Vol. 49

JANUARY 1973

No. 1

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

PARSONS—The Lagriidae of California (Coleoptera) ___ 1

TURNER AND CHILLCOTT—Four new species of the Symphoromyia

pachyceras complex from California (Diptera: Rhagionidae) _ 5

GILBERT—Foraging behavior of Trigona fulviventris in Costa Rica

(Hymenoptera: Apidae) _ 21

PAETZEL—Behavior of the male Trypoxylon rubrocinctum (Hymenoptera:

Sphecidae) _ 26

CHANDLER—A revision of the New World genus Formicilla (Coleoptera:

Anthicidae) _ 31

MUCHMORE—A new genus of pseudoscorpions based upon Atemnus hirsutus

(Pseudoscorpionida: Chernetidae) _ 43

EIGHME—A new Pulverro from California (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) . 49

GORDH—Description of a new species of Trjapitzinellus parasitic on

Coniopterygidae in California (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae; Neuroptera) 51

FOSTER AND ANTONELLI—Larval description and notes on the biology of

Anthocomus horni (Coleoptera: Melyridae) _ 56

McCREA—A new species of the flea beetle genus Chaetocnema found on

dichondra in California (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) _ 61

PETERMAN—Possible behavioral thermoregulation in Tanarthrus salinus and

T. inyo (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) _ 67

EMMEL, TREW, AND SHIELDS—Chromosomal variability in a Nearctic

Lycaenid butterfly, Philotes sonorensis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) _ 74

CORRECTION _ 4

EDITORIAL NOTICE _ 25

SCIENTIFIC NOTES_ 42, 59, 60, 80

COLLECTION DONATED_ 48

BOOK REVIEW _ 55

ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE _ 73

PROCEEDINGS _ 81

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA • 1973

Published by the PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

in cooperation with THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

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The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Vol. 49

January 1973

No. 1

The Lagriiclae of California

(Coleoptera)

Carl T. Parsons

Manchester Depot, Vermont 05256

In 1965 I published an account of North American Statira in which

the Lagriidae of California were represented only by an unnamed

unique labelled merely “S. Cal.” Now there are before me three more

species two of which are undescribed. Much more material for study

is urgently needed from both California and Baja California, Mexico.

Key to California Statira

1. At least middle and posterior tibiae sulcate along nearly entire outer edge.

Disc of pronotum irregularly rugulose, not punctate. Third elytral interval

with more than eight setigerous punctures . 2

Tibiae on outer edge rounded to nearly flattened towards apex. Disc of

pronotum obsoletely rugulose or finely granular and sparsely punctate.

Third elytral interval with less than eight setigerous punctures . 3

2. Elytra and pronotum dark brown to piceous with some specimens having

pronota tending to dark rufous. Apical antennal segment of female equal

to next 2.5 segments. First elytral interval with 23-33 setigerous punctures,

third with 26-39, fifth with 21-28, seventh with 17-26, and ninth with

18-30 setigerous punctures . dumalis Parsons, n. sp.

Elytra usually dark piceous and feebly shining, pronotum dark rufous and

subopaque. Apical antennal segment of female equal to next 2.75 segments.

First elytral interval with 11-16 setigerous punctures, third with 14-21,

fifth with 12-20, seventh with 10-17, and ninth with 12-20 setigerous

punctures . pluripunctata Horn

3. All femora finely sparsely pubescent. Pronotal lateral margins almost always

obliterated anteriorly but becoming distinct posteriorly. Surface of

pronotum finely obsoletely rugulose. Female apical antennal segment equal

to next 2.25 segments. First elytral interval wtih 2-3 setigerous punctures,

third with 1-3, fifth with 1-3, seventh with 1-2, and ninth with 2-3

setigerous punctures . latitator Parsons n. sp.

No alternate.

Statira dumalis Parsons, new species

Female. —Uniformly dark brown above with underside and legs slightly paler.

Vertex densely finely rugulose, as on disc of pronotum. Apical antennal segment

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 1-4. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

as long as tenth, ninth, and one-half of eighth segments. Prothorax with width:

length as 1:1.05, anterior margin feebly emarginate. Scutellum very finely obsoletely

punctate and transversely alutaceous. Elytra along inner halves somewhat flattened;

striate, with closely placed punctures along striae, intervals finely granular,

moderately convex; setigerous punctures about twice as large as strial punctures.

First elytral interval with 25 setigerous punctures, second interval with one at

base, third interval with 29, fifth interval with 22, seventh interval with 17, and

ninth interval with 25 setigerous punctures. All femora finely sparsely pubescent;

all tibiae sulcate along outer edge. Length 9.8 mm, width of pro thorax 1.7 mm,

width of elytra at humeri 2.5 mm.

Paratypes.—Color may be piceous and anterior prothoracic margin truncate in

two examples. First elytral interval may have 23-33 setigerous punctures, third

interval with 26-39, fifth interval with 21-28, seventh interval with 18-26, and

ninth interval with 18-30 setigerous punctures. Length 9.5-11.2 mm, width of

prothorax 1.6-2.0 mm, width of elytra at humeri 2.4-3.1 mm.

M ale .—Unknown.

Holotype female, Imperial County, California, July 1912, J. C.

Bridwell, E. C. Van Dyke. Known only from the type and seven females

taken in southeastern California in eastern Riverside County and

Imperial County. Paratypes: two same data as holotype; one, Holtville,

23 June 1946: three, Coachella, Riverside Co., 24 May 1928, E. C.

Van Dyke; one, Laguna Lake, Imperial Co., 9-11 June 1950. Holotype

and five paratypes are in the California Academy of Sciences, one

paratype is in the Los Angeles County Museum and one is in the writer’s

collection.

This species agrees with S. subnitida in lateral pronotal line, color,

female apical antennal segment, but has many more setigerous punctures

and the pronotal surface much more rugulose and not granular. Also

S. dumalis is related to S. pluripunctata differing as follows. Disc of

pronotum more flattened than in S. pluripunctata or S. subnitida, about

as convex as in S. dejecta. Pronotal surface slightly more coarsely

rugulose than in 5. pluripunctata but distinctly more finely rugulose

than in S. hirsuta. Elytra along inner halves somewhat flattened as in

S. dejecta, less convex than in S. pluripunctata, intervals about as convex

as in S. pluripunctata.

Statira pluripunctata Horn

Statirci pluripunctata Horn, 1888, 15:29.

This species occurs in Utah, Arizona (west to Ajo Mts.), New Mexico,

western Texas, and Mexico. Also there is at Ohio State University one

typical S. pluripunctata collected 1 August 1940 in Yosemite National

Park by D. J. and J. N. Knull. Professor Knull (personal communica¬

tion) states, “We must assume that the locality is correct. We were in

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

1 )nm

Figs. 1, 2. Lateral and dorsal views of the aedeagus of Statira latitator Parsons

n. sp.

a crowded camping; area in Yosemite and it is possible that the specimen

could have been carried by one of the automobiles.” This record needs

confirmation.

Statira latitator Parsons, new species

Male.— Appearing teneral; testaceous, head and antennae fuscous, basal 6-8

antennal segments tending to piceous. Elytra dusky laterally and posteriorly.

Vertex very narrow, as wide as width of first antennal segment, surface densely

rugulose. Apical antennal segment as long as tenth, ninth, and three-fifths of

eighth segments. Prothorax with width:length as 1:1.06; anterior margin truncate.

Surface of pro thorax very finely obsoletely rugulose; prothoracic lateral line

obliterated anteriorly becoming distinct posteriorly. Scutellum very finely alu-

taceous and punctate, laterally and posteriorly with a smoother raised margin.

Elytra striate with punctures closely placed along striae; intervals finely granular

and moderately convex; setigerous punctures about twice as large as strial punc¬

tures. First elytral interval with one setigerous puncture at base and one at apex,

third with three at apex, fifth with two at base, seventh with two at base, and

ninth with three at apex. All femora very finely and sparsely pubescent; all tibiae

rounded on outer edge. Aedeagus with unique pair of recurved dorsal spines

(Figs. 1, 2). Length 8.4 mm, width of prothorax 1.4 mm, width of elytra at

humeri 2.0 mm.

Female. —As for male except vertex as wide as tenth antennal segment; apical

antennal segment as long as tenth, ninth, and one-fourth of eighth segments;

prothorax with width:length as 1:.97; third elytral interval with one setigerous

puncture at base and one at apex, fifth with one at base, and ninth with two at

apex. Length 9.5 mm, width of prothorax 1.5 mm, width of elytra at humeri 2.3 mm.

Paratypes.—Some specimens darker; occasionally the anterior pronotal margin

feebly emarginate; rarely lateral pronotal line extends very finely to anterior

angles; first elytral interval with 0-1 setigerous puncture at base and 1-3 at

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

apex, third with 0-2 at base, 1-3 at apex, fifth with 1-2 at base, 0-1 near apex,

seventh with 1—2 at base, and ninth with 2-3 at apex; length 7.5-9.5 mm.

Holotype male and allotype, Deep Canyon, Riverside County, Cali¬

fornia collected at light 13 June 1963 E. I. Schlinger. Paratypes: 49

from type locality in 1963, 13 June (36), 16 May (2), 30 May (1),

20 June (1), 22 June (8), and 8 August (1) ; also 24 May 1964, M. E.

Irwin (1) ; and one 10 April 1961, 1.5 miles north of Puertocito, on the

gulf coast of Baja California, Mexico, A. G. Smith. Holotype and

allotype in the California Academy of Sciences, paratypes in the

Entomological Museum, University of California at Riverside, except

for one pair in the writer’s collection and a male in the California

Academy of Sciences.

This species has the appearance of S. opacicollis which differs in

having an entire lateral pronotal line, much longer apical antennal seg¬

ment, more numerous setigerous elytral punctures, and different

aedeagus. The prothorax, elytra, and elytral intervals are about as

convex as in S. pluripunctata.

Literature Cited

Horn, G. 1888. Miscellaneous Coleopterous Studies. Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc.,

15: 29.

Parsons, C. T. 1965. A Key to North American Statira (Coleoptera: Lagriidae).

Psyche, 72: 241-254.

CORRECTION

Emmel, T. C. and J. F. Emmel. 1971. A new subspecies of Papilio indrci from

central Nevada (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Pan-Pac. Entomol., 47: 220-223.

On page 221, lines 3 through 11, the data for the types should read as follows:

Holotype male, Jett Canyon, 6,600 feet elevation, east side of Toiyabe

Range, Nye County, Nevada, 3 August 1967, John F. Emmel.

Paratypes. —11 males and 9 females. Data as follows (all localities east side

of Toiyabe Range, Nye County, Nevada) : 9 males, 5 females, Jett Canyon, 6,500-

6,800 feet elevation, 3 August 1967, John F. Emmel, Oakley Shields, and Scott Ellis;

2 males, 2 females, Summit Canyon, 7,000-7,200 feet elevation, 30 June 1968, John

F. Emmel and Oakley Shields; 2 females, reared from ova laid by a female collected

in Summit Canyon, 7,000 feet elevation, on 30 June 1968, and reared by Chris

Henne on Tauschia parishii C. and R. at Pearblossom, California, emerged 30 May

1969, and 29 May 1969.— Thomas C. Emmel and John F. Emmel, University of

Florida, Gainesville 32601.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Four New Species of the Symphoromyia pachyceras

Complex from California 1

(Diptera: Rhagionidae)

William J. Turner and J. G. Chillcott 2

Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman

The Nearctic species of biting snipe flies of the genus Symphoromyia,

last revised by Aldrich (1915), remain poorly known. On morphological

bases, including the structure of the male genitalia, the species can be

divided into several distinct groups or complexes (Turner, 1971). One

group, the pachyceras complex, was found to contain several new

entities; four of these, all from northern California and closely related

to Symphoromyia pachyceras Williston, are described herein. Other

described species contained within this group include: S. inquisitor

Aldrich, S. plumbea Aldrich and S. comata Bigot. Since the original

description by Williston (1886), however, the name Symphoromyia

pachyceras has been incorrectly applied to nearly all the species now

included in the complex.

These four new species are being described to make the names avail¬

able for several biological studies by J. B. Hoy and J. R. Anderson.

While the late J. G. Chillcott had begun work on the pachyceras complex,

his untimely death prevented the results of his initial efforts from

reaching publication. His influence on this present work cannot be

overemphasized. My appreciation goes to Drs. James B. Hoy and

Herbert J. Teskey for making Chillcott’s working notes and files avail¬

able for use during this study.

Symphoromyia pachyceras Complex Diagnosis

Color essentially black, surface often dusted with gray or brown pollen, third

antennal segment convex or straight beneath arista, usually rounded above as

much as beneath in lateral view, parafacial area sparsely to densely haired in both

sexes, halter dark (yellow only in S. inquisitor) . Males with eyes narrowly separated

forward of ocellar prominence, abdominal segments I-IV often subparallel, seg¬

ments V and following becoming noticeably constricted, segment IV with short,

stiff hairs posterolaterally, abdominal tergite IX with laterally compressed process

medially on posterior margin, dististylus elongate, slightly elbowed or curved, often

with a ventral lobe. Females dull and densely gray pollinose on head and body with

each abdominal tergite bearing dark median spot or, in some species, abdomen

1 Scientific paper 3810, College of Agriculture, Washington State University. Work was conducted

under Project 9043.

2 Entomology Research Institute, Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Deceased, 1967.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 5-20. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

subshiny, only feebly pollinose and without markings, minimum distance between

eyes from one-third to two-fifths head width.

Terminology used for morphological structures and surfaces essen¬

tially those of Grimshaw (1905), Crampton (1942) and Turner (1971).

Symphoromyia cervivora Turner and Chillcott, new species

Males of this large species are recognized by long postocular hair

dorsally which is about one-half length of hair on ocellar prominence;

humeral and laterotergal hair mostly black, rarely white; wing mem¬

brane nearly clear and hyaline; dististylus with broad, quadrangular

basiventral process and short apical arm. Females have black palpi,

laterally restricted parafacial hair, abdominal tergites each with a

median brown spot surrounded by dark gray or bluish gray pollinosity,

mesoscutal vittae brown, faint.

Holotype male. —Length: 7.6 mm. Wing length: 5.9 mm. Head and its

appendages, thorax, legs and abdomen black; femur I reddish yellow narrowly at

apex, femora II, III similar but less so; halter knob dark brown, stem lighter. Sur¬

face subshiny, minutely rugulose at high magnification (45 X), lightly dusted with

gray or bluish gray pollen, most dense on antennal scape, behind eyes, on meso-

scutum forward and at sides, on proepimeron, proepisternum, meron, metepisternum,

metepimeron, coxae and abdominal sternites, less dense and noticeably more shiny

on remainder of head, thoracic pleura, femora and tibiae; abdominal tergites

sparsely brown pollinose. Hair mostly black, but golden or white on peristomal

sclerites, laterotergite forward, abdominal segments I, II, and on tergite III medially;

tergites I, II with black hair along posterior margin; mixed black and white hair

present on anterior pronotum and coxa III. Head: Eyes separated above by dis¬

tance slightly less than width of median ocellus; interocellar distance subequal;

antennal scape elongate, swollen medially beneath, tapering forward, less so

basally, height three-fourths length, greater than height of segment III, hair dense,

length beneath subequal to segmental length, longer above; segment III straight

beneath arista, forming right angle with dorsal margin about base of arista; palpus

elongate, segment III subcylindrical, blunt apically, barely arcuate postmedially,

length less than twice length of segment I, bearing dorsal subapical callus, hair

dense; labrum shorter than palpus; postocular hair dorsally one-half length of

hair on ocellar prominence; parafacial area densely haired, length of hair subequal

to that of antennal segment I and to suberect hair of ocellar prominence. Thorax:

Mesoscutal vittae black, broad, prominently outlined by wide, dense, bluish gray

pollinose lines, confluent on postscutum; median vitta bisected by thin, brownish

gray pollinose line; lateral vitta complete medially, incomplete forward. Wing

membrane nearly clear, gray hyaline, only very faintly infuscated brown about

veins apically, stigma dark brown; veins dark brown towards apex, yellow basally;

costal vein with row of black, erect hairs basally beneath. Tibia III with long,

suberect hair on basal one-half of posteroventral surface, length subequal to tibial

thickness, shorter, less erect hairs present on other surfaces. Abdomen: From

above, segments I-IY subparallel laterally, segments V and following greatly com¬

pressed; on sternite IV with broad, rounded posterolateral expansion bearing stiff

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

0.3mm

Figs. 1-4. Male IX tergites, dorsal and left side, lateral views: Fig. 1,

Symphoromyia cervivorcr, Fig. 2, S. truncata ; Fig. 3, S. nana\ Fig. 4, S. pachyceras

Williston.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

hairs; tergite IX apically on posterior margin with laterally compressed process

appearing rounded in lateral view (Fig. 1) ; dististylus bearing quadrangular

basiventral lobe and short distal arm (Fig. 6) ; cercus elongate, narrow and

attenuate, apically acute.

Female. —Length: 6.7-9.2 mm. Wing length: 5.9-6.6 mm. Black color ob¬

scured by dense pollinosity; femur I narrowly at apex and humerus yellowish red,

femur II, III similar hut less so; halter knob dark brown to black, stem lighter.

Surface typically dull, opaque with almost dense gray or bluish gray pollen overall,

becoming less dense on femora and tibiae and often on clypeus, thoracic pleura,

and abdominal tergites; upper frons area, head behind and scutellum often lightly

tinted with brown pollen, scutal vittae and abdominal terga similar but darker;

tergites II and behind each marked with dark brown along front and rear margins

and medially by a separate, more or less distinct spot surrounded by dense, pale

gray, bluish gray, or dark gray pollen, replaced laterally by dense, gray pollen;

surface often subshiny or dull. Hair mostly white but appearing black on antenna,

parafacialia, head above and behind, palpus apically, mesoscutum except for

humerus and immediately behind, scutellum, femur I, often on mesoanepisternum

posterodorsally, abdominal tergites II-IV and sometimes on tergite V medially and

along rear margin, completely black on segments VI and following; hair mixed

black and white on mesocoxite A. Head : Minimum distance between eyes at

midfrons about two-fifths head width (MFW/HW ratio: 0.39-0.42) ; antennal

segment I either elongate and swollen medially, tapering at ends or shorter, sub¬

truncate forward, tapering slightly to base, height greatest subapically or medially

but varying from nearly three-fourths to almost nine-tenths length, hair sparse,

longest ventrally, subequal to segmental height, shorter above; palpal segment II

highly convex dorsally, less so beneath, height greatest postmedially, tapering to

base, length about twice length of subcylindrical segment I, with short, digitate

apical process; parafacial area with hair virtually restricted to lateral portion, bare

medially or with only one or two hairs; labrum shorter than clypeal height.

Thorax : Mesoscutal vittae pale grayish brown, faint, tapering to rear, separated

by gray or bluish gray pollinose lines; middle vitta becoming dark gray forward,

bisected by narrow, brown pollinose line; lateral vitta incomplete forward, inter¬

rupted or not medially, either bifurcate or appearing as elongate stripe and lateral

spot on postscutum. Wing membrane nearly clear, gray hyaline, stigma infuscated

brown; veins dark brown apically becoming yellow at base; costal vein beneath

at base with mixed golden and black hairs or predominantly yellow haired.

Abdomen : Disticercus elongate, subtruncate or rounded apically, attenuate toward

base.

Holotype male , Hopland Field Station (4 mi. E. Hopland), Uni¬

versity of California, Mendocino County, California, elevation

2,880 feet, 2 May 1969 (W. J. Turner), from male swarm, ca. 1145

P.D.T. CAS type no. 11250. Allotype female, same locality and date

as type.

Paratypes, 188 males, 126 females. CALIFORNIA: 43 $, 52 $, same locality

as type (all W. J. Turner collector unless otherwise indicated), “from dry ice

Malaise trap,” 4 $ 14 April 1968, 4 $ 20 April 1968, $ 4 May 1968, 15 $ , 2 $

17 May 1968, $ 18 May 1968, $, 20 $ 1 June 1968, 16 2 2 June 1968, $ 10

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

0.3 mm

Fig. 5. Male IX tergite, dorsal and left side, lateral view: Symphoromyia

inconspicua. Figs. 6-10. Male disticerci: Fig. 6, S. cervivora; Fig. 7, S. truncata;

Fig. 8, S. inconspicua ; Fig. 9, S. nana; Fig. 10, S. pachyceras Williston.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

June 1968, 4 $ 2 May 1969, $ 2 May 1969, $ 1 June 1969; “from male swarm,”

$ 2 June 1965 (J. R. Anderson), 10 $ 2 May 1969, 9 $ 28 May 1969; 2 14

May 1964 “off ears of deer” (J. R. Anderson) ; $ 8 May 1970 “at light”;

2 2 9 May 1970. Alameda Co.: Berkeley, 2 27 April 1954 (W. W. Middlekauff).

Contra Costa Co.: Danville, 2 9 May 1952 (F. X. Williams) ; Lafayette, 2 mi.

S., 2 $ 18 April 1968, “from dry ice Malaise trap,” 11 $, 2 2 26 April 1968,

2 $, 12 2 1 May 1968, 8 ^,3 2 9 May 1968, $, 2 2 17 May 1968, 7 2 15

May 1969; “from male swarm,” 46 $ 15 May 1969, Walnut Creek, foot of Shell

Rdg., S 15 April 1964 (J. A. Powell) ; Walnut Creek, 3.5 mi. E., $, 2 2 2 May

1969 (M. F. Knudsen). Lake Co.: Hopland Grade, $ 3 May 1961 (S. M. Fidel).

Marin Co.: Alpine Lk., $ 8 May 1965 (G. Buckingham), 0.5 mi. N., 3 $ 26

April 1961 (R. Garcia) ; nr. Alpine Lk. (Lily Pond), “from dry ice Malaise trap,”

3 $ 3 May 1970 (W. J. Turner) ,9 2 9 May 1970 (W. J. Turner) ; “from male

swarm,” 6 $ 3 May 1970 (W. J. Turner), 14 ^ 9 May 1970 (W. J. Turner) ;

Carson Rdg., 2 26 April 1961 (J. A. Powell) ; Cypress Rdg., 2 29 March 1921

(T. Aitkin), $ 17 May 1922 (E. P. Van Duzee) ; Fairfax, $ 13 April 1919 (E. P.

Van Duzee), 2 mi. W., $ 15 April 1966 (J. A. Powell), 2 mi. S.W., nr. Meadow

Club, $ 7 April 1961 (D. C. Rentz) ; Inverness, 2 $ 14 April 1961 (C. A. Toschi),

2 30 May 1964 (C. A. Toschi) ; Mill Va., 2 2 26 April 1925 (E. P. Van Duzee),

$ 28 February 1926 (M. C. Van Duzee), $ 26 April 1947 (E. L. Kessel), $ 28

April 1950 (F. X. Williams) ; Mt. Tamalpais, $ 24 April 1950 (F. X. Williams) ;

Nicasio, 4.4 mi. E., $ 13 April 1968 (P. A. Opler) ; nr. Novato (Umdelelannyoni),

4 $ 10 May 1948 (E. L. Kessel), 12 3', 2 2 5 May 1951 (E. L. Kessel) ; Paradise

Cove, $ 27 April 1947 (E. L. Kessel) ; San Geronimo, 2 2 23 April 1913 (J. C.

Bridwell). Napa Co.: Lokoya, T 5 2 4 May 1958 (E. G. Linsley, R. F. Smith) ;

Napa, 2 $ 7 April 1939 (M. A. Cazier) ; Samuel Spg., 3 $ 29 March 1956 (E. I.

Schlinger). San Francisco Co.: San Francisco, $ (H. Edwards). San Luis

Obispo Co.: Creston, 10 mi. S., 2 1 May 1962 (C. A. Toschi) ; La Panza Cmp.,

8 2 25 April 1968 (J. A. Chemsak, J. T. Doyen, D. Veirs). San Mateo Co.:

Corte de Madera Crk., nr. Portola, $ 31 May 1958 (P. H. Arnaud). Santa Clara

Co.: Herbert Crk., 3 mi. W. New Almaden, “from dry ice Malaise trap,” 4 2

28 April 1969 (W. J. Turner) ; Los Altos, $ 17 April 1937 (E. S. Ross) ; Mt.

Hamilton, 2 15 April 1947 (G. E. Bohart), 5 mi. E., 2 16 April 1955 (D. J.

Burdick); San Antonio Va., 2 20 April 1948 (R. F. Smith). Solano Co.: Mix

Cyn., 2 $ 14 April 1955 (J. C. Downey), 2 13 April 1969 (M. K. Sears);

Vacaville, 2 6 April 1951 (R. C. Bechtel), $ 27 May 1955 (E. Mezger), $ 1

April 1963 (P. Richerson), $ 4 April 1967 (P. A. Opler). Sonoma Co.: Glen

Ellen, $ 29 April 1950 (H. B. Leech) ; Mt. St. Helena, 2 30 April 1949 (A. T.

McClay). Yolo Co.: Winters, 1 mi. W., S 29 April 1967 (P. B. Schultz), 9 mi.

W., $ 20 April 1966 (M. R. Gardner). County unknown: “California,” 2 2

(O. T. Baron).

Holotype male, allotype female and thirty-three paratypes, 27 $, 6 2,

will be deposited in the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

Additional paratypes have been placed in the collections at the

California Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vector Control,

Berkeley; Canadian National Collection, Ottawa; Museum of Com¬

parative Zoology, Cambridge; University of California, Berkeley and

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Davis; U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C.; and Washington

State University, Pullman.

Discussion.- —This species appears quite similar to S. pachyceras

Williston. Males of both species are large and bear long, dorsal

postocular hairs which are one-half the length of hair on the ocellar

prominence. Unlike S. pachyceras , the wing membrane in S. cervivora

is essentially hyaline, lacking any infuscation other than the stigma;

also the laterotergite is usually black haired. The shape of the dististylus

quickly separates males of this species from those of S. pachyceras

(Fig. 10). Ventrally, the dististylus bears a broad, moderately deep

quadrangular-shaped basiventral lobe and short distal arm, appearing

somewhat cleaver-shaped in outline (Fig. 6). Females of S. cervivora

might be confused with S. pachyceras as parafacial hair is crowded

laterally and the palpus appears black in both. Uniquely, females of

this species are bluish gray or a dark gray pollinose on the abdomen

above and the surface appears subshiny; dark brown dorsal coloration

is limited to a single median spot and narrow, posterior margination.

In S. pachyceras, for comparison, the surface is primarily dull gray or

brownish gray pollinose and often the medial brown area nearly en¬

compasses the entire tergite. In S. cervivora the mesoscutal vittae are

usually gray but faint, hardly ever as distinct or dark as seen in the

other species.

Examination of Williston’s S. pachyceras type series indicates that

the two female cotypes are actually S. cervivora. Abdominal pollinosity

of both females is dark gray without any tinge of brown; mesoscutal

vittae appear dark brown in one female and less distinct, pale gray in

the other but definitely conspecific with S. cervivora.

The single male cotype specimen is most probably S. pachyceras.

Positive identification is impossible as the genitalia have been removed

and evidently lost at some time in the past. Even without the genitalia,

several other morphological features suggest that this specimen is

S. pachyceras and not S. cervivora with which it might be confused.

The wing membrane of the type appears almost clear as one would

expect of S. cervivora and not infuscated which is characteristic of S.

pachyceras. However, the stigma is now quite pale and suggests that

the original duskiness of the wing may have faded somewhat. Williston

(1886) noted of his male type that the wings had “a strong brownish

yellow tinge” and Aldrich (1915), who later examined this specimen,

also indicated the strong wing infuscation. The first antennal segment

of S. cervivora males is typically swollen beneath medially, its height

in lateral view, greater than the height of the third segment. The

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

pedicle of S. pachyceras appears swollen submedially tapering to the

apex, its height subequal to or slightly greater than that of the third

segment. This type of antennal structure is also seen in the Williston

cotype male.

Each Williston specimen bears a label reading “Baron.” Essig (1931:

p. 552) notes that 0. T. Baron, “collected Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and

other insects extensively in Mendocino and Fresno counties.” Although

the precise localities remain unknown, it is quite likely that the S.

pachyceras type material collected by Baron was taken at least in

Mendocino Co., and perhaps even near Hopland, the type locality for

S. cervivora. It is also not inconceivable that Baron captured a mixed

series of individuals representing two closely related species, S. pachy¬

ceras and S. cervivora , as females of several species may be present at

any one time in some areas. From the limited Baron material and no

further data, Williston associated males of one species with the female

pair of the other assuming them to be conspecific.

This species was referred to by Chillcott (in lilt.) as species “P” for

use by Hoy (1966) in his manuscript.

Adult seasonal activity. —Collecting dates extend from 28 February

until 2 June but this species appears most abundant from late April until

mid May.

Geographical distribution. —Collection records suggest that this

species is found primarily at margins of oak woodland areas of the Bay

Area and adjacent counties from Mendocino County in the north to

Santa Clara County in the south. At several localities, S. cervivora is

sympatric with most other species of the pachyceras group occurring

in the northern Coast Range. Several individuals from San Luis

Obispo County in the central Coast Ranges appear conspecific with

more northern populations and will be treated as such here. These pop¬

ulations may represent the southern most limit of this species.

Symphoromyia inconspicua Turner and Chillcott, new species

Males of S. inconspicua are small, faintly dusted with brownish or

bluish gray pollen; metatibia bears long suberect hair on both postero-

and anteroventral surfaces; humerus black haired; dististylus elongate

and slightly elbowed but lacking definite ventral process; ninth tergite

broadly rounded in lateral view. Females have yellow palpi and mostly

black hair well distributed over parafacial area and beneath first

antennal segment.

