible for a population to build itself to out¬

break proportions.”

168

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Without knowing how Chapman would characterize the biotic

potential of V. cardui, the paragraph just quoted gives enough

variables to account for the irregular intervals between migra¬

tions and for the variation in numbers in the different years.

Chapman further states:

“In the case of migrating insects, it is necessary to study the

area from which they migrate to determine whether conditions

are such that populations will be built up and that the breeding

conditions will encourage the populations to migrate.”

Because it is not known how far south of the Mexican border

the flights originate, it is uncertain whether it is chiefly in desert

or semi-desert conditions. But it is known that on the edge of the

Colorado Desert in California, during the wildflower season, the

corresponding period of maximum insect abundance is in March

and April. The variable is the amount of winter rainfall and to

some extent its monthly distribution, which has a direct effect

on the abundance of wildflowers. A favorable year might greatly

increase the butterfly population in the succeeding year. This is

a point on which the data are not available.

A report of a concentration of a butterfly population in this

region was given to the author by W. S. Wright of the Natural

History Museum, San Diego, under the date of April 16, 1926.

To quote:

“Early this spring one of our collectors visited the desert near

Yuma, Arizona, and on his return reported millions of painted

ladies on the desert, feeding on the Desert Encelia. Later a visitor

to the museum corroborated this report, adding that the numbers

were equally great in the region about Salton Sea and as far west

as the entrance to Carriso Gorge on the S. D. and A. R. R. Just

prior to the first flight observed in the city, there occurred a strong

wind blowing off the desert. Now my theory is that the insects breed

on the desert or in contiguous territory and that the strong drying

winds cause them to seek other fields. Some instinct, or the force

of the wind, drives them westward until they reach the cool ocean

breeze, having the effect of turning them from the westward course

towards the northeast in this locality.”

Is there a possible truth in these sentences that this butterfly

is precisely adjusted to an optimum condition of humidity, or of

humidity and temperature combined? Does the prevailing nortli-

northwest direction of flight, which exists everywhere except per-

October, 1950] abbott—painted lady butterfly

169

haps in the extreme south region described by Wright, represent

a direction which maintains this optimum?

If this theory should be correct, it does not explain why they

continue on into the Mohave Desert, where the air becomes dry

again. It may be that the flight gradually slows down in the Mo¬

have Desert on that account. But it does show the need for ex¬

periments on the reaction of this species to moisture and temper¬

ature gradients.

Temperature is suggested, because the interior valleys of Cali¬

fornia and the coastal regions have fewer extremes than the

desert. Also the experiments of Kendeigh (1934) on birds indi¬

cate that temperature is more important than length of day in

determining the fact and direction of bird migration. This is im¬

portant in the west-east bird migrations in California in which

temperature differences are conspicuous and the length of day

factor is eliminated.

Additional Points in Need of Study

(1) Do these butterflies lay eggs along the migratory route

and do they continue migration after egg-laying? References to

egg-laying on migration are made by Woodbury et al (1942) and

brief references by Campbell (1924) and Dow (1924); but little

evidence is available on this point.

(2) Does a second generation move northward in late sum¬

mer? Woodbury et al (1924) report one instance in 1935; and

W. Hovanitz wrote me on September 18, 1944, that he remem¬

bered a single instance in Pasadena, California, in the fall of

1940, but that he had no notes on it. It may be noted that the

California tortoise-shell, Nymphalis californica Rdv., aggregates

and migrates irregularly in the late summer in northern Cali¬

fornia, but the direction of migration varies from north, through

west and south, to southeast (Comstock, 1927; Williams, 1930).

(3) There are no reports of a fall migration of V. cardui in

California. In 1941, I wrote to all observers who had reported on

the spring migration asking them to report on any possible in¬

stance of a fall migration. All replies received were in the nega¬

tive.

(4) A study of the distribution and abundance of V. cardui

in southern California in a non-migratory year is very desirable,

as well as of its behavior reactions.

170

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Summary

(1) The painted lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui, has had four

migrations in southern California in twenty-five years, in the

springs of 1924, 1926, 1941, and 1945.

(2) Against the background of the great migration of 1924,

the lesser succeeding migrations have been analyzed qualitatively

and to some extent quantitatively.

(3) Time relations. Each migration period lasted nearly two

months, showing a succession of increases and decreases with

three maxima. The maxima, which were irregularly distributed,

appeared to be related to weather conditions. Flying occurred

during the sunny hours of the day, and almost ceased during

cold, rainy periods.

(4) Geographical extent. This was partially determined by

compiling the reports of cooperating observers scattered over

southern California. The territory covered in 1941 and 1945,

carefully mapped, showed a northward flight from the Mexican

border to the leading towns and highways of the Mohave Desert,

a distance of 225 miles. This actually is too small a figure, be¬

cause the flight, or part of it, originated south of the Mexican

border, and it may have gone farther north into the less acces¬

sible parts of the desert.

(5) Geographical extent, continued. A west-east cross section

in 1945 showed butterflies migrating simultaneously in all of the

territory from the coast to Needles on the Colorado River, a dis¬

tance of 225 miles. Farther south, the cross section is narrower,

being limited on the east by the driest section of the Colorado

Desert. Farther east, in Arizona and Utah, another set of butter¬

flies was in migration, but averaging a month later, in both 1941,

and to a lesser degree in 1945 (Woodbury et al, 1942; Sugden et

al, 1947).

(6) Most of the territory in which the migration was studied

is the California type of semi-desert known as brush or chaparral,

although the flights actually extended many miles into the Mohave

Desert.

(7) The butterflies fly in a straight line, usually north-north-

west, regardless of topography, keeping a few feet above the

ground, and rising over obstacles. The flight is usually against

the wind, but is just as controlled when the wind comes from a

different direction.

October, 1950] abbott—painted lady butterfly

171

(8) The type of migration, large numbers at irregular inter¬

vals, is typical of the migrations of those insects and mammals

which make a non-returning migration in a predictable direction

at irregular intervals. Chapman’s application of the “pressure of

population” theory is shown to apply to this migration, and is

given as the only current hypothesis.

(9) It is suggested, as a hypothesis for further analysis, that,

while the direction of wind may not be the factor determining the

direction of flight, the effect of the wind on either temperature

or humidity may be a controlling factor. If so, the butterflies must

be capable of very precise adjustment to these factors.

Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to the many observers, here unnamed, who

contributed much of the data on which this study is based; also

to D. L. Soltau for the map in Figure 1.

Literature Cited

Abbott, C. H.

1941. The 1941 migration of the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa

cardui) in Southern California. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Amer. 22:13.

1946. Mapping of the 1945 migration of Vanessa cardui in

Southern California. Bull Eeol. Soc. Amer. 27.

Beall, G.

1941. The monarch butterfly, Danaus archippus Fab. I. Gen¬

eral observations in Southern Ontario. II. The movement in

Southern Ontario. Canadian Field Naturalist 55(8): 123-129;

(9) : 133-137, 5 text figs., 1 table.

Campbell, R. E.

1924. Painted lady butterfly. Insect Pest Survey Bull. (Wash¬

ington) 4: 70-71.

Chapman, R. N.

1939. Insect population problems in relation to insect outbreak.

Ecological Monographs (Duke Univ. Press) 9(3): 261-269.

Comstock, J. A.

1927. Butterflies of California. 334 pp., 92 text figs., 63 col, pis.

Los Angeles, published by the author.

Dow, R. P.

1924. Migration of Pyrameis cardui. Jour. New York Ent. Soc.

32(3) : 121.

Kendeigh, S. C.

1934. The role of environment in the life of birds. Ecol. Mon.

4(3): 299-417.

Sudgen, J. W., Woodbury, A. M., and Gillitte, C.

1947. Notes on migrations of the painted lady butterfly in 1945.

Pan-Pac. Ent. 23 (2): 79-83.

172

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Williams, C. B.

