Go to National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa
Volume 7, 1874
Previous Article | Table of Contents | Next Article
This text is also available in PDF
(1 MB) Opens in new window
– 297 –

Art. XLV.–On the Geodephagous Coleoptera of New Zealand.

By H. W. Bates, F.L.S.

[From the Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., March and April, 1874.]

It has been stated that the insect-fauna of New Zealand is extremely poor, and that the Coleoptera at least show great affinity with those of north temperate regions. With regard to the former statement, although some weight ought to be attached to the unanimous complaint of collectors of the general scarcity of insects, it is premature to arrive at a definite conclusion so long as the islands have not been thoroughly worked. At present we know scarcely anything of the productions of the central and western portions of the Northern Island, or of the mountainous districts of the Canterbury Province in the Southern. Although insular and, especially, oceanic faunas are known to be poor, it remains to be seen whether the large area, varied surface, and lofty mountain-ranges of New Zealand have not operated to check the process of extinction without repopulation which has impoverished other insular areas. At present the total number of species of Geodephagous Coleoptera known from the islands is 89; the British Isles have 311, and Japan 244.

The belief that the New Zealand Coleopterous fauna is related to that of the north temperate zone is certainly ill-founded; but it was excusable so long as describers, without attempting to study the characters of the new species before them, referred them recklessly to familiar northern genera, such as (to cite cases from the present group) Dromius, Cymindis, Calathus, Lebia, Harpalus, etc., the species so referred having no near affinity whatever to those

– 298 –

genera, but belonging to purely Australian or Antartic forms. Our material, as far as it goes, shows a great specialization of the New Zealand fauna. Thus, out of the total number of thirty-seven New Zealand genera of Geodephaga, no fewer than fourteen are peculiar to the islands; of the remainder, eight are Australian and two are Chilian: seven genera only are common to New Zealand and the north temperate zone; and these are genera of universal distribution. There remain six genera, described as Argutor, Feronia, etc., which I have not yet seen, and therefore class as doubtful.

Many of the species described or enumerated in the following paper have been communicated by Messrs. Wakefield and Fereday, of Christchurch, and Mr. Lawson of Auckland; and it is at the desire of these gentlemen and other local naturalists, who are labouring to gather together the scattered materials of the New Zealand fauna, that I have undertaken this task.

Coleoptera Geodephaga.

Family Cicindelidæ.

Cicindela tuberculata, Fab. Syst. Entom. p. 225.

Northern and Southern Islands. Auckland; Christchurch.

Cicindela latecincta, White, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Ins. p. 1, t.i. f. 1.

Southern Island. Canterbury.

This form is generally considered a variety of C. tuberculata. The differences, however, are considerable; for besides the width of the lateral white stripe, which reaches throughout the lateral rim of the elytra, it is a broader insect, with the elytral surface more uniform in colour, and, particularly, the rows of punctures much less marked and with smaller green spots. It must rest with local entomologists to decide, by observing the forms in situ, whether they are distinct or not.

Cicindela wakefieldi, n. sp.

C. tuberculatœ similis, at multo minor et angustior; fascia alba mediana elytrorum postice oblique prolongata. Long. 4 lin. M. F.

Very similar to C. tuberculata in sculpture, colours, and markings, but certainly distinct. It is always much smaller and narrower; and although the lateral white stripe of the elytra is very similar in form and direction, the median fascia is prolonged as a curved streak some distance down the disk of the elytron. There is also a structural difference in the apex of the elytra, which may better be expressed by a tabular formula:—

Cicindela tuberculata. Cicindela wakefieldi.
Elytrorum apicibus Elytrorum apicibus
M. conjunctim prolongatis, suturâ longe spinosâ, M. conjunctim late rotundatis, suturâ breviter spinosâ,
P. conjunctim rotundatis, suturâ acute spinosâ. F. singulatim abrupte rotundatis (vel ad suturam fortiter conjunctim emarginatis), suturâ breviter spinosâ.
– 299 –

Very local, near Christchurch. Sent in some numbers by C. M. Wake-field, Esq., but first discovered by Mr. Fereday, of Christchurch.

Cicindela douei, Chenu; Guér. Mag. de Zool. 1840, pl. xlv.

The figure represents an elongate species evidently of the tuberculata group, a little shorter than C. tuberculata (11 millims.= 5 lines). It is distinguished at once by the apical white lunule of the elytra being represented by a subapical spot.