Holotype male. —Length: 7.0 mm. Wing length: 5.6 mm. Head and its

appendages, thorax, legs and abdomen black; femur I narrowly reddish brown

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

apically, femora II, III similar but less so, halter knob dark brown, stem lighter.

Surface gray, bluish and brownish gray pollinose, most dense on clypeus,

parafacialia, behind eyes, mesoscutum forward and at sides, on meron, mete-

pisternum, metepimeron, and on coxa III, becoming less pollinose, definitely

subshiny on remainder of head, antenna, thoracic pleura except as noted, on coxae

II, III, femora, tibiae, and abdominal sternites; scutellum and abdominal tergites

lightly dusted with brownish gray pollen, surface subshiny, more dense laterally.

Hair essentially black; white hair present on proepimeron, proepisternum, latero-

tergite forward, abdominal segments I—III, mixed white and black on coxa III

and somewhat on segment III behind. Head : Features of head and its appendages

as described for S. cervivorci except: antennal segment I elongate, swollen sub-

medially beneath, tapering forward, less so basally, height less than two-thirds

length, greater than height of segment III which is roughly kidney-shaped, straight

beneath arista, palpal segment II bearing weak anterodorsal callus behind attenuate

apex; postocular hair dorsally erect but short, scarcely visible from front. Thorax :

Mesothoracic vittae broad, faint, almost dull black, nearly confluent on postscutum,

separated by narrow, bluish gray pollinose lines; median vitta tapering forward,

bisected by thin, brownish gray pollinose line; lateral vitta incomplete forward,

uninterrupted medially. Wing membrane definitely infuscated brown, almost

concolorous with stigma, darkest near stigma, apically and about veins, nearly

hyaline toward base; costal vein beneath base black haired. Tibia III with long,

suberect hair on basal one-third to one-half of both postero- and anteroventral

surfaces, length greater than tibial thickness. Abdomen : Shape as described

for S. cervivora. Tergite IX apically on posterior margin with laterally compressed

process broadly rounded in lateral view (Fig. 5) ; dististylus elbowed, elongate

and narrow, somewhat flattened and polished on posterior surface, smoothly

rounded beneath, lacking definite ventral lobe (Fig. 8) ; cercus elongate, narrow

and attenuate, apically blunt. Sternite VIII and hypopygium with hair much

longer than height of basistylus.

Female.— Length: 4.7-5.8 mm. Wing length: 4.8-6.7 mm. Black except for

femora II, III, and tibiae which are dark brown, nearly black; halter knob similar

but becoming yellowish brown on stem; palpus orange yellow; femora I—III

yellowed narrowly at apices. Surface dull, rugulose under high magnification

(45x), nearly opaque with gray pollen, at most feebly shiny over most of head,

its appendages and on body except: upper frons area usually brownish gray

pollinose, becoming more gray behind head, on scutellum and abdominal sternites;

abdominal tergites each marked with indistinct, cupreous-tinged brown pollinose

spot on disc and along rear margin, otherwise with subshiny, dark gray or gray

pollen becoming brownish gray laterally; mesoscutal vittae dark brown. Hair pre¬

dominantly white but appearing black on palpus beneath and at apex, head above,

mesoscutum except humerus and behind, scutellum, tibiae, femora apically, on

abdominal tergites becoming white only laterally on tergites II-IV and on sternites,

mostly black or with very few white hairs on parafacial area and antennal segment

I beneath. Head: Minimum distance between eyes at midfrons more than one-third

but less than two-fifths head width; antennal segment I short, height greatest

subapically, subequal to length, apex almost truncate, tapering slightly to base,

hair sparse, shorter than segmental height, shortest above; segment III convex

beneath arista, more rounded ventrally than above when viewed from side, height

greater than height of segment I; palpal segment II greatly convex above, hardly

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

so ventrally, length about twice length of segment I, attenuate or narrowly appended

apically, hair sparse, short, absent dorsomedially; parafacialia sparsely but evenly

haired; labrum shorter than clypeal height. Thorax-. Mesoscutal vittae wide,

brown, more or less distinct, tapering to rear, separated by wide, bluish gray lines;

middle vitta bisected by faint, light brown, pollinose line; lateral vitta incomplete

forward, interrupted medially or nearly so. Wing membrane nearly clear, gray

hyaline; veins dark brown apically, becoming light brown or yellowish brown at

base; costal vein at base yellow haired at most with few black hairs. Abdomen:

Disticercus elongate, shape subfusiform, rounded or subtruncate at apex, tapering

toward base.

Holotype male, Hopland Field Station (4 mi. E. Hopland), Uni¬

versity of California, Mendocino County, California, elevation

2,350 feet, 21 May 1969 (W. J. Turner), from male swarm, 1055 P.D.T.

CAS type no. 11251. Allotype female, same data as type except 28 May

1969, elevation 2,880 feet, and from dry ice Malaise trap.

Paratypes, 77 males, 187 females. CALIFORNIA: 64 $, 152 2, same locality

as type (all W. J. Turner collector unless otherwise indicted), “from dry ice

Malaise trap,” 2 $ 6 May 1964 (J. B. Hoy), 5 $ (13-14) May 1964 (J. R.

Anderson), 3 2 15 May 1964 (J. R. Anderson), $ 19 June 1964 (J. B. Hoy),

2 20 April 1966 (J. R. Anderson), 2 18 May 1968, 42 2 1 June 1968, 2 $,

24 2 2 June 1968, $, 14 2 10 June 1968, 3 2 21 June 1968, 2 2 20 April 1969,

2 $ 21 May 1969, 4 $ 28 May 1969, 3 2 H June 1969; “from male swarm,”

7 $ 14 May 1969, 25 $ 21 May 1969, 23 $, 4 2 28 May 1969; “from deer,”

29 2 21 May 1964 (J. B. Hoy), 14 2 28 May 1964 (J. B. Hoy) ; “off small doe,”

2 2 11 June 1964 (J. B. Hoy), 2 12 June 1964 (J. B. Hoy). Lake Co.: No.

frk. Cache Crk., Hwy. 20, 2 17 May 1961 (D. R. Miller). Marin Co.: nr. Alpine

Lk. (Lily Pond), “from dry ice Malaise trap,” 2 21 April 1969 (W. J. Turner).

Mendocino Co.: Booneville, 4^1 June 1957 (J. A. Powell). Monterey Co.:

Arroyo Seco Cmp., 2 23 May 1958 (D. D. Linsdale), 2 24 May 1958 (D. D.

Linsdale), “from dry ice Malaise trap,” 4 2 2 June 1970 (W. J. Turner) ; Bryson,

2 20 May 1920 (E. P. Van Duzee). Napa Co.: Angwin, 1 mi. N., 7 $ 9 May

1964 (H. B. Leech) ; Lokoya, 15 2 4 May 1958 (E. G. Linsley). Sonoma Co.:

Armstrong St. Park., 2 20 May 1958 (A. C. Smith) ; Plantation, 4 mi. W., $ 8

May 1958 (D. J. Burdick). Yolo Co.: Rumsey, 5 mi. W., 10 2 29 April 1969

(M. F. Knudsen) ; 9 mi. W., Hwy. 16, $ 13 May 1962 (M. E. Irwin).

Holotype male, allotype female and four paratypes, 2 $, 2 2 , will

be deposited in the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

Additional paratypes have been placed in the collections at the California

Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vector Control, Berkeley;

Canadian National Collection, Ottawa; Cornell University, Ithaca;

University of California, Berkeley and Davis; U.S. National Museum,

Washington, D.C.; and Washington State University, Pullman.

Discussion. —Males of S. inconspicua are black with lightly dusted

brownish or bluish gray pollen, wing membrane is lightly infuscated and

hair vestiture is mostly black, especially on the head, palpus, humerus,

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

thoracic pleura and fourth abdominal tergite. Males may be confused

with the smaller, sympatric S. nana. This species, however, may be

identified by the slightly elbowed dististylus which appears elongate

and narrow, but most importantly, flattened and somewhat polished

on the posterior surface above an elongate carina; noticeably absent is

a definite ventral lobe. The dististylus of S. nana appears similar but

with a shallow process beneath. Also the metatibia of S. inconspicua

bears long, suberect hairs on both the postero- and anteroventral sur¬

faces; length of this hair greatly exceeds tibial thickness. In other

species, suberect hair is usually present only on a single surface of the

tibia. Females typically have orange palpi and black hair present on the

basal antennal segment and well distributed over the parafacial area.

Color of the parafacial hair should identify this species from similar

appearing females having yellowed palpi, particularly S. nana. The

palpus of some individuals is somewhat grayish along the ventral sur¬

face but, in general, the palpus remains wholly orange.

Females of this species were designated species “N” by Chillcott

(in litt.) for use by Hoy (1966).

Adult seasonal activity. —Collection dates range from 20 April to

29 June with most records occurring from mid May until early June.

Geographic distribution. —Known from the type locality and from

several other localities in nearby Napa, Lake, Marin, Sonoma and

Yolo counties. The range of this species extends south at least into

Monterey Co.

Symphoromyia nana Turner and Chillcott, new species

Males of this species are small and sparsely dusted with brownish gray

pollen; postocular hair is short and scarcely visible from front; humerus

white haired; ninth abdominal tergite small, rounded apically in lateral

view; dististylus slightly elbowed with small, shallow medioventral lobe.

In females the second palpal segment is orange, palpus and evenly

haired parafacial area with mostly white hair.

Holotype male.— Length: 5.2 mm. Wing length: 4.7 mm. Head, antenna,

thorax, abdomen and tarsomeres black; humerus, palpal segment II, halter knob,

femora, tibiae dark brown, almost black; femora I—III narrowly at apex yellow.

Surface dull, almost opaque gray or bluish gray pollinose on parafacialia, clypeus,

head behind eyes, antenna, and scutum at sides, becoming less dense and feebly

shiny on thoracic pleural area, abdominal sternites, coxae, femora and tibiae;

brown or grayish brown, almost dense pollen present on scutum between vittae,

less dense on scutellum, abdomen above and mesokatepisternum ventrally, last with

cupreous stripe medially. Hair predominantly black, but white on peristomal

sclerites, head behind, humerus, on thoracic pleural area except for few black

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

hairs on mesoanepisternum at rear and on mesokatepisternum below, also white

on coxa III, abdominal tergite and on disc of sternites I-IV, mixed white with

black on coxa I, femora II, III, abdominal tergites II-IV. Head: Eyes separated

above by distance subequal to width of median ocellus; interocellar distance sub¬

equal; antennal segment I elongate, moderately swollen beneath, tapered slightly

towards ends, height three-fifths length, less than height of segment III, hair almost

dense, length above subequal to segmental length, shorter beneath; segment III

roughly kidney-shaped, straight beneath arista, equally rounded above and below,

height nearly three-fifths length of segment I; palpus elongate, narrow, subcylin-

drical, bearing subapical dorsal callus, segment II slightly incrassate basally, sub-

cylindrical to acute apex, length over twice length of segment I; labrum shorter

than palpus; postocular hair dorsally erect but short, scarcely visible from front;

hair of ocellar prominence long, curved forward, length subequal to hair of antennal

segment I beneath; parafacialia evenly, almost densely haired, length subequal to

hair of antennal segment I. Thorax: Mesoscutal vittae evident only as wide, black

stripes separated by wide, brownish gray pollinose lines; middle vitta bisected by

thin brown pollinose line; lateral vitta wider, interrupted medially, delimited

laterally and forward by bluish gray pollen. Wing membrane lightly infuscated

brown, darkest behind stigma, apically and about veins, stigma barely darker;

veins dark brown apically becoming lighter brown toward base; costal vein with

black hair beneath. Tibia III with long, suberect hair on basal one-half of postero-

ventral surface, length greater than tibial thickness. Abdomen: Shape as described

for S. cervivora. Tergite IX with laterally compressed apical process which is small

and rounded in lateral view (Fig. 3) ; dististylus elongate, narrow, curved dorsad,

posterior surface flattened, bearing small ventral lobe (Fig. 9) ; cercus nearly

triangular shaped, widest basally, attenuate and blunt apically.

Female. —Length: 4.3-5.3 mm. Wing length: 4.5-4.8 mm. Color and pol-

linosity as described for S. inconspicua. Hair predominantly white as in S.

inconspicua but appearing black on palpus at apex, antennal segment I above and

on femur III; parafacial area and antennal segment I white haired. Head: As

described for S. inconspicua except antennal segment III almost equally rounded

above and beneath when viewed laterally. Thorax: Mesoscutal vittae, wing mem¬

brane and veins as described for S. inconspicua ; costal vein at base with yellow

and black hair. Abdomen: As described for S. inconspicua female.

Holotype male , Hopland Field Station (4 mi. E. Hopland) Uni¬

versity of California, Mendocino County, California, elevation 880

feet, 21 June 1968 (W. J. Turner), from dry ice Malaise trap. CAS type

no. 11248. Allotype female, same data as type.

Paratypes, 36 males, 165 females. CALIFORNIA: 30 $, 159 $, same locality

as type (all W. J. Turner collector unless otherwise indicated), “from dry ice

Malaise trap,” $ 26 May 1966 (J. B. Hoy), $ 31 May 1966 (J. B. Hoy), 2 $

1 June 1966 (J. B. Hoy), $ 2 June 1966 (J. B. Hoy), $ 4 June 1966 (J. B. Hoy),

2 $ 10 June 1966 (J. B. Hoy), $ 12 June 1966 (J. B. Hoy), 5 $ 16 May 1968,

3 2 17 May 1968, 11 $, 45 2 1 June 1968, ^,24 2 2 June 1968, 3 ^,32 2

10 June 1968, 4 $, 10 2 21 June 1968, 2 21 May 1969, 2 $ 28 May 1969, 2 14

June 1969; “from black tail deer,” 2 2 21 May 1964 (J. B. Hoy), 2 2 June 1964

(J. B. Hoy), 3 2 16 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 2 20 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 8 2

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

26 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 2 27 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 2 $ 30 May 1965 (J. B.

Hoy), 2 1 June 1965 (J. B. Hoy), $ 2 June 1965 (J. R. Anderson), 5 $ 3 June

1965 (J. R. Anderson), 2 $ 5 June 1965 (J. R. Anderson), 8 2 23 June 1965

(J. R. Anderson), 2 7 July 1965 (J. R. Anderson). Marin Co.: Alpine Lk.,

$ 19 May 1969 (M. F. Knudsen). Mendocino Co.: Booneville, $ 1 June 1957

(J. A. Powell). San Luis Obispo Co.: Pozo, “at light,” $ 3 May 1962 (J. A.

Powell), $ 28 April 1962 (C. A. Toschi). Santa Clara Co.: Monte Vista, 2

15 June 1956; Stevens Crk., nr. San Jose, 2 6 July 1954; Wrights, 2 2 12 June

1956. Santa Cruz Co.: Aptos Crk., 2 13 May 1961 (C. N. Slobodchikoff).

Trinity Co.: Zenia, 2 $ 20 June 1935 (M. A. Cazier). Yolo Co.: Winters, 9

mi. W., 2 21 April 1962 (H. V. Daly).

Holotype male, allotype female and four paratypes, 2 $, 2 2, will

be deposited in the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

Additional paratypes have been placed in the collections at the American

Museum of Natural History, New York; California Department of

Health, Bureau of Vector Control, Berkeley; Canadian National Collec¬

tion, Ottawa; University of California, Berkeley and Davis; U.S.

National Museum, Washington, D.C.; and Washington State University,

Pullman.

Taxonomic discussion. — Symphoromyia nana is one of the smallest

of Symphoromyia species. Males are also unique in that their dististyli

are narrow and elbowed with a very shallow medioventral lobe and the

ninth tergite is small, rounded apically in lateral view. Females of

S. nana are quite similar to S. inconspicua females. Both species have

orange palpi and evenly haired parafacial area but these surfaces appear

white haired in S. nana and black in S. inconspicua. Each abdominal

tergite in S. nana appears dark brown medially and almost shiny, usually

surrounded by gray but often brownish gray pollen. The abdomen of

S. inconspicua appears more densely gray pollinose and the median

spot on each tergite is reduced in size and appears not as dark nor shiny.

Hoy (1966) referred to this species as “0” based on tentative

recognition of the species by Chillcott (in litt .).

Adult seasonal activity. —Collection records extend from 21 April

until 7 July. This species is most abundant from mid May to mid June.

Geographical distribution. —This species is recorded from Trinity

County to San Luis Obispo County along the Coast Ranges in associa¬

tion with oak woodland habitats.

Symphoromyia truncata Turner and Chillcott, new species

Males of this species are small; head and thorax somewhat densely

dusted with gray to brownish gray pollen; postocular hair short, barely

visible from front; ninth abdominal tergite flairing apically, dorsal

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

angle acute; dististylus elongate, narrow and curved but not elbowed,

lacking ventral lobe. Females may be recognized by black palpi;

parafacial area sparsely but uniformly black haired; abdomen dark

brown, almost shining, only lightly dusted with brownish gray pollen

which tends to gray laterally.

Holotype male. —Length: 6.5 mm. Wing length: 5.8 mm. Head and its

appendages, thorax, legs and abdomen black; femur I, II narrowly reddish yellow

apically, femur III similar but less so; halter knob dark brown, stem lighter.

Surface appears minutely rugulose at high power (45 X) weakly subshining, gray

or brownish gray pollinose on head, antennal segment I, scutum on non-vittate

area, thoracic pleura, coxae, abdominal sterna and tergites at sides; frons, ocellar

prominence, scutellum and abdominal tergites lightly dusted with brown pollen,

becoming quite sparse on tergites. Hair essentially black but noticeably white

on humerus and behind, thoracic pleura except rear of mesoanepisternum, on

laterotergite at sides, coxa III, and abdominal segments I—III and disc of IV;

mixed yellow or white and black hair present on femora II, III, and on abdominal

tergites IV posterolaterally, and V; sternite IV with white, stiff hairs on postero¬

lateral lobe. Head : Eyes separated above by distance subequal to width of medial

ocellus; interocellar distance subequal; antennal segment I swollen medially

beneath, tapering forward, less so basally, height three-fourths length, greater than

height of segment III, hair dense, length beneath subequal to segmental length,

longer above; segment III kidney-shaped, convex beneath arista, more rounded

below than dorsally, height one-half length of segment I; palpus elongate, segment

II tapered from slightly incrassate base, almost carrot-shaped, scarcely arcuate

medially, length just twice length of segment I, bearing small, anterodorsal callus,

hair dense; labrum shorter than palpus; postocular hair dorsally erect but short,

scarcely visible from front, hair on ocellar prominence long, suberect, subequal

to hair of antennal segment I, parafacial area almost densely haired, of similar

length. Thorax : Mesoscutal vittae present as wide, black median stripe and dark

grayish brown, pollinose, lateral stripes separated by medium width gray lines;

middle vitta bisected by thin, brownish gray pollinose line; lateral vitta incomplete

forward, uninterrupted medially, tapered to rear. Wing membrane lightly infuscated

brown, darkest behind stigma and apically, nearly hyaline toward base; costal vein

basally beneath with mixed golden and hlaclc hair. Tibia III with long, suberect

hair on basal one-half of posteroventral surface, length greater than tibial thick¬

ness. Abdomen : Form as given for S. cervivora. Tergite IX with laterally com¬

pressed, somewhat flaired apical process, nearly triangular in lateral view (Fig. 2) ;

dististylus elongate, narrow throughout and curved, lacking ventral lobe (Fig. 7) ;

cercus elongate, flat, attenuate from wide base to acute apex.

Female. —Length: 4.9-6.1 mm. Wing length: 4.3-5.3 mm. Color essentially

black but obscured by dense or almost dense gray or bluish gray pollen; femur I

yellow narrowly at apex, femora II, III similar but less so; halter dark brown,

stem brownish yellow. Surface dull, opaque, at most feebly subshiny and gray or

bluish gray pollinose on parafacialia, upper frons area, head behind, and on

scutellum, becoming less dense, subshiny on clypeus, antennal segment I, non-

vittate areas of mesoscutum, thoracic pleural area, head behind and sometimes on

mesokatepisternum ventrally; upper frons area often tinged with brown pollinosity,

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

becoming darker, more dense on mesoscutal vittae; abdominal segments subshining,

moderately dusted with gray pollen having cupreous tinge above, more dense and

brownish gray laterally, and beneath, tergite I slightly more densely pollinose than

following terga. Hair mostly white but usually black on antenna, parafacialia,

head above and behind, on mesoscutum, scutellum, mesoanepisternum behind,

medially on abdominal tergites II and following, white haired only laterally on

tergites II, III and along posterior margin of tergite II; hair mixed black and

white on femur I; palpus essentially white haired with black hairs apically. Head :

Minimum distance between eyes at midfrons between one-third and two-fifths

head width, rarely greater (MFW/HW: 0.35-0.42); antennal segment I short,

subtruncate forward, tapering slightly to base, height greatest postmedially, ranging

from nearly two-thirds of to subequal to length, hair sparse, longest less than

segmental height, shortest above; segment III convex beneath arista, subequally

rounded above and beneath, height greater than height of segment I; palpal seg¬

ment II convex above, barely convex or flat beneath, narrowly appended apically,

length about twice length of segment I; parafacialia sparsely but evenly haired;

labrum just shorter than clypeal height. Thorax: Mesoscutal vittae wide, indis¬

tinct, dark gray or brown to black, separated by wide, bluish gray pollinose lines;

middle vitta widest, indistinct to rear, bisected by faint, narrow, brown pollinose

line; lateral vitta interrupted medially or nearly so, often appearing as two elongate

spots. Wing membrane clear, gray hyaline, stigma faintly infuscated brown;

veins dark brown apically becoming yellow at base; costal vein at base beneath

with mixed yellow and black hair. Abdomen : Disticercus elongate, rounded

apically, tapering toward base.

Holotype male , Hopland Field Station (4 mi. E. Hopland), Uni¬

versity of California, Mendocino County, California, elevation

1,280 feet, 14 May 1969 (W. J. Turner), from male swarm, 1343

P.D.T. CAS type no. 11249. Allotype female, same data as type except,

17 May 1968, elevation 880 feet, and from dry ice Malaise trap.

Paratypes, 106 males, 162 females. CALIFORNIA: 90 $, 150 2, same locality

as type (all W. J. Turner collector unless otherwise indicated), “from dry ice

Malaise trap,” 2 15 May 1964 (J. R. Anderson), $ 30 May 1966 (J. B. Hoy),

$ 10 June 1966 (J. B. Hoy), 2 $ 11 June 1966 (J. R. Anderson), 2 2 20 April

1968, 2 2 4 May 1968, 2 $, 7 2 17 May 1958, 2 $, 2 2 18 May 1968, 5 $,

33 2 1 June 1968, $, 10 2 2 June 1968, 10 2 10 June 1968, 2 2 21 June 1968,

4 $ 21 May 1969, 3 $ 22 May 1969, 4 2 28 May 1969, 2 7 June 1969, 9 2 11

June 1969 (J. R. Anderson), 2 2 14 June 1969; “from male swarm,” 11 $ 12

May 1968, 11 $ 21 May 1968, 39 $ 14 May 1969, 34 $ 21 May 1969, 2 $ 28

May 1969; “from black-tail deer,” 2 29 April 1964 (J. B. Hoy), 7 2 6 May 1964

(J. B. Hoy), 3 2 21 May 1964 (J. B. Hoy), 4 2 9 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 2 2

11 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 7 2 12 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 6 2 16 May 1965 (J. B.

'Hoy), 3 2 23 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 7 2 26 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 3 2 27

May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 3 2 28 May 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 5 2 2 June 1965 (J. B.

Hoy), 6 2 23 June 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 2 29 June 1965 (J. B. Hoy), 2 10 July

1966 (J. B. Hoy) ; 2 15 May 1964 (J. R. Anderson), $ 30 May 1966 (J. B. Hoy),

2 $ 11 June 1966 (J. R. Anderson). Marin Co.: Alpine Lk., 3 $,3 2 19 May

1969 (M. F. Knudsen) ; nr. Alpine Lk. (Lily Pond), “from male swarm,” 6 $

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

17 May 1969 (D. D. Munroe) ; Carson Rdg., 3 2 26 April 1961 (J. A. Powell).

Napa Co.: Middletown, 10 mi. S., $ 27 April 1958 (T. R. Haig) ; Pope Va.,

$ 24 May 1969 (M. K. Sears) ; Samuel Spr., 2 $ 13 May 1956 (C. M. Gardella).

Santa Clara Co.: Wrights, “collected biting,” $ 12 June 1956. Santa Cruz

Co.: Felton, Sta. Cruz Mts., 2 2 (15-19) May 1907 (J. C. Bradley). Sonoma

Co.: Mt. St. Helena, 2 15 May 1951 (E. I. Schlinger) ; Plantation, 2 22 May

1954 (A. Collins). Trinity Co.: Fawn Ldg., 2 28 May 1955 (E. I. Schlinger).

Yolo Co.: Rumsey, 5 mi. W., 3 $ 29 April 1969 (M. F. Knudsen).

Holotype male, allotype female and four paratypes, 2 $ , 2 2, will

be deposited in the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

Additional paratypes have been deposited in the collections at the

California Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vector Control,

Berkeley; California State Department of Agriculture, Sacramento;

Cornell University, Ithaca; Canadian National Collection, Ottawa;

University of California, Berkeley and Davis; U.S. National Museum,

Washington, D.C.; and Washington State University, Pullman.

Chillcott (in litt.) and Hoy (1966) recognized S. truncata as species

“C”

Adult seasonal activity. —Collection records range from 20 April

until 29 June. This species most common from mid May to mid June.

Geographical distribution. —This species is found from Trinity

County south along the northern Coast Ranges to Santa Cruz County.

Throughout its distribution, S. truncata seems associated with oak

woodland habitats and occurs there sympatrically with several other

pachyceras group species.

Literature Cited

Aldrich, J. M. 1915. The dipterous genus Symphoromyia in North America.

Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 49: 113-142.

Crampton, G. C. 1942. Guide to the insects of Connecticut. Part VI. The

Diptera or true flies of Connecticut. First fascicle. The external mor¬

phology of the Diptera. Bull. Conn. Geol. Natur. Hist. Sur., No. 64,

pp. 10-175, 17 figs.

Essig, E. O. 1931. A History of Entomology. The Macmillan Co., New York.

1029 pp.

Grimshaw, P. H. 1905. On the terminology of the leg bristles of Diptera.

Entomol. Mon. Mag., 16: 173-176.

Hoy, J. B. 1966. The behavior of members of the genus Symphoromyia attacking

deer in Northern California (Diptera: Rhagionidae). Univ. Kansas,

unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. 162 p., 17 tabs., 31 figs.

Turner, W. J. 1971. Biosystematics of the California species of Symphoromyia

(Diptera, Rhagionidae). Univ. California, unpublished Ph.D. disserta¬

tion. 412 p., 110 figs.

Williston, S. W. 1886. Dipterological notes and descriptions. Trans. Amer.

Entomol. Soc., 13: 287-307.

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

Foraging Behavior of Trigona fulviventris in Costa Rica

(Hymenoptera: Apidae)

William M. Gilbert 1

Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis 95616

A colony of the stingless bee Trigona fulviventris fulviventris Guerin

was observed during the dry season between 8 and 12 March 1969, at

The Tropical Science Center field station, about four km southwest of

Rincon de Osa, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. Observations cen¬

tered around a nest of T. fulviventris at the hollow base of a large,

buttressed tree one m from the bank of the Rio Agua Buena. The

entrance tube projected between two buttresses, about 20 cm above the

ground surface.

The diurnal activity cycle of T. fulviventris was determined by sam¬

pling the numbers of bees leaving and entering the nest on 10 March.

Six one minute counts, three of bees leaving and three of bees entering

the nest entrance tube, were made at hourly intervals from 0552 until

1750 (sunrise, 0540, sunset, 1741), with one series of counts being

made on the half hour around 1730. The bees were also observed at

the hive before sunrise on 11 March. Other aspects of T. fulviventris

behavior, as well as the behavior of other stingless bees, were observed

and recorded at the nest site and elsewhere in the study area. Addi¬

tionally, eight cardboard feeding stations were placed on trees at

varying distances from 5 to 100 m and in various directions from the

study nest. These stations were baited with 50% honey solution and

checked for bees at regular intervals.

Results. —The diurnal activity cycle of T. fulviventris was recorded

as departure and return rates per minute from the study nest (Fig. 1).

The first observed activity was at 0523 on 11 March (sunrise 0540)

when bees, observed by flashlight, were clustered at the lip of the mud

nest entrance. Individual bees would leave the cluster and fly toward

the flashlight beam at that time, but natural departure from the nest

did not appear to have begun. Bees could be seen in the dim light at

0535 to be leaving the nest in great numbers. A few were returning.

By 0550 large numbers of bees were both leaving and returning to the

nest.

The greatest activity period of T. fulviventris was in the morning

hours from the onset of activity at about 0530 until about 1000, during

1 Present address—1996 Catalpa Way, Hayward, California 94545.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 21-25. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Fig. 1. Diurnal activity pattern of Trigona fulviventris leaving and returning

to a nest on the Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, on 10 March 1969.

which time departures fell from about 80/min to about 20/min (Fig.