1930. The migration of butterflies, xi+473 pp. Edinburgh,

Oliver and Boyd,

Williams, C. B., Cockbill, G. F., Gibbs, M. E. and Downes, J. A.

1942. Studies in the migration of Lepidoptera. Trans. Roy. Ent.

Soe. London 92 (1) : 101-283; 60 figs., 37 tables, 2 pis.

Woodbury, A. M., Sugden, J. W., and Gillette, C.

1942. Notes on migrations of the painted lady butterfly in 1941.

Pan-Pac. Ent. 18(4): 165-176, 1 fig.

Book Review

The Insect World of J. Henri Fabre. By Edwin Way Teale. Dodd,

Mead & Company, N. Y., xvi + 333. 1949. Price $3.50.

Fabre’s careful observations and masterful reporting of natural

phenomena are too well known to require examination here. The

studies which this great French naturalist gave to the world have

already been translated into many other languages from the original

French. Teale has concerned himself with the English translations

of A. T. de Mattos which have long been a source of enjoyment to

both naturalists and laymen. By a process of careful editing he has

presented 40 interesting excerpts from 13 of the de Mattos books.

These selections are in the identical phraseology of the de Mattos

translations but are seldom complete. In order to give a maximum

coverage, Teale has done a skillful piece of editing which is worthy

of some explanation. For example, Teale will give one paragraph

from de Mattos, skip several pages, then present several complete

pages without any apparent lack of continuity. In this manner many

of Fabre’s statements expressing his anti-selectionist views or com¬

ments concerning the wonders of divine creation have been deleted.

For the younger naturalist these omissions wall serve to emphasize

the natural wonders of Fabre’s world. However, as Teale has indi¬

cated in his introduction, an understanding of Fabre’s belief in the

immutability of creation is necessary for a full appreciation of his

abilities and limitations. For the benefit of the reader, Teale has

given a brief foreword to each chapter along wdth the source of

each selection. However, chapter ten is credited to the Mason Bees

while it should have been referred to chapter six of Bramble-Bees

and Others.

Unfortunately Teale did not see fit to illustrate this book, other

than with a series of end plate photographs. One of these illustra¬

tions is misnamed as a Meloe oil-beetle while it appears to be a

member of the genus Epicauta.

Minor criticisms as these are no indictment of the excellence of

Teale’s work in bringing together so many carefully selected and

well edited passages from Fabre’s life work. This is particularly

so since so many of Fabre’s observations were the first of their kind

and in many cases have not yet been duplicated.—J. W. MacSwain.

October, 1950]

HOBBS-TORYMUS

173

NOTES ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF TORYMUS

WITH THE BIOLOGY AND DESCRIPTION OF A

NEW SPECIES

(Hymenoptera: Torymidae)

BY KENNETH R. HOBBS

Oregon State College, Corvallis 2

Torymus festivus Hobbs, new species

Female: Length 2.5 mm.; ovipositor 2.2 mm. Body blue-green

with purple reflections on propodeum and dorsal surface of abdomen.

Head transverse, wider than thorax, slightly wider than long as

viewed from the front; front green with lateral area beyond clypeal

region blue with yellow reflections near eye margins; face below

antennae with long, delicate hairs becoming short above; two fine

carinae extending upward from margin of mouth curving slightly

mesad and about as long as the basal distance between them; a

prominent median carina; antennal depressions deep, bright shiny

blue; scape somewhat compressed, not reaching median ocellus,

yellow beneath and fuscous above, pedicel and ring segment infus-

cate; funicle and club brown with light brown longitudinal sense

organs extending almost the entire length of each segment and

beyond apical margin of each funicular segment; all segments of

funicle sub-quadrate increasing in width toward the tip; ocelli

brownish-red; eyes red.

Thoracic dorsum blue-green, minutely punctured, moderately

clothed with short whitish hairs anteriorly to very long whitish

hairs posteriorly on scutellum; parapsidal furrows distinct; scutel-

lar erossfurrow absent; propodeum weakly reticulate, shining blu¬

ish-purple anteriorly to purple posteriorly, green laterally; fore

coxa blue-green with apex yellow, middle and hind coxa green ; basal

and apical portions of femur and tibia honey yellow, median portion

brown with metallic green reflections from hind femur; front tibial

spur bifid as seen under high power; first three segments of tarsi

approaching white, the last two dark brown; wings moderately

ciliate; veins testaceous, a small crescent-shaped vein remnant one-

fourth the distance from the base of wing in middle; stigmal vein

petioled.

Abdomen longer than thorax; dorsal surfaces blue-green, finely

reticulate, sparsely clothed with silky white hairs, fourth segment

blue, moderately reticulate with long white hairs laterad; segments

] Thi3 publication is a portion, of the thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of

the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts from the graduate school of

Oregon State College.

instructor, California State Polytechnic College, Voorhis Unit, San Dimas,

California.

174

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

five and six bluish-green with yellow reflections, reticulations and

hairs same as for segment four; the sterna infuscate; pygostyle with

one heavy and three fine setae of approximately equal length.

Male: Length 1.95 mm. Scape short, light brown basally, the

remainder being dark blue-green with purple reflections; abdomen

dark brown with bluish reflections dorso-basally, the remainder,

dorsally, yellow-green; in other respects the male is like the female.

Type locality: Campus of Oregon State College, Corvallis,

Oregon. Host: Dasyneura sp. infesting seeds of Thuja plicata Don.

and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Pari.

Location of the Types: The female type, the male allotype, 50

female and 50 male paratypes are in the California Academy of

Sciences. 12 female and 12 male paratypes have been deposited in

each of the following institutions: U. S. National Museum; South¬

ern California Academy of Sciences, Los Angeles; American Mu¬

seum of Natural History, New York; Museum of Comparative

Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.; State Natural History Survey Division,

Urbana, Ill.; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), London; Cornell Uni¬

versity; State College of Washington, and the Oregon State Col¬

lege collection. The following private persons have received 6

female and 6 male paratypes: Dr. Osmond P. Breland and Dr. W.

W. Jones. 43 female and 7 male paratypes are in the author’s

collection. There is a total of 193 female and 158 male paratypes.

Described from 165 females and 136 males collected by sweep¬

ing T. plicata and C. lawsoniana, August 23 and 24 and September

27, 1947; 5 females and 10 males by sweeping, Corvallis, Oregon,

June 2 and 11, 1948; 2 females and 4 males reared in laboratory

during April, 1948, and emerged in laboratory May 7, 1948; 1

female from Estacada, Oregon, collected in cones March 26, 1948,

and emerged in laboratory on May 11, 1948; 2 females and 1 male

collected in cones at Port Orford, Oregon, on May 30, 1948, and

emerged in laboratory on June 3, 1948; 19 females and 8 males

collected in Ashland, Oregon, in cones on May 18, 1948, and

emerged in laboratory from May 23 until June 15,1948. Specimens

not included in the type series were also found in cones from 10

miles west of Philomath, Oregon and 12 miles east of Cave Junc¬

tion, Oregon. In the material inspected, specimens were not found

in cones from the following localities: Campus of Chico State Col¬

lege, Chico, California; and Hillsboro, Oregon.

October, 1950]

HOBBS—TORYMUS

175

Variation —The general color of the male and especially the

female varies from green with a few slight yellow reflections to

rather dark purple. In one particular specimen, also included in

the type series, the lateral and ventral body regions and coxa were

a brilliant ruby red. In other respects, there can be no doubt that

this specimen belongs to T, jeslivus . The femur and tibia of both

sexes varied from honey yellow to brown to bright blue-green. In

the female, the length of the body varies from 1.65 mm. to 2.90 mm.

and the ovipositor from 1.40 mm. to 2.40 mm. In only one instance

was the ovipositor found to be the same length as the body. The

average body length is 2.14 mm.; the average ovipositor length,

1.85 mm. The body of the male varies in length from 1.30 mm. to

2.30 mm., the average being 1.90 mm.