The locality “New Zealand” given to this species rests on the assurance of a dealer, who was told by the surgeon of a whaling-ship that it was taken there. I have seen no specimen of it.

Cicindela parryi, White, Voy. Ereb. and Terror, Ins., p. 1, t.i. f.2.

Port Nicholson; Christchurch.

Cicindela dunedensis, Casteln., Trans. R. Soc. Vict., pt. 1, Vol. VIII., p. 35.

Dunedin.

The author compares it to C. parryi, from which it differs by being narrower. It is “light brown, the elytra covered with spots of a green copper colour.” In this respect it differs much from C. wakefieldi.

Cicindela feredayi, Bates, Entom. Monthly Mag., Vol. IV., p. 53, 1867.

Mr. Wakefield has recently met with this species in numbers on the sandy bed of the Rakaia near Christchurch. It is distinct from all the members of the tuberculata group in its finely granulated elytra without traces of green foveoles.

Family Carabidæ.

Section A. Mesothoracic epimera reaching the middle coxœ.

Subfamily Migadopinæ.

Amarotypus edwardsii, Bates, Entom. Monthly Mag., Vol. lX., p. 51, 1872.

I have only seen of this curious insect the specimens sent by Mr. H. Edwards, who took it in New Zealand. *

Subfamily Scaritinæ.

Clivina rugithorax, Putzeys, Stett. Zeit. 1866, p. 37.

A large species (nearly 5 lines), closely allied to a common Australian species, C. australasiœ, Boh. I have not yet seen it.

Section B.—Mesothoracic epimera not reaching the middle coxœ.

Subfamily Broscinæ.

Mecodema sculpturatum, Blanchard, Voy. au Pôle Sud, Zool., Vol. IV., p. 34, t. ii. f. 14.

[Footnote] * Heterodactylus nebrioides, Guér. (Pristancylus castaneus, Blanch.), from the Auckland Islands, is another member of this very interesting antarctic group of Carabidæ. Pristancylus brevis, Blanch., from the same locality, is doubtful.

– 300 –

Mecodema howittii, Casteln. Trans. R. Soc. Victoria, pt. ii. Vol. VIII., p. 159 (=rectolineatum, Putz. Stett. Zeit. 1868, p. 317).

Mecodema rectolineatum, Casteln. l. c. p. 160; Putz. Annali del Mus. Civ. di Genova, Vol. IV. p. 4.

Mecodema impressum, Casteln. l. c. p. 161: Putz. l. c., p. 4.

Mecodema lucidum, Casteln. l. c. p. 160; Putz. l. c. p. 5.

  “Dunedin.”

Mecodema crenicolle, Casteln. l. c. p. 160; Putz. l. c. p. 6.

  “Auckland.”

Mecodema simplex, Casteln. l. c. p. 160; Putz. l. c. p. 7.

  “Auckland.”

Mecodema alternans, Casteln. l. c. p. 161.

Mecodema crenaticolle, Redtenbacher, Reise d. Novara, Coleopt. p. 11.

I have not yet seen any species of Mecodema from the neighbourhood of Christchurch.

Metaglymma tibiale.

Maoria tibialis, Casteln. l. c. p. 163.

  “Molyneux River; in the mountains.”

Metaglymma monilifer, Bates, Entom. Monthly Mag., Vol. IV., p. 79, 1867.

  Near Christchurch. Discovered by Mr. Fereday.

Metaglymma punctatum, Putz. l. c. p. 8.

  Maoria punctata, Casteln. l. c. p. 164.

  “Dunedin; in the mountains.”

Metaglymma morio, Putz. l. c. p. 9.

  maoria morio, Casteln. l. c. p. 164.

  Otago.

Metaglymma elongatum, Putz. l. c. p. 9.

  Mecodema elongatum, Casteln. l. c. p. 162.

Metaglymma aberrans, Putz. Stett. Zeit. 1868, p. 320.

Metaglymma clivinoïdes.

  Maoria clivinoïdes, Casteln. l. c. p. 164.

  “Wellington.”

Metaglymma dyschirioïdes.

  Maoria dyschirioïdes, Casteln. l. c. p. 164.

  “Crooked River.”

Oregus œreus.

Promecoderus œreus White, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Ins. p.5, t.i. f.8.

Oregus œreus, Putz. Stett. Zeit. 1868, p. 327.

Port Nicholson (White).

– 301 –

Oregus inœqualis.

Mecodema inœqualis, Casteln. l. c. p. 162.