1). The lower activity level was maintained until after 1500, when

activity began to rise to a second peak of about 40 departures/min at

1700. Beyond this time departure rate decreased rapidly, and arrival

rate increased, until by 1750 (sunset, 1741) all departure and arrival

activity had ceased.

Pollen carrying activity was greatest in the early morning hours,

when an estimated 50% of the returnees carried pollen. Only an oc¬

casional bee returned with pollen in the afternoon.

The flight of T. fulviventris was very rapid and direct in leaving

and returning to the nest tube. At other times, however, individuals

could be found hovering low over the ground, occasionally alighting,

usually around tree bases or stumps. Bees were also observed to hover

near feeders at times, while not alighting on the feeding boards. Hover¬

ing of T. fulviventris was noticed at all times of day, and was usually

the only activity noticed in bees of this species found away from the

study nest. No stingless bee species other than T. fulviventris was ob¬

served hovering in such a manner, although at least three other species

were commonly seen in the study area.

Trigona fulviventris failed to forage at any of the several feeding

stations established around the study nest from 8 to 10 March. In

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

separate observations made on 7 March, however, in an area approxi¬

mately 300 m upstream from the nest site, T. fulviventris foraged in

small numbers at three feeding stations similar to the ones used in the

study. As many as three individuals were seen at one time on a feeder.

It was not known whether or not these individuals originated from the

observed nest.

All observations of T. fulviventris were made during fair weather

under non-overcast skies.

Discussion. —The absence of T. fulviventris at honey-baited feeding

stations at varying distances from the study nest is surprising consider¬

ing that the species visits many different kinds of flowers (Schwarz,

1948, p. 333) and makes honey. The situation seems all the more

strange because some feeding stations treated on 7 March similarly to

those around the study nest, but placed in a different part of the forest,

attracted a small number of T. fulviventris within a few hours. Possibly

individuals of T. fulviventris from a given nest do not establish at food

sources near to that nest. This possibility is supported by Michener

(1946, p. 181) who states “At old Panama T. fulviventris was never

seen visiting flowers of herbaceous plants growing near its nest although

these same plants were visited regularly by T. jaty and T. nigra pauper a”

Observations on 11 March indicated that T. fulviventris began to

leave the nest naturally under light intensities so low that departures

could not be detected without a flashlight. How the bees could navigate

at these times, when visual cues were apparently unavailable, and be¬

fore scent trails could have been laid for that day, is unknown.

Early flight activity appears to be characteristic of other Trigona

species. Schlising (1970) for example, studied morning foraging of

bees on four species of plants in three different areas in Costa Rica

during the dry season. At each site Trigona bees, foraging in large

numbers on two plant species, were the earliest bees to arrive after it

was light. Only bees of the genus Ptiloglossa (Colletidae), which often

foraged before light, were earlier. Schwarz (1948, p. 83) cites in¬

stances of a Trigona species of the subgenus Partamona being active

before sunrise, although he states that this activity might have resulted

from disturbance of the nest. Peckolt (1894) found that in Brazil the

stingless bees Trigona jatay, T. bipunctata , and T. mosquito (all re¬

ported as Melipona) showed first foraging activity respectively at about

0700, 0700, and between 0530 and 0600 during good weather. In rainy

weather, however, T. mosquito did not appear until about 0800, and

this species and T. jatay were not seen to initiate foraging at all during

thunderstorms.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

By contrast von Ihering (1903) reported that T. schrottkyi Friese,

occurring in Brazil, did not open its nest entrance until between 0800

and 1000, even in fair weather. Additionally Lutz (1931) cites eight

first flights for T. ( Plebeia ) mosquito variety domiciliorum Schwarz

on Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone, all of which occurred relatively

late in the morning. Lutz concluded that opening of the nest and

initiation of foraging activity occur in response to both light conditions

and to a circadian clock mechanism. The observations of Lutz were

made in November and December; near the end of the rainy season in

the canal zone. This condition perhaps explains the apparent contra¬

diction between his observations for T. mosquito and those of Peckolt,

who worked in the dry season in Brazil.

The activity pattern recorded in the present study for T. fulviventris

(Peak activity in the mornings and evenings; moderate activity at

midday) is similar to activity patterns observed by Peckolt (1894)

for two stingless bee species which he identified as T. mosquito and

T. bipunctata. However, foraging activity reportedly lasted only until

about 1500 or 1600, normally, for those bees; not until nearly dusk

as was the situation with T. fulviventris in the present study.

A different foraging pattern is reported by Peckolt for T. jatay, and

Ducke (1901) for T. fuscipennis Friese (later considered to be T.

cupira F. Smith) and for T. ( Plebeia ) goeldiana Friese. These species

were observed to do the majority of their foraging from early morning

until about noon, to cease flight activity during the heat of midafter¬

noon, and to once again initiate foraging toward evening. Peckolt

observed the latter flight period of T. jatay to last from about 1500

until about 1800.

The nest of T. fulviventris fulviventris in the present study seems

similar in structure and location to those described for T. fulviventris

fulviventris by Michener (1946, p. 189). There was no association

with a termite nest, as has been reported for the subspecies guianae.

Similar to the experience of Michener (1946) in studying the species

in Panama, T. fulviventris in the present study were very gentle and

not easily excitable, continuing apparently normal activity during close

and prolonged observation at the nest site. Threat of attack was not

observed.

Summary. —Observations were made at and around a nest of Trigona

fulviventris from 8 through 12 March 1969, on the Osa Peninsula,

Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. Foraging activity of T. fulviventris

began before light, declined in intensity throughout the morning hours

to a stable level maintained through midday, and then increased to a

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

second peak before dark. Foraging ended abruptly after the evening

activity peak. The foraging pattern of T. fulviventris in the present

study is similar to that of some other Trigona species, but still other

Trigona species terminate foraging completely during midday. Early

foraging activity appears to be characteristic of many species of Trigona ,

including T. fulviventris, but this behavior apparently is altered by

inclement weather in some species, and at least one species, T. schrottkyi,

characteristically opens its nest tube late in the morning, even in fair

weather.

Trigona fulviventris failed to forage at feeders baited with honey

solution and placed at varying distances and directions from the nest.

Failure in the species to forage near to the nest is also reported by

Schwarz (1948). A unique “hovering” flight, not seen in other Trigona

species in the study area, was observed for T. fulviventris.

Acknowledgements. —Critical evaluation of this manuscript by Drs.

Robbin Thorp, Norman Gary, and William Hamilton III is gratefully

acknowledged. I am also indebted to Dr. Alvaro Wille, Universidad

de Costa Rica, for identification of specimens. The present study was

conducted while attending the Organization of Tropical Studies funda¬

mentals course in Costa Rica.

Literature Cited

Ducke, A. 1901. Beobachtungen uber Blutenbesuch Ershcenungzeit. u.s.w. der

bei Paravorkommenden Bienen. Z. Syst. Hymenopt. Dipt., 1: 25-32,

49-67.

Ihering, H. von. 1903. Biologie der stach ellosen Honigbienen Brasiliens. Zool.

Jahrb., Abt. Syst. Oekol. Geogr. Tiere, 19: 179-287.

Lutz, F. E. 1931. Light as a factor in controlling the start of daily activity of a

wren and stingless bees. Amer. Mus. Novitates, No. 468: 1-9.

Michener, C. D. 1946. Notes on the habits of some Panamanian stingless bees

(Hymenoptera, Apidae). J. N. Y. Entomol. Soc., 54: 179-261.

Peckolt, T. 1894. Uber brasilianische Bienen. Die Natur (Halle), 43: 87-91.

Schlising, R. A. 1970. Sequence and timing of bee foraging in flowers of

Ipomoea and Aniseila (Convolvulaceae). Ecology, 51: 1061-1067.

Schwarz, H. F. 1948. Stingless bees (Meliponidae) of the Western Hemisphere.

Bull. Amer. Mus. Natur. Hist., 90: 1-546.

EDITORIAL NOTICE

The editorship of the Pan-Pacific Entomologist will change hands beginning

with the July 1973 issue (Vol. 49, No. 3). New manuscripts should be submitted

to Dr. John Doyen, Division of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley,

California 94720.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Behavior of the Male Trypoxylon rubrocinctum

(Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Margaret Mary Paetzel

5031 Donaldson Road, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526

The following observations on male Trypoxylon behavior were made

five miles north of Grants Pass, Oregon, at 1,150 ft. elevation. The

nests were in 6.4 mm holes bored in several old posts set up on the

north side of a building. Notes were taken during approximately thirty

hours of observation over a period of two years; July and August 1968

and 1971. Seven nests were studied, two in 1968, five in 1971. In each

case the males were actively helping the females. Identification of

specimens was made by Mr. Robert Every of Oregon State University,

Corvallis, Oregon.

That, in some species, the male Trypoxylon guards the nest and

occasionally helps the female has been known since the original work

of the Peckhams in 1898. However, knowledge of the behavior of the

male, other than his guard duty, is fragmentary, and the object of my

studies was to determine the actions of the male from the beginning of

a nest, through provisioning and partition building, to final closure.

This was accomplished by the use of a magnifying glass wired to the

post four inches from the boring under study. Observation of activity

within the nest was facilitated by the use of a 4X hand lens and a

flashlight held to throw a beam of light into the interior. While work¬

ing, both inside and outside of the nest, the wasps were remarkably

tolerant of these arrangements, and after a short time of adjustment,

proceeded with their work in a normal manner.

Beginning and Provisioning of the Nest .—In contrast to the males

studied by the Peckhams (1895) I found three males helping the females

clean out the borings before storage of prey. Both wasps worked at the

back of the tunnel and seemed to be smoothing the walls with their

mandibles, working together from side to side. Occasionally one or the

other would come to the entrance and drop a load of fine sawdust out¬

side. After an hour or so of this preparation the female would fly off

to hunt while the male remained in the nest. With only one exception,

the males constantly guarded the doorway while their mates were absent

(Fig. 1). Also, with this same exception, the males guarded the nest

entrance at night. In three nests, during early provisioning when there

was much space in the boring, the female remained in the nest with

the male all night.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 26-30. January 1973

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Fig. 1 . Male Trypoxylon guarding his nest. Fig. 2. A cuckoo wasp breaking

into nest of Trypoxylon. This nest was tightly sealed with hard clay, hut note the

large hole the parasite has already made. Fig. 3. Pair of Trypoxylon wasps mating

at nest entrance.

All males studied exhibited a challenging attitude upon the approach

of the female with prey, but after identifying her, their actions varied

somewhat while allowing her to enter the nest. Some backed down the

tunnel when there was room to do so, while others came outside and

rode in on the female’s back. One individual came out, slipped beneath

the female as she entered, seized the spider, placed it in the cell, doubled

himself in half and returned to the entrance facing outward.

Two pairs had a very distinctive ritual of recognition on the return

of the female. Before allowing her to enter, the male grasped each of

her antennae in his mandibles and stroked it with a cleaning motion,

then with much head bobbing on the part of both, he permitted her to

enter. The other pairs performed their greetings more after the manner

of the wasps mentioned by Rau (1928)—merely touching antennae and

nodding heads briefly at the entrance.

From the beginning the males appeared motivated to participate in

storing the prey, but in four of the nests the female was sometimes

reluctant to drop the spider and often a wrestling contest ensued. This

contending for the prey started at the entrance and continued the length

of the tunnel. However, as storing of the nests progressed, and under

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

pressure of work, all but one of the females eventually allowed the

males to participate, often dropping the prey inside the door and

leaving the male to arrange it as he pleased.

Three females, even at the onset of provisioning, allowed the males

to take the prey at the entrance, two willingly giving up the spider when

the male reached outside and took it from them. These were the three

pairs that exhibited the most cooperation throughout, and whose males

appeared the most skilled in helping their mates. But in all these nests

there were periods when the female reversed her cooperative behavior,

and for a time refused to allow the male to handle the prey. This

seemed to occur after she had been out hunting longer than usual.

Then as she began bringing in prey at more frequent intervals (15 to

20 minutes) she again relinquished the prey to the male.

All the males who helped their mates store prey worked in the same

manner. At first, when there was plenty of room, they merely placed the

spider at the back of the boring and shoved it lightly into place with

the head, turned around, (usually inside) and began cleaning face and

antennae. Later when the provisions were closer to the entrance, after

a few ramming motions with the head, they would turn around outside,

back in and shove and push the bulky prey into place with the feet or

tip of abdomen—some even hooking their legs over the outside edge

of the boring to obtain greater leverage.

The Partition .—After a sufficient number of spiders (from 5 to 15)

had been put away and an egg laid, usually on the last (Krombein,

1956), the female brought in mud and made a partition to seal off the

cell. All my observations agree with Hartman (1905) that the mud

partitions and outer barriers are started from the bottom up. In three

of the nests the males appeared to be helping the female in trowelling

the mud for this inner wall. Both wasps stood together, rotating in

unison, as they worked from side to side spreading the wet clay. The

wings of both vibrated rapidly and each emitted a high pitched buzzing

sound while working. The males who did not participate in this activity

merely moved to the front of the boring and allowed the female to place

the mud unhindered. One male seemed particularly stubborn about

moving aside, and his female had difficulty building her partitions.

Parasites .—The wasps had few parasites, but one or two females of

the brilliant metallic green cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae) were always

hanging about inspecting empty borings, and warily eyeing the males

guarding their doorways. Medler (1967) suggests that the presence

of Chrysis and others in a nest may be due to inadequate protection

by the male Trypoxylon. However, on several occasions I observed a

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

prowling Chrysis wasp attempt to enter a boring when the male was

back in the tunnel, only to come out immediately, to all appearances

greatly agitated, pursued by the alert guard. If there was much activity

about a nest, or if the guard was sitting at the entrance where he could

be seen the parasites never attempted to enter, but they seemed to take

a great deal of interest in the closed borings. One afternoon I watched

one of these wasps gnawing at the closed and hardened mud door of a

Trypoxylon nest until it had succeeded in cutting through into the

vestibular cell where it immediately began working at the inner parti¬

tion (Fig. 2). Systematically, in the days to follow, it worked at one

nest after another until I put adhesive tape over all the completed

borings to protect them from being ruined.

The Last Cell .—While the female was building her cells deep within

the nest I was unable to observe egg laying, but as the last cell was

provisioned both wasps were unable to completely enter the boring,

and they were close enough to the entrance to be seen easily. On four

occasions, involving two nests, 1 was able to see the mating and the

actions of both wasps as the female deposited an egg on the last spider

brought in. After arranging the prey, the wasps took up positions fac¬

ing each other, one inside, the other outside the nest. After much head

bobbing, antennae waving and mandible clashing, the wasp inside came

out and they mated while clinging to the post an inch or so from the

entrance to the nest (Fig. 3). At once the female backed into the nest,

head, front feet and thorax outside, and remained perfectly still. From

time to time there was a slight quivering and tensing of the antennae.

Three times the male waited, rigidly alert, watching the female. One

male, when the female’s antennae began to vibrate, became quite agitated

and reared up on four legs, holding the bent first legs up under his

head. So absorbed was he that I was able to approach within inches

and make a number of pencil sketches of his unusual attitude.

Closure of the Nest .—All the Trypoxylon pairs observed closing nests

(five out of seven) made an inner door, leaving a vestibular cell be¬

tween the last occupied cell and the outer barrier. Two of the males

left after the final cell was provisioned, and before the entrance was

sealed, but three of the more attentive stayed with the females until the

closing, though they were forced to rest on the post beside the entrance.

One persistent male spent the last night resting in the vestibular cell,

and halfway out of the nest when darkness came before the female

finished the closure.

None of the males who remained until the nest was finished attempted

to help the female with building of the mud barrier, though they had

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

seemed to be assisting with the inner partitions. While not actively

participating, these males appeared intensely interested when the female

began making the vestibular cell wall, and hovered protectively over

her as she worked. The attentive one mentioned above stood with a

leg over the female’s back as he appeared to be trying to watch the

work in progress.

In general, it seemed that the more attentive and helpful the male, the

longer he stayed with the nest. The males from nests where there was

little cooperation between the pair were the ones who left early, often

before the female began making the inner door. The one male of all

the nests studied who stayed until the last mud pellet was spread on

the final barrier, and who even came back several times with the female

to inspect the closed nest, was the one who had been allowed by the

female to share most in the work.

The last nest was provisioned and sealed on 13 August, and from

that time I saw no more females although the males continued to fly

about until 28 August. Every night several males rested in the empty

borings until that date, when the weather turned unusually cold, then

they disappeared from their old haunts, nor were they to be found on

the asters or Michaelmas daisies of the garden.

Literature Cited

Hartman, C. 1905. Observations on the habits of some solitary wasps of Texas.

Univ. Tex. Bull. No. 65, Sci. Series No. 7. 72 p.

Krombejn, K. V. 1956. Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. 58. No. 3: 155-156.

Medler, J. T. 1967. Biology of Trypoxylon in trap nests in Wisconsin. Amer.

Midland Natur., 78: 344-358.

Peckham, G. W. and E. G. Peckham. 1895. Notes on the habits of Trypoxylon

rubrocinctum and Trypoxylon cilbopilosum. Psyche, 7: 303-306.

1898. On the instincts and habits of solitary wasps. Wis. Geol. Natur. Hist.

Surv. Bull. No. 2. 245 p.

Rau, P. 1928. Field studies in the behavior of the non-social wasps. Trans.

Acad. Sci. St. Louis, 25: 489 p.

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

A Revision of the New World Genus Formicilla 1

(Coleoptera: Anthicidae)

Donald S. Chandler

University of Arizona, Tucson 85721

The genus Formicilla , designated for F. munda LeConte, is now

distinct due to the removal of most of the neotropical species which

had accumulated in the genus to the leporinus- and scitulus- groups of

Acanthinus (Werner 1960, 1970). Beal (1950) had defined the genus

for the United States. However, due to the removal by Werner of two

species included in Beal’s paper and the anatomical similarities of the

remaining United States species, the need for more study of the rela¬

tionships within the genus was indicated.

Formicilla is here defined as those New World Anthicidae with

mesosternum expanded laterally; a tuft of long curved setae on inner

margin of mesepisterna reaching humeral angle; pronotum deeply

constricted in basal half; surface polished, with little pubescence; long,

tactile setae; right mandible with single to triple tooth in middle of

cutting edge; last segment of maxillary palpi securiform; simple tegmen

of aedeagus.

The species of Formicilla are here separated into two groups with

the bruchi- group containing a single species, F. bruchi Pic, and the

munda-group containing the remaining. The bruchi-gxowp is distinct

in having a deep depression on the dorsum of the pronotum and in

having the gonopore armature separated into two lateral sclerites and

a biarmed sclerite. The munda- group is characterized by having a

shallow depression or no depression on the dorsum of the pronotum

and the gonopore armature consisting of a biarmed sclerite.

Both external and genitalic characters were used in defining species.

The tegmina of the various species are very similar, but differences in

the gonopore armature were noted and can be used for identification.

The gonopore armature is best seen when the genitalia are withdrawn

and cleared in KOH and then examined with a compound microscope.

For best viewing the internal sac should be teased free of the phallobase

so that it can be viewed from all angles. The internal sac in all species

has an area of small, anteriorly projecting spines completely encircling

it. The aedeagus is bilaterally symmetrical.

The populations of Formicilla munda in the United States vary in

color, which resulted in the species F. gilensis and F. evanescens being

1 University of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series ff: 2024.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 31-42. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

designated by Casey. The main difference was that F. munda and

F. evanescens were relatively light in color while the intervening F.

gilensis was darker. More extensive collecting has revealed that light

populations occur in Texas, along the lower Colorado River, the San

Joaquin Valley of California and in Nayarit, Mexico. Dark populations

occur in the Sacramento Valley of California, from Arizona to Sinaloa,

Mexico and in Morelos, Mexico. Areas of intergradation of color were

found in all cases. Examination of the gonopore armature of specimens

from all populations revealed they are similar and distinct from all

other species. The anatomical similarities and the devaluation of color

led me to conclude that the names gilensis and evanescens should be

treated as synonyms of F. munda.

The holotypes are to be deposited in the California Academy of

Sciences.

I would like to thank Dr. Floyd Werner for his help and encourage¬

ment in the preparation of this paper.

Key to the Species of Formicilla

1. Dorsum of pronotum with deep depression at area of constriction (Fig. la) ;

pubescence elevated at 30 degree angle or greater; gonopore armature with

lateral sclerites separated from biarmed sclerite. Northeastern Argentina.

{bruchi- group) _ bruchi Pic

Dorsum of pronotum with shallow or no depression at area of constriction

(Fig. lb) ; pubescence variable; gonopore annature consisting of biarmed

sclerite {munda- group) _ 2

2. Pubescence on flanks of elytra approximately two-thirds as long as tactile

setae, elevated at 30 degree angle. Westcentral Mexico _

_ longipilosa Chandler n. sp.

Pubescence on flanks of elytra appressed to elevated at 30 degree angle, but

always distinctly less than half the length of tactile setae _ 3

3. Pubescence appressed, short; elytral postbasal transverse impression indis¬

tinct (Fig. 2b). Venezuela to Argentina _ grandiceps Pic

Pubescence raised from surface at 10 to 30 degree angle; elytral postbasal

transverse impression distinct in lateral view (Fig. 2a) _ 4

4. Elytral markings in form of spots, posterior marking small; gonopore arma¬

ture thick in lateral view and with broad projections (Fig. 6). Central

to Northcentral Mexico . vitrea Chandler n. sp.

Elytral markings in form of complete bands across elytra; gonopore armature

narrow in lateral view (Figs. 5, 8) _ 5

5. Eyes large, round except truncate at base of mandibles (Fig. 3a) ; gonopore

armature in lateral view with no projections visible. Michoacan, Mexico

_ alta Chandler n. sp.

Eyes smaller, round to oval (Fig. 3b) ; gonopore armature with distinct

projections in lateral view. Central Mexico to California and Texas

_ munda LeConte

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

Fig. 1. Lateral view pronotum of: a. F. bruchi ; b. F. munda. Fig. 2. Lateral

view elytra: a. F. munda; b. F. grandiceps. Fig. 3. Eye of: a. F. alta; b. F. munda.

Fig. 4. Lateral view F. munda. Figs. 5-6. Genitalia: a. ventral view, b. lateral

view; gonopore armature: c. ventral view, d. lateral view. Fig. 5. F. munda.

Fig. 6. F. vitrea.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Formicilla bruchi Pic

(Figs, la, 10)

Formicilla Bruchi [sic] Pic 1904, 329 (Type loc.: Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina) ;

1911, 22. Bruch 1917, 463; 1928, 193.

Formicilla bruchi, Werner 1965, 3, 11.

Polished and sparsely punctate, head and pronotum castaneous with appendages

of similar color, elytra fuscorufous with luteous marking on area of postbasal

transverse impression of each elytron, sometimes with lighter area around scutellum

but not reaching elytral markings.

Male.— Llavalol, Argentina: 2.61 mm long, head rounded at base, width behind

eyes 0.44 mm, width at antennal insertions 0.28 mm, length 0.60 mm, eyes oval,

broadest dorsally 0.10 X 0.13 mm, antennae moderately pubescent, segments II—IV

narrow, VI-XI gradually increasing in width; head very sparsely pubescent, with

few tactile setae.

Pronotum polished, sparsely pubescent with few tactile setae, pubescence

appressed, pronotum deeply constricted in basal half, with saddle-like depression

on dorsum, pronotal length 0.69 mm, width at base 0.30 mm, width at constriction

0.19 mm, distance from base to constriction 0.20, greatest width 0.42 mm at 0.47

mm from base.

Elytra polished with distinct pubescence at 30 degree angle or greater, length

0.08 mm, tactile setae length 0.16 mm, length of elytra 1.32 mm, width at humeri

0.60 mm, greatest width 0.77 mm at 0.51 mm from base, marking 0.20 mm from

base, 0.11 mm long, elytral depression indistinct in lateral view.

Mesepisternal setae reaching humeral angle, length 0.14 mm, profemur swollen,

length 0.41 mm, width 0.13 mm; protibia slender, length 0.43 mm; mesofemur

swollen in distal two-thirds, length 0.47 mm, width 0.12 mm; mesotibia length

0.42 mm, metafemur swollen in distal one-half, length 0.61 mm, width 0.12 mm,

metatibia length 0.58 mm.

Gonopore armature with a biarmed sclerite with very short stem, an additional

sclerite projects anteriorly from distal portion of each arm, reaching mouth of

primary gonopore. In lateral view biarmed sclerite curved, lateral sclerite straight.

Female.— Similar to male.

Distribution. —Northeastern Argentina in Buenos Aires Province;

one doubtful record from Chile in the Bowditch Collection (Harvard).

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires: Llavalol, 1906, R. Thaxter; vie. La Plata, 2

January 1963, F. G. Werner; Prov. Buenos Aires, 26 August 1917, C. Bruch.

CHILE: Chi., F. C. Bowditch Collection.

Formicilla grandiceps Pic

(Figs. 2b, 7)

Formicilla grandiceps Pic 1913, 130 (Type-loc.: Chaco du Paraguay). Bruch 1928,

192-193.

Formicilla Garciai [sic] Pic 1948, 15-16 (Type-loc.: Buenos Ayres, Argentina).

NEW SYNONYMY.

Formicilla garciai, Werner 1965, 4, 8.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Length 1.80-2.00 mm, polished, sparsely punctate, head and pronotum castaneous,

elytra slightly darker with two luteous markings on each elytron, both markings

sometimes reaching sides but only anterior markings may meet at elytral suture,

anterior marking in elytral depression.

Male. —Salobra, Brazil: length 1.84 mm, head subtruncate at base, length of

head 0.42 mm, width behind eyes 0.33 mm, width at antennal bases 0.17 mm,

eyes oval, broadest dorsally 0.07 X 0.08 mm, antennae moderately pubescent,

antennal segments II-IV slender, V-XI slowly increasing in width; head very

sparsely pubescent and with few tactile setae.

Pronotum constricted in basal half, very shallow depression on dorsum, sparsely

setate and pubescent, pubescence appressed, length of pronotum 0.45 mm, width

of constriction 0.15 mm, distance from base to constriction 0.10 mm, greatest

width 0.28 mm at 0.29 mm from base, width at base 0.21 mm.

Elytra polished with numerous tactile setae and with pubescence decumbent,

length of pubescence 0.04 mm, length of tactile setae 0.12 mm, length of elytra

0.97 mm, width at humeri 0.42 mm, greatest width 0.58 mm at 0.46 mm from

base, elytral depression indistinct.

Metepisternal setae reaching humeral angle, 0.05 mm long, profemur swollen,

length 0.33 mm, width 0.12 mm, protibia slightly dilated to apex; 0.24 mm long,

mesofemur swollen in distal two-thirds, 0.34 mm long, width 0.08 mm; mesotibia

slender, 0.29 mm long, metafemur swollen in distal one-half, length 0.33 mm,

width 0.07 mm, metatibia 0.39 mm long.

Gonopore armature with tips broadened, in lateral view curved and appearing

spoon-shaped.

Female. —Similar to male, but longer.

This species is most similar to F. longipilosa because of the shallow

pronotal depression and the indistinct elytral depression.

Distribution.— From northern Argentina and southcentral Brazil

through the higher lands of the Amazon drainage to Venezuela.

ARGENTINA: Misiones: Iguazu, 20 January/13 March 1945, Hayward, Willink,

Golbach. BOLIVIA: Sta. Cruz : El Cidral, ca. 100 km. NNW Sta. Cruz, 450 m.,

UV It. trap, January 1962, R. Golbach. BRAZIL: Mato Grosso: Salobra, January

1955, P. Pereira; Xingu National Park, Jacare, November 1961, M. Alvarenga, W.

Bokermann; Cuyaba. VENEZUELA: Miranda : Agua Fria, El Jacillo, 14 July

1964, 1500777, C. J. Rosales, P. J. Salinas. Portuguesa: Guanare, 10/13 September

1957, Borys Malkin.

Formicilla longipilosa Chandler new species

(Fig. 9)

Polished, sparsely punctate, head and pronotum testaceous, elytra same color

with humeri and two markings on each elytron brown, markings oval, not reaching

flanks of elytron, posterior markings joining at elytral suture, appendages similar

in color to pronotum.

Holotype male. —Length 2.12 mm, head evenly rounded when viewed in plane

from base to apex, width behind eyes 0.34 mm, width at antennal insertions 0.19

mm, length 0.49 mm, eyes rounded, truncate toward base of antennae, broadest

dorsally 0.11 X 0.12 mm. Antennal segments moderately pubescent, pubescence

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

increasing distally, segments II-V narrow, YI-XI gradually increasing in width,

head very sparsely pubescent and with few tactile setae.

Pronotum polished, with both sparse pubescence and tactile setae, deeply con¬

stricted in basal half, dorsum almost level, length 0.57 mm, width at base 0.25 mm,

width at constriction 0.22 mm, length from constriction to base 0.16 mm, greatest

width 0.33 mm at 0.38 mm from base.

Elytra polished with distinct pubescence and numerous tactile setae, pubescence

at 30 degree angle from elytra, longest along flanks 0.09 mm, tactile setae length

0.12 mm, row of distinct punctures adjacent to and paralleling elytral suture,

indistinct elytral depression, length of elytra 1.12 mm, width at humeri 0.45 mm,

greatest width 0.60 mm at 0.41 mm from base, first marking 0.30 mm from base,

0.21 mm long, second marking 0.70 mm from base and is 0.19 mm long.