Torymus festivus is most closely related to Torymus coloraden-

sis Huber whose host is Cecidomyia species gall on Artemisia . T.

coloradensis Huber, however, differs in the following respects:

body generally green, all segments of the funicle longer than wide,

mesepimeron very deeply incised, coppery, and wings strongly

ciliated. It is interesting to note that the hosts of both parasites

belong to the same family of Diptera.

Biology

While studying the development of the torymid life cycle, I had

the unusual opportunity of watching the continuous change from

the last larval instar to the pupal stage. Three days before pupation,

the development of the hind intestine and anus is evidenced by the

clearing of the ventriculus of all waste products. At first the body

becomes slightly constricted marking off the thorax from the abdo¬

men. Shortly the appendages begin to form ventrally and the abdo¬

men lengthens. The legs appear first and are followed by the

antennae and wings. By the time the wings and head take their

shape, a large mass of tissue forms on the posterior end of the body,

dorsally. The abdomen swells and by writing movements the skin

is split over the head and worked off in about 10 minutes. From

the mass of tissue just mentioned, the ovipositor commences to

grow up over the abdomen to a position overlapping the scutellum.

The growth of the ovipositor is assisted by great arching move¬

ments on the part of the body. The complete growth of this organ

takes slightly more than 30 minutes. Complete pupation takes less

than 18 hours under laboratory conditions.

176

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Since neither description nor illustration of the egg or larva

of this genus could be found in the literature, a description of the

egg and last larval instar is included herein. Females of several

species of Torymus were dissected and the eggs were found to be

constant in general shape and in surface texture. The egg of T.

festivus is 0.58 mm. in length and 0.17 mm. wide. It is largest

toward the anterior end and tapers gradually to a point posteriorly.

The anterior end becomes restricted rapidly and ends in a promi¬

nent projection. The surface is smooth, without evidence of minute

nodules or projections as found on the eggs of many members of

the same family.

Explanation of Figures

Fig. 1, lateral view of egg of Torymus festivus; Fig. 2, lateral view

of mature larva of T. festivus; Fig. 3, front view of head of larva

showing setal patterns; Fig. 4, antenna of female; Fig. 5, semidia-

gramatic drawing of portion of antenna of T. gigantum to show

contrast with Fig. 4; Fig. 6, lateral view of thorax of adult female;

Fig. 7, lateral view of abdomen of adult female; Fig. 8, front view

of the head of adult female; Figs. 9, 10, 11 are photomicrographs

of ovipositor saw, antenna and wing of T. festivus female.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VoL. XXVI, No. 4

Fig. 9. Ovipositor saw

Fig. 10. Antenna

• * ■

TORYMUS—HOBBS

October, 1950]

HOBBS—TORYMUS

177

The last instar larva is cylindrical in cross-section, 1.6 mm. to

2.2 mm. in length and 0.83 mm. to 0.91 mm. in width. The head

capsule measures between 0.31 mm. to 0.40 mm. across. The head

viewed from the front bears three tubercles, one of which is quite

prominent just above the fine uni-dentiate mandibles and two fine

tubercles slightly below an imaginary line drawn halfway between

the vertex and the ventral edge of the head and halfway toward

the center from the lateral edges. There are five pairs of long

setae on the face: three pairs along the lateral edge, one pair near

the dorsal margin, and one pair about halfway between the latter

and the paired tubercles. The remainder of the facial setae are

minute paired sensoria hardly distinguishable under compound

magnification. Abdominal segments 2 to 10 bear prominent, circu¬

lar spiracles. The dorsal surface of all segments except the first

bears very short setae. The dorsal surface of the first segment has

several long, thick setae. The setae become progressively heavier

and longer toward the venter of all segments. Each seta extending

from the ventral surface has a fine barb at the end.

Classification

During research on the new species, Torymus festivus 3 , several

new characters and biological developments were recorded which

may prove to be of importance in the determination of Chalcidoidea

and of Torymidae in particular.

The following are three new taxonomic characters derived from

the study made on this species of Torymus. The first characters

noted are the setal pattern and a vein remnant of the wing. Many

slides showing wings of different species of Torymus were pre¬

pared. These wings were photomicrographed and enlarged for

quick comparison and specific determinations. Setal patterns, par¬

ticularly in the areas of the stigmal vein and the wing base, varied

sufficiently between species for separation. Within the stigmal

knob itself are varying numbers and sizes of circular sensoria.

These organs vary slightly within a species and also between wings

of the same specimen. However, in a series containing at least 4

individuals of the same species there is a general arrangement of

the stigmal sensoria found to be constant. A small crescent-shaped

vein remnant one-fourth of the distance from base of the wing was

found in Torymus festivus. This vein remnant varies among dif¬

ferent species in the intensity of pigmentation from obscurity to

relative prominence.

S I wish to express my appreciation, to Mr. A. B. Gahan for determining Torymus

festivus as a new Bpecies.

178

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VoL. XXVI, No. 4

Illustrations and discussions have been published to express

the value of antennal sense organs in generic and specific determi¬

nation for certain other members of this super-family. To my

knowledge, no previous mention has been made in the use of this

character in the determination of Torymidae. In the process of

clearing antennal material for slides, cellosolve was employed.

This agent caused the sense organs to become well-defined. The

organs appear to be of three types: sensilla trichodea; sensilla

chaetica; sensilla placodea (Snodgrass, 1935). The sensilla placo-

dea are the largest and most readily seen without special prepara¬

tion from the pinned specimen. This particular organ does not vary

perceptibly within the same species and shows great differences

in size, number, and distribution between species. Observations

indicate that the smaller the species, the larger and fewer in num¬

ber the sense organs may be. This fact, in addition to others, indi¬

cates that there is a possibility of dividing the many species now

included in the genus Torymus into two genera. Figs. 4 and 5 show

marked differences between the sense organs of T. festivus and T.

giganticum.

In various species of Torymus, the face, as seen from the front,

differs in shape, robustness, setal arrangements and length, punc-

tations and reticulations, color patterns and facial carinae. All of

these are structural differences of significant use to the taxonomist.

It is felt, however, that too little importance has been attached to

facial carinae, two of which have never been mentioned in previous

literature on this group of insects. I refer to those extending upward

from the margin of the mouth, outlining the approximate position

of the labrum found in orthopteroid insects.

References Cited

Breland, O. P.

1938. Phylogeny of some Callimomid genera. Ann. Ent. Soc.

Amer. 46(4) -.355-399.

Clausen, C. P.

1940. Entomophagus Insects. McGraw-Hill Pub. Co., New York.

Huber, L. L.

1927. A taxonomic and ecological review of the North American

Chalcid-flies of the genus Callimome. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.

70(14) : 1-114.

Snodgrass, R. E.

1935. Principles of Insect Morphology. McGraw-Hill Pub. Co.,

New York.

October, 1950] thurman and Johnson—culiseta

179

THE TAXONOMIC CHARACTERS OF THE LARVAE

OF THE GENUS CULISETA FELT, 1904 IN CALIFORNIA 1

(Diptera, Culicidae)

BY ERNESTINE B. THURMAN AND PHYLLIS T. JOHNSON

In order to facilitate the tremendous amount of identification

required for operational field projects, a study was undertaken to

discover characters in the fourth stage larvae of the four Californian

species of Culiseta which could be used for identifying unmounted

material with the aid of a dissecting microscope (x 72). The use of

the taxonomic characters employed by previous workers are only

in part suitable for this purpose.

The four species involved in this study are: Culiseta ( Culiseta )

impatiens (Walker, 1848), considered to be rare in the State, adults

having been reported from Butte, El Dorado, Mariposa, Sacra¬

mento, and Shasta Counties; C. (C.) inornata (Williston, 1893),

reported from 44 of the 58 counties in California; C. ( C .) incidens

(Thomson, 1868), the most widely distributed in the State, having

been reported from 53 counties; and C . (C.) maccrackenae Dyar &

Knab, 1906, with a distribution of 28 counties.