“Dunedin.”

Brullea antarctica, Casteln. l. c. p. 166.

“Auckland.”

Obs. Percosoma carenoïdes (Broscus) White, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., p. 4 (Tasmania), and Promecoderus lottini, Brullé, Hist. Nat. Ins., IV., p. 450 (Swan River), have been erroneously given as New Zealand insects.

Subfamily Licininæ

Rembus zeelandicus, Redtenb. Reise Novara, Coleop., p.10, t.i. f.5.

“Auckland.”

A large species (9 1/2 lines), of which I have seen no specimens from New Zealand. The description and figure agree pretty well with a Chinese species, and there may be an error in the locality.

Dicrochile subopaca, n. sp.

D. oblongo-ovata, subdepressa, nigra, palpis et tarsis rufo-piceis; elytris alutaceis, subopacis; capite parvo; thorace quadrato, postice modice angustato. Long. 4 1/4—5 lin.

Shorter in form than the common Australian D. goryi, and the elytra more ovate; distinguished also by the alutaceous and subopaque surface of the elytra. The head is relatively small, as in D. goryi. The thorax is quadrate, moderately narrowed behind, with explanated and reflexed margins; the hind angles obtuse and rounded at the tip, the middle of the base broadly sinuated. The elytra are elliptical-ovate, obliquely and strongly sinuate near the tip, with the suture produced; the lateral margins are somewhat explanated and reflexed, the striæ sharply impressed, the interstices scarcely convex.

Apparently abundant near Christchurch.

Dicrochile aterrima, n. sp.

D. oblonga, nigra, nitida; capite majore; thorace breviore, transverso, quadrato, postice paulo angustato, angulis posticis obtusis, apice rotundatis, margine vix reflexo; elytris oblongis, nitidis, fortiter punctulato-striatis, interstitiis alternis magis elevatis. Long. 5 lin.

Same size as D. subopaca, but distinguished at once by its deeper black colour and shining surface, by its larger head (owing chiefly to the much more prominent eyes), and much shorter, more transverse thorax. The palpi and tarsi are also shining black. The elytra are much less sinuate truncate, and the sutural apex less produced; the striæ are punctulate, and the interstices more convex, especially the third, fifth, and seventh.

Taken by Mr. C. M. Wakefield in some numbers at Lake Coleridge, under stones in a dry lagoon.

– 302 –

Dicrochile ovicollis, Motschulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1864, IV., p. 316.

By its elytra “paulo opacis,” this may possibly be our D. subopaco; but the description of the thorax cannot possibly be intended for that species (“capite fere duplo latiore, ovali”). There is not the faintest approach to the oval form in the thorax of D. subopaca.

Obs. Dicrochile fabrei and D. anchomenoïdes, cited by authors as described by Guérin (Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1846, Bull. p. 103), must be erased from the list of this genus, as the species are merely named in the place quoted, not described.

Subfamily Anchomeninæ.

Calathus zeelandicus, Redtenb. Reise Novara, Col. p. 17.

Auckland.

It is doubtful if this belongs really to the genus Calathus. C. rubromar-ginatus, Blanch., from the Auckland Islands, is decidedly not a Calathus, having, according to Chaudoir, four joints of the male anterior tarsi dilated and brush-like beneath.

Platynus deplanatus.

Anchomenus deplanatus, White, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., p. 3, 1846.

A. atratus, Blanch., Voy. Pole Sud. Zool. p. 21, t.1. f.15, 1853.

Blanchard's description is so vague that it is difficult to determine to which of the New Zealand species of the same size (12 to 14 millims.) it applies. Judging from the figure and the expressions “ater, obscurus” and “Elytres obscures, planes,” I refer to it a slender, subopaque species existing in some of the London collections, and remarkable for the very sharp furrows and ridges of all the tarsi, and for the uneven slightly rugose thorax, which is subcordate in form, but with produced and rather acute hind angles. The head and eyes are very similar in form to those of P. scrobiculatus of Europe. White's description of A. deplanatus agrees pretty well with the same insect, and I have little hesitation in adopting the name, although I have not seen his type.

Platynus colensonis.

Anchomenus colensonis, White, i. c., p. 3.

The type in the British Museum is a slender insect, with very elongate thorax, sinuate-angustate behind, and with produced hind angles; the antennæ, palpi, and legs testaceous yellow.

The size is 5 3/4 lines; but I refer to the same species two specimens collected by Mr. Henry Edwards, 4 3/4 and 5 lines in length respectively.