Mesepisternal setae not reaching humeral angle, length 0.10 mm, profemur

swollen, length 0.30 mm, width 0.08 mm, tibia slender, length 0.33 mm; mesofemur

swollen in distal two-thirds, length 0.41 mm, width 0.07 mm, mesotibia length 0.34

metafemur swollen in distal one-half, length 0.52 mm, width 0.08 mm, meta-

tibia straight, length 0.04 mm.

Gonopore armature narrow with indistinct projections, no widened areas, in

lateral view, a narrow triangle.

Female.- —Similar to male, but with mesepisternal setae reaching humeral angle,

head sub truncate. Females in type series are slightly shorter than the male,

1.98-2.07 mm.

This species is most similar to F. grandiceps by its indistinct elytral

depression and very shallow depression on the dorsum of the pronotum.

However, the gonopore armature is most similar to that of F. alta, not

broadened anteriorly as in F. grandiceps.

Holotype male , Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico, D. M. Delong,

1941, at light. Paratypes: 3 females, eutopotypical.

Formicilla munda LeConte

(Figs, lb, 2a, 3b, 4, 5, 11)

Formicilla munda LeConte 1851, 152-153 (Type loc.: on lower part of Colorado

River). Casey 1895, 646. Pic 1911, 22. Beal 1950, 126.

Anthicus [ Formicomus , Formicilla] mundus, LeConte 1852, 95.

Formicilla evanescens Casey 1895, 646-647 (Type loc.: Austin, Texas). Pic 1911,

22. Beal 1950, 128-129 ( Formicilla scitula evanescens in part). NEW

SYNONYMY.

Formicilla gilensis Casey 1895, 647 (Type loc.: Tucson, Arizona). Pic 1911, 22.

Beal 1950, 125-126. NEW SYNONYMY.

<e-

Figs. 7-9. Genitalia: a. ventral view, b. lateral view; gonopore armature: c.

ventral view, d. lateral view. Fig. 7. F. grandiceps. Fig. 8. F. alta. Fig. 9. F.

longipilosa. Fig. 10. F. bruchi genitalia: a. ventral view, b. lateral view; gonopore

armature: c. lateral view; internal sac: d. ventral view.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Formicilla munda munda, Beal 1950, 126-127. NOT: Formicilla munda gracilipes,

Beal 1950, 127-128.

Color of head and pronotum varying from luteous to fulvous, head sometimes

darker than pronotum, elytral markings always luteous with elytral basement color

varying from fuscopiceous to brown, light markings vary in width depending on

darkness of specimen, markings wider in lighter specimens and narrower in darker

specimens, markings of lighter specimens may join on elytral flanks, first marldng

continuous across elytra while second marking continuous only in lighter speci¬

mens. Elytral depression distinct, shape of base of head varies from subtruncate

to rounded and pubescence on pronotum and elytra varies from appressed to elevated

at 30 degree angle, length 1.80-2.40 mm.

Male. —Hermosillo, Mexico: 2.31 mm long; base of head subtruncate, sparsely

pubescent and setate, pubescence appressed, length of head 0.52 mm, width behind

eyes 0.41 mm, width at antennal bases 0.22 mm, eyes oval, broadest dorsally 0.11 X

0.12 mm, antennal segments II-VI slender, VII-XI gradually increasing in width,

antennae moderately pubescent, pubescence increasing in distal segments.

Pronotum deeply constricted in basal half, dorsum varies from slightly concave

to leve], sparsely setate and pubescent, pubescence depressed to elevated, length

of pronotum 0.55 mm, width at constriction 0.25 mm, length from base to con¬

striction 0.15 mm, widest anteriorly 0.42 mm at 0.39 mm from base, width at base

0.32 mm.

Elytra polished with pubescence varying from depressed to elevated at 30 degree

angle, length of pubescence 0.06 mm, tactile setae length 0.12 mm, length of elytra

1.26 mm, width at humeri 0.51 mm, maximum width 0.69 mm at 0.48 mm from

base, distance from base to first marking 0.13 mm, length of marking 0.13 mm,

distance from base to posterior marking 0.65 mm, length 0.19 mm.

Mesepisternal setae reaching humeral angle, length 0.14 mm, profemur swollen,

length 0.38 mm, width 0.11 mm, protibia 0.37 mm long; mesofemur swollen in

distal two-thirds, length 0.40 mm, width 0.09 mm; mesotibia 0.41 mm long, meta¬

femur swollen in distal one-half, length 0.56 mm, width 0.11 mm, metatibia 0.56

mm long.

Gonopore armature biarmed with median projection on each arm reaching to

primary gonopore; in lateral view projections very distinct.

Female. —Similar to male.

This species is most similar to F. alta because of the distinct elytral

depression and the gonopore armature having a median projection,

although the gonopore armature is slender and not so developed as

in F. alta.

Division into subspecies has been considered for F. munda. However,

I feel this classification would not be realistic because the different

colored populations are separated into several disjunct populations

(Fig. 11).

Distribution. —This species ranges from Morelos, Mexico, through

the lower elevations of Sonora and Arizona into the Central Valley of

California and east to Arkansas.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

UNITED STATES: Arizona: Apache Co.: White Mtns. Cochise Co.: Willcox.

Coconino Co.: Sedona. Gila Co.: Globe, Wheatfields-nr. Globe, Roosevelt Lake.

Graham Co.: Safford, Thatcher. Maricopa Co.: Buckeye, Gillespie Dam-Gila

Bend, Phoenix, Wickenburg. Pima Co.: Brown Cyn.-Baboquivari Mtns., Green

Valley, Picture Rock Pass and Ariz-Son. Desert Museum-Tucson Mtns., Robles

Ranch, Sabino Cyn.-Sta. Catalina Mtns., Tucson, 8 mi. N. Vail. Pinal Co.:

Coolidge, Superior. Santa Cruz Co.: Madera Cyn., Nogales. Yavapai Co.: Bloody

Basin, Cottonwood. Yuma Co.: Dateland, Ehrenberg, Laguna Dam, Palomas, Roll,

Yuma. Arkansas: Howard Co.: 5 mi. N. Nashville. Pike Co. California: Imperial

Co.: “Brawleys,” “Fr. Yuma,” Imperial, E. shore Salton Sea. Madera Co.: Visalia.

Merced Co.: 4 mi. S. Dos Palos, Merced. Riverside Co.: Cathedral City. San

Bernardino Co.: 4 mi. S. Colton. San Diego Co.: La Mesa. Tehama Co.: Red

Bluff, 20 mi. NW. Red Bluff, 1 mi. SE. Vina. Colorado: El Paso Co.: Colorado

Springs. Louisiana: Bossier Co.: Bossier Parish. New Mexico: Dona Ana Co.:

Las Cruces, Mesilla Park. Oklahoma: Texas Co.: Texahoma. Texas: Brazos Co.:

College Station-Texas A&M. Brown Co. Comal Co.: New Braunfels. Dallas Co.:

Dallas. Grayson Co.: Denison. Hidalgo Co.: Brownsville. Llano Co.: Llano.

Nueces Co.: Corpus Christi. Patricio Co.: Sinton. Potter Co.: 14 mi. E. Amarillo.

Terrell Co.: Sanderson. Victoria Co. MEXICO: Baja California: La Paz, 4 mi. N.

Todos Santos. Morelos: 5 mi. S. Cuernavaca. Nayarit: Acaponeta, Ixtlan del Rio.

Sinaloa: 6 mi. S. Culiacan, Los Mochis, Mazatlan, 26 mi. N. Pericos. Sonora:

Alamos, Desemboque, 5 mi. N. Guaymas, Hermosillo, 40 mi. N. Hermosillo,

Navajoa, Nogales.

Formicilla alta Chandler new species

(Figs. 3a, 8)

Polished, sparsely pubescent, head and pronotum flavous to tawny, elytra fulvous

to tawny with two castaneous markings on each elytron, both of which may or

may not meet at elytral suture or extend to sides, humeri darkened, elytral depres¬

sion distinct.

Holotype male. —Length 1.98 mm, head rounded at base, pubescence sparse

and appressed, few tactile setae, length of head 0.46 mm, width behind eyes 0.33

mm, width at antennal bases 0.18 mm, eyes rounded and truncate close to mandibles

0.08 X 0.09 mm, antennae moderately pubescent, pubescence increasing distally,

segments II-IV of equal width, VII-XI gradually increasing in width.

Pronotum polished, sparse pubescence appressed, few tactile setae; deeply con¬

stricted in basal half with dorsum flat, lengh 0.48 mm, width at base 0.26 mm, width

at constriction 0.20 mm, length from base to constriction 0.14 mm, greatest width

0.32 mm at 0.33 mm from base.

Elytra polished with pubescence varying from depressed to elevated at 30 degree

angle, length pubescence 0.06 mm, length tactile setae 0.12 mm, length elytra 1.04

mm, width at humeri 0.50 mm, greatest width 0.58 mm at 0.58 mm from base, first

marking 0.31 mm from base and 0.27 mm long, second marking 0.72 mm from

base and 0.14 mm long.

Mesepisternal setae reaching humeral angle, length 0.15 mm, profemur swollen,

length 0.34 mm, width 0.11 mm, protibia 0.31 mm long; mesofemur swollen in

distal two-thirds, length 0.38 mm, width 0.10 mm, mesotibia length 0.34 mm;

metafemur swollen in distal half, length 0.45 mm, width 0.08 mm, metatibia length

0.43 mm.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Gonopore armature slender and curved in lateral view with short, stubby

projections.

Female. —Not known.

The shape of the gonopore armature closely resembles that of F.

longipilosa, but the flat pronotal dorsum and distinct elytral depression

indicate close relationship to F. vitrea.

Holotype male , Mil Cumbres, 30 km. W. Hidalgo, Michoacan,

Mexico, (Rt. 4, Km. 244), 7,600 ft., in grass on edge of road, 29 June

1948, F. G. Werner. Paratype: 1 male, eutopotypical.

Formicilla vitrea Chandler new species

(Fig. 6)

Polished, sparsely pubescent, head and pronotum castaneous, fuscopiceous elytra

with two luteous markings on each elytron, first marking in elytral depression, not

reaching distal edge of elytra but meeting at elytral suture, second marking smaller,

sometimes meeting at elytral suture, elytral depression distinct, length varies from

1.85-2.28 mm.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Holotype male. —Length 2.17 mm, head subtruncate at base, pubescence sparse

and appressed, few tactile setae, length of head 0.45 mm, width at antennal bases

0.20 mm, width behind eyes 0.39 mm, eyes oval, broadest dorsally 0.07 X 0.08 mm,

antennae moderately pubescent and setate, pubescence increasing distally, seg¬

ments II-V of equal width, VI-XI barely increasing in width.

Pronotum polished, sparse appressed pubescence, few tactile setae; deeply

constricted in basal half with dorsum flat, length of pronotum 0.54 mm, width at

base 0.28 mm, width at constriction 0.24 mm, length from base to constriction 0.14

mm, widest point 0.39 mm at 0.38 mm from base.

Elytra polished with pubescence depressed to elevated at 30 degree angle, length

pubescence 0.05 mm, length tactile setae 0.12 mm, length elytra 1.18 mm, width

at humeri 0.45 mm, greatest width 0.07 mm at 0.49 mm from base, first marking

0.14 mm from base and 0.08 mm in length, second marking 0.63 mm from base

and 0.14 mm in length.

Mesepisternal setae reaching humeri, length 0.14 mm, profemur swollen, length

0.40 mm, width 0.13 mm, protibia slender, length 0.36 mm; mesofemur swollen

in distal two-thirds, length 0.41 mm, width 0.09 mm, mesotibia 0.39 mm long;

metafemur swollen in distal half, length 0.51 mm, width 0.11 mm, metatibia

length 0.50 mm.

Gonopore armature thick in lateral view with large, blunt projections, very

short basal arm.

Female. —Similar to male.

The gonopore armature is very distinct and quite different from

that of the other species. The flat pronotal dorsum indicates affinities

to F. alta.

Holotype male , 20 km. W. Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico, dry agricultural

area (running on damp ground among grass stems next to ditch), 6,130

ft., 2 August 1948, F. G. Werner.

Paratypes. —13 males, 7 females, eutopotypical; 1 male, 49 mi. SE. Chihuahua,

Chihuahua, MEX., 4,000 ft., light, San Pedro River, 20 July 1952, RB & BK

Selander; 1 female, 16 km. W. Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, MEX., 5,920 ft., (Rt. 170),

(Dry grazing area, under human dung), 1 July 1948, W. Nutting.

Literature Cited

Beal, R. S. Jr. 1950. Systematic notes on the genus Formicilla in the United

States and Mexico. Pan-Pac. Entomol., 26: 122-130.

Bruch, C. 1917. Nuevas capturas de insectos mirmecofilos. Physis, Rev. Assoc.

Argent. Cienc. Natur., 3: 458-466.

1928. Suplemento al catalogo sistematico IV, (Addenda, corrigenda, y lista

de especies). Physis, Rev. Assoc. Argent. Cienc. Natur., 9: 186-204.

Casey, T. L. 1895. Coleopterological notices, VI. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 8: 435-

838.

LeConte, J. L. 1851. Descriptions of new species of Coleoptera from California.

Ann. Lyc. Natur. Hist. N.Y., 5: 125-184.

1852. Synopsis of the Anthicites of the United States. Proc. Acad. Natur. Sci.

Philadelphia, 6: 91-104.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Pic, M. 1904. Anthicides nouveaux de la Republique Argentine recueillis par M.

Carlos Bruch. Rev. Mus. La Plata, 11: 329-331.

1913. Nouveaux anthicides exotiques. Echange, 29: 130-132.

1948. Notes et nouveautes diverses. Diversites Entomologiques, 4: 12-16.

Werner, F. G. 1960. A redefinition of the genus Acanthinus as an important

element in the Anthicid fauna of the neotropical region. Verh. XI Int.

Kongr. Ent., Wien, I: 109-112.

1965. A key to the described species of New World Anthicidae of the genus

Acanthinus La Ferte, with new synonymy. Pap. Avulsos Zool. Sao Paulo.

18: 1-15.

1970. A revision of Acanthinus (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) IX. The Leporinus,

Scitulus, Cuyabanus, and Myrmecops-Groups. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer.,

63: 718-731.

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

A Note on Dacnochilus fresnoensis ( Coleoptera :Staphylinidae). —Hugh

B. Leech described Dacnochilus fresnoensis in 1939 (Can. Entomol., 71: 261) on

the basis of a male collected at Fresno, California 5 June, 1931 and a female from

the same locality 23 June, 1930, both by Roy S. Wagner. The species has not been

mentioned in the literature since and to my knowledge until now no other specimen

has been found.

Only two other species are known in this genus, the habits of the members of which

are unknown. The closely related Acalophaena is represented by several species

in Latin America one of which, A. hasalis Lynch-Arribalzaga, was reported in 1884

by its describer from termite nests (Bol. Acad. Nac. Cienc. Cordoba, 7: 270).

I have received from Derham Giuliani a single male of Dacnochilus fresnoensis

collected by him at “Riverside, California on August 16, 1971 on log with ants

and termites.” In reply to my request for more information about this rare find

Giuliani wrote:

“Concerning the specimen of Dacnochilus fresnoensis, I collected it at Dr. Fisher’s

house when I was in Riverside last August. You were away on a trip at the time.

He could show you the log and perhaps recall some details I’ve forgotten. I helped

him move the log his wife wanted put at a spot in the garden. It contained large

numbers of ants and termites. Debris with ants and termites fell off here and there

during the move and it was near this that I spotted the staph walking about. I

looked on the log and back at the spot it had been moved from but saw no more.

Unfortunately I did not collect any of the ants or termites even though I felt

certain that the staph had been among them.”

Conversations with Dr. T. W. Fisher (U.C.R.) revealed that the log was one

of three alder logs which had been brought to his home about two years before

from Lytle Creek, San Bernardino County, California about thirty miles to the

northwest of the collecting site. Visits to his place, on a chaparral-covered hill

at Sunnymead, Riverside County, California, were made on 31 April and 17 June,

1972, a year of very little rainfall. No ants or termites were found on or under

the three logs, two of which were still in their original position. No more Dac¬

nochilus were found. —Ian Moore, Division of Biological Control, University of

California, Riverside 92502.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

A New Genus of Pseudoscorpions Based upon

Atemnus hirsutus 1

(Pseudoscorpionida: Chernetidae)

William B. Muchmore

Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. 14627

The species Atemnus hirsutus was described by N. Banks in 1914 on

the basis of a single individual “found 10 feet from ocean” at Laguna

Beach, California. Evidently, no further specimens have been discovered,

and the species has remained an enigma ever since. Beier (1932) and

Roewer (1937) overlooked it completely in their worldwide reviews

of the pseudoscorpions, and Hoff (1958, p. 22) only noted that “From

Banks’ figure, the species probably belongs to an undescribed genus in

the Lamprochernetinae.” Through the courtesy of Dr. H. Levi, I have

borrowed the mounted holotype from the Museum of Comparative

Zoology, Harvard University. I have remounted it and reexamined it

in detail, and find that it belongs to an undescribed genus of the family

Chernetidae.

Mucrochernes Muchmore, new genus

Diagnosis. —-(Based upon female only.) Surfaces generally smooth, but carapace

granulate laterally and posteriorly, and palpal segments each with a few granules.

Setae generally long, thin and tapering to fine point, many with single, small,

sharp spinule at about the middle of the shaft. Carapace a little longer than

broad; with two transverse furrows and two distinct eye spots; covered with about

200 vestitural setae. Tergites and sternites, except 11th, divided; with many setae

arranged in one, two or three irregular rows; sternites 4, 5 and 6 with numerous

small slit sensilla; pleural and interscutal membranes densely papillate; anterior

genital operculum of female with about 45 acuminate setae broadly scattered over

surface. Spermathecae of female apparently consisting of two delicate, lateral

tubes of moderate length and barely enlarged at ends. Genital features of male

unknown. Cheliceral palm with five setae, all long and simple; flagellum of four

setae, all finely denticulate along anterior margins; galea with five branches

emerging from common base, each branch with 2 to 4 rami. Palps fairly heavy;

chelal hand (female) very broad at base; fingers with accessory teeth; venom

apparatus well developed only in movable finger, vestigial in fixed finger;

trichobothrium st near middle of movable finger, closer to t than to sb; ist at

same level as est, distal to middle of fixed finger, esb, eb, isb and ib closely

grouped at base of finger. Legs monotarsate, moderately slender; tibia IV with

tactile seta far distad (also on III) ; tarsus IV with tactile seta just distad of middle

(also on III) and prominent slit sensillum close to base (also on I, II, III) ; sub¬

terminal tarsal setae curved, acuminate; claws simple.

1 This work was supported in part by a grant (GB 17964) from the National Science Foundation.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 43-48. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Type species.— Atemnus hirsutus Banks, 1914.

Distribution. —Known only from Laguna Beach, California.

Remarks. —This genus is a member of the family Chernetidae by

virtue of the monotarsate legs, the occurrence of a well developed venom

apparatus in the movable chelal finger only, the accessory teeth on the

chelal fingers, and the presence of a prominent, longitudinally oriented,

slit sensillum basally on each pedal tarsus.

The relationship of Mucrochernes to other genera in the family is

obscure because of the unique nature of the vestitural setae. Some other

genera, such as Dasychernes Chamberlin, have large numbers of setae,

but no other pseudoscorpion has been reported to have setae similar in

shape to those of Mucrochernes . In fact, all other known chernetids

have at least some setae which are denticulate or clavate at the tips,

while those of Mucrochernes are, without exception, simple at the tips.

On the basis of this and other features, the present genus does not fall

naturally into any of the subfamilies of Chernetidae as presently formu¬

lated. It is possible that reevaluation of these groups on the basis of a

broader constellation of characters will reveal close relatives of

Mucrochernes.

Mucrochernes hirsutus (Banks), new combination

(Figs. 1-6)

Atemnus hirsutus Banks, 1914, p. 203.

Genus? hirsutus, Hoff, 1958, p. 22.

Material.— Holotype female (WM 2456.01001), “found 10 ft. from

ocean. No trees near,” at Laguna Beach, Orange County, California

(no date or collector indicated on slide, though Banks states that the

specimen was sent by Prof. Hilton).

Because the original description given by Banks is inaccurate in

some details and generally not sufficient to define the species, the

following more complete description is presented.

Female.— All parts rather lightly sclerotized and light yellowish. Carapace

slightly longer than broad, with two transverse furrows and two large, distinct

eye spots; surface nearly smooth medially, but weakly granulate on sides and

posteriorly; covered with more than 200 setae. Setae on carapace, as well as on

remainder of animal, different from those of other pseudoscorpions—all long, thin

and completely simple at tips, but often with single, small, sharp spinule about

halfway along length of shaft (Fig. 1).

Abdomen twice as long as broad; tergites and sternites, except 11th, divided,

surfaces very finely granulate; pleural membranes and interscutal surfaces densely

papillate. Tergal chaetotaxy 26:29:28:39:51:51:57:60:54:53:43:2; setae in single

marginal row on tergites 1 to 3, but in irregular double or triple rows on tergites

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973 45

Fig. 1-6. Mucrochernes liirsutus (Banks), holotype female. Fig. 1. Vestitural

setae with lateral spinules. Fig. 2. Spermathecae. Fig. 3. Tip of movable finger of

chelicera, showing complex galea. Fig. 4. Dorsal view of right palp (chela in

dorsolateral aspect and with crack in hand). Fig. 5. Lateral view of left chela

(hand broken). Fig. 6. Tibia and tarsus of leg IV, showing tactile setae and tarsal

sensillum.

4 to 11. Sternal chaetotaxy 43: (1) 22 (2) : (3) 14(3) :64:68:50:49:48:47:36:2; the

setae in double or triple rows on sternites 5 to 11. Sternites 4, 5 and 6 with

numerous small, slit sensilla scattered over surfaces (each sternal half with about

40 on 4, about 85 on 5, and about 75 on 6), other sternites with few such sense

organs (each half with about 12 on 3, only 2 on 7, 1 on 8, etc.). Anterior genital

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

operculum with a broad field of 43 small setae; posterior operculum with irregular,

marginal row of 22 setae of similar size. Setae on spiracular plates simple.

Spermathecae difficult to observe but appear to consist of two thinwalled lateral

tubes, barely enlarged at ends (Fig. 2). Coxal area generally typical; all coxae

bearing numerous, apparently simple setae.

Chelicera generally typical of the family, about one-third as long as carapace.

Palm with five setae, all relatively long and simple. Fixed finger with three tiny,

subterminal denticles and five teeth of decreasing size along the margin. Movable

finger (Fig. 3) with distinct subapical lobe and one medium sized tooth just

proximad of this. Galea composed of five branches arising from common base,

each branch with two or four rami. Flagellum of four setae, all finely denticulate

along anterior margins. Serrula exterior with 19 blades; serrula interior of six

dentate lobes and basal velum.

Palp essentially as illustrated by Banks (1914, p. 203), though in the copy of the

Journal available to me, the lateral outline of the tibia is incomplete. Remounted

palp (chelal hands slightly broken by original, unsupported cover glass) as in

Fig. 4. Surfaces smooth, except for a few small granules on flexor surfaces of

trochanter, femur, and tibia; covered with numerous setae, mostly simple but

some with spinules on shafts. Trichobothria of chela as in Fig. 5. Chelal fingers

slightly gaping; fixed finger with 63 low, strongly cusped, marginal teeth, and

five internal and eight external accessory teeth; movable finger with 59 similar

marginal teeth, and five internal and seven external accessory teeth. Venom

apparatus well developed in movable finger, with nodus ramosus just proximad

of trichobothrium t; fixed finger without specialized venedens, but with small,

poorly preserved venom duct. Trochanter 1.7, femur 3.1, tibia 2.65, and chela

about 5.2 times as long as broad; hand 1.25 times as long as deep; movable finger

1.17 times as long as hand.

Legs typical in form, rather slender; leg IV with entire femur 4.25, tibia 5.1

and tarsus 4.35 times as long as deep. Tactile setae on tibia 0.93 and on tarsus

0.62 the length of segment from proximal end (Fig. 6). Large, prominent slit

sensillum at proximal fifth of outer margin of segment. Subterminal tarsal setae

curved, simple.

Male.— Unknown.

Measurements (mm).—Body length 3.06. Carapace 0.99 long, posterior breadth

0.89. Chelicera 0.36 long by 0.185 broad; movable finger 0.295 long. Palpal

trochanter 0.54 by 0.32; femur 0.985 by 0.32; tibia 0.925 by 0.35; chela (without

pedicel) 1.725 by 0.33; hand (without pedicel) 0.79 by 0.63; movable finger 0.925

long. Leg I: basifemur 0.25 by 0.17; telofemur 0.48 by 0.15; tibia 0.41 by 0.12;

tarsus 0.43 by 0.095. Leg IV: entire femur 0.85 long; basifemur 0.30 by 0.20;

telofemur 0.63 by 0.20; tibia 0.665 by 0.13; tarsus 0.52 by 0.12.

Remarks. —There are two inaccuracies in Banks’ description of the

species which deserve some comment.

1) As mentioned above, and as observed by Banks, all setae on

the animal are simple at the tips. However, probably because of in¬

sufficient magnification, Banks failed to notice the small spinules on

the shafts of many of the setae. It is impossible to determine how many

setae actually possess this feature because the spinule is usually obscured

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

by the shaft of the seta unless the seta is positioned so that the spinule

extends out to one side.

2) It is difficult to understand why Banks recorded “mandible . . .

with a short stylet,” when the cheliceral galea is, in fact, large and

multiply branched. It is conceivable, however, that one of the chelicerae,

which seems to have been treated differently from the other, might have

appeared to have a simple galea when viewed in a certain position

under low magnification.

It is of special interest to note the occurrence of a large, prominent,

slit sensillum basally on the outer surface of each pedal tarsus. The

slit is oriented along the long axis of the segment and opens across the

surface of a rounded elevation. In lateral view, as the legs are usually

oriented, the organ is seen as a distinct, curved bump on the tarsal

surface. This structure apparently was first noted by Chamberlin

(1924), who called it a “domedike ‘sense-spot’later (1938, etc.)

he referred to it as a “sense dome.” Oddly, it is not mentioned at all

in Chamberlin’s large monograph “The arachnid order Chelonethida”

(1931). Vachon (1945) observed that he had found this “organe

tarsal” in representatives of all three subfamilies of the Chernetidae

but in no other family, and he suggested that it is a good diagnostic

character of the family Chernetidae. Unaccountably, then, Vachon did

not include this character in his revised diagnosis of the Chernetidae

(1951, p. 171), though he did mention it again two paragraphs beyond.

My own experience agrees with that of Vachon and I concur that these

slit sensilla are unique to the Chernetidae, the diagnostic features of

which can be listed as follows: all legs monotarsate; venom apparatus

well developed in movable finger of chela, less well developed or absent

in fixed finger; fingers of chela usually with accessory teeth external and

internal to the marginal row; tarsus of each leg with a prominent slit

sensillum on the outer surface prox'mad of the middle of the segment.

It is to be hoped that the foregoing will stimulate enough interest in

this remarkable pseudoscorpion to result in the collection of additional

specimens of the same or related species.

Literature Cited

Banks, N. 1914. A new pseucloscorpion from California. J. Entomol. Zool.,

Pomona Coll., 6: 203.

Beier, M. 1932. Pseudoscorpionidea. II. Subord. Cheliferinea. Teirreich, 58:

1-294.

Chamberlin, J. C. 1924. Hesperochernes laurae, a new species of false scorpion

from California inhabiting the nest of Vespa. Pan-Pac. Entomol. 1:

89-92.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

1931. The arachnid order Chelonethida. Stanford Univ. Publ. Biol. Sci. 7,

no. 1: 1-284.

1938. New and little-known false scorpions from the Pacific and elsewhere.

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 11, 2: 259-285.

Hoff, C. C. 1958. List of the pseudoscorpions of North America north of Mexico.

Amer. Mus. Novitates, 1875: 1-50.

Roewer, C. Fr. 1937. Chelonethi order Pseudoskorpione. In Bronns, H. G.,

Klassen und Ordnungen des Tierreichs, Leipzig, vol. 5, div. 4, book 6,

fasc. 2, pp. 161-320.

Vachon, M. 1945. Chernetes. Mem. Mus. Nat. Hist. Natur. Paris, Ser. A, Zool.,

19: 187-197.

1951. Les Pseudoscorpions de Madagascar. I. Remarques sur la famille des

Chernetidae J. C. Chamberlin, 1931, a propos de la description d’une

nouvelle espece: Metagoniochernes Milloti. Mem. Inst. Rech. Sci.

Madagascar, ser. A, Biol. Anim., 5: 159-172.

COLLECTION DONATED

Chris Parrish Scorpion Collection Donated to California Academy of

Sciences. —Mr. Chris Parrish of La Mesa, California, has recently donated his

collection of scorpions and other arthropods to the Department of Entomology,

California Academy of Sciences. This collection, consisting of 3,784 specimens

(plus a collection of diplocentrid scorpions out on loan for study) is important

and valuable since it contains series of scorpions both from the mainland of Baja

California, Mexico and the islands of the Gulf of California. The majority of the

Mexican collections were made on expeditions organized by Dr. George E. Lindsay,

Director of the California Academy of Sciences.

The Parrish collection contains 2,241 scorpions (plus the diplocentrid scorpions)

including seven holotypes and two allotypes described by Dr. Herbert L. Stahnke

(holotype female, Bioculus aguajensis; holotype female, allotype male, B. belvederi;

holotype female, B. danzantiensis ; holotype female, B. lindsayi; holotype female,

B. luteus ; holotype female, B. parraensis; holotype male, allotype female, B.

parrishi ), 1,399 specimens from Mexico, and 833 from the western United States.