To separate impatiens from the other three species of Culiseta

found in California, the character of similar upper and lower head

hairs (see Plate 1, Fig. A) as listed by earlier authors (Freeborn,

1926; Dyar, 1928; Reeves, 1941; Freeborn and Brookman, 1943;

Matheson, 1944; and Usinger, La Rivers, Chandler, and Wirth,

1948) appears to be adequate.

In the separation of inornata from incidens, previous workers

have used characters to be found on the basal pecten teeth; in inci¬

dens these teeth have 1—3 minute or depressed denticles, while in

inornata, 3—4 outstanding denticles are present. This character

has proved to be reliable (see Plates 2 and 3), but somewhat im¬

practical for rapid identification in that it necessitates the time-

consuming task of mounting individual specimens. Differences in

the size of the comb scales are figured (Plates 2 and 3) but also

considered impractical as key characters.

1 From the Bureau of Vector Control, California State Department of Public

Health, and the Communicable Disease Center, Public Health Service, Federal

Security Agency, Atlanta, Ga.

180

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

C. maccrackenae was distinguished from incidens, impatiens,

and inornata by the authors cited above, by characters of the anal

segment. In maccrackenae the anal plate was said to have a cleft

within which the anterior tufts of the ventral brush were inserted. In

the other species, the cleft has been listed as lacking, the tufts

puncturing the sclerotization of the anal plate. In a study of 480

larvae of the four species, including reared correlated series of all

but impatiens (only one larval skin of a reared impatiens was avail¬

able), variations were so evident in the size of the cleft and in the

number and position of the tufts inserted within the cleft, that we

have concluded that this character is much too variable for reliable

diagnostic purposes. The percentages of variations found in this

study are as follows: Of the incidens larvae, 33% had no cleft (con¬

sidered by previous authors to be typical) ; 33% had one tuft

within a small cleft; 18% with 2—3 tufts within the cleft; and

16% had all the tufts within a total cleft. Variations in maccrack¬

enae also were pronounced, with 10% without a cleft; 20% with

one tuft inserted within a small cleft; 50% with 2—3 tufts within

the cleft; and 20% with all tufts within a total cleft (previously

considered to be typical). Similar variations were found to exist

in inornata.

To supplement these previously used characters for distinguish¬

ing the larvae of the four species, the following group of new

characters are presented:

1. Variations in the branching and the length of the lateral hair

of the anal segment.—These variations were found to be reliable

in separating inornata from the other species (Plate 2). Boddy

(1948) found this hair in inornata to be double and quite heavy,

whereas in incidens it was occasionally triple, shorter, and was

noticeably less robust. It is described by Carpenter, MiddlekaufF,

and Chamberlain (1946, p. Ill) for inornata as . . long, double

or triple,” but it may be 1—5 branched, is usually double, minutely

barbed, and as long as or longer than the anal plate (Table I). In

the other 3 Californian species the hair may be 1— 5 branched, is

usually triple, fine, not barbed, and ^4 —% as long as the anal

plate (Plates 2 and 3).

Plate 1.—Diagrammatic sketches of the head and thorax showing

the dorsal hairs of diagnostic value of: Fig. A— Culiseta impatiens;

Fig. B— C. inornata; Fig. C— C. maccrackenae; Fig. D— C. impa¬

tiens; Fig. E— C. inornata; Fig. F— C. maccrackenae; Fig. G—•

C. incidens.

October, 1950] thurman and johnson—culiseta

'umwmi 1

$ 0o«9^ pVf

i\ n ft * .*»«

MACCRACKENAE

\fJ55W»7&P -

jsH n h .

INCIDENS

Plate 3.—Lateral view of eighth abdominal segment, siphon, and

anal segment (comb scale and pecten tooth enlarged) of: Fig. A—

Culiseta maccrackenae; Fig. B — C. inddens.

Plates 2 and 3 were drawn with the aid of a micro-pro jector.

184

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

2. An area of heavy short spines on the apex of the anal plate

near the dorsal brush.—This spiny area is present in both third

and fourth instars of maccrackenae while the anal plates of incidens,

impatiens, and inornata are smooth.

3. The position of the basal siphonal tuft (as suggested by Dr.

R. M. Bohart, through personal communication) and the texture,

length, number, and position of the normal and hairlike pecten

teeth.—The basal hair tuft in all four species is stellate, the branches

being arranged much as the ribs in a partially opened umbrella,

rather than spread fanlike in the same plane (Marshall, 1938, p.

207). In maccrackenae, the tuft is situated in a darkened area in

the sclerotization, near the apical normal pecten teeth, which oc¬

curs at the apex of a scalloped cleft in the siphon. Following one or

two widely-spaced, modified, normal teeth, the hairlike pecten

teeth are short, less than % as long as the basal tuft, with one or

two teeth apically detached; the row of teeth extends from the base

along 4/5 the length of the siphon. In the other 3 species the tuft

of the siphon is placed near the base of the pecten. The hairlike

pecten teeth in incidens are fine, about % as long as the tuft, and

extend beyond the middle of the siphon. In impatiens, the normal

Table 1. Percentages of Variations of the Lateral Hair on the Anal

Plate of Culiseta inornata (Will.), Culiseta incidens (Thom.), and

Culiseta maccrackenae D. & K.

No. Tufts

Studied

Distribution of Percentages of Branch Variations

Species

Single

Double

Triple

Four-

Branched

Five-

Branched

C. inornata _

112

C. incidens _

522

C. maccrackenae _

Table 1 (continued):

Distribution of Percentages of Physical Characters

Species

Texture

Length

Fine

and

Smooth

Slightly

Barbed

Heavy

and

Barbed

\i-Vi as

long as

Plate

H-% as

long as

Plate

As long as

or longer

than Plate

inornata .-

incidens ..

maccrackenae ...

October, 1950] thurman and Johnson—culiseta

185

pecten teeth extend from the base % the length of the siphon. The

hairlike pecten teeth are heavy, % as long as the basal tuft. The

entire pecten extends % the length of the siphon. In inornata,

these teeth are fine, % as long as the tuft, and the row reaches %

the length of the siphon.

4. The dorsal thoracic hairs.—These are illustrated in Plate 1,

Figures D, E, F, and G, where the chaetotaxy followed is that em¬

ployed by Marshall (1938, p. 47). Only those hairs used in dif¬

ferentiation have been figured. Prothoracic hair No. 1 (Plate 1,

Figures E and G) in inornata (as pointed out by Dr. H. D. Pratt,

personal communication) is single, and l]/2 times as long as

prothoracic hair No. 2; in incidens, this hair is either double or

multiple, and slightly longer than hair No. 2; in maccrackenae and

impatiens, this hair is similar in size and number of branches to

that of incidens, with maccrackenae having from 2—8 branches

and impatiens 1—3. The mesothoracic group of setae is diagnostic

in maccrackenae and impatiens in that hairs Nos. 1 and 3 in mac¬

crackenae are respectively, double to quadruple, and single; both

prominent and heavy; in impatiens. No. 1 is single and inconspic¬

uous, while No. 3 is single, and 6—8 times as long as the prothoracic

hair No. 0 (Plate 1, Figures D and F). In both inornata and inci¬

dens, mesothoracic hair No. 1 is single and inconspicuous (Plate 1,

Figures E and G).

5. The size of the postclypeal hairs (Plate 1, Figure C).—In

maccrackenae these are prominent with 4—5 branches, and are

almost as long as, and as heavy as, the upper head hairs. This is in

contrast to the normal, small postclypeal hairs possessed by the

other three species.

The following key to the Culiseta larvae of California has been

prepared using the foregoing characters.

Key to Fourth Instar Larvae

of Californian Species of Culiseta

1. Mesothoracic hair No. 1 large, double to quadruple, and very

conspicuous (Plate 1, F); postclypeal hairs 4—5 branched, prom¬

inent, about as heavy as those of the upper and lower head hairs

(Plate 1, C) ; posterior margin of anal plate with heavy short

spines at apex near dorsal brush (Plate 3, A).