Platynus edwardsii, n. sp.

P. elongatus, modice convexus, niger nitidus, palpis, antennis (articulis 1.—3. exceptis) et tarsis rufo-piceis; capite ovato, pone oculos subconstricto, supra lævi; thorace angusto, quadrato cordato, post medium fortiter sinuato, angulis posticis productis, acutis; elytris elongato-ovatis, apice fortiter

– 303 –

sinuatis, convexis, profunde subpunctulato-striatis, interstitio tertio tripunc-tato. Long 5—5 1/2 lin. M. F.

Allied to P. colensonis, especially in the form of the thorax, with produced acute hind angles, but legs constantly pitchy black; palpi and antennæ dull pitchy red, with the greater part of the three basal joints of the latter black. The thorax, as in P. deplanatus and P. colensonis, has a deep central groove, and on each side a curved, shallow, impressed line proceeding from the basal fovea and nearly reaching the anterior angles. The lateral explanated margin is narrow and reflexed. All the tarsi (except the dilated joints of the male) are sharply ridged and grooved, as in P. deplanatus.

Anchomenus elevatus, White, i. c. p. 3.

A large, shining black species (6 1/2 lines), with large ovate thorax, much larger in proportion to the elytra than in any other described species. The hind angles of the thorax are very obtuse, almost rounded; and the lateral margins are widely explanated and strongly reflexed, of the same width from the anterior to the posterior angle. The elytra are ovate, rather rounded at the shoulders, and strongly sinuate near the apex. The tarsi are grooved only on the sides.

Auckland. Sent in some numbers by Mr. Lawson.

Anchomenus feredayi, n. sp.

A. oblongus, subgracilis, nigro-æneus nitidus, thoracis margine laterali, elytrorum margine deflexo, tibiis tarsisque obscure piceo-rufis; thorace trans-versim quadrato, angulis posticis distinctis sed obtusis; elytris striatis, interstitiis planis, tertio tripunctato. Long. 3 1/2 lin. M. F.

A small "Agonum," having much resemblance to the British A. micans, but distinguished, among other characters, by the shorter thorax, scarcely more narrowed behind than in front, with distinct hind angles and pitchy and explanated lateral margins; the anterior angles are rather rounded, not prominent as in A. tristis, Dej. The eyes are much more prominent than in A. micans, and the palpi shorter and more robust. The frontal foveolæ are deep and well-defined. The elytra are very obliquely and rather strongly sinuate at the apex, with the suture strongly produced; the striæ are sharp and fine, equally impressed from base to apex, and finely punctulate or crenulated; the interstices quite plane, with three large punctures on the third; the deflexed margins and extreme edge of the lateral rims rufo-piceous. The antennæ are robust from the fourth joint, black, with rufous bases to the joints. The palpi and femora shining black; the trochanters reddish testaceous; the tibiæ and tarsi pitchy red. The tarsi are finely grooved on the sides only.

Christchurch. Sent first by Mr. Fereday, and afterwards by Mr. C. M. Wakefield.

– 304 –

Anchomenus lawsoni, n. sp.

A. oblongus, gracilis, nigro-piceus æneo-tinctus, nitidus; partibus oris, antennis, pedibus (femoribus exceptis), thoracis elytrorumque marginibus lateralibus piceo-rufis; capite convexo; thoracis paulo transverso, subquadrato, lateribus rotundatis, postice plus quam antice angustato, angulis posticis obtusis sed distinctis; elytris fortiter striatis, interstitiis subconvexis, tertio tripunctato. Long. 4 lin. M. F.

Longer and proportionally narrower than A. feredayi. Thorax conspicuously longer, the posterior narrowing more gradual, and slightly incurved before the hind angle; striæ of the elytra deeper, and interstices more convex. The antennæ, parts of the mouth, and legs also differ in being wholly dull rufous, except the femora, which are blackish. The anterior angles of the thorax are not at all advanced and are rounded off.

Auckland. Collected by Mr Lawson.

Anchomenus submetallicus.

Colpodes submetallicus, White, l. c. p. 2.

According to the type in the British Museum, this is a species closely allied to the common Australian A. marginellus, Erichson; it differs in being less shining, and in the much shorter thorax, the sides of which narrow much more abruptly to the front angles. It is common and generally distributed in New Zealand; and I have compared a long series with an equal number of the Australian species.