Most of these specimens were collected by non-ultra-violet detection methods. They

will complement the extensive series of scorpions which Dr. Stanley C. Williams,

who is monographing the scorpions of Baja California, has collected and donated

to the Academy. The collection also contains 36 Uropygi and Amblypygi, 42

Solpugida, 61 Chilopoda, 50 Diplopoda, 128 Opiliones, 74 Chelonethida, 599

Araneida, 1 Onychophora, 276 Acarina, and 266 Insecta. —Paul H. Arnaud, Jr.,

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, 94118.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

A New Pulverro from California

(Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Lloyd E. Eighme

Pacific Union College, Angwin, California 94508

A study of the genus Pulverro has disclosed some interesting new

material especially from the North Coast Ranges of California. A new

species, Pulverro monticola Eighme was described from specimens col¬

lected in the Salmon-Trinity Mts. in 1968. Subsequent collecting trips

in the same area have resulted in specimens of another new species

described in this paper.

Specimens of the new species were first collected by the author in

August 1969 in the Deer Creek Basin at 5,300 feet elevation in the

Salmon-Trinity Mts. of Trinity County, California. The following sum¬

mer, June 1970, one of my students, Terry Griswold, collected specimens

of the same species near Healdsburg, Sonoma County, and in July 1971,

another student, Earl Aagaard, collected more specimens of the same

species in Young’s Valley at 4,600 feet elevation in Siskiyou County.

Dr. R. M. Bohart (Dept, of Entomology, Univ. of Calif., Davis) dis¬

covered eight specimens in the U. C. Davis collection from Shasta County

and recognized them as a new species, but graciously loaned them to

me as a part of the series to be described in this paper.

The holotype of this new species will be deposited in the collection at

the California Academy of Sciences. Paratypes will be placed in collec¬

tions at the University of California at Davis, the U.S. National Museum,

and the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences.

Pulverro californica Eighme, new species

Male.— Length 3 mm. Color, black; foretibia and tarsi, apex of fore femur, mid

and hind tarsi and base of mid and hind tibiae golden brown; labrum, palpi and

mandibles ivory except apices and tip of ventral tooth of mandibles red; apices of

antennal segments brown underneath. Wings clear hyaline, stigma and veins dark

brown.

Head subquadrate when viewed from above, narrower in occipital width than

ocular width. Mandibles bidentate with distinctly pointed midventral tooth placed

at right angle to ventral margin. Clypeus with distinctly raised medial subquadrate

platform as broad as the distance between the antennal sockets. Ventral margin

of clypeus with sharply angled median truncate lobe. Clypeus and front adjacent

to antennal sockets densely clothed with flattened silvery pubescence. Remainder

of front and vertex finely granular with few scattered fine hairs. Supraorbital

fovea a minute round puncture at apical margin of eye. Antenna filiform with

first segment of flagellum greater in diameter than second segment.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 49-50. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Thorax shining, finely punctate. Scutum projected forward above pronotum,

smoothly rounded anteriorly and laterally with notauli prominent anteriorly for

almost half length of scutum. Lateral furrow between scutum and scutellum deep

and lightly foveolate. Propodeum granulate on sides, dorsal face coarsely reticulate,

posterior face flattened with median furrow and dorsolateral margins outlined by

sharp carina.

Abdomen shining, minutely rugulose. Tergites 2-5 with prominent transverse

groove at middle, appearing as secondary division of somite. Posterior border of

tergites 2-5 depressed and marked by narrow row of irregular punctures.

Last tergite coarsely punctured and armed with short stiff bristles. Second

sternite with transverse arcuate groove anteriorly, third sternite with straight

transverse groove. Hypopygium (last sternite) spatulate, apical margin rounded,

sharply serrate with tuft of fine pubescence underneath, silvery hairs less than

one-half as long as hypopygium.

Female. —Similar to male except: Central clypeal disc roundly tumid, extending

upward between antennal sockets and projecting anteriorly into broad subtruncate

flange. Clypeal disc smooth, shining, with large scattered punctures. Labrum

not extending beyond clypeal flange. Mandibles bidentate but lack midventral

tooth. Supraorbital fovea linear, as long as diameter of lateral ocellus. Frons with

faint median carina terminating in shallow pit about % distance from clypeus to

median ocellus. Pygidial plate trigonal, margined by sharp carina, apex narrowly

truncate, shining, with few large punctures.

Holotype male , (CAS), Deer Creek, 5,300 feet, Trinity County,

California, 7 August 1969 (L. Eighme). Paratypes, 7 males, 5 females

from same locality as holotype. Additional specimens: 16 males and

4 females from Siskiyou County, 5,000 feet, California; 3 males and

5 females from Shasta County, California; 4 males and 1 female from

Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California.

This species is similar to P. chumashano Pate which is found in

coastal southern California, but strikingly different from P. monticola

Eighme which is found in some of the same areas as the new species.

Pulverro californica differs from P. chumashano in the males in that

the midventral mandibular tooth is smaller and more pointed, the last

sternite is evenly rounded instead of broadly truncate, and sparsely

hirsute instead of densely hirsute, the integument is generally black

instead of dark mahogany. The females of P. californica differ from

those of P. chumashano in that the labrum does not extend beyond the

clypeal flange in P. californica whereas it does in P. chumashano.

Literature Cited

Eighme, L. E. 1968. A New Species of Pulverro from California. Pan-Pac.

Entomol., 44(4) : 261-264.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Description of a New Species of Trjapitzinellus Parasitic on

Coniopterygidae in California 1 ’ 2

(Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae; Neuroptera)

Gordon Gordh

Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, 92507

Slides in the collection of the Citrus Experiment Station, University

of California, Riverside, indicate the presence of a new species of

encyrtid from California as suspected by P. H. Timberlake in 1928.

Subsequent collections by Paul DeBach and Harold Compere in south¬

ern California during the 1930’s and 1940’s revealed more individuals

similar to Timberlake’s material. Intensive collecting by J. A. McMurtry

during the 1960’s associated the parasite with species of Conwentzia

and Parasemidalis (Coniopterygidae). Owing to the taxonomic status

of the Bothriothoricini (= Mir ini Ashmead), no attempt was made by

Timberlake, Compere, or DeBach to describe the species. Recently,

Viggiani (1967) described a genus of encyrtid parasitizing Coniopterygi¬

dae in southern Italy which is congeneric with the material collected

by DeBach, Compere, and Timberlake. Research by R. Malone on

synecological aspects of Trjapitzinellus microrphanos , sp. nov., neces¬

sitates description of this species.

Trjapitzinellus microrphanos Gordh, new species

Female. —Body length 2.3 mm. Head, mesosoma, gaster blackish brown; malar

space, face with mauvish refringence; antennal scape reddish brown, remaining

segments lighter; wings hyaline, without infuscation; coxae, femora, basal half of

tibiae concolorous with body; trochanters, apical portion of tibiae, tarsi tan.

Head hypognathous, in dorsal aspect more than twice as wide as median length;

anterior margin transverse; posterior margin concave between compound eye;

frontovertex (at narrowest) about % head width; ocelli forming acute triangle,

lateral ocelli touching inner margin of compound eyes; median ocellus in center

of frontovertex lateral ocelli less than diameter of one ocellus from posterior

margin. Frontal aspect of head (Figs. 4, 5) triangular, compound eye height

slightly greater than malar space; toruli at ventrolateral margin of clypeus, sepa¬

rated by 4 times diameter of single torulus; scrobe indistinct, interantennal ridge

not conspicuous; inner margin of compound eye with conspicuous line of setae

extending along inner margin of subocular suture, ending beneath torulus. Antenna

11-segmented (Fig. 2) ; scape with ventral flange; pedicel twice longer than first

1 1 am grateful to D. P. Annecke, Plant Protection Institute, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa,

for comparing the material with his collection of African Encyrtidae and V. Trjapitzin, Soviet

Academy of Science, Leningrad, for comparison with the Palearctic material at his disposal; Harold

Compere kindly provided access to his extensive collection of Encyrtidae. Professor C. D. Michener,

University of Kansas, Lawrence, reviewed the manuscript and suggested improvements.

2 Support of NSF GB-17829 to Paul DeBach is gratefully acknowledged.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 51-55. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

flagellomere; flagellomeres uniformly setose with few carinae, becoming progres¬

sively larger distally; club compact, setose, with curved sensory margin dorsad.

Head lightly shagreened, compound eye with uniform covering of short setae;

mandibles tridentate; maxillary palp 4-segmented (Fig. 7), labial palp 3-segmented

(Fig. 6).

Mesosoma (Fig. 8) twice as long as wide; dorsal surface flattened. Mesoscutum,

scutellum, axilla lightly shagreened; tegula strongly shagreened, setose; propodeum

with few coarse striations; mesoscutum with uniform vestiture of pale thin setae;

scutellum with longer, more irregularly dispersed setae; axilla, metanotum,

propodeum asetose. Legs not modified; middle tibial spur (Fig. 3) % length of

basitarsus and subequal length. Forewing (Fig. 9) about 2% times longer than

greatest width, lacking infuscation; submarginal, marginal vein limits not evident,

forming single straight vein, with marginal vein distinct distally; costal cell well-

developed, setose; postmarginal vein at least as long as stigmal vein, terminus

indistinct; speculum present, but lateral margins not straight or distinct; hind¬

wing (Fig. 10) with submarginal, marginal veins subequal, submarginal vein

arched forward; entire wing surface distal to imaginary line perpendicular to

union of marginal and submarginal veins covered with setae of uniform length.

Gaster shorter than mesosoma, rounded at apex, ovipositor and gonostylus not

visible from above; ovipositor and hind tibia subequal in length.

Male. —Body length 2.0 mm. Color as female except antenna light brown with

reddish refringence. Head shape as female; ventral margin of antennal torulus

above clypeal margin by height of one torulus. Antenna (Fig. 1) 9-segmented;

six flagellomeres subequal in size, twice as long as wide. Aedeagus exterted sub¬

equal in length to hindbasitarsus and second tarsomere.

Biological associations. —Fleschner and Ricker (1953) indicate

four genera of coniopterygids are found in southern California, Para-

semidalis , Conwentzia, Coniopteryx , and Malacomyza. Parasemidalis

flaviceps Banks and Conwentzia nigrans Carpenter are most abundant

in citrus groves. Preliminary studies by McMurtry indicate T. mi-

crorphanos parasitizes Conwentzia sp. and Parasemidalis sp. during

the larval stage before the cocoon is spun. The parasite pupates within

the prepupal skin of its host.

Comparative comments.— In his generic description, Viggiani

(1967) relied upon the observations of Trjapitzin in establishing af¬

finities between Trjapitzinellus and related bothriothoracines. Trjapitzin

supposed the genus to be related to Aphidencyrtus Ashmead, Aphiden-

Fig. 1. Inner aspect left antenna $ T. microrphanos (X45). Fig. 2. Inner

aspect left antenna $ T. microrphanos (X 45). Figs. 3-10. 2 T. microrphanos

(X40): Fig. 3. Right tibiotarsus, Fig. 4. Head anterior aspect, Fig. 5. Head

lateral aspect, Fig. 6. Left labial palpus, Fig. 7. Left maxillary palpus, Fig. 8.

Dorsal view of meso- and metasoma, Fig. 9. Right forewing, and Fig. 10. Right

hindwing.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

cyrtoides Ishii, Baeonusia Girault, Geniaspidius Masi, Mercetencyrtus

Trjapitzin and Ooencyrtus Ashmead. Viggiani added that on the basis

of body shape Trjapitzinellus is intermediate between Ooencyrtus and

Psyllaephagus. Comparison of T. microrphanos with Compere’s collec¬

tion of encyrtids confirms Viggiani’s suspicions. However, the sys¬

tematic position of Trjapitzinellus is still unsatisfactory and revision

of the Bothriothoracini seems essential before relationships are estab¬

lished. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of T. semidaliphagus

Viggiani and T. microrphanos is the dorsal curved sensory margin of

the female’s antennal club.

Biologically, T. semidaliphagus has been recovered from Semidalis

aleurodiformis Steph. in southern Italy only.

Both sexes of T. microrphanos may be distinguished from T. semi¬

daliphagus on the basis of the following characters: (1) the distal end

of the marginal vein of the forewing is broken in T. microrphanos , but

continuous in T. semidaliphagus ; (2) the forewing of T. microrphanos

bears setal tracts absent from T. semidaliphagus ; and (3) T. semi¬

daliphagus lacks the conspicuous line of setae extending along the

inner margin of the compound eye and subocular suture. The second

segment of the female maxillary palpus of T. microrphanos is glabrous

while the corresponding segment of T. semidaliphagus bears setae.

Material examined.—California: San Diego Co., 13 9,8 £, Pauma Valley,

26 March 1963, leg. J. A. McMurtry ex. coniopterygid from citrus; 11 9,3 £,

El Toro, 20 July 1964, J. A. McMurtry from coniopterygid on citrus. Orange Co.:

17 9,7 £, Santa Ana Canyon, 9 July 1963, from coniopterygid on citrus, J. A.

McMurtry. Santa Barbara Co.: 1 9,2 £, 6 February 1964, Carpinteria, from

coniopterygid on Avocado, L. Bailard; 5 9,3 £, Santa Barbara, 25 July 1964,

from coniopterygid on citrus, J. A. McMurtry. Ventura Co.: 5 9,3 £, Ladera

Ranch, Fillmore, 16 May 1963 and 2 August 1963, from coniopterygid on citrus,

J. A. McMurtry. San Bernardino Co.: 4 9,2 £, Redlands, 24 July 1963, from

coniopterygid on citrus, J. A. McMurtry. Riverside Co.: 4 9,1 £, Riverside,

10 May 1963, from coniopterygid on citrus, J. A. McMurtry.

Holotype female and allotype , Ladera Ranch, Fillmore, Ventura

County, California 2 August 1963, Coniopterygidae on citrus, J. A.

McMurtry, Collector, both card-point mounted.

Paratypes. —3 9 and 3 £, Santa Ana Canyon; 1 9, Riverside; 7 9 and 4 £,

Pauma Valley; 1 9, Redlands; 1 9, Santa Barbara; 1 £, Fillmore; all card-

point mounted.

Disposition of types. — (Names in parentheses indicate individual to whom

material was sent.) Holotype, Allotype, 1 9 and 1 £ Paratypes, Snow Ento¬

mological Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas (G. W. Byers).

Paratypes have been assigned to the following institutions: 2 9 and 1 £, U.S.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

National Natural History Museum (B. D. Burks) ; 1 2 and 1 $, Plant Protection

Research Institute, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa (D. P. Annecke) ; 1 2

and 1 $, British Museum (Natural History), London, England (G. A. Kerrich) ;

1 2 and 1 $ , Zoological Institute, Soviet Academy of Sciences, Leningrad, USSR

(V. A. Trjapitzin) ; 1 2 and 1 $, Department of Entomology, University of

California, Riverside, California.

Literature Cited

Fleschner, C. A. and D. W. Ricker. 1953. Food habits of coniopterygids on

citrus in southern California. Econ. Entomol., 46: 458-461.

VlGGiANi, G. 1967. Richerche sugli Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea XIII. Sugli ento-

moparassiti della Semidalis aleurodiformis Steph. (Neur. Coniopterygi-

dae), con descrizione di un nuovo genere di Encyrtidae. Boll. Lab.

Ent. Agr. Portici, 25: 164M.75.

BOOK REVIEW

Principles of Insect Chemosterilization. Edited by Germain C. La Brecque

and Carrol N. Smith. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York. 354 p., 13 figs.,

32 tables. 1968. $16.00.

This is the first comprehensive survey of chemosterilization for population control

in insects. Nine contributors, eight from the U. S. Department of Agriculture

and one from the U. S. Public Health Service cooperated in producing the seven

chapters.

In Chapter 1, A. W. Lindquist introduces the topic by evaluating insects as

pests, reviewing the current methods of control, and introducing the sterile-male

concept. Chapter 2 by E. F. Knipling presents the theoretical background for

sterilizing and releasing laboratory reared insects among natural populations and

for direct field sterilization of portions of natural populations. Germain C. La

Brecque discusses in Chapter 3 the laboratory procedures for screening chemo-

sterilants, testing their quantitative effects by different methods of application,

and determining field potential from detailed studies of the effects of a sterilant

in or on an insect. In Chapter 4, Leo E. La Chance, David T. North and Waldemar

Klassen discuss the basis of chemosterility at the cellular and cytogenetic levels.

Ralph B. Turner presents a summary of the physical and chemical properties of

some representative groups of chemosterilants and their biochemistry in Chapter 5.

Field studies and evaluations of chemosterilants on specific insects (e.g., House

fly, Screwworm, Cabbage looper, Boll weevil, Mosquitoes) and the use of chemo¬

sterilants as a tool in basic biological studies of insect reproductive behavior and

population structure and dynamics are presented in Chapter 6 by D. E. Weidhaas.

In Chapter 7 Wayland J. Hayes, Jr. reviews information on aspects of mammalian

toxicity of chemosterilants for use in insect population control.

Each chapter is followed by its own set of references and a terminal index to

the volume is provided. This book is an invaluable review which deserves a place

on the bookshelves of all those interested in possible alternatives to pesticides as

methods of controlling insect populations.— Robbin W. Thorp, University of Cal¬

ifornia, Davis, 95616.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Larval Description and Notes on the Biology of

Anthocomus horni

(Coleoptera: Melyridae)

David E. Foster and Arthur L. Antonelli

Department of Entomology, University of Idaho, Moscow 83843

The taxonomy of the North American representatives of Anthocomus

has been covered by Marshall (1949). Their larvae have not been

described and only one species, Anthocomus auritus (LeConte), has

been figured (Boving and Craighead, 1930). Information concerning

Anthocomus biology has not been published. For these reasons this

information, although incomplete, is being presented. Terminology used

here is adapted from Boving and Craighead (1930).

Biological notes. —On 18 April 1971, 29 May 1971 and 15 Sep¬

tember 1972 nests of the black-billed magpie, Pica pica (Linn.), were

collected on Coyote Grade, Nez Perce County, Idaho. Among insects

found to inhabit the nests were larvae of Anthocomus horni (Fall).

The larvae of A. horni are not restricted to magpie nests. The species

has been reared from tephritid galls growing on Artemisia tridentata

Nuttal (Jordan Valley, Oregon, 2 May 1960, B. A. Foote) and from

wood of Pinus flexilis James (Craters of the Moon National Monument,

Idaho, 22 June 1965, D. S. Horning).

In northern Idaho A. horni spends the winter as a mature larva,

pupating the following spring. Adults can be found from early May

through mid July. They have been collected from the following plants:

Eriodictyon sp., Ceanothus sp., A. tridentata , Urtica Lyalli Watson.

Anthocomus horni has also been taken sweeping grass.

Mature larva. —Length 8.1 mm, maximum width 1.6 mm, head capsule width

0.9 mm.

Body elongate, slightly tapered anteriorly and posteriorly; membranous areas

mottled reddish to brown, sclerites testaceous to dark brown, surface clothed with

short to long, erect or suberect, fulvous hairs.

Head with dorsal surface broadly flattened, slightly broader than long in dorsal

view (6:5). Epicranium uniformly sclerotized; surface smooth to finely roughened,

clothed with short to long hairs, reddish brown except for very dark brown pig¬

mentation in ocular area; epicranial suture much shorter than cranial width in

dorsal view (3:10) ; stemmata separate and entire, four on each side arranged in

anterior row of three and single posterior one; anterior row lying in dorsoventral

arc that projects slightly anteriorly, bottom stemma of arc largest with diameter

of each successive stemma diminished slightly; posterior stemma slightly larger

than anteroventral one. Frons suhtriangular, nearly twice as broad as long; surface

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 56-59. January 1973

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Fig. 1-6. Anthocomus horni, mature larva. Fig. 1. Head capsule dorsal view;

Fig. 2. Stemmata lateral view; Fig. 3. Right mandible dorsal view; Fig. 4. Right

mandible ventral view; Fig. 5. Urogomphi dorsal view; Fig. 6. Urogomphi lateral

view.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

uniformly sclerotized, irregularly sculptured and finely roughened; front margin

truncate. Clypeus transverse, very lightly sclerotized, appearing almost membranous;

surface very finely roughened; front margin feebly arcuate or truncate. Labrum

transverse and tumescent, lightly sclerotized; surface very finely roughened,

clothed with numerous short and long hairs irregularly positioned behind the feebly

arcuate front margin. Antenna three segmented; basal membrane subequal to

combined length of three distal segments, glabrous, cream colored, appearing

inflated; basal segment slightly broader than long in dorsal view (4:3), slightly

compressed laterally, circumscribed by broad reddish brown band over most of

surface; middle segment slightly longer than basal segment in dorsal view (6:5),

constricted at base and expanded gradually distally, slightly compressed laterally,

circumscribed by a broad reddish brown band that covers most of its surface, bear¬

ing three long, stiff, cream colored hairs arising near apical margin, one hair

arising laterally on each side and one middorsally, apex of middle segment bearing

conical, glabrous appendix lateroventral to base of first segment, appendix shorter

than apical antennal segment (2:3) ; apical segment subequal in length to second

segment in dorsal view, digitiform, much longer than broad (4:1), color uniformly

reddish brown except cream colored apex which bears four stiff hairs, three equal

in length and equidistantly positioned around apical margin, fourth longer, arising

from center of apex. Mandibles longer than broad in dorsal view (5:4) ; outer

margin arcuate; inner margin tridentate, retinaculum pronounced and obliquely

rounded, middle tooth small and broadly flattened, mandibular apex arcuately

rounded; surface reddish brown at apex and along lateral margins, dorsal disc

light brown, bearing two long and three short, stiff hairs arranged in two longi¬

tudinal rows; lacinia mobilis bifurcate, arising from inner margin half way between

retinaculum and posterior angle. Maxillae and labium forming a prominent, ven-

trally protuding plate; maxilla with stipes lightly sclerotized, clothed with several

short and long, erect hairs, palpifer membranous, bearing a single long, erect hair

near inner margin, palpus with basal segment short and glabrous, middle segment

about twice as long as basal segment, dorsolateral surface clothed with several

short and long, stiff hairs, terminal segment about as long as middle segment,

conical, apex with cluster of short, very stout hairs at apex; labrum with sub-

mentum and mentum membranous, clothed with scattered short and long, erect

hairs, stipes labii with sclerotized base, bearing pair of long, erect hairs at front

margin, palpus two segmented, basal segment subcylindrical, bearing several short,

erect hairs around apex, terminal segment conical, about equal in length to basal

segment, bearing a cluster of very short, stiff hairs at apex. Gula tumescent and

glabrous, sides straight, converging slightly towards anterior end, posterior width

subequal to length.

Thorax well developed, more than one-half as long as abdomen in dorsal view;

prothorax subrectangular, tergum bearing long, straight and short, feebly arcuate

sclerite on either side of ecdysial suture; mesothorax sub triangular, slightly wider

than prothorax, tergum bearing a short, feebly arcuate sclerite on either side.

Metathorax similar to but slightly broader than mesothorax.

Legs about equal in size and shape; pretarsus appendiculate, apex acuminate,

basal tooth short with apex oblique.

Abdomen broadest at fifth segment; segments one through eight similar; segment

nine with hind margin truncate, posterior surface covered by basal plate; urogomphi

arising separately from basal plate, heavily sclerotized, nearly twice as long as

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

epicranial suture, distance between tips less than total length including basal plate

(5:7), each urogomphus acuminate and recurved, surface reddish brown, bearing

several erect hairs around middle.

Material examined.— Seven specimens from Coyote Grade, 9 miles E Lewiston,

Nez Perce County, Idaho.

Literature Cited

Boving, A. G. and F. C. Craighead. 1930. An illustrated synopsis of the principal

larval forms of the order Coleoptera. Entomol. Amer., 11: 268-269.

Marshall, M. Y. 1949. Studies in the Malachiidae II. Entomol. Amer., 28:

126-132.

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Ectoparasites and Nidicolous Acari of the Pocket Gopher, Thotnomys

bottae (Rodentia: Geomyidae). —Ectoparasites and nidicolous Acari were

collected from 393 Thomom-ys bottae (Eydoux and Gervais) and seven gopher nests.

All gophers were live-trapped from agricultural lands around Davis, California

from April 1970 through November 1971 with 378 gophers taken from irrigated

alfalfa fields, and the remainder from barley fields. The seven nests were taken

from alfalfa fields. Table 1 presents the numerical relationships of ectoparasites

removed from both gophers and nests. Ectoparasites were removed by brushing

and detergent bath methods, and 15% of the hosts were treated with trypsin-KOH

to recover all parasites. The recovery error as determined from the trypsin-KOH

samples was 2.6% for Geomycloecus oregonus Price and Emerson, 4.8% for

Table 1. Ectoparasitic arthropods collected off of 393 Thomomys bottae and

seven gopher nests from Davis, California from April 1970 through November 1971.

Number removed

Percent infested

Ectoparasite

gophers

nests

gophers

nests

Geomydoecus oregonus

(Trichodectidae)

140,803

98.6

Foxella ignota

(Ceratophyllidae)

0.5

Geomylichus sp.

(Listrophoridae)

27,623

76.7

Hirstionyssus femuralis

(Laelapidae)

10,334

368

79.9

100.0

Haemolaelaps geomys

(Laelapidae)

444

1,425

22.3

85.7

Leeuwenhoekia delosa

(Trombiculidae)

—

0.2

—

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Hirstionyssus femuralis Allred and 5.0% for Geomylichus sp. Haemolaelaps

geomys Strandtmann was not present in any trypsin-KOH sample.

The nidicolous Acari obtained from the seven nests were: Mesostigmata—

Macrocheles merdarius (Berlese) Macrocheles sp., Parasitus americanus (Berlese),

Parasitus sp., Hypoaspis sp., Proctolaelaps sp.; Prostigmata —Biscirus sylaticus

(Kramer) ; Astigmata —Tyrophagus longior (Gervais) ; Cryptostigmata— Epiloh-

mannia sp., Euphthiracarus sp., Zygoribatula sp.

Howard and Childs (1959: Hilgardia 29(7) :277—358) listed Geomydoecus

oregonus (as Trichodectes geomydis (Osborn)), Haemolaelaps geomys, H. femuralis

(as Hirstionyssus geomydis (Keegan)) and Trombicyla californica Ewing on T.

bottae in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. Miller and Ward (1960:

Amer. Midi. Natur. 64(2) :382-391) listed two species of Geomydoecus, the flea

Foxella ignota (Baker) and six parasitic mites and three species of Ixodes from

T. bottae in Colorado. Allred and Beck (1966: Brigham Young Univ. Sci. Bull.

8(1) :1-123) categorically listed fleas, lice, mites and ticks from T. bottae in Utah.

The low number of fleas and absence of ticks on T. bottae in the Central Valley

of California indicate that they are either geographically or ecologically separated

from those ectoparasites.

My appreciation goes to the following individuals for identification of specimens:

R. D. Price and K. C. Emerson for Geomydoecus’, B. McDaniel and C. Coffman

for Geomylichus-, and F. M. Summers for the nidicolous Acari.— R. W. Rust,

University of California, Davis 95616.

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Uroctonoides fractus a synonymy (Scorpionida:Chactidae).—Chamberlin

(1920. Brooklin Mus. Sci. Bull., 1: 36.) described a new genus and species of

scorpion from Quito, Ecuador. This species, described from a single male spec¬

imen, has not been reported since. In Chamberlin’s description he remarked on

the close proximity of Uroctonoides fractus to Uroctonus mordax Thorell of Cal¬

ifornia and Oregon. Werner (1934. Bronns, Klassen und Ordnungen des Tier-

reichs. 5, 4, 8, 283.) and Mello-Leitao (1945. Escorpios sul-Americanos. Arq. Mus.

Nac. Rio de Janeiro, 40: 128.) included this genus in the subfamily Uroctoninae

of the Vejovidae.

I was fortunate to be able to study the genotype of Chamberlin’s species and

discovered that it was a chactid, probably of the species Teuthraustes lojanus

(Pocock). Species placement must remain somewhat uncertain since the telson

and the last three caudal segments are missing. An unauthored label, in addition

to the original label, was found in the specimen vial which identified the species

as Teuthraustes atramentarius Simon. The inferior median keels of caudal seg¬

ments III are absent however, thus eliminating T. atramentarius as a species

choice.

I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Herbert W. Levi of the Museum of Com¬

parative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the loan

of the type specimen. —Michael E. Soleglad, 3927 Polack Street, San Diego,

California 92110.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

A New Species of the Flea Beetle Genus Chaetocnema

Found on Dichondra in California

(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Richard J. McCrea

Office of Agricultural Commissioner, County of Los Angeles ,

500 W. Temple, Los Angeles, California 90012

A new species of flea beetle that is doing millions of dollars damage

to dichondra lawns in Los Angeles County is described and the biology

recorded.

Important research on Chaetocnema by Duckett (1920) in Maryland

began in 1911 and ended with his death in 1918. Gentner (1928) de¬

scribed three new species including Chaetocnema magnipunctata , which

was found in California. Poos (1955) worked on the biology of Chae¬

tocnema pulicaria , C. denticulata, and C. confinis from 1934-1936. This

work was of considerable help to me in my research.

Because of the economic importance, the flea beetle will merit further

observation and study.