. maccrackenae Dyar & Knab, 1906

- Mesothoracic hair No. 1 small, less conspicuous, usually single;

postclypeal hairs normal with branches noticeably more delicate

than branches of the upper and lower head hairs; anal plate

smooth.2

186

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

2. Both upper and lower head hairs multiple, fan-shaped, with

branches equal or subequal in number and length (Plate 1, A) ;

mesothoracic hair No. 3 single, conspicuous, 6—8 times the

length of prothoracic hair No. 0 (Plate 1, D).

.. ....impatiens (Walker, 1848)

- Lower head hairs multiple, with two or three prominent middle

branches; upper head hairs multiple, fan-shaped, with shorter

and more branches than lower head hairs; mesothoracic hair

No. 3, if single, inconspicuous, less than 6 times the length of

prothoracic hair No. 0 .......... 3

3. Lateral hair on the anal segment as long as or longer than anal

segment, rather stout and usually double (Plate 2, B); prothor¬

acic hair No. 1 usually single (Plate 1, E).

..... inornata (Williston, 1893)

- Lateral hair on the anal segment shorter than the segment,

rather fine, and usually triple (Plate 3, B) ; prothoracic hair

No. 1 double or multiple (Plate 1, G ) ....incddens (Thomson, 1868)

Acknowledgments

In addition to those mentioned in the text, the authors extend

grateful acknowledgments for the collection or loan of specimens,

suggestions in preparation of the plates, and for reviewing the

manuscript to: Dr. William C. Reeves, George Williams Hooper

Foundation; Dr. Stanley B. Freeborn, University of Cailfornia;

Dr. Alan Stone and Dr. Willis W. Wirth, U. S. National Museum;

Mr. C. M. Gjullin and Mr. W. W. Yates, Bureau of Entomology and

Plant Quarantine, U. S. Department of Agriculture; Mr. Theodore

Aarons, Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District; and to

D. C. Thurman, Jr., S. A. San., Bernard Brookman, S. A. Scientist,

and Roy F. Fritz, Scientist, Communicable Disease Center, Public

Health Service; Mr. Richard F. Peters, Mr. S. J. Kirkwood, Mr.

Earl Mortenson, and Mr. Edmond C. Loomis, all of the Bureau

of Vector Control.

References Cited

Boddy, D. W.

1948. An annotated list of the Culicidae of Washington. Pan-

Pac. Ent., 24(2) :85-94.

Carpenter, S. J., W. W. Middlekauff and R. W. Chamberlain

1946. The Mosquitoes of the Southern United States East of

Oklahoma and Texas. Univ. Press, Notre Dame, Ind., 292 pp.

Dyar, H. G.

1928. The Mosquitoes of the Americas. Carnegie Inst. Wash.

Pub. No. 387, 61 pp.

COTT—THYSANOPTERA

187

October, 1950]

■y

Freeborn, S. B.

1926. The mosquitoes of California. Univ. of Calif. Publ. Ento¬

mology, 3(5) :333-460.

Freeborn, S. B. and B. Brookman.

1943. Identification Guide to the Mosquitoes of the Pacific Coast

States. U. S. Public Health Service, Malaria Control in War

Areas, Atlanta, Ga., 23 pp.

Marshall, J. F.

1938. The British Mosquitoes. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist., London,

341 pp.

Matheson, R.

1944. Handbook of the Mosquitoes of North America. Com¬

stock Publ. Co., Ithaca, N. Y., 314 pp.

Reeves, W. C.

1941. The identification of California mosquitoes. Proc. Calif.

Mosq. Cont. Assn., Appendix I, 13pp.

U singer, R. L., I. La Rivers, H. P. Chandler and W. W. Wirth

1948. Biology of Aquatic and Littoral Insects. Univ. of Calif.

Syllabus SS, 244 pp.

A SECONDARY HOMONYM IN THYSANOPTERA

(Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Jones (1912) 1 described Anthothrips flavipes from a unique

female collected at San Jose, California. Since that time the species

has had a somewhat stormy taxonomic career, having been rele¬

gated in the literature to at least four additional genera. Hood

(1949) 2 transferred this species to the genus Watsoniella, appar¬

ently overlooking the fact that Moulton (1928) 3 employed the name

Watsoniella flavipes for a new species taken in Abyssinia.

It is unfortunate that Jones’ name, which has appeared fre¬

quently in the literature, must be changed because of the coexisting

Moulton name preceding it in the genus Watsoniella by twenty-one

years. I therefore propose the name Watsoniella jonesiana nom.

nov. pro Watsoniella flavipes (Jones), nec Moulton.

—H. Edwin Cott, Davis, Calif.

1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Ent., Tech. Sea*., No. 23, Pt. I, pp. 18-19, PI. V, figs.6-7.

“Rev. de Ent., 20 (1-3) :23-26.

8 Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 10, 22:241-242.

188 THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VoL. XXVI, No. 4

OBSERVATIONS ON FLIGHTS OF PLEOCOMA CONJUNGENS

(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

BY WILLIAM HAZELTINE

Richmond, California

The 1948 flights of Pleocoma conjungens Horn 1 in the area of

Mount Hermon, Santa Cruz Co., California, began on the morning

of October 27, between 7:50 and 8:00 A.M., and the last definite

general flight was on December 13, at 8:30 A.M. (All times given

are Pacific Daylight Saving Time. Standard Time is one hour

earlier.) On two later occasions, December 31, 1948, and January

2, 1949, beetles with Pleocoma flight habits were seen in the Scotts

Valley area. These could have been P. conjungens, but the sight

record is not positive. The time and weather conditions were right

for a flight, and a male from an earlier flight retained in an obser¬

vation cage was still alive, indicating that this species probably was

still capable of activities in the area.

The largest flights were from approximately half an hour before

dawn to half an hour after dawn, and from sunset to approximately

45 minutes thereafter. They occurred only on rainy days or when

the humidity was near the saturation point. Actual precipitation was

not necessary to cause flight activity, as was evidenced by the be¬

havior of a captive male. An observation cage was kept in a non-

heated room, the air in which reflected outdoor conditions, and the

beetle was active when there was heavy fog or rain outside.

The largest recorded 1948 flights occurred in the mornings, when

about 85% of my males were taken. The remainder were captured

during the evening flights. In all, 165 males of P. conjungens were

collected at three stations in the Mount Hermon area.

During the first flight of the 1949 season (November 6), 107

males were taken almost continually from 10 P.M. to 6 A.M. There

was a steady light rain all night, and a nearly full moon shone

through the fog-like clouds enough to light the area somewhat.

The times of flight in the three collecting stations agreed very

closely in beginning and ending. As the weather conditions were not

the same at each place, the possibility of flight dependency upon

some factor in addition to humidity was considered. Since the

flights occurred during the crepuscular hours or when the moon

was full, light may be a controlling factor. To test this hypothesis,

the following experiment was tried: Males were allowed to become

accustomed to earth in an indoor container. At 9 A.M., the soil was

wet down and the curtains drawn. An hour later, males were ob-

X I am indebted to Dr. E, G. Linsley for identifying males.

October, 1950]

HAZELTINE—PLEOCOMA

189

served actively walking on the earth’s surface, while the room was

in semi-darkness. Within a few minutes after the lights were turned

on, however, the beetles had all disappeared by digging into the soil.

Males in flight early in the season were strongly attracted to

lights, but those in later flights did not show this phototropism, and

had to be collected with a net.

Both males and females were watched as they dug. They used

the flattened clypeus with a motion suggesting a scoop shovel,

getting the head as low as possible and then lifting it and the dirt in

front of or above the clypeus. The anterior tarsi were drawn up

behind the strongly toothed and dilated fore tibiae, which were

used to loosen dirt and move backward. The middle and hind legs

pushed the body forward and also continued the backward move¬

ment of the loosened soil. The strokes of all the legs were lengthwise

of the body. It was surprising that very few males had the fore tarsi

missing, and that the heavier female could dig at a much faster rate

that the male.