The species has none of the distinguishing characters of Colpodes; the fourth joint of the tarsi, however, is rather more distinctly triangular and emarginate than is usual in Anchomenus. It is closely allied to our A. feredayi, but is much larger, more brassy, and with clearer yellow margins to the thorax and elytra, besides having yellow legs.

Tropopterus sulcicollis, n. sp.

T. ellipticus, niger, nitidus; antennis, palpis ct pedibus picco-rufis; capito spatio inter sulcos laterales haud carinato; thorace quadrato, vix transverse, medio rotundato, antice plus quam postice angustato, angulis posticis productis rectis, basi utrinque fovea sulciformi; elytris convexis, striato-punctatis. Long. 3 1/4 lin. F.

Resembles the genus Oöpterus, but distinguished by the pubescence of the antennæ not beginning before the fourth joint, and by the labial palpi having their terminal joint obtuse-ovate, instead of acuminate. Agrees in all essential points with the Chilian genus Tropopterus; allied to Colpodes, in which the forehead has on each side two grooves with a carinate interval between them. The eighth and ninth striæ of the elytra are sunk in a broad groove near the apex; and the seventh at that part is bordered by a sharp carina. The sixth and seventh striæ are nearly obsolete.

– 305 –

One example, female, sent by Mr. Fereday from Christchurch.

Tropopterus seriatoporus, n. sp.

T. ovatus, elytris gibbosis; castaneo-rufus, nitidus; thorace basi grosse punctato; elytris grosse seriatim punctatis. Long. 2 1/3 lin. F.

The labial palpi are obtuse; the maxillaries taper to a point almost as in Oöpterus. The posterior narrowing of the thorax is strongly sinuated and the hind angles produced; the whole base is very coarsely punctured; the dorsal line and long basal foveæ are deeply impressed. The sutural rows of punctures are impressed in striæ, the rest are superficial; the form of the lateral striæ is as in T. sulcicollis.

Mr. H. Edwards; one example.

Cyclothorax insularis.

Olisthopus insularis, Motschulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1864, iv. p. 325.

Drimostoma striatopunctata, Casteln. l. c. p. 199(?)

Differs scarcely from the common Australian Anchomenus ambiguus, Erichs. (Cyclothorax id., W. M ‘Leay), the only difference observable being its more æneous colouring.

Auckland and Canterbury.

Drimostoma antarctica, Casteln. l. c. p. 199.

M. de Chaudoir suspects this to be an Abacetus. I have seen at present no species of either genus from New Zealand.

Subfamily Pterostichinæ.

Prosopogmus impressifrons, Chaudoir, Bull. Mosc. 1865, p. 28 (separata).

A large species, about 8 lines long, which I have not seen. It is similar in form to Pt. (Trichosternus) australasiœ, but much flatter and of a brilliant brassy coppery hue, with flattened tarsi, having their upper surface finely reticulated.

Trichosternus antarcticus, Chaudoir, Bull. Mosc. 1865, iii., p. 73.

Megadromus viridilimbatus, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. 1865, iv., p. 251.

This fine insect was sent home in some numbers, from Christchurch, by Mr. Fereday. The colour is not always cupreous, but some specimens are black, with the green margins occasionally scarcely perceptible. It may always be distinguished from the obscure-coloured T. rectangulus by its larger and broader shape, more protuberant cheeks behind the eyes, and by the thorax being more dilated in front.

Trichosternus rectangulus, Chaud. Bull. Mosc. 1865, iii., p. 74.

Christchurch. Sent both by Mr. Fereday and Mr. Wakefield.

Trichosternus capito, White, l. c. p. 4.

Closely allied to T. rectangulus; but I have seen no specimens from Christchurch exactly resembling White's types in the British Museum. ol

– 306 –

Trichosternus guerinii, Chaud. Bull. Mosc. 1865, iii., p. 75.

Platysma australasiœ, Guér. Rev. Zool. 1841, p. 121.

Northern Island?

Trichosternus planiusculus, White, l. c. p. 3, t.1. f.7.

Northern Island.

Holcaspis angustula, Chaud. Bull. Mosc. 1865, iii., p. 99.

Omaseus elongatus, Blanch. Voy. Pôle Sud, Zool. iv., p.28, t.2. f.4 (specific name preoccupied).

Christchurch. One example sent by Mr. Fereday. Found also at Akaroa.

Holcaspis sylvatica, Chaud. l. c. p. 100.

Omaseus sylvaticus, Blanch. l. c. p