Materials and Methods

Study of the life cycle involved rearing these life stages by a method

that most nearly simulated its usual habitat. These beetles were reared

on full flats of dichondra grown from seed placed in a steam treated

media. The dichondra was planted four months before the start of the

test. Three to four hundred beetles were introduced into a rearing cage

capable of holding a full flat of dichondra. Samples measuring about

two inches wide and six inches long were cut from the flat of dichondra

and put in Berlese funnels daily until the first larvae appeared. Samples

were then taken every third day and the results documented.

Eggs and pupae were reared on dichondra leaves, stems, and roots

in clear plastic cages kept moist with dampened blotters. A pinch of

sterilized soil was added for moisture control when rearing pupae.

Key to the Chaetocnema of California

1. Sides of prothorax regularly arcuate from base to apex, without oblique trun¬

cations at front angles _ 2

Sides of prothorax obliquely truncate at front angles, with post apical

angulation _ 8

2. Vertex always punctate sometimes indistinctly _ 3

Vertex absolutely impunctate except near eyes _ 5

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 61-66. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

3. Rows of elytral punctures confused at bases; length 2.0 mm _

- irregularis Leconte

Rows of elytral punctures regular _ 4

4. Punctures of head distinct; length 2.3-2.5 mm _ denticulata (Illiger)

Punctures of head indistinct; length 1.5 mm _ opacula Leconte

5. Basal marginal line of prothorax entire, not defined by punctures _ 6

Basal marginal line of prothorax defined by row of punctures, sometimes

continued to middle as a line _ 7

6. Prothorax alutaceous, with median smooth space posteriorly; scutellar

stria usually confused; color greenish bronze; tibia in part and tarsi reddish

black; length 2.0-3.5 mm _ subviridus Leconte

Prothorax not distinctly alutaceous, without smooth space; scutellar stria

regular; color golden bronze; tibia and tarsi brownish yellow; length 2.0-

2.5 mm ___ opulenta Horn

7. Prothorax indistinctly punctate; alutaceous, basal punctures fine and close;

humeri rounded, black bronzed color, antennae reddish yellow at base, five

outer segments reddish black; length 1.5 mm _ ectypa Horn

Prothorax with large, round deep punctures, surface faintly alutaceous;

humeri obtuse, elytra a little wider at base than prothorax and broadly

rounded to apex; brassy bronze with slight greenish tinge; basal four seg¬

ments of antennae, tibia and tarsi more or less reddish yellow; length 1.75-

1.95 mm_ magnipunctata Gentner

8. Head impunctate or with one puncture over eyes, prothorax nearly impunc-

tate; length 1.5-1.8 mm _ confinis Crotch

Head with few distinct punctures over eyes, prothorax distinctly punctate;

length 1.5-1.8 mm _ repens McCrea, n. sp.

Chaetocnema repens McCrea, new species

Chaetocnema magnipunctata , Jefferson, et al., 1967:9 ( nec Gentner).

Male.— Length 1.5 mm, width 0.9 mm. Broadly oval, robust, reddish black and

slightly bronzed. Antennae reddish yellow. Anterior and middle legs and posterior

tibiae and tarsi reddish yellow, posterior femora slightly reddish black. Head finely

alutaceous, distinct punctures over eyes. Prothorax anterior angles obliquely

truncate, post apical angulation distinct and arcuate posterolaterally, disc dis¬

tinctly alutaceous without basal marginal line, punctures of moderate size, closely

but not densely placed, not deeply impressed, dorsum of prothorax distinctly

punctate. Humeri rounded, umbone moderate, striae impressed on disc, more deeply

at sides, punctures relatively coarse, close and deep, but not serrate, intervals

slightly convex, wider than striae on disc, but not at sides, surface smooth, shining,

with fine interestrial punctures. Body beneath light reddish black, shining. Pro¬

sternum punctate, side pieces smooth. Abdomen sparsely indistinctly punctate.

Aedeagus with smooth slope to apex when viewed laterally.

Female. —Very similar to male. Length 1.7 mm. Width 1.1 mm. Genitalia

lobes have smooth slope to base when viewed dorsally.

Holotype male and allotype, Whittier, Los Angeles County, Cali¬

fornia, 1 September 1970, R. J. McCrea, deposited in Entomological

Collection LACM. Paratypes including ten males and ten females, ex-

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Fig. 1 . Aedeagus of Chaetocnema repens, side view. Fig. 2. Aedeagus of C.

confinis, side view. Fig. 3. Female genitalia of C. repens. Fig. 4. Female geni¬

talia of C. confinis (line represents 0.25 mm). Fig. 5. Slide specimen of adult

C. repens (line represents 1 mm). Fig. 6. End of hind tibia of C. repens. Fig. 7.

End of hind tibia of C. confinis. Lines on Figs. 1-3, 6, 7 represent 0.5 mm.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

amples all same data as holotype. Length 1.5—1.8 mm. Width 0.8-

1.1 mm. Paratypes are placed in following collections: Los Angeles

County Museum; California State University, Long Beach; Los Angeles

County Agriculture Commissioner’s Office, Los Angeles; and California

Department of Agriculture, Sacramento.

This new species, which is very similar to Chaetocnema confinis, can

be distinguished from it by two or three distinct punctures over the eyes

and distinct punctures on the prothorax (Fig. 9) as compared to one

or no punctures over the eyes and indistinct punctures on the prothorax

(Fig. 10) ; the aedeagus having a smooth slope to the apex (Fig. 1) as

compared to a depression near the apex of the aedeagus in C. confinis

when viewed laterally (Fig. 2) ; dorsal view of the aedeagus also differs

from C. confinis by not having a slight indentation near the base (Fig.

8) as compared to the indentation of C. confinis (Fig. 11) ; female

genitalia differ by the genitalic lobes not having sharp angles at the

base (Fig. 3) as compared to the genitalic lobes of C. confinis (Fig.

4) ; inner margin of the hind tibia is thicker in C. repens (Fig. 6) than

the hind tibia of C. confinis (Fig. 7).

C. confinis and C. repens (Fig. 5) have the sides of the prothorax

obliquely truncate at the front angles, with post apical angulations, which

separates these two species from other Chaetocnema in California.

Chaetocnema repens occurs in Los Angeles County and in other south¬

ern counties. Recently the State Department of Agriculture submitted

samples to me from Sacramento which proved to be C. repens. I am

certain that when a complete distribution of this flea beetle is determined,

the area will include much of California where dichondra is grown.

Available information was taken from state and county records but

Chaetocnema specimens were usually identified only to genus.

Life Cycle

Eggs hatch three days after deposition. Eggs are deposited in di¬

chondra sod near the surface. Eggs were deposited in clear plastic cages

in the laboratory test on dichondra roots, stems, cut dichondra leaves

and even on damp blotters. These eggs were measured by their width and

length in microns. The range of width was 225—275 microns averaging

252 microns. The range of the length was 450-500 microns averaging

480 microns.

The larval stage takes 22 to 25 days to pupation. There are four

instars as was determined by measurement of the head capsules of lar¬

vae. First instar head capsules measured 115-125 microns wide and

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Fig. 8. Illustration of the aedeagus of Chaetocnema repens, dorsal view. Fig. 9.

Illustration of the pronotum and part of head capsule of C. repens, dorsal view.

Fig. 10. Illustration of the pronotum and part of head capsule of C. confinis,

dorsal view. Fig. 11. Illustration of the aedeagus of C. confinis, dorsal view.

Solid black line below Figs. 8-11 represents 0.5 mm.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

125 microns long. Second instar head capsules were 137-150 microns

in width and length. Third instar head capsules measured 187-200

microns wide and 200-212 microns long. Fourth instar head capsules

measured 237-265 microns in width and length. The larval stage begins

to eat dichondra roots soon after hatching. Some larvae bore into and

enter small roots while others eat the outside root tissue leaving only the

central vascular tissue. Larvae can he found down to five inches deep.

Pupation takes place in dichondra sod usually where the last instar

larva ended up feeding on roots. Pupation takes five days to the white

adult. It takes about a day for the adult to darken to its normal dark

color.

The entire life cycle ranges from 32 to 35 days depending upon

temperature and moisture conditions of the dichondra sod. The di¬

chondra flea beetle overwinters as an adult in dichondra and becomes

an active feeder during warm winter days in southern California.

Acknowledgments

I am deeply indebted to Dr. E. L. Sleeper, Professor of Entomology

at California State University, Long Beach, for the assistance and guid¬

ance he has given me throughout the entire project. I also appreciated

the help that Dr. L. G. Gentner, Emeritus Professor of Entomology,

South Oregon Experiment Station, gave me at the start of the research.

I would like also to give credit to Ralph W. Lichty, Commissioner, and

Paul B. Engler, Chief Deputy Commissioner, Los Angeles County Agri¬

culture Commissioner’s Office, for their part in permitting my staggered

work schedule and their encouragement in this research.

Literature Cited

Duckett, A. B. 1920. Annotated list of Halticini, Univ. Md., Agr. Exp. Sta.,

Bull. 241: 111-155.

Gentner, L. G. 1928. Contributions to our knowledge of North American Hal-

ticinae. I. Notes, with descriptions of new species, Coleoptera: Chry-

somelidae, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc., 54: 57-67.

Jefferson, R. N., F. S. Morishita, A. S. Deal, and W. A. Humphrey. 1967.

Look for turf pests now, California Turfgrass Culture, 17 (2) : 9-11.

Poos, J. 1955. Studies of certain species of Chaetocnema, J. Econ. Entomol.,

48: 555-563.

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

Possible Behavioral Thermoregulation

in Tanarthrus salinus and T. inyo

(Coleoptera: Anthicidae)

Randall M. Peterman 1

Zoology Department, University of California, Davis, 95616

This paper describes several aspects of the biology of two desert-

inhabiting species of anthicid beetles, Tanarthrus ( Tanarthropsis ) inyo

Wickham and the rare Tanarthrus salinus LeConte. In particular, evi¬

dence will be presented to suggest that these insects have special adap¬

tations for avoiding heat stress.

These beetles, which bear a superficial resemblance to ants, are, on

average, 6 mm long and 2 mm wide, and 3.2 mm by 1 mm, the larger

species being Tanarthrus salinus. The larger species is dark red-orange

on the head, thorax, elytra and legs, with the abdomen being black,

including the ventral and dorsal sides of its posterior tip which protrudes

beyond the elytra by 1 mm. The hind wings are semi-transparent beige.

Tanarthrus inyo is like T. salinus in coloration and general character¬

istics except that the elytra extend to the end of the abdomen and the

rear half of the elytra are black. Both species are carnivorous scavengers,

feeding on windblown material such as dead insects.

Methods

Observations were made in parts of August and September 1969 in a

four square mile area in the middle of Carson Sink, near Fallon, Nevada.

This area is a level, dry (but seasonally flooded) mud flat, lacking any

form of plant life (except perhaps algae) and having only a small en¬

demic animal population. There are few rocks and no standing water,

and the soil surface is hard-packed. “Peeling” mud cakes in the usual

sense are not found. On a macroscopic level then, the habitat appears to

be relatively homogeneous. On the microhabitat level, however, the

ground is more heterogeneous. Small cracks ranging from 1 to 5 mm

in width are often found, and there are a few small (10 cm high) sand

accumulations scattered throughout the area. The anthicids studied

spend part of their time on the surface and part in these cracks, which

offer them their only reprieve from direct sunlight.

Temperature data were gathered with a YSI telethermometer (50°

1 Present address: Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

8, B. C. Canada.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 67-73. January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Fig. 1. Air temperature profiles on a typical day, 12 September 1969. The 1-cm

mounds are where “thermoregulating” beetles perch.

C upper limit) and two number 403 thermistors. The small size (about

1 mm diameter) and short equalizing time (4 seconds) of these temper¬

ature probes permitted accurate temperature measurements of very

small areas. Behavioral observations were mainly made with binoculars

because beetles were so wary that usually no approach closer than

two meters was possible.

Thermoregulatory Behavior

In the Sink winds of 0-5 mph normally prevail from the southwest

and a thin superheated air layer less than 5 mm thick is produced just

above the surface (Fig. 1). Living in such a warm environment, with

daily summer surface temperatures ranging to above 50° C, both

Tanarthrus salinus and T. inyo appear to have evolved two ways of

avoiding heat stress. The first of these adaptations is morphological:

the long, thin legs. The high surface-to-volume ratio of the legs in

combination with their length minimizes the amount of heat which can

be conducted through them from the ground to the body. In addition,

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

the long legs, when stretched, lift the body up out of the superheated air

layer into the wind turbulence, as noted by the rocking of the bodies

back and forth with the wind gusts. This “stilting” behavior moves

the main body axis up from 1.5 to 4.0 mm above the surface in T. salinus

and from 0.8 to 1.4 mm in T. inyo. Such small increases in height ac¬

company relatively large decreases in surrounding air temperatures

(Fig. 1), perhaps large enough to make a significant difference in the

body temperatures of these small beetles when they approach their upper

temperature tolerances. Stilting has also been observed in scorpions

(Alexander and Ewer, 1958) and tenebrionid beetles (Hamilton, 1971)

and has been thought to be related to thermoregulation.

Another factor may be important in determining the body temperature

of these very small animals: solar radiation (Pepper and Hastings,

1952). Here the second apparent adaptation comes into play—behav¬

ioral thermoregulation. The stilting described above is invariably ac¬

companied by: (1) standing immobile on top of a small mound of dirt,

(2) positioning the body approximately parallel with the sun’s rays,

with the head toward the sun and the anterior end of the body elevated

slightly, and (3) for Tanarthrus salinus only, the beige hind wings ex¬

tending out over the black tip of the abdomen (see Fig. 2). The first

two characteristics tend to minimize heat gain by (a) moving into cooler

surrounding air and (b) decreasing the angle of incidence of sunlight

on the body. Such orientation with respect to incident solar radiation

has been noted in grasshoppers, butterflies, and other beetles and has

been shown to be an important factor regulating rates of heat gain

(Clench, 1966; Edney, 1971; Heinrich, 1972; Kevin and Shorthouse,

1970; Pepper and blastings, 1952; Watt, 1968). Other cases of behav¬

ior aiding the avoidance of heat stress have been reported for reptiles

(e.g. Hamilton and Coetzee, 1969; Norris, 1953; Willard, 1966). The

third characteristic of the observed anthicid behavior, extension of the

light-colored hind wings, essentially replaces a black surface with a more

reflective one, thereby decreasing the amount of heat absorbed by that

region. Edney (1971), Hamilton (1973) and others have shown that

light-colored insect surfaces keep underlying tissues significantly cooler

than tissues under dark surfaces. Although these results have been ob¬

tained for insects larger than the present anthicids, it is probable that

the wing-extending behavior of Tanarthrus salinus can make a small

but significant difference in body temperature when the insects are

nearing their upper lethal temperatures. Tanarthrus inyo does not ex¬

hibit wing-extending behavior because its elytra extend to the end of

the abdomen.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

0 1 2 3 4 5

i-1-1_i_i_i

MILLIMETERS

Fig. 2. Tanarthrus salinus in two stances, drawn from slides. Top figure is

normal stance; bottom figure is “thermoregulatory” stance. Note the stretched

legs and the hind wings out over the abdomen end.

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

BEETLE

ACTIVITY'

T. saLinus

SIGHTINGS

T.iQYJi

SIGHTINGS L

o o o

NORMAL THERMOREGULATING BEETLES.

ACTIVITY 23,24 AUGUST. TEMPERATURE

ADJUSTED TO 21 AUGUST

NORMAL

ACTIVITY

Fig. 3. Beetle activity periods and environmental temperatures on a typical

day, 21 August 1969. In the beetle activity section at the bottom, one dot represents

one sighting on that day at the indicated time.

Five observations support the hypothesis that the unusual behavior

just described actually serves a thermoregulatory function (in the sense

of avoiding a heat death, rather than maintaining a constant body tem¬

perature). The first is that normally the middle three or four hours

of the day find no beetles above ground except in the shade of man-made

objects. However, on the two hottest days experienced during the study,

a total of 9 anthicids (5 of T. salinus ) were seen on the surface in the

midday period, and all were in the thermoregulatory postures (Fig. 3).

The postures were not seen at any other time in the study for more than

a few seconds. On the two hot days, these positions were maintained

for up to 30 minutes. The beetles then disappeared when a duststorm

struck the area on both days. Second, the beetles moved from this po¬

sition only when the wind came up strongly, at which time they climbed

down from their dirt perches to the shady side, only to climb back up

when the wind died down, showing a definite favoring of this position.

Third, just prior to the observed behaviors in the hot midday, literally

dozens of both species flocked to the shade of the research facility (an

open air shelter 3 m by 3 m), a phenomenon not seen previously in the

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

study. Fourth, the hind wings of T. salinus were extended over their

black-tipped abdomens only when accompanied by the other character¬

istics of the apparent thermoregulatory behavior, and vice versa. Fifth,

when exhibiting this unusual behavior, both species were much less

wary than normal. They could be approached by an observer to within

a few centimeters, suggesting that they may have been in critical thermal

states.

These five observations strongly imply that the two species have

evolved behavioral adaptations for avoiding heat death. Normally, when

the surface gets too hot, they go underground. However, on exception¬

ally warm days, the subsurface may be too hot (present data are in¬

conclusive) and they might then have to resort to extreme means to

cool off above the surface. Schmidt-Nielsen (1964), Edney (1967),

Hadley (1970), Stower and Griffiths (1966), and Pepper and Hastings

(1952) have pointed out for small desert insects that evaporative cool¬

ing can only contribute a minute amount to overall heat loss. Therefore,

the only cooling mechanisms available to such insects are behavioral

and morphological. Actual body temperature data are needed to crit¬

ically test the hypothesis of behavioral thermoregulation, but present

circumstantial evidence at least fails to negate the hypothesis.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks go to Dr. F. G. Werner for his prompt identification

of the anthicids; Drs. C. J. Walters and W. R. Cothran kindly made

comments on the manuscript, and B. Minchin rendered the figures.

Literature Cited

Alexander, A. J. and D. W. Ewer. 1958. Temperature adaptive behaviour in the

scorpion, Opisthophthalmus latimanus Koch. J. Exp. Biol., 35: 349-359.

Clench, H. K. 1966. Behavioral thermoregulation in butterflies. Ecology, 47(6) :

1021-1034.

Edney, E. B. 1967. Water balance in desert arthropods. Science, 156(2) : 1059-

1066.

1971. The body temperature of tenebrionid beetles in the Namib Desert of

Southern Africa. J. Exp. Biol., 55: 253-272.

Hadley, N. F. 1970. Micrometeorology and energy exchange in two desert

arthropods. Ecology, 51(3) : 434-444.

Hamilton, W. J. III. 1971. Competition and thermoregulatory behavior of the

Namib Desert tenebrionid beetle genus Cardiosis. Ecology, 52(5):

810-822.

1973. Life’s Color Code. McGraw-Hill, N. Y., 238 pp.

Hamilton, W. J. Ill and C. G. Coetzee. 1969. Thermoregulatory behaviour of

the vegetarian lizard Anglosaurus skoogi on the vegetationless northern

Namib Desert dunes. Sci. Pap. Namib Desert Res. Sta., 47: 95-103.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Heinrich, B. 1972. Thoracic temperatures of butterflies in the field near the

equator. Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 43A: 459-467.

Kevin, P. G. and J. D. Shorthouse. 1970. Behavioral thermoregulation by high

arctic butterflies. Arctic, 23: 268-279.

Norris, K. S. 1953. The ecology of the desert iguana Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Ecol¬

ogy, 34: 265-287.

Pepper, J. H. and E. Hastings. 1952. The effects of solar radiation on grass¬

hopper temperature and activities. Ecology, 33: 96-103.

Sciimidt-Nielsen, K. 1964. Desert Animals, Physiological Problems of Heat

and Water. Oxford Univ. Press, London, 277 pp.

Stower, W. J. and J. F. Griffiths. 1966. The body temperature of the desert

locust ( Schistocerca gregaria). Entomol. Exp. Appl., 9: 127-178.

Watt, W. B. 1968. Adaptive significance of pigment polymorphisms in Colias

butterflies. I. Variation of melanin pigment in relation to thermo¬

regulation. Evolution, 22: 437-458.

Willard, D. E. 1966. The thermoecology of Cnemidophorus tigris. PhD Thesis,

Zoology Dept., University of California at Davis.

ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE: Announcement A. (n.s.)89

Required six-month’s notice is given of the possible use of plenary powers by

the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature in connection with the

following names listed by case number.

(see Bull. Zool. Nomencl. 29, part 1, 1 May 1972)

1944. Suppression of Lyda inanis Klug, 1808 (Insecta, Hymenoptera)

1979. Type-species for Uloma Dejean, 1821 (Insecta, Coleoptera)

(see Bull. Zool. Nomencl. 29, part 3, 30 November 1972)

1989. Type-species for Anobium Fabricius, 1775, Grynobius Thomson, 1859, and

Priobium Motschulsky, 1845 (Insecta, Coleoptera)

1994. Type-species for Dicyrtoma Bourlet, 1842, and Dicyrtomina Borner, 1903;

suppression of Podura minuta O. Fabricius, 1783, and Papirius cursor Lub¬

bock, 1862; validation of Papirius fuscus Lubbock, 1873 (Insecta, Collembola)

1998. Type-species for Deuterosminthurus Borner, 1901 (Insecta, Collembola)

1999. Type-species for Eusminthurus Borner, 1900 (Insecta, Collembola)

(see Bull. Zool. Nomencl. 29, part 4, 29 December 1972)

1979. Type-species for Phaleria Latreille, 1802 (Insecta, Coleoptera)

1948. Validation of RIODINIDAE Grote, 1895 (Insecta, Lepidoptera)

2000. Suppression of Ptenura Templeton, 1842, and Podura crystallina Miiller,

1776 (Insecta, Collembola)

2004. Suppression of Dapanus Hentz, 1867 (Araneae)

Comments should be sent in duplicate, citing case number, to the Secretary,

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, c/o British Museum

(Natural History), Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, England. Those received

early enough will be published in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature .—

Margaret Doyle, Scientific Assistant.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Chromosomal Variability in a Nearctic Lycaenid Butterfly,

Philotes sonorensis

(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Thomas C. Emmel, Houston R. Trew, and Oakley Shields

Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32601, and

Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis 95616

Variable chromosome number has been reported in many plants and

animals. Aside from polyploidy, it is clear that chromosomal loss,

Robertsonian rearrangement including centric fusion, and supernu¬

merary chromosomes represent the common modes of change in chro¬

mosome number in groups as diverse as the flowering plants (Lewis,

1970), grasshoppers (Kayano et al., 1970; White et al., 1964), fish

(Ohno et al ., 1965), lizards (Gorman and Atkins, 1967; Gorman et al.,

1968), white-throated sparrows ( Zonotrichia ) (Thorneycroft, 1966),

and mammals (Patton, 1969; Wahrman et al., 1969). In groups with

holokinetic chromosomes (e.g., butterflies and moths), fragmentation

has been hypothesized as the chief factor leading to diversity of chro¬

mosome number (Emmel, 1972; Emmel and Trew, 1973). We report

here extraordinary intraindividual as well as intrapopulation variability

in butterfly karyotype, apparently resulting from chromosomal frag¬

mentation at spermatogenesis.

Material and Methods. —-The small lycaenid butterfly Philotes

sonorensis Felder & Felder is found in scattered colonies in lowland areas

of California, frequently in seasonally dry foothill canyons. It feeds on

Dudley a (Crassulaceae) in the larval stages and flies as an adult in

early spring. Samples of testes fixed in 3:1 absolute ethyl alcohol :

glacial acetic acid were taken in 1970 and 1971 in three populations

in Placer, El Dorado, and Stanislaus counties (43, 7, and 1 male spec¬

imens, respectively) and airmailed to the University of Florida for

analysis. The testes were stained with lacto-aceto-orcein, squashed,

observed and photographed under brightfield and phase (Emmel, 1969).

Cytological Observations and Discussion

In testes with dividing cells, meiosis appeared regular with pairing

observed for all chromosomes (no univalents). One or more bivalents

per karyotype were often composed of two smaller fragments synapsing

with one large homologue in a tripartite bivalent (Fig. 1). Interest¬

ingly, Suomalainen (1969) has previously observed tripartite bivalents

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 49: 74-80. January 1973

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Fig. 1 . Pairing of apparent fragments with homologous chromosome in Philotes

sonorensis. (a) Metaphase I, tripartite bivalent; (b) orientation of triple chromatid

on spindle in late metaphase I. Redrawn from photographs; approx. 7200X and

3600 X-

(but no chiasmata) in females of the pyralid moth Witlesia murana

Curt., indicating that fragmentation of moth chromosomes also occurs

in nature.

Chromosome numbers ranging from n — 17 to 44 were found in

populations surveyed (Fig. 2), with the modal number being 22 in

the Placer County populations, 23 in the El Dorado County population,

and 19 in the single male from the Stanislaus County population. Of

the largest sample, the 13 Placer County males with clearly observable

dividing cells, 7 (54 per cent) had multiple karyotypes. Four had n =

22 and 24 cells, and one had numerous meiotic cells ranging from n =

22 to 31. This great intraindividual variability was also found in the

other sampled populations (Table 1). Cells with the higher chromosome

number had smaller chromosomes in all cases.

Lesse (1960, 1969) found great chromosomal variability in popu¬

lations of species of the Palearctic lycaenid butterfly genera Lysandra

and Agrodiaetus, but until now there was no indication of its presence

in any Nearctic butterflies. In the few Nearactic lycaenids surveyed to

date (Maeki and Remington, 1961), the haploid number tends to be

24, with no intraindividual or intraspecies variation.

The selective significance of numerical chromosomal variability of

this type would seem to lie first in the promotion of flexibility in the

genotype’s ability to respond to variable environment conditions. Un¬

published observations we have made on the cytogenetics of other butter¬

fly species demonstrate a very low chiasma frequency (usually two

chiasmata per bivalent) in spermatogenesis and Suomalainen (1969)

has previously reported a lack of chiasmata in oogenesis in Lepidoptera.

The restriction on genetic exchange through crossing over would pro¬

mote a low recombination index (Darlington, 1939) in Lepidoptera

unless other factors were operating. It is clear that the high chromosome

number (modal number being about n = 31) in moths and butterflies

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Fig. 2. The geographic relationships of three Philotes sonorensis populations

in the state of California, showing variability in haploid number (n) of chro¬

mosomes found in males of each population. From north to south: Placer County

(3-4 mi. N.E. of Auburn along Middle Fork of American River, 21 February 1970

and 13-14 February 1971) ; El Dorado County (4 mi. N. of Placerville on California

Highway 193 at South Fork of the American River, 21 February 1970) ; Stanislaus

County (18 mi. W. of Interstate Highway 5, Del Puerto Canyon, 7 March 1970).

as a group would compensate for this trend. The observations reported

here offer evidence that fragmentation of butterfly chromosomes does

occur in nature and that the holokinetic nature of the lepidpoteran chro¬

mosome allows successful diakinesis in such cases.

The data from the present study and from Lesse (1960, 1969) also

provide evidence for the suggestion that lepidopteran species in marginal

Table 1.

Multiple Genotypes in Male Individuals of Three California Populations of Philotes sonorensis (bold-face

type indicates median chromosome number for population sample).

No. of individuals with cells having chromosome number ( n) of

Total No. Cells

Counted

Population 1

17 18

19 20 21

26 29 30 31 34

(Individuals)

Placer

County

1111

50 (13)

El Dorado

County

1 1

1 1 1

1 1

99 (4)

Stanislaus

County

47 (1)

1 See Fig. 1 legend for exact location of population. All counts (including n = 41) verified in Meiosis I (usually metaphase I) where chromosomes were still paired.

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

habitats or habitats with high environmental stress, such as Philotes

in the dry foothill areas of California and Lysandra in certain areas

of Spain, may often exhibit fragmentation of their chromosomes, pro¬

moting increased genetic flexibility. Such increased variability of

supernumerary chromosomes has been found in marginal weedy pop¬

ulations of the plant Claytonia virginica L. (Lewis et al ., 1971), where

bivalents form normally and meiosis is not upset. (The cytogenetics of

this situation are not completely understood as yet.) Because of the

holokinetic nature of lepidopteran chromosomes, however, their fission

products can successfully synapse and segregate at meiosis. It would

be predicted that such dramatic reassortment of the genotype through

fragmentation should occur in other stress situations, as in rapid evo¬

lution of phenotypically polymorphic mimetic systems in Lepidoptera.

Evidence for numerical polymorphism is accumulating for the genus

Heliconius, especially H. doris (L.), which commonly participates

in mimicry complexes in South and Central America (Emmel, in

preparation).

A possible revolutionary feature of this chromosomal variability

in Philotes is the polyploidy (n = 17, 34, 51, 68) found in the two

Dudleya subgenera that P. sonorensis larvae use as hosts (Moran, 1951;

Moran and Uhl, 1952; Uhl and Moran, 1953). Hybridization between

host species is common. The small seeds of Dudleya are viable only

a short time and are not adapted for long-range dispersal; hence the

host colonies are usually quite isolated. Adult Philotes sonorensis have

been shown to have a restricted home range in an extensive mark-re¬

capture study (Keller et al., 1966; Mattoni and Seiger, 1963). It would

thus appear that the butterfly is closely linked to its foodplant and some

of the same factors that make polyploidy of selective value in Dudleya

may be preserving gains and losses of chromosomes in Philotes.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation

(grants GB-8442 and GB-32151 to T.C.E.), the U. S. Public Health

Service through Biomedical Sciences Research Grant 71-59 from the

Division of Sponsored Research, University of Florida (T.C.E. and

H.R.T.), and an NSF graduate traineeship (O.S.). We thank F. C.