Males found in the ground were in unlined earthen cells within

four inches of the surface. Captive males in the observation cage

remained near the surface until the earth was wetted, whereupon

they immediately started to dig to the surface.

Males enter the ground between flights, and this accounts for

the numerous small holes that make it difficult for the collector to

find the burrows of females. The burrow of a male is typically about

half an inch in diameter and generally is free of loose dirt around

the opening; that of the female is noticeably larger, about three

quarters of an inch in diameter, and usually has loose dirt around

the mouth. The burrow of the female also generally has a plug of

loose earth an inch or two below the opening. This plug suggests

that the female first comes to the surface, then turns around and

goes down the open hole, pushing up dirt as she digs. A male and

female were taken in the same burrow, the male above the female,

and both were about 8 inches below the surface and headed down.

This pair of beetles was in comparatively dry sandy soil.

The larvae of P. conjungens 2 were taken early in the spring in

an area of grass and yellow pine roots. The three females found in

the soil were in close proximity to the following plants:

1. Pinus ponderosa Dough Yellow pine. 3

2. Gnaphalium sp. Cudweed. 3

3. Quercus agrifolia Nee. Coast live oak. 3

determined by Dr. E. G. Linaley.

determined by Dr. C. D. Duncan.

190

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

RECORD OF THE GENUS PROCATHAROSIA

IN NORTH AMERICA

(Diptera: Tachinidae or Larvaevoridae)

BY PAUL H. ARNAUD

Natural History Museum , Stanford University, California

A male tachinid recently collected by the writer in Santa Clara

Co., California, was kindly identified as Petia calva Coquillett by

Prof. H. J. Reinhard of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of

Texas. Dr. L. P. Mesnil of the Commonwealth Bureau of Biological

Control, Zurich, Switzerland, also examined the specimen and found

it to be congeneric with the genus Procatharosia Vill, Coquillett

(1910) originally described the genus Petia with the new species

calva as generic type, on the basis of two male specimens from San

Pedro, California, and Moscow, Idaho. Villeneuve (1924) proposed

the new generic name Procatharosia with Catharosia flavicornis

Zetterstedt as type. Townsend (1915, 1936 and 1938) considered

Petia Coquillett to be a synonym of Catharosia Rondani, 1868.

This synonymy is incorrect because of the probable misidentifica-

tion of the European species by Townsend. Petia was first used by

Gray in 1839 for a genus of reptiles. Therefore, Procatharosia Vil¬

leneuve 1924 is the first available generic name and the American

species should now be called Procatharosia calva (Coquillett).

The distribution of the two known species of Procatharosia is

western Europe for P. flavicornis and western North America for

P. calva. The specimens of P. calva studied are: 6, Stanford Uni¬

versity, California, July 1, 1949; 2 2$, Stanford University, Cali¬

fornia, July 28,1949; 2, Redwood City, San Mateo Co., California,

July 30, 1949; all collected by the writer.

Bibliography

Coquillett, D. W.

1910. New genera and species of North American Diptera. Proc.

Ent. Soc. Washington, 12(3): 124-131.

Townsend, C. H. T.

1915. Some muscoid synonyms. Ent. News, 26(10) : 366.

1936,1938. Manual of Myiology, 4: 1-303, 7: 1-428.

Villeneuve, J.

1924. Contribution a la classification des “Tachinidae” Pale-

arctiques. Ann. Sci. Natur., Zool., (10) 7: 5-39, 7 figs.

October, 1950] vaurie—languria mozardi

191

A WESTERN RACE OF LANGURIA MOZARDI

(Coleoptera: Languriidae)

BY PATRICIA VAURIE

American Museum of Natural History, New York

Examination of 114 specimens of Languria mozardi (Latreille),

llie Clover Stem-Borer, from various parts of Texas, Arizona, Utah,

and northern Mexico, shows that in this area there is a race with

the legs consistently darker than the mozardi of northeastern and

southeastern United States. It is proposed to name it

Languria mozardi occidentalis Vaurie, new subspecies

Similar to m. mozardi in size and in coloration above, but differ¬

ing from it in coloration below, occidentalis having more piceous

on the femora and less piceous on the abdomen.

Type Locality: Uvalde, Texas, June 14, 1932, J. 0. Martin,

collector; type deposited in the California Academy of Sciences.

36 paratopotypes , 33 in the California Academy of Sciences, 3 in

the American Museum of Natural History. 81 paratypes from:

Utah: St. George (Chas. Palm). Arizona: Phoenix, February 28,

1929 (J. H. O’Dell), August (D. K. Duncan), (Chas. Palm), June

24, July 4,1942 (P. C. Grossman); Tempe, August 1 and 3, 1917,

Corn. Univ. Exped. Lot 542; Globe, June (D. K. Duncan), Febru¬

ary 23, 1936 (Parker), May 19 (Duncan and Parker); Tucson,

Univ. Farm, June 4, 1926 (A. A. Nichol); Pima Co., September 1,

1925 (C. L. Marsh); Yuma, May 14,1939 (Van Dyke Coll.); Mari¬

copa Co., August 27, 1928 (0. L. B.); “Ariz.” (Chas. Palm).

Texas: Clifton, June 16,1929 (J. 0. Martin); Waco (Schff. Coll);

Austin, April 7, 1924 (J. 0. Martin), May 30, 1897 (G. W. Beck);

New Braunfels, June 26, 1917 (Schff. Coll.) ; San Antonio, May

(A. Fenyes Coll.), June, 1942 (E. S. Ross); Carrizo Spgs., June

12, 1932 (J. 0. Martin); Ben Bolt, June 23, 1930 (J. 0. Martin);

Kingsville, Corn. Univ. Lot 912 Sub (C. T. Reed); Fedor, (Van

Dyke Coll.); “Tex.” (Schff. Coll.), (Chas. Palm). Mexico: Chi¬

huahua: Delicias, July 11, 1947, D. Rockefeller Exp. (Cazier);

Sinaloa: Los Mochis, June 18, 1922 (Van Dyke Coll.). 29 para¬

types in the California Academy of Sciences, 21 in the American

Museum of Natural History, 13 at Cornell University and 18 in

the collection of Frank H. Parker.

192

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXVI, No. 4

Discussion: In occidentalis the middle and hind femora are

usually entirely piceous and always more than half piceous, in con¬

trast to mozardi where they are usually less than half piceous or

half piceous and half reddish yellow. This is a small but constant

difference and is shown below.

Table 1. Color of the middle and hind femora of Languria m. occi¬

dentalis and L. m. mozardi:

114 L. m

occidentalis

More than half piceous.109 (96%)

Half piceous. 5 (4%)

Less than half piceous . —

196 L. m.

mozardi

21 ( 11 %)

110 (56%)

65 (33%)

The front femora in both races are at least half piceous, but they

are usually entirely so in occidentalis and from half to three-quar¬

ters in mozardi.

On the abdomen, the three apical segments are entirely piceous

in 280 of 299 mozardi specimens, or 93 per cent, and in another

series, 152 of 170, or 89 per cent, have them piceous. In occi¬

dentalis, on the other hand, of 114 specimens, only 43, or 37 per

cent, have these segments fully piceous; the same number (37 per

cent) have but two apical segments piceous, leaving 29 individuals,

or 26 per cent, more or less in between, with only part of the third

apical segment piceous.

It seemed that, in general, the elytral punctuation was deeper

and larger in occidentalis and the head and thorax more strongly

punctate, but these characters were found to vary quite a bit in

both populations and to be very difficult to assess objectively.

There are physiological and ecological differences between these

races. Southwestern mozardi (occidentalis ) has three distinct

generations a year, the first passed almost exclusively on yellow

sweet clover {Melilotus officinalis) , the second and third usually

on alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) , while in the east there is but one

generation, usually passed on red clover ( Trifolium pratense ),

but also on other host plants, mainly Compositae.

No specimens have been examined from New Mexico, Colorado,

Nevada, California, or Lower California, but it is probable that

individuals from these states would be occidentalis rather than

mozardi.

October, 1950] index to volume xxvi *

193

Abbott, butterfly migration, 161

Absidia, 76

Acroceratidae, 89

Adams, Oliarces, 137

Aedes eataphylla, 115

cinereus hemiteleus, 117

communis, 113

fitchii, 113

hexodontus, 113

impiger, 117

increpitus, 111

pullatus, 48,107,115

ventrovittis, 116

Aegeriidae, 60

Aegus horridus, 17

Agromyzidae, 119

Alexander, Tipulidae, 81

Alloxytropus, 139

Aloephagus, 22, myersi, 22

Ambrysus mormon, 19

Amphichlorops venenatus, 89

Ancistronycha, 26, 27

Antbicidae, 122

Anthophoridae, 39

Anthothrips flavipes Jones, 187

Aphidae, 22, 93

Aphis borealis, 93

Apystomyia, 146,151

elinguis, 147

Arnaud, Procatharosia, 190

Assipala melanoptera, 87

Baris scolopacea, 35

Beal, Formieilla, 122

Bembidion alutaceum, 103

elizabethae, 104

fenderi, 102

farrarae, 99

immaculosum, 101

keechelus, 97

kincaidi, 100

microreticulatum, 105

planiusculum, 99

raineri, 97

stillaguamish, 98

wenatchee, 101

Benesh, stagbeetles, 11,49

Bohart, G. E., mating habits of

halietid bees, 34

Bohart, R. M., California snow

mosquitoes, 111

Bombyliidae, 139,145

Book notices, 58, 80, 96, 160, 172

Brachyacantha bolli, 158

bistripustulata decora, 158

bistripustulata guttata, 158

tau,158

Brookman, Culicidae, 159

Caenotus, 148,151

canus, 148

hospes, 148,149

inornatus, 148

minutus, 148

Cantharidae, 25, 61

Cantharis, 26, 74, americana, 31

americana larvalis, 32,61

americana montereyensis, 32,

bilineata, 28

bilobata, 28

Carolina, 29

cons or s, 75

curtisii, 75

dentata, 30

dentiger, 28

divisa, 30

hatchi, 31, 62

ingenua, 32, 70

ingenua knulli, 32, 72

insipidia, 77

lauta, 66

livida, 75

mackenziei, 32,69

macnabiana, 31, 65

neglecta, 28

ochropa, 31, 67

perpallens, 32

perpallens sanctaeclarae, 31,73

rotundicollis, 75

rufa, 75

sierrae, 76

Carabidae, 97

Catharosia, 190

Cerambycidae, 46,134

Chapman, James W., 110

Chemosensory responses, 46

Chloropidae, 91

Chrysops callida, 95

celeris, 95

cuclux, 95

flavida, 95

flavida reicherti, 95

nigra, 95

scalarata, 88

Coccinellidae, 156

Coleoptera, 11, 25, 35, 39, 46, 49,

61, 94, 97, 118, 122, 134, 156,

188, 191

Cott, Thysanoptera, 187

Culex boharti, 159

reevesi Bohart, 159

reevesi Wirth, 159

Culiseta impatiens, 179

incidens, 179

inornata, 179

maccrackenae, 179

Culicidae, 107, 111, 159,179

Cultellunguis, 26, 30

* New names in bold f aee, synonyms and homonyms in italics.

194

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VoL. XXVI, No. 4

Curculionidae, 35

Cyrtomoptera, 26,29

Dacus dorsalis, 43

Desmatoneura argentifrons, 152

Diachlorus ferrugatus, 88

Dichelacera f ulminea, 88

pulchra, 88

Dicranoptycha amabilis, 84

melampygia, 81

spinosissima, 83

stenophallus, 82

Diptera, 81, 86, 91, 95, 107, 111,

119,138, 139, 145, 156, 179; 190

Dorcus clypeatus, 14

gracilicomis, 11

nitidus, 16

Empidideicus, 140

flavifrons, 141

Eribolus californicus, 91, 92

longulus, 92

nearcticus, 92

sudeticus, 92

Esenbeckia mejiai, 87

Essig, Aphid on Aloe, 23

Evans, Incita aurantiaca, 21

Exepacmus nasalis, 152

ExomalopsiSj 39

Figulus curvicornis, 56

fissicollis, 53

foveatus, 55

manillarum, 53

punctatostriatus, 53

orthognathus, 54

Formicilla, 122

gilensis, 124,125

munda, 125,126

mnnda gracilipes, 125,127

punctata, 129

scitula, 125

scitula evanescens, 125,128

Furman, book notice, 58

Glabellula, 140,141

crassicomis, 142

fasciata, 143

metatarsalis, 142,143

nanella, 143,144

pumila, 142,144

rotundipennis, 142,145

Gnaphaloryx haddeni, 49

Gressitt, Megopis, 134

Grimes, Pleocoma behrensii, 118

Halictidae, 34

Hatch, Carabidae, 97

Hazeltine, Pleocoma conjungens,

188

Hemiptera, 19

Hermetia albitarsis, 86

flavipes, 86

illucens, 86

Heterotropin ae, 151

Heterotropus, 151, senex, 150

Hobbs, Torymus, 173

Homoptera, 22, 93

Hoplitimyia mutabilis, 86

Hottes, Aphis borealis, 93

Hurd, Pepsis, 132

Smith obituary, 59

Hybomitra quadripunctata,

var. amabilis, 89

tetrica rubrilata, 95

Hymenoptera, 34, 39, 130, 132,

173

Hyperaspis rotunda, 158

Incita aurantiaca, 21

International Congress of

Entomology, Ninth, 35,136

Ithonidae, 137

James, Hondurian Diptera, 87

Johnson, Aedes pullatus, 107

Culiseta larvae, 179

Krombein, Nitela, 130

Languria mozardi occidentalis,

191

Languriidae, 191

La Rivers, Naucoridae, 19

Larvaevoridae, 190

Lathridiidae, 94

Leech, book notices, 80,160'

Cartodere filum, 94

Lepidoptera, 21, 60, 161

Lepiselaga crassipes, 88

Lewallen, bristle density of

house fly, 138

Liriomyza pusilla, 119

Lueanidae, 11, 49

MacSwain, book notice, 172

Malkin, Coccinellidae, 156

McKey-Fender, Cantharis, 25, 61

Melander, Bombyliidae, 139,145

Megopis mediocostata, 134

piliventris, 135

Merosargus bequaerti, 87

cingulatus, 87

Metacosmus, 156, exilis, 156

mancipennis, 156

nitidus, 156

Microchrysa bicolor, 87

Micromelomalus, 99

Middlekauff, Tabanidae, 95

Mimicry, 40

Musca domestica, 138

Muscidae, 138

Museum, entomological, 1

Mythicomyia, 140

Naucoridae, 19

Neuroptera, 137

Nigidius lewisi, 52

lichtensteini, 52

Nitela toivnesorum, 130

Nymphalidae, 161

Ocnaea cisnerosi, 89

Oliarces clara, 48,137

October, 1950]