Johnson, University of Florida, and Dr. John F. Emmel, University of

California Medical School at San Francisco, for critical comments on

the manuscript. Population samples were collected by 0. Shields and

R. Wells.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Literature Cited

Darlington, C. D. 1989. The evolution of genetic systems. Cambridge Univ.

Press, Cambridge, 149 pp.

Emmel, T. C. 1969. Methods for studying the chromosomes of Lepidoptera.

J. Res. Lepidoptera, 7: 23-28.

1972. Mate selection and balanced polymorphism in the tropical nymphalid

butterfly, Anartia fatima. Evolution, 26: 96-107.

Emmel, T. C. and H. R. Trew. 1973. The chromosomes of skipper butterflies

from southwestern North America (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae). Cyto-

logia, (in press).

Gorman, G. C. and L. Atkins. 1967. The relationships of the Anolis of the

roquet species group (Sauria: Iguanidae). II. Comparative chromosome

cytology. Syst. Zool., 16: 137-143.

Gorman, G. C., R. Thomas, and L. Atkins. 1968. Intra- and interspecific

chromosome variation in the lizard Anolis cristatellus and its closest

relatives. Breviora, 293: 1-13.

Kayano, H., M. Sannomiya, and K. Nakamura. 1970. Cytogenetic studies

on natural populations of Acrida lata. I. Local variation in the frequency

of B-chromosomes. Heredity, 25: 113-122.

Keller, E. C, Jr., R. H. T. Mattoni, and M. S. B. Seiger. 1966. Preferential

return of artificially displaced butterflies. Anim. Behav., 14: 197-200.

Lesse, H. de. 1960. Speciation et Variation Chromosomique chez les Lepi-

dopteres Rhopaloceres. Ann. Sci. Natur., Zool. (Paris), 12 e serie, II:

1-223.

1969. Les Nombres de Chromosomes dans le Groupe de Lysandra coridon

(Lep. Lycaenidae). Ann. Soc. Entomol. France (N.S.), 5: 469-522.

Lewis, W. H. 1970. Chromosomal drift, a new phenomenon in plants. Science,

168: 1115-1116.

Lewis, W. H., R. L. Oliver, and T. J. Luikart. 1971. Multiple genotypes in

individuals of Claytonia virginica. Science, 172: 564-565.

Maeki, K., and C. L. Remington. 1961. Studies on the chromosomes of North

American Rhopalocera. 3. Lycaenidae, Danainae, Satyrinae, Morphinae.

J. Lepidoptera Soc., 14: 127-147.

Mattoni, R. H. T., and M. S. B. Seiger. 1963. Techniques in the study of

population structure in Philotes sonorensis. J. Res. Lepidoptera, 1:

237-244.

Moran, R. V. 1951. A revision of Dudleya (Crassulaceae). Unpubl. Ph.D.

dissertation, Univ. of Calif., Berkeley.

Moran, R. V., and C. H. Uhl. 1952. Four natural hybrids in Dudleya. Desert

Plant Life, 24: 28-42.

Otino, S., C. Stenius, E. Faisst, and M. T. Zenzes. 1965. Post-zygotic chro¬

mosomal rearrangements in rainbow trout ( Salmo irideus Gibbons).

Cytogenetics, 4: 117-129.

Patton, J. L. 1969. Chromosome evolution in the pocket mouse, Perognathus

goldmani Osgood. Evolution, 23: 645-662.

Suomalainen, E. 1969. Chromosome evolution in the Lepidoptera. In Darling¬

ton, C. C., and K. R. Lewis, eds., Chromosomes today, Volume Two,

Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, pp. 136-137.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Thorneycroft, H. B. 1966. Chromosomal polymorphism in the white-throated

sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmelin). Science, 154: 1571-1572.

Uhl, C. H., and R. V. Moran. 1953. The cytotaxonomy of Dudleya and Hasse -

ajithus. Amer. J. Bot., 40: 492-502.

Wahrman, J., R. Goitein, and E. Nevo. 1969. Mole rat Spalax: evolutionary

significance of chromosome variation. Science, 164: 82-84.

White, M. J. D., H. L. Carson, and J. Cheney. 1964. Chromosomal races in

the Australian grasshopper Moraba viatica in a zone of geographic

overlap. Evolution, 18: 417-429.

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Notes on the Distribution and Ecology of Scaphinotus bilobus (Coleop-

tera :Carabidae) .—According to Lindroth (1961. Opusc. Entomol. Suppl., 20:

1-200), “the species is rare and its demands little known.” This species is mainly

northeastern and it is distributed south to Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and Catslcill

Mountains, N.Y., west to Nebraska. In Canada, Lindroth records this ground beetle

from Nova Scotia, Quebec (a single locality), Ontario and Manitoba.

The species is not uncommon in southern Quebec (south of 50° N Lat.). In the

locality records, the following abbreviations were used to indicate the collections

in which the specimens are located: AL—Andre Larochelle Collection, Rigaud;

CC—Claude Chantal Collection, Quebec; CH—Cercle Harricana Collection, Amos;

JCA—Jean-Charles Aube Collection, Quebec; JPL—Jean-Paul Laplante Collection,

Sainte-Foy; LEM—Lyman Entomological Museum, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue; LRF

—Laboratoire de Recherches Forestieres Collection, Sainte-Foy; UM—Universite

de Montreal Collection, Montreal. The distribution of Scaphinotus bilobus Say in

Quebec is: Abitibi Co., Amos, 13 May 1962 (1, CH) ; Chapais, 11 August 1972

(2, AL) ; Chibougamau, 23 September 1968 (2, CC) and 12 August 1972 (1, AL) ;

Lac Chicobi, 21 June 1968 (2, AL) ; La Ferme, 26 May 1963 (1, UM) ; Lebel-sur-

Quevillon, 16 July 1968 (3, AL) ; Matagami, 20 June 1968 (3, AL) ; Saint-Mathieu,

1 July 1964 (1, CH) ; Senneterre, 12 July 1968 (1, AL) ; Val-d’Or, 11 July 1968

(2, AL). Champlain Co., Lac Normand, 27 August 1969 (2, CC). Charlevoix-Est

Co., Baie-Sainte-Catherine, 28 June 1969 and 1970 (10, AL; 2, CC). Charlevoix-

Ouest Co., Baie-Saint-Paul, 13 September 1969 (1, CC). Frontenac Co., Woburn,

2 September 1955 (2, JPL). Lotbiniere Co., Saint-Sylvestre, 14 July 1967 (1, JCA).

Matane Co., Metis-sur-Mer, 18 August 1889 (2, LEM). Montmorency No. 1 Co.,

Grand Lac Jacques-Cartier, 31 August 1968 (1, CC). Saguenay Co., Tadoussac,

14 June 1971 (2, AL). Saint-Maurice Co., Lac Caousacouta, 21 June 1965 (2,

JPL), 17 July 1968 (1, LRF), 22 July 1965 (1, LRF) and 23 September 1965 (4,

JPL; Lindroth, 1969. Opusc. Entomol. Suppl. 34: 945-1192). Temiscamingue Co.,

Tabaret, 5 May 1968 (1, AL).

This species is confined to shaded, rather moist places, especially coniferous and

mixed forests, on banks of lakes and rivers. During the day hiding under dead

leaves and logs, it often invades the river banks, peat-bogs and clearings in the

night in search of snails. Associated ground beetles include: Agonurn retractum

LeConte, Calathus ingratus Dejean, Pterostichus adstrictus Eschscholtz, Pterostichus

coracinus Newman, Pterostichus punctatissimus Randall and Sphaeroderus nitidi-

collis brevoorti LeConte. —Andre Larochelle, College Bourget, C. P. 1000, Rigaud,

Quebec.

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

D. G. Denning J. A. Chemsak M. S. Wasbauer P. H. Arnaud, Jr.

President President-elect Secretary Treasurer

Proceedings

Three Hundred and Forty-Fourth Meeting

The 344th meeting was held Friday, 18 February 1972 in the Morrison Audi¬

torium of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,

with President Denning presiding.

Members present (40) : F. G. Andrews, C. Armin, P. H. Arnaud, Jr., W.

Azevedo, J. W. Bass, G. S. Benham, Jr., F. L. Blanc, R. M. Bohart, T. Briggs,

R. M. Brown, G. Buckingham, Cathy Cheap, S. Clement, Karen Corwin, D. G.

Denning, A. R. Dutton, J. G. Edwards, J. F. Emmel, C. Farrell, W. E. Ferguson,

M. R. Gardner, Lauren Green, E. Grissell, K. S. Hagen, E. A. Kane, B. Keh,

R. L. Langston, H. B. Leech, R. W. Lem, A. E. Michelbacher, J. Powell, E. S.

Ross, J. Shepard, R. E. Stecker, Barbara Trowbridge, D. Ubick, M. S. Wasbauer,

S. C. Williams, D. Y. Wong, R. L. Wong.

Visitors present (22) : Fern Blanc, R. Buckerly, Caroline Caw, R. Coville,

Phyllis Emmel, Stephenie Ferguson, B. and D. Grushkowitz, L. M. Halverson,

R. Hollingsworth, Netta and Susanne Leong, Carolyn Mullinex, M. Narasaki, Reny

and Taly Slay, D. Strike, S. Szerlip, Barbara Ware, A. Wong, R. Wong, Virginia

Woo.

The minutes of the meeting held 17 December 1971 were summarized.

President Denning called for announcements. Dr. Stecker announced that the

tear sheets from the first 20 volumes of the Pan-Pacific Entomologist on Coleoptera

are out and will be on sale after the meeting. There are 75 articles and they will

be priced at $0.05 each.

Dr. Ferguson announced that the program committee would be grateful for any

suggestions on future speakers for Society meetings and especially for possible

sites and times for the annual field day and picnic.

Mr. Jon Shepard announced that Mr. Scott Ellis of Colorado will be collecting

in the Four Corners area of Colorado, Utah and Arizona this coming summer and

would like to know if anyone would be interested in buying material he collects.

Mr. Leech announced the appearance of Hatch’s latest and final volume of the

Beetles of the Pacific Northwest. This volume includes the buprestids, chrysomelids,

weevils, cerambycids and other families.

Dr. J. A. Powell announced the appearance of Volume 13 of the Bulletin of the

California Insect Survey by Bohart and Horning which treats the bembicine sand

wasps of California, and includes the genera Bembix, Bicyrtes and Microbembix,

a total of eighteen species.

Dr. Powell also commented on the butterfly, Nymphalis californica, which he

had discussed at an earlier meeting. There was a great build-up in numbers of

this species at Mt. Shasta last summer so that by the fall of the year they were

migrating and were seen in the Bay Area. At that time, Dr. Powell asked anyone

who witnessed numbers of the butterfly to contact him. He mentioned the possi¬

bility of their overwintering in this area and going through a couple of generations

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

here, although normally large populations do not occur here. He stated that he

had observed some overwintering under bark this season in the Berkeley Hills.

They are currently flying there in good numbers but apparently with no directional

movement. Directional movement by the species appears to be in response to

population density. He again requested anyone who witnesses large populations

of this butterfly this spring and summer, especially if flying in a pattern of

directional movement, to contact him.

Dr. Ferguson mentioned having collected caterpillars of Nymphalis californica

at Escondido last spring. They all died and the one submitted to the insect

pathology lab at Berkeley was reported killed by a bacterium never before recorded

from butterflies of that species. He noted that it would be interesting to find out if

the bacterium is a common natural agent in the biotic control of Nymphalis

calif ornica.

The following notes were presented:

A remarkable Tabanid inhabitant of an ant nest in western Washington

—natural or accidental? —A year ago this month (20 February 1971), a

graduate student, Gary Alpert, at Washington State University, Pullman, discovered

two mature larvae of Tabanus sp. in the center of a nest of the western mound¬

thatching ant, Formica obscuripes, which he was exploring in his studies on local

ants. In this portion of the nest, there were a few other denizens such as isopods

and collembolans. The mound was situated among growing vines and under trash

from trimmings of blackberries in the vicinity of Walla Walla, Washington.

On return to his laboratory, Alpert succeeded in rearing one of the larvae to the

pupal stage from which a large, dark horsefly emerged on 24 April. This, together

with the other preserved larva, was mailed to me in May for identification, but

unfortunately, the fly and pupal case were broken into small fragments in transit.

It was possible to ascertain from the bits and pieces, that the fly was a large

black, bare-eyed Tabanus male of some resemblance to, but not, Tabanus kesseli

Philip, known on the Pacific Coast as far north as southern British Columbia; the

upper eye facets are a little larger, as in T. kesseli than in related T. aegrotus 0. S.

Fragments of the pupa indicate an unusually long-spined form, perhaps habitat-

oriented.

The purpose of this cursory note is to alert others to this possible special

habitat of an obscure or perhaps unknown tabanid species. Customary breeding

in tree-holes by certain bizarre tabanids in tropical Africa and of Leucotabanus

ambiguus Stone, in frass-filled termite galleries in rotting trunks of old, living

willows, discovered recently by Dr. John Burger of Tucson, Arizona, are notable

unusual tabanid breeding sites. I am not aware, however, of reported tabanid

occupation of ant hills, at least in the New World, which stimulates speculation

on the natural cycle—oviposition, larval development, pupation, and any traversal

of the ant-occupied periphery of the nests, if this is a customary, and not an

accidental, eco-niche. In the words of the collector, “The tabanid larvae came

from the center of the nest where the ant activity was high”! Although the nest

mound was located about 15 yards above a small pond, it seems unlikely that two

mature larvae would have migrated to this special situation from the pond margin

to complete their development. —Cornelius B. Philip, California Academy of

Sciences, San Francisco.

Meigenielloides cinereus (Diptera: Tachinidae) reared from Gam-

marotettix bilobatus (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae). —The genus Meigeniel¬

loides Townsend is one of 43 North American (north of Mexico) genera assigned

Vol. 49, No. 1 , January 1973

to the tachinid tribe Blondeliini. The hosts for this tribe include larvae of

Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and tenthredinid Hymenoptera. It is of considerable

interest to report the rearing of Meigenielloides cinereus (Townsend) from the

Orthopteran family Gryllacrididae on the basis of two rearings, both of which

were made at Mill Valley, Marin County, California.

The first rearing (deposited in tire collection of the California Academy of

Sciences) was made by Thomas S. Leech from a female adult specimen of

Gammarotettix probably bilobatus (Thomas) (det. A. B. Gurney, 1957). Two

tachinid larvae emerged from the host and pupated on 29 May 1957. One adult

male of Meigenielloides cinereus issued on 14 June 1957, and a fly did not issue

from the second puparium.

The second rearing (deposited in the collection of the author) was made by

Thomas W. Davies from an adult female of Gammarotettix bilobatus (Thomas)

(det. David C. Rentz). On 20 June 1967 a tachinid larva emerged from the host

and pupated. An adult female of Meigenielloides cinereus issued on 7 July 1967.

In both rearings the pupal period lasted about two and one half weeks (17

days).— Paul H. Arnaud, Jr., California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

The status of Loxosceles unicolor in Tesla Canyon. —In November 1969,

the late Dr. J. W. MacSwain, of the University of California, gave a report en¬

titled, “A Naturalist Returns to Tesla Canyon.” (Pan-Pac. Entomol. 46(1) :74-75,

1970.) In his report Dr. MacSwain mentioned that on one of his 1951 collecting

trips he collected “. . . numerous L. unicolor . . . around or in the sides of the

canyon . . . .” Further, he implied that the spider still existed there on his last

collecting trip on 26 October 1969. If valid, this report would represent the

northern-most record of L. unicolor in the San Joaquin Valley.

I talked with Dr. MacSwain about the occurrence and there was no doubt that

these spiders were found in the canyon, and that he had collected them there on

several occasions. I then checked with Dr. E. I. Schlinger about the spider samples

given him by Dr. MacSwain which were collected 26 October 1969. Dr. Schlinger

said there were no Loxosceles in those samples.

I have made several collecting trips to Tesla Canyon, working the entire length

on both sides, including the places where Dr. MacSwain said he collected and on

the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory property. Although many spiders resembling

violin spiders were found I have yet to collect Loxosceles spiders in Tesla Canyon

and so far the available evidence does not support the claim made by Dr. Mac¬

Swain. The most northerly collection of L. unicolor on the west side of San

Joaquin Valley is in Jacalitos Canyon, about 5 miles south of Coalinga, Fresno

County, California (collectors: R. R. Snelling, 1967; F. Ennik, 1970). —Franklin

Ennik, California Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vector Control,

Berkeley.

The principal speaker of the evening was Mr. Michael R. Gardner, Systematic

Entomologist, California Department of Agriculture. His illustrated talk was

entitled, “Ecological and Behavioral Relationships of Millipeds in California.”

Coffee and other refreshments were served at a social hour in the entomology

rooms following the meeting.—M. S. Wasbauer, Secretary.

Three Hundred and Forty-Fifth Meeting

The 345th meeting was held Friday, 21 April 1972, in the Morrison Auditorium

of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, with

President Denning presiding.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Members present (41) : F. G. Andrews, P. H. Arnaud, Jr., J. W. Bass, G. S.

Benham, Jr., G. Brady, D. Briggs, T. Briggs, M. Browning, R. Bushnell, Karen S.

Corwin, R. Coville, H. V. Daly, T. Delgman, J. G. Edwards, Beverly Ehreth, F.

Ennik, W. E. Ferguson, A. J. Gilbert, B. W. Grushkowitz, J. Guggolz, K. S.

Hagen, E. A. Kane, B. Keh, W. H. Lange, R. L. Langston, H. B. Leech, R. Lem,

W. W. Middlekauff, R. H. Peterson, C. B. Philip, H. G. Real, G. Rotrammel,

S. L. Szerlip, K. Taylor, R. Thorp, R. Toth, D. Ubick, D. Voegtlin, K. R. Wald,

D. Y. Wong, R. L. Wong.

Visitors present (19) : J. Baier, Lily Dong, J. T. Doyen, Stephenie Ferguson,

Marcia Gilbert, Dorothy Grushkowitz, R. Hall, Lucia Hui, M. Jensen, S.

Germanovitch, J. B. Kimsey, Mrs. J. B. Kimsey, Netta Leong, Susanne Leong,

W. Minkel, R. P. Papp, Norma E. Papp, Joyce Thorp, Virginia Woo.

The minutes of the meeting held 18 February 1972 were summarized.

The following notes were presented:

Mass movement of Sympetrum corruptum (Hagen) at Pacifica, Cali¬

fornia (Odonata: Libellulidae). —Observations on the undirectional mass

movements of the dragonfly Sympetrum corruptum (Hagen) have been reported

in the Kensington-Albany-Berkeley and Mill Valley areas by Turner (1965, Pan-

Pac. Entomol. 41:66-67), and Opler (1971, Pan-Pac. Entomol. 47:223). A further

record of a flight south of these previous recorded localities is presented. On

24 September 1970, Mrs. Jose Sanchez of 452 Heathcliff Drive, Pacifica, San

Mateo County, California, first telephoned the Academy at 2:10 p.m. (P.D.T.)

to report that for the past two hours there had been what she considered

“thousands” of dragonflies in the air above where she lives. They were flying at

a height so that it was impossible to catch them without a long-handled net. At

3:50 p.m., she telephoned to say that dragonflies were also very common at the

Fairmont Elementary School. One speciemn which was hit in the schoolyard and

collected by one of her children was determined by Dr. Dennis E. Paulson as a

male (young specimen) of Sympetrum corruptum (Hagen). It is presumed that

this specimen was representative of the species involved in this flight. It is to

be regretted that additional voucher specimens are not available. Mrs. Sanchez

commented that this was the first flight of Odonata that she had observed in her

five years residence in Pacifica.— Paul H. Arnaud, Jr., California Academy of

Sciences, San Francisco.

Hjelle scorpion collection donated to California Academy of Sciences.

—Mr. John T. Hjelle, has recently donated his collection of 712 specimens of

scorpions from northern California to the Department of Entomology, California

Academy of Sciences.

This collection contains the types and specimens which formed the basis of his

publication “Scorpions of the northern California coast ranges (Arachnida:

Scorpionida) ” which was published in 1972 (Occas. Pap. Calif. Acad. Sci., No. 92,

59 pages, 52 figures). It contains 202 type specimens: the holotype, allotype,

and 162 paratypes of Vaejovis gertschi striatus Hjelle; the holotype, allotype, and

17 paratypes of Uroctonus glimmei Hjelle; and the holotype, allotype, and 17

paratypes of Uroctonus mordax pluridens Hjelle. In addition, there are 249

specimens of Paruroctonus silvestrii (Borelli), 4 Superstitionia donensis Stahnke,

255 Uroctonus mordax mordax Thorell, and 2 Uroctonus new species. This collec¬

tion will complement the extensive series of scorpions being received from Dr.

Stanley C. Williams. Because of these and other important donations, the

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

Academy’s collection of Scorpionida is one of the world’s largest.—P. H. Arnaud,

Jr., California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

The principal speaker of the evening was Dr. Jerry A. Powell, Department of

Entomology, University of California, Berkeley. His illustrated talk was entitled:

“Diverse adaptations to arid habitats by ethmiid moths.”

Coffee and other refreshments were served during a social hour in the entomology

rooms following the meeting.—M. S. Wasbauer, Secretary.

Three Hundred and Forty-Sixth Meeting

The 346th meeting was the annual field day and picnic. It was held on Saturday,

20 May 1972, at Castle Rock Park near Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa County, California.

Members present (12) : J. E. Cronin, H. V. Daly, Jr., H. V. Davis, D. G.

Denning, R. Dutton, W. E. Ferguson, J. R. Gabel, E. G. Linsley, W. W. Middle-

kauff, C. B. Philip, M. S. and Joanne S. Wasbauer.

Visitors present (13) : Marcia Cronin, Loretta Denning, Pamela Dutton, Natasha

Field, Juanita Linsley, Gladys Philip, D. W. Price, Duane Price and children,

K. Wasbauer.

The day was overcast and cool, but did not prevent picnicking on the wooden

benches provided. Insects were not in evidence abundantly but Drs. Daly and

Price brought a group of entomology students from the University of California,

Berkeley, who collected, in addition to other things, a series of the Acrocerid

fly, Eulonchus sp. from sticky-monkey flowers, Mimulus aurantiacus. Dr. Daly

was nearly successful in collecting a specimen of an ant-mimic mirid bug, probably

Dacerla inflata (Uhler). -—M. S. Wasbauer, Secretary.

Three Hundred and Forty-Seventh Meeting

The 347th meeting was held Friday, 20 October 1972, in the Morrison Audi¬

torium of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,

with President Denning presiding.

Members present (42) : R. P. Allen, J. R. Anderson, F. G. Andrews, C. Armin,

P. H. Arnaud, Jr., A. D. Bacon, D. J. Burdick, R. Bushnell, R. M. Brown, S.

Clement, Karen Corwin, C. Dailey, D. G. Denning, J. G. Edwards, F. Ennik,

W. E. Ferguson, A. J. Gilbert, A. R. and L. R. Gillogly, C. Goodpasture, E.

Grissell, A. R. Hardy, S. Haskett, L. Hawkins, T. E. Hewton, Jr., E. Kane, B.

Keh, H. B. Leech, A. E. Michelbacher, R. Peterson, J. A. Powell, R. F. Schoeppner,

R. Stecker, S. Szerlip, R. L. Tassan, R. W. Thorp, B. Villegas, M. S. Wasbauer,

S. P. Welles, Jr., R. H. Whitsell, S. C. Williams, D. L. Wilson.

Visitors present (39) : H. P. Allmendinger, L. Bezoh, G. Brady, Carolyn Cain,

Linda Campbell, Carolyn Dailey, Chris Duncan, Priscilla Ewing, Janie Edwards,

Stephenie Ferguson, Marcia Gilbert, Gwen Gillogly, Mr. and Mrs. B. W.

Grushkowitz, D. Guiliani, Debbi Hains, R. M. Haradon, Jr., Wanda Hardy, A.

Koplan, J. Krug, Val Landwehr, R., D. and B. Merritt, Martha Michelbacher,

R. P. Papp, R. Pemberton, Jane Rosemarin, W. E. Savary, R. E. Somerby, Chris

Springer, Wilfred Sumner, M. A. Taylor, Joyce Thorp, Martha Usinger, J. F.

Wells, D. Whitman, J. D. Wright, W. Yu.

The minutes of the meetings held 21 April and 20 May were summarized.

The following individuals were proposed for membership in the Society.

Student membership: H. P. Allmendinger, M. Browning, D. Chandler, B. W.

Grushkowitz, W. N. Mathis, R. Papp, J. R. Sawbridge. Regular membership:

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

J. A. Burnett, J. L. Gillespie, R. Goertzen, R. M. Haradon, Jr., W. W. Klopp,

R. J. McCrea, J. D. Pinto, R. Schick, W. S. Sibray, A. C. Smith, R. S. Toth.

Dr. Daly gave a brief resume of how the R. L. Usinger Autobiography came

into being, and suggested that the book would be inspirational reading for young

people who were thinking of careers in the natural sciences. He suggested that

members contact their local public libraries and ask that the book be placed

on their shelves.

President Denning then introduced Mrs. R. L. Usinger who gave sincere thanks

to all involved in the production of the autobiography. She also thanked the

membership for its support and for the specially bound presentation copies given

to the immediate members of the Usinger family. She pointed out that her late

husband did not conceive of the book or put it down on tape with the idea in

mind of having it published, but rather to leave a chronicle of his life for his

family members.

The following notes were presented:

Notes on a mass flight of Nymphalis californica (Boisduval) in the

Sierra Nevada. —On 26 May 1972 while driving east on California Route 140

from Merced into Yosemite National Park, my wife and I observed scattered

flights of the California tortoiseshell butterfly, Nymphalis calif ornica (Boisduval),

along the roadside and occasionally crossing the road. At 1300 hrs., at Red Bud

Campground on the Merced River in Sierra National Forest, Nymphalis calif ornica

was abundant especially on Aesculus calif ornica, which was flowering, and along

the river itself.

As we continued along the Tioga Road, tortoiseshells became increasingly

numerous, flying sometimes in small clouds in front of our car. We observed

many specimens dead or crippled in the road, which in places was dotted with

their bodies. Steller’s jays, Cyanocitta stelleri, and robins, Turdus migratorius,

were observed feeding on these insects, picking them up off the road and flying

to nearby trees with them.

Then suddenly, about 1430 hrs., near the overlook at Yosemite Creek Basin

(at 8,400 ft. elevation) the butterflies become incredibly abundant. Stopping our

car, we walked along the Tioga Road and observed large clouds of butterflies

streaming past us on the highway. The temperature in the sun, open air, at this

time was 80°F., with light northwesterly winds. As we crossed to the side of the

highway and looked down into the basin, we could clearly see large numbers of

Nymphalis californica welling up from the basin and flying NNW about 2-3 feet

above the ground. (The tortoiseshells thus appeared to be flying approximately

parallel to and west of the crest of the Sierra.) We estimated that 10-15 butter¬

flies per second were flying past a fixed point. As they crossed the terrain below

us, they were easily seen, silhouetted against the light-colored exfoliating granite.

Scanning the ground around us, we found many small patches of perhaps two

square feet containing up to 14 butterflies, which appeared to be resting. Some

patches were shaded, while others were in open sunlight but moist. A scrub jay,

Aphelocoma coerulescens, was observed here feeding on these insects. Perhaps this

bird, which was far from its normal habitat, had come up the creek basin following

and feeding upon Nymphalis.

During the next few hours we observed smaller numbers of Nymphalis californica

through Tioga Pass (9,943 ft.) and up into the meadows of Saddlebag Lake

Canyon below Mt. Conness. On 27 May during the late morning and early after-

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

noon we found wings of Nymphalis calif ornica lying in melt holes in the snow at

altitudes up to 11,480 ft. on the ridge east of Mt. Conness.— Richard P. Papp,

University of California, Berkeley.

The principal speaker of the evening was Dr. Howell V. Daly, University of

California, Berkeley. His illustrated talk was entitled: “Bees, Twigs and Africa.”

Coffee and other refreshments were served during a social hour in the entomol¬

ogy rooms following the meeting.—M. S. Wasbauer, Secretary.

Three Hundred and Forty-Eighth Meeting

The 348th meeting was held Friday, 17 November 1972, in the Morrison Audi¬

torium of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,

with President Denning presiding.

Members present (34) : F. G. Andrews, C. Armin, P. H. Arnaud, Jr., A. D.

Bacon, J. W. Bass, G. S. Benham, Jr., F. L. Blanc, G. Brady, T. Briggs, R. M.

Brown, J. A. Chemsak, Karen S. Corwin, T. Delgman, D. G. Denning, Beverly

Ehreth, C. P. Farrell, A. R. Gillogly, Lauren Green, J. Guggolz, K. S. Hagen,

A. R. Hardy, L. Hawkins, H. B. Leech, R. P. Papp, R. Peterson, C. B. Philip,

W. W. Pitcher, E. S. Ross, S. L. Szerlip, R. L. Tassan, T. J. Toren, D. Ubick,

M. S. Wasbauer, D. L. Wilson.

Visitors present (30) : Barbara Barr, Grace Bass, T. Christensen, J. Collins,

Loretta Denning, Margo Ebeling, R. Falls, Kathy Farrell, J. T. Hjelle, H. Implom,

D. Moss, N. E. Papp, R. W. Pemberton, D. Phillip, D. Roxon, Suzanne Roxon,

W. E. Savary, M. V. Silveira, J. Sorensen, Meta Sorensen, Mary Stark, G. L.

Weller, J. F. Wells, Patti Willey, Constance Wilson, R. Wong, Virginia Woo,

W. Yee, R. Zarate.

The minutes of the meeting held 20 October 1972 were summarized.