INDEX TO VOLUME XXVI

195

Oncodocera, 151

Oxygrillus ruginasus, 46

Pacific Coast Ent. Soe., 36

Field trip, 44

Proceedings, 36

Paracosmus, 153, edwardsii, 154

morrisoni, 154

rubricundus, 154,155

insolens, 154

Pedicella notata, 87

Pelocoris shoshone, 19

Pepsis accipitrinus, 132

apicalis Lepeletier, 133

atricoma, 132

fusca Lucas, 132

fuscipennis Smith, 132

linsleyi, 132

obscura Lepeletier, 133

palliata, 133

somatochlora, 133

Petia, 190

Phlaeothripidae, 187

Phalaenidae, 21

Phthiria, 151

Plataphus, 99

Platypygus, 139, americanus, 140

Pleocoma behrensii, 118

conjungens, 188

Pollination, insect, 41

Pompilidae, 132

Polyembryony, 43

Procatharosia, 190, calva, 190

flavicornis, 190

Prorates, 145,151

Prosopocoilus piceipennis, 17

Pseudoperyphus, 100

Ptecticus testaceus, 87

Quate, Tabanidae, 95

Reeves, Culicidae, 159

Rhagonycha, 26

Rhipiphoridae, 39

Rhipiphorus, 39

Ross, Academy collections, 79,

106

book notice, 80

Chapman, James W., 110

entomological museum, 1

Sabrosky, Eribolus, 91

Sargus speciosus, 87

thoracicus, 87

Scarabaeidae, 46,118,188

Scymnus mexicanus, 157

Siphonaptera, 79

Smith, Synanthedon saxifragae,

Sphecidae, 130

Stenotabaiius longipennis, 89

Stonemyia pigra, 95

Stratiomyidae, 86

Synanthedon saxifragae, 60

Tabanidae, 87, 95

Tabanus aeutus, 95

endymion, 95

fulvulus pallidescens, 95

fuscicostatus, 95

gladiator, 95

lineola, var. carneus, 89

molestus, 95

nigrescens, 96

unistriatus, 89

vittiger schwardti, 96

Tachinidae, 190

Tachys parvulus, 105

Thurman, Aedes pullatus, 107

Culiseta larvae, 179

Thysanoptera, 187

Tilden, Liriomyza, 119

Tipulidae, 81

Torymidae, 173

Torymus festivus, 173

Van Dyke, book notice, 96

European weevil, 35

Vanessa cardui, 161

Vaurie, western race of

Langur ip mozardi, 191

Watsoniella flavipes Jones, 187

jonesiana, 187

Xylotrechus undulatus, 46

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Published by the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society

in cooperation with

The California Academy of Sciences

VOLUME TWENTY-SIX

1950

EDITORIAL BOARD

P. D. HURD and H. B. LEECH, Editors

E. C. VAN DYKE, Associate Editor

E. G. LINSLEY, Associate Editor

R. L. USINGER, Associate Editor

E. S. ROSS, Assistant Editor

R. C. MILLER, Treasurer

1949

C. D. Duncan

H. H. Keifer

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

1950

G. F. Ferris

E. O. Essig, Chairman

1931

M. A. Stewart

E. R. Leach

San Francisco, California

1950

CONTENTS FOR VOLUME XXVI

Abbott, Charles H.

Twenty-five years of migration of the painted lady butter¬

fly, Vanessa cardui, in southern California.. 161

Adams, Phillip # A.

Notes on Oliarces clara Banks. 137

Alexander, C. P.

Undescribed species of Tipulidae from the western United

States Part IV. 81

Arnaud, Paul H.

Record of the genus Procatharosia in North America. 190

Beal, R. S., Jr.

Systematic notes on the genus Formicilla in the United

States and Mexico. 122

Benesh, Bernard

Descriptions of new species of stagbeetles from Formosa

and the Philippines. 11, 49

Bohart, George E.

Observations on the mating habits of Halictid bees. 34

Bohart, Richard M.

Observations on snow mosquitoes in California. Ill

Brookman, B., and W. C. Reeves

A new name for a California mosquito. 159

Cott, H. Edwin.

A secondary homonym in Thysanoptera. 187

Essig, E. 0.

A new genus and species of Aphididae on Aloe. 22

Evans, William H.

Life history notes on Incita aurantiaca Hy. Edw. 21

Furman, Deane P.

Book Notice: American Spiders. 58

Gressitt, J. Linsley

Two new oriental Prionids of the genus Megopis. 134

Grimes, Peter S.

A new distributional record for Pleocoma behrensii. 118

Hatch, Melville H.

Studies on the Coleoptera of the Pacific Northwest. 97

Hazeltine, William

Observations on flights of Pleocoma conj ungens. 188

Hobbs, Kenneth R.

Notes on the classification of Torymus with the biology

and description of a new species. 173

Hottes, F. C.

A long lost Aphis species. 93

Hurd, Paul D., Jr.

Claude “I” Smith. 59

Nomenclatorial notes on the genus Pepsis. 132

International Congress of Entomology. 136

James, Maurice T.

The Diptera collected on the Cockerell and Hubbell expe¬

ditions to Honduras Part I: Stratiomyidae, Tabanidae,

and Acroceratidae. 86

Johnson, Phyllis T., and Ernestine B. Thurman

The occurrence of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) pullatus

(Coquillett), in California. 107

Krombein, Karl V.

A new Nitela from California. 130

La Rivers, Ira

The meeting point of Ambrysus and Pelocoris in Nevada 19

Leech, Hugh B.

Book notices: The Siphonaptera of Canada. 80

The nature of natural history. 160

Cartodere filum in California. 94

Lewallen, Lawrence

Bristle density of the fifth abdominal sternite of two

house fly strains. 138

MacSwain, J. W.

Book notice: The insect world of J. Henri Fabre. 172

Malkin, Borys

Notes on certain Mexican Coccinellidae. 156

Ill

McKey-Fender, Dorothy

Notes on Cantharis III. 25, 61

Melander, A. L.

Taxonomic notes on some smaller Bombyliidae. 139, 145

Middlekauff, Woodrow W., and Larry W. Quate

New distributional records for some Nearctic Tabanidae .... 95

Pacific Coast Entomological Society, Proceedings. 36

Ross, Edward S.

The role of the entomological museum. 1

Academy receives flea collection. 79

Book notice: The life of William T. Davis. 80

Some collections recently acquired by the California

Academy of Sciences. 106

Personal note: James W. Chapman. 110

Sabrosky, Curtis W.

A new species of Eribolus from California. 91

Smith, Claude I.

Synanthedon saxifragae in California. 60

Thurman, Ernestine B., and Phyllis T. Johnson

The taxonomic characters of the larvae of the genus

Culiseta Felt, 1904 in California. 179

Tilden, J. W.

Oviposition and behavior of Liriomyza pusilla (Meigen) .... 119

Van Dyke, Edwin C.

Another European weevil established in California. 35

Book notice: Insects affecting forest products and

other materials. 96

Vaurie, Patricia

A western race of Languria mozardi. 191

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SOUTH HAVEN, MICH. ORLANDO, FLA. LYNDONVILLE, N. Y. ELIZABETH, N. J.

SINCE 1906

Trademarks: ORTHO, ISOTOX, VAPOTONE, VAPOPHOS, PERSISTO, B-GON, GAMTOX

REG. U. S. PAT. OFF.

YOU GET THE BEST

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Scientific Pest Control Products!

When you use ORTHO products, you’re getting the benefits of this matchless

combination of values: nearly half a century of research knowledge and field

experience, progressive product development, quality manufacturing, techni¬

cal field service . . . and results against pests!

These ORTHO Products are leading the field

Modern Organic Pesticides

ISOTOX —Gamma Isomer of BHC from

lindane. Dusts, Sprays, Wettable

Powder. Concentrate

VAPOTONE - TEPP, Dusts, Spray

Concentrate

VAPOPHOS —Parathion. Dusts, Wett¬

able Powders

PERSISTO— DDT. Dusts, Wettable

Powder

PEST-B-GON— DDT. Spray

ORTHO-KLOR— Chlordane. Dusts,

Spray, Wettable Powder

ALLTOX —Toxaphene, Dusts, Wettable

Powder, Spray

GAMTOX— BHC. Dusts, Wettable

Powder

ESTERCIDE 330—Ester 2, 4-D Weed

Killer Spray

ESTERCIDE-T 245 and

ESTERCIDE-T 2— Ester 2, 4, 5-T

Weed and Brush Killer Sprays

WEED-B-GON 64—Amine 2, 4-D

Weed Killer Spray