Persons who were proposed for membership in the Society: J. K. Wangberg,

R. L. Potts.

The following notes were presented:

In Memoriam—Segundo E. Valastegui B. (15 August 1910—1 July

1972) .—Senor Segundo E. Velastegui Barriga, entomologist and commercial

collector who was born at and resided in Banos, Ecuador, died from a skull

fracture and internal injuries received from a brutal beating. While returning

from his work on 28 June 1972, at a point called Ulvilla, near Banos, he was

attacked by a young man of about 25 years of age, without apparent reason. Don

Segundo was found on the road after the attack by a friend who brought him to

a hospital, but it was not possible to save his life.

Senor Velastegui was an excellent collector and he carefully prepared specimens

for his correspondents. Visiting extremely interesting areas of the Andes, he

collected all types of insects, birds, and orchids. His collections were sold to

persons and institutions throughout the world. The Academy and I received

nearly 1,000 specimens of Tachinidae in the year prior to his death. His widow

informs me that he started working at the age of 10, but I am not certain if this

refers to natural history collecting, or perhaps other type of work.

Senor Velastegui is survived by his wife, Etelvina and seven children (Marina,

Ysabel, Marta, Danilo, Guillermina, Gloria, and Oliverio). They intend to con¬

tinue the work of their husband and father and will collect all groups of en¬

tomological specimens from “todas partes del Oriente, y del Occidente” and other

parts of Ecuador. A drawer of Tachinidae collected by Senor Velastegui is on

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

display in the entomology rooms.— Paul H. Arnaud, Jr., California Academy of

Sciences, San Francisco.

Troglobitic harvestmen observed in lava caves of Washington and Idaho.

—Recently much interest in lava cave biology was generated by the discovery of

highly modified invertebrates in lava caves of Japan, Idaho and Hawaii. Hereto¬

fore, only limestone caves were thought to produce the characteristic modifications

of troglobites. Lava caves were assumed to be too small and too brief in geologic

time to evolve these modifications. The new discoveries call for a reexamination

of cave evolution. Recent explanations (F. Howarth, Science, 137:325, 1972)

suggest that deep breaks in lava flows provide routes of dispersal from collapsing

caves to new caves.

During the 1972 national convention of the National Speleological Society,

Robert Lem and I were able to locate several lava troglobites in Washington and

Idaho. The Washington caves were located near Mt. St. Helens in the Cascade

Range. This area is densely forested and receives much rainfall. Larger lava

caves contained a deep interior zone of a peculiar mold or yeast known as “lava

tube slime.” This moist growth tended to form under lava breakdown and occa¬

sionally coated the walls and ceilings with deposits up to an inch thick. Numerous

cavernicolous invertebrates lived in association with this food source, including

a remarkable laniatorid phalangid. It proved to be the first new world member

of family Travuniidae, a group of relicts well known in European limestone caves.

White juveniles and pale yellow adults were collected on the slimy habitat.

Specimens of another troglobitic phalangid received from Craters of the Moon

National Monument led us to travel to central Idaho. A lava cave was located

in a prairie habitat near the town of Shoshone. It had a narrow entrance to a

single large room which was particularly rich in life. The cave was unusually

warm and had a rock-strewn floor with mold-encrusted walls and ceiling. On

entering the room we noted that camel crickets and four families of flies were

numerous in the zone of darkness. Abundant evidence of mammal occupation was

seen, including three decapitated pigeons and a half-eaten pizza near a large

burrow. Under breakdown we found troglobitic beetles ( Glacicavicola of family

Leiodidae), epigean beetles, a cavernicolous centipede and large troglobitic

phalangids. These and the Craters of the Moon phalangids proved to be in

Erebomastridae, a family not previously known in Idaho.

Many workers are now looking at material from lava caves. I hope to describe

the cavernicolous harvestmen in the near future. —Thomas S. Briggs, Galileo

High School, San Francisco.

The principal speakers of the evening were Drs. W. H. Lange and J. Anderson,

University of California, Davis and Berkeley, respectively. Their illustrated talk

was entitled “Entomology Down Under.”

Coffee and other refreshments were served during a social hour in the entomology

rooms following the meeting.—M. S. Wasbauer, Secretary.

Three Hundred and Forty-Ninth Meeting

The 349th meeting was held Friday, 15 December 1972, in the Morrison Audi¬

torium of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,

with President Denning presiding.

Members present (33) : R. P. Allen, P. H. Arnaud, Jr., R. G. Blair, F. L.

Blanc, G. Brady, D. Briggs, T. Briggs, D. J. Burdick, J. A. Chemsak, T. Delgman,

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

D. G. Denning, A. R. Dutton, J. G. Edwards, F. Ennik, J. R. Gabel, M. R.

Gardner, A. J. Gilbert, A. R. Gillogly, K. S. Hagen, L. Hawkins, H. B. Leech,

R. W. Lem, A. E. Michelbacher, D. W. Moss, Jr., R. L. Peterson, C. B. Philip,

R. W. L. Potts, R. E. Stecker, S. L. Szerlip, R. W. Thorp, M. S. Wasbauer, S. C.

Williams, R. L. Wong.

Visitors present (21) : Fern Blanc, T. Coe, M. J. Croce, J. Denk, Alice Edwards,

B. Eya, G. B. Fairchild, Mrs. G. B. Fairchild, Jan and Toni Gabel, D. Gibbs,

Marcia Gilbert, Lorraine Kitajima, C. Kitayama, Martha Michelbacher, R. W.

Pemberton, W. F. Peregren, Peggie Phillips, W. Raunder, W. E. Savary, M.

Silveira, Joyce Thorp, D. Whitman.

The minutes of the meeting held 17 November 1972 were summarized.

The following names were proposed for membership in the Society. Student

membership: Joe Denk, Linda Floyd, David W. Moss, Jr., Manual Silveira and

Douglas Whitman. Regular membership: Ronald E. Somerby and Donald R.

Dilley.

President Denning asked for introductions from the floor. Dr. Philip introduced

Dr. and Mrs. G. B. Fairchild. Dr. Fairchild, a medical entomologist with a

distinguished career at the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory in Panama is now

retired. He and Mrs. Fairchild have just returned from a trip to Australia where

they were able to do some good collecting, especially for tabanids. They plan to

make their home at Gainesville, Florida.

The following notes were presented:

Prey records for robber flies of the Lake Texoma region, Oklahoma

(Diptera: Asilidae). —During June and July 1972 while I was at the University

of Oklahoma Biological Station at Lake Texoma, I collected a number of robber

flies. Most were collected during the day, but Diogmites symmachus Loew was

occasionally attracted to lights at night. The largest robber fly taken, Microstylum

moTosum Loew, had bright green eyes while alive. The most colorful robber fly

taken was Mallophora fautrix bromleyi Curran, a mimic of the common local

bumblebee, Bombus americanorum (F.). Although all my robber fly collecting was

incidental to other studies, my principal interest was in their prey associations.

The following eight species were taken with prey by me near the Biological Station,

two miles west of Willis, Marshall County, unless otherwise noted:

1. Diogmites neoternatus (Bromley), male and female with Apis mellifera

(Apidae), workers, 5 and 7 July.

2. Diogmites symmachus Loew, 3 females with Calliopsis andreniformis F. Smith

(Andrenidae), female, 30 June; Tachytes distinctus F. Smith (Sphecidae),

female, 11 July (L. S. B. Koch) ; and Sceliphron caementarium (Drury)

(Sphecidae), female, 29 July (L. S. B. Koch).

3. Efferia nemoralis Hine, female with Hemiargus ( Echinargus) isola Reakirt

(Lycaenidae), 7 June, 1.2 mi. E. Troy, Oklahoma.

4. Triorla interrupta (Macquart), male with Phyciodes phaon Edwards (Nymphali-

dae), 30 June; and female with Orthemis ferruginea F. (Libellulidae), 22 July,

5 mi. N. Gordonville, Texas (E. E. Grissell).

5. Proctacanthus hinei Bromley, 2 females with Apis mellifera, worker, 11 July;

and Bombus fraternus (F. Smith) (Apidae), worker, 20 July.

6. Promachus bastardii (Macquart), male with Apis mellifera, worker 9 June;

and 2 females with Alysson melleus Say (Sphecidae), male, 20 June; and

Halictus ligatus Say (Halictidae), male, 14 July.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

7. Saropogon dispar Coquillett, 2 females with Sceliphron caementarium, male,

5 June; and Apis mellifera, worker, 2 July; 2 males with Trypoxylon

( Trypargilum ) texense Saussure (Sphecidae), male, 9 June; and Dialictus sp.

(Halictidae), female, 21 July, Powell, 5 mi. N.W. Willis, Oklahoma.

8. Stichopogon trifasciatus (Say), male with (Araneae: Salticidae), 5 June,

1.2 mi. E. Troy, Oklahoma.

The prey of Diogmites, Proctacanthus, Promachus and Saropogon consisted

entirely of aculeate Hymenoptera. These four robber fly genera contain species con¬

sidered serious predators of the honey bee. However, Diogmites symmachus, com¬

monly referred to as a “Texas bee-killer,” was the only species of the group not

observed with honey bees as prey. Comparative studies of prey selection by the two

sympatric species of Diogmites would be of special importance in determining

how they divide up their food requisite.

Most of the predators were as large as or larger than their prey, except for the

female of Triorla which had taken a large dragonfly. The most unusual record

was the capture of a jumping spider by the male Stichopogon. This is an un¬

common habit for the family Asilidae, but has been reported for S. trifasciatus

(Bromley, 1934, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer., 27:74-110).

I thank the following for confirming or correcting my determinations: Dr. J.

Wilcox (Asilidae), Dr. R. M. Bohart (Sphecidae), and Mr. C. E. Goodpasture

(Lepidoptera).— Robbin W. Thorp, University of California, Davis.

The unexpected loss of one of our student members. —In 1961 Miss Linda

May Halverson was first introduced to the subject of entomology by taking a

course in General Entomology during the fall semester at San Francisco State

College. Through this experience she developed a most absorbing interest in

insects. So much so that she began to study insects every possible opportunity

and began to make a comprehensive personal collection. By the first of 1972 Miss

Halverson had acquired a considerable knowledge of insects and had decided

that she wanted to enter a career in entomology, most specifically in the area of

medical entomology. On 18 February 1972, she was elected to membership in the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society. Meanwhile, she continued her studies in

entomology at San Francisco State College, became Curator of the college’s

insect and arachnid collection, and became a laboratory assistant in the general

entomology courses. During the summer of 1972, Miss Halverson secured a

position with the Entomology Department of the California Academy of Sciences

as a clerical assistant. With the coming of the fall 1972 semester at San Francisco

State, Miss Halverson began to prepare for graduation and began preparing her

application for graduate study in entomology at the University of California at

Berkeley. By this time Miss Halverson had shown a rare gift for the study of

insects, and a personal interest not commonly encountered. She also had proven

herself as a truly exceptional student. All of her plans and aspirations came to

a sudden halt on 25 November 1972 when she died suddenly, as the result of an

automobile accident on the San Francisco Bay Bridge. With her death we have

lost both an exceptional entomology student and a good friend.— Stanley C.

Williams, Division of Biology, San Francisco State University.

A new technique for study of tarantula burrows.— Study of the burrows

of tarantulas (Theraphosidae) has always been hard, sweaty work for it has been

necessary to follow the pathways of the burrow by digging in hard soil. Frequently

Vol. 49, No. 1, January 1973

the “path” is lost when the shovel slides earth into the hole and obscures it.

A pliable piece of wire or some similar object thrust into the burrow during

digging helps to follow the direction. Digging also obscures any of the probable

side chambers dug by the spider. On only one occasion has the author found a

side chamber made by the spider. It contained the abandoned excuvia from a

previous shedding. Past attempts to “cast” burrows by pouring plaster of Paris

into the hole have been unsatisfactory for the hardening time of the plaster varies

with the fluidity of the mixture. If the tunnel turns the least bit upward in its

meanderings, the plaster sometimes stops flowing and the extent of the burrow

is lost.

During a visit to the Southwest Research Station of the American Museum of

Natural History near Portal, Arizona, this past summer, the director, Vince Roth,

suggested I try injecting foam plastic material into the burrow and then follow

the contours when this material hardened. Insta-Foam Products, Inc., Addison,

Illinois manufactures an aerosol eurethane foam for “insulating, repairing, packag¬

ing, sound dampening, sealing, caulking, display building and many other uses.”

It is packaged in a double tank unit called a “Froth-Pale” which comes with two

dispenser nozzles with hoses. The two liquids are mixed by the nozzle after ex¬

trusion from the pressurized cans. It hardens into a yellowish foam solid within

60 to 90 seconds. This is sufficient time for the liquids and gas to penetrate all

parts of the burrow. The burrow can be carefully excavated by following the

pathway of the urethane foam which has completely filled all the crevices and

side chambers of the burrow.

My first attempt was successful and four burrows were filled with the foam

plastic and subsequently dug out. The soil surrounding the casting was carefully

scraped away using a soft stick. It was then washed under running water and

carefully scrubbed with a stiff bristle hairbrush. The resulting cast shows all

the twists, turns and side chambers of the tunnel and even revealed that two of

the burrows had two entrances or an “escape tunnel” connected to the main

excavation.

One of the castings contained a discarded excuvia of the former occupant. All

burrows “cast” were unoccupied at the time for I had previously washed the

spiders out for transplanting experiments. The foam would undoubtedly be fatal

to the spider remaining in the burrow. The manufacturer assured me that washing

the arachnid out of the burrow prior to “casting” would in no way effect the

performance of the foaming plastic.

Because the rainy season in California comes during the winter, there is a

minor drawback in “casting” burrows at this time of the year. The Insta-Foam

has a critical temperature of 60° to 70° F. Below that temperature it does not

harden nor flow out of the cans properly. If the day is sunny and warm, there is

no difficulty in using the “twin pak,” but on overcast days it may be necessary

to use an in-car heater to assure that the two cans in the pak are at the proper

temperature. Complete instructions for use are on the side of the package, and

experience alone teaches the operator when to shut off the pressure to avoid

wasting the foam in “mushroom heads” which form above the burrow entrances

as excess plastic extrudes itself from the burrow opening. — J. Russel Gabel,

Division of Biology, California State University at San Francisco.

The December meeting is traditionally the business meeting of the year and

President Denning asked for the reports of the standing committees.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

In the treasurer’s report, Dr. Arnaud gave the total income for the Society in

1972 as $13,581.00. This was derived from dues and subscriptions, reprints and

miscellaneous page charges, sales of memoirs, advertising income, interest on

savings accounts and stock dividends. The total expenditures for the year were

$14,194.00 for the following items: publication costs of the Pan-Pacific En¬

tomologist, publication costs of the R. L. Usinger autobiography, reprints, postage

and other miscellaneous expenses. The overall decrease in fund balances was

thus $613.00. Dr. Arnaud expressed appreciation to Mr. H. V. Davis who audited

the books for the Society again this year. He also thanked Mr. Davis for his

help in maintaining the tax-exempt status of the Society with the Internal

Revenue Service.

The report of the publication committee was presented by Dr. Chemsalc in

Dr. Daly’s absence and covered the appearance of R. L. Usinger’s autobiography

in the memoirs series of the Society.

Mr. Leech presented the report of the historical committee for 1972. He

addressed himself to the use of the Society’s biographical forms which are sent

to each new member. Among his observations are the following: of 287 past

and present members who have filled out these forms, first letters of the surnames

include all letters of the alphabet except Q, X and Y. Data from these forms in¬

dicate that the Society as a group is a serious environmental factor. According

to the statements on the sizes of private collections, our group is responsible for

catching or at least acquiring 3,079,000 insects. The following persons have listed

their holdings as 100,000 specimens or more: C. P. Alexander, 100,000 Diptera;

D. D. Jensen, 100,000 Homoptera; G. H. Nelson, 100,000 Coleoptera; C. W.

O’Brien, 100,000 Coleoptera; J. T. Polhemus, 100,000 Heteroptera; J. Schuh,

100,000 Coleoptera; J. S. Buckett, 150,000 Lepidoptera; J. G. Franclemont,

350,000 Lepidoptera. The following reported 50,000 or more in their collections:

F. R. Cole, Diptera; H. R. Dodge, Diptera; C. H. Martin, Diptera; Ian Moore,

Coleoptera; J. R. Powers, Coleoptera; R. L. Usinger, Heteroptera; E. L. Sleeper,

Coleoptera; P. S. Bartholomew, Coleoptera; S. C. Williams, Scorpionida; J. G.

Edwards, Coleoptera. The total figure does not include the hundreds of thousands

of specimens collected by such members as R. M. Bohart and E. S. Ross and

later donated to various institutions.

Dr. Williams read the report of the membership committee which stated that

26 regular members and 25 student members were elected to Society membership

in 1972, a total of 51 new members for the year.

President Denning announced his appointments to the publication committee

for 1973 through 1975: Dr. J. G. Edwards and Dr. C. B. Philip.

Dr. R. Stecker, Chairman of the nominating committee, presented the slate of

candidates for office in the Society for 1973: President, John A. Chemsak;

President-elect, Cornelius B. Philip; Secretary, Michael R. Gardner; Treasurer,

Paul H. Arnaud, Jr. There were no nominations from the floor. The candidates

were elected to office in the Society for 1973 by unanimous vote.

The principal speaker of the evening was the outgoing President of the Society,

Dr. D. G. Denning. His presidential address was entitled, “A resume of the order

Trichoptera, with emphasis on western North America.”

Coffee and other refreshments were served during a social hour held in the

entomology rooms following the meeting.—M. S. Wasbauer, Secretary.

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ENTOMOLOGICAL EXCHANGES AND SALES

Space is available to members and non-members who wish to advertise entomo¬

logical exchanges, sales, announcements, etc. We can offer an ad in four issues

for $1.50 per line. Ads will be arranged in order of their receipt. Contact the

Advertising Manager, W. H. Lange, Department of Entomology, University of Cali¬

fornia, Davis, California 95616.

Current developments in the sugarbeet industry in the United States are pin¬

pointed in ADVANCES IN SUGARBEET PRODUCTION: PRINCIPLES AND

PRACTICES , just published by the Iowa State University Press. The control of

insects, plant diseases, nematodes and weeds are discussed in addition to other

phases of production. Available at $12.50 from bookstores or from the Iowa

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FOR SALE. Orders solicited for Pacific Northwest terrestrial and aquatic insects.

Queries answered promptly. S. G. Jewett, Jr., Route 1, Box 339, West Linn,

Oregon 97068.

FOR SALE. Extensive collection of mayfly reprints. Write R. Brusca,

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FOR SALE. Over 900 species of butterflies from the Malaysian and Indonesian

Jungles, very rare moth (14" wing span), Scorpion, giant sized Indonesian flying

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Sim Yam Seng, 21, Joon Hiang Road, Singapore, 19, Singapore.

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THE MOTHS OF AMERICA, one of the most significant publications in the history of

American entomology, will contain full-color photographs of all 10,000-)- species of North

American moths. The color photography has been done with excruciating care and attention

to detail, and must be seen to be believed.

THE MOTHS OF AMERICA, written by authorities in each group treated, constitutes a

thorough review of the North American moths, with descriptions of new genera and species

where appropriate.

In addition to the color photographs of adults, illustrations of genitalia or other structures

are included where necessary to assure accurate identification. The comprehensive text gives

a full taxonomic treatment, including synonymy, plus information on distribution, foodplants,

biology, and other aspects of each species.

THE MOTHS OF AMERICA will be published in over 100 parts, over a period of about 20

years. Each part is individually priced, according to its size, number of color plates, and

number of copies printed. Three to five parts are expected each year.

Special pre-publication/subscription prices, about 20% less than the regular list prices,

apply to subscriptions for the entire work and to orders received prior to the publication of

specific parts. (NOTE: The only way to get the parts already published at the reduced

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Please start your subscription now, or order the parts you desire, before the cost be¬

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ALREADY PUBLISHED:

Fascicle 13, Part la, Pyralidae: Scopariinae & Nymphulinae, by Dr. Eugene G. Munroe.

1972. 134 p. $20.60 ($16.50 to subscribers).

Fascicle 13, Part lb, Pyralidae: Odontiinae & Glaphyriinae, by Dr. Eugene G. Munroe.

1972. 116 p. $20.60 ($16.50 to subscribers).

Fascicle 20, Part 2a, Bombycoidea: Saturniidae, in part (Citheroniinae and Hemileucinae, in

part), by Dr. Douglas C. Ferguson. 1972. 153 p., 11 color plates, 19 figs. $39.00

($32.50 to subscribers).

Fascicle 20, Part 2b, Bombycoidea: Saturniidae, in part (Hemileucinae, in part, and Satur-

niinae), by Dr. Douglas C. Ferguson. 1972. xxi 121 p., 11 color plates, 11 figs.

$39.00 ($32.50 to subscribers).

Fascicle 21, Sphingoidea, by Dr. Ronald W. Hodges. 1971. xii -f- 158 p., 16 plates (14 in

color), 8 halftones, 19 figs. $24.00 ($19.60 to subscribers).

IN PREPARATION:

Fascicle 20, Part 1, Bombycoidea (excluding Saturniidae) (i.e., Lasiocampidae, Mimalloni-

dae, Apetelodidae, and Bombycidae), by Dr. J. G. Franclemont.

Fascicle 13, Part 1c, Pyralidae: Evergestiinae, by Dr. Eugene G. Munroe (including 14

color plates for all 3 parts of Fascicle 13. 1).

Fascicle 6, Part 2, Gelecbioidea: Oecophoridae, by Dr. Ronald W. Hodges.

Fascicle 22, Part 2, Lymantriidae, by Dr, Douglas C. Ferguson.

Also in preparation: Notodontidae, Cosmopterygidae, Walshiidae, and Aegeriidae.

THE MOTHS OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO belongs on the shelf of every serious

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A fully descriptive brochure, with sample color plate and order form, is available on

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THE MOTHS OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO is distributed exclusively in North

America by:

P.O. Box 77224, Dockweiler Station, Los Angeles, California 90007, U.S.A.

Entomological Reprint Specialists sells any insect book in print. Please write for price lists

or quotations.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

Information for Contributors

Papers on the systematic and biological phases of entomology are favored, including

articles up to ten printed pages on insect taxonomy, morphology, behavior, life history,

and distribution. Excess pagination must be approved and may be charged to the author.

Papers are published in approximately the order that they are received. Immediate publi¬

cation may be arranged after acceptance by paying publication costs. Papers of less than

a printed page may be published as space is available, in Scientific Notes.

Manuscripts for publication, proof, and all editorial matters should be addressed to the

Editor, Robbin W. Thorp, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis,

California 95616.

Typing. —All parts of manuscripts must be typed on bond paper with double-spacing and

ample margins. Carbon copies or copies on paper larger than 8% X 11 inches are not

accepted. Do not use all capitals for any purpose. Underscore only where italics are

intended in the body of the text, not in headings. Number all pages consecutively and

put author’s name at the top right-hand corner of each sheet. References to footnotes

in text should be numbered consecutively. Footnotes should be typed on a separate

sheet.

First page. —The page preceding the text of the manuscript should include (1) the

complete title, (2) the order and family in parentheses, (3) the author’s name or

names, (4) the institution with city and state or the author’s home city and state if

not affiliated, (5) the shortened title (running headline) not to exceed 38 letters and

spaces when combined with the author’s last name or names, (6) the complete name

and address to which proof is to be sent.

Names and descriptions of organisms. —The first mention of a plant or animal should

include the full scientific name with the author of a zoological name not abbreviated.

Do not abbreviate generic names. Descriptions of taxa should be in telegraphic style.

References. —All citations in text, e.g., Essig (1926) or (Essig, 1958), should be listed

alphabetically under Literature Cited in the following format:

Essig, E. 0. 1926. A butterfly migration. Pan-Pac. Entomol.,

2 : 211 - 212 .

1958. Insects and mites of western North America. Rev.

ed. The Macmillan Co., New York. 1050 pp.

Abbreviations for titles of journals should follow the list of Biological Abstracts, 1966,

47(21) : 8585-8601.

Tables. —Tables are expensive and should be kept to a minimum. Each table should be

prepared as a line drawing or typed on a separate page with heading at top and foot¬

notes below. Number tables with Arabic numerals. Number footnotes consecutively

for each table. Use only horizontal rules.

Illustrations. —No extra charge is made for the line drawings or halftones. Submit only

photographs on glossy paper and original drawings (no photographs of drawings).

Authors must plan their illustrations for reduction to the dimensions of the printed

page (4% X 6% inches). If possible, allowance should be made for the legend to be

placed beneath the illustration. Photographs should not be less than the width of the

printed page. Drawings should be in India Ink and at least twice as large as the

printed illustration. Excessively large illustrations are awkward to handle and may

be damaged in transit. Include a metric scale on the drawing or state magnification

of the printed illustration in the legend. Arrange figures to use space efficiently.

Lettering should reduce to no less than 1 mm. On the back of each illustration should

be stated (1) the title of the paper, (2) the author’s complete name and address, and

(3) whether he wishes the illustration and/or cut returned to him at his expense.

Cuts and illustrations not specifically requested will be destroyed.

Figure legends. —Legends should be typewritten double-spaced on separate pages headed

Explanation of Figures and placed following Literature Cited. Do not attach

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Proofs, reprints, and abstract. —Proofs and forms for the abstract and reprint order

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Page charges. —All regular papers of one to ten printed pages are charged at the rate of

$18.00 per page. This is in addition to the charge for reprints and does not include the

possible charges for extra pagination or the costs for immediate publication. Private

investigators or authors without institutional or grant funds to cover this charge may

apply to the Society for a grant to cover the page charges. A mark in the appropriate

box (society grant desired) on the reprint order form will suffice as an application.

All articles are accepted for publication only on the basis of scientific merit

and without regard to the financial support of the author.

PUBLICATIONS

OF THE

PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

PROCEEDINGS OF THE PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL

SOCIETY.

Vol. 1 (16 numbers, 179 pages) and Vol. 2 (numbers 1-9, 131

pages). 1901-1930. Price $2.50 per volume.

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Vol. 1 (1924) to present. Price $10.00 per volume of 4 numbers,

or $2.50 per single issue.

MEMOIR SERIES.

Volume 1 . The Sucking Lice by G. F. Ferris. A 320-page book

which summarizes the knowledge of the Anoplura of the world.

Published October 1951. Price $6.00. (Plus 350 postage.)*

Volume 2. The Spider Mite Family Tetranychidae by A. Earl

Pritchard and Edward W. Baker. This worldwide treatment deals

with the systematics, identification, and economics of the “Red

Spiders 5 ' and includes descriptions of 33 new species. 472 pages.

Published July 1955. Price $10.00. (Plus 500 postage.) "

Volume 3. Revisionary Studies in the Nearctic Decticinae by David

C. Rentz and James D. Birchim. This 173-page revision of Nearctic

shield-back katydids includes descriptions of one new genus and

13 new species and subspecies. Published July 1968. Price $4.00.

(Plus 250 postage.)*

Volume 4. Autobiography of an Entomologist by Robert L.

Usinger. A 343 page book relating the life story of one of the

outstanding entomologists of our time. Published August 1972.

Price $15.00. (Plus 400 postage.) *

* (Add 5% sales tax on all California orders. Members of the Society will

receive a 20% discount.)

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Vol. 49

APRIL 1973

No. 2

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

SMITH—The sawfly tribe Lycaotini in South America (Hymenoptera:

Tenthredinidae) . 93

FRANKIE—Feeding habits and seasonal history of Ernobius conicola in

cones of Monterey cypress with notes on cohabiting insects (Coleop-

tera: Anobiidae) . 102

BENTZIEN—Biology of the spider Diguetia imperiosa (Araneida: Di-

guetidae) . 110

TORGERSEN—A new species of Spinolochus from North America (Hyme¬

noptera: Ichneumonidae) . 124

HARDY—A new species of Phobetus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) . 127

DENNING—New species of Trichoptera . 182

ALCOCK AND RYAN—The behavior of Microbembex nigrifrons (Hyme¬

noptera: Sphecidae) . 144

GOODPASTURE—A new subspecies of Plebejus acmon (Lepidoptera:

Lycaenidae) . 149

ALLEN—New Ephemerellidae from Madagascar and Afghanistan (Ephem-

eroptera) ... 160

SOLEGLAD—A redescription of the scorpion Vejovis flavus (Scorpionida:

Vejovidae) . 165

DAILEY AND SPRENGER—Unisexual generation of Andricus atrimentus

(Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) . 171

DAILEY AND CAMPBELL—A new species of Diplolepis from California

(Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) . 174

ARNAUD AND WALE—Thomas Wrentmore Cook (1884-1962) . 177

SCIENTIFIC NOTES . 126, 182

BOOK REVIEWS . 101, 123, 143, 176, 184

RECENT LITERATURE .. 148, 173

EDITORIAL NOTICE . 184

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA • 1973

Published by the PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

in cooperation with THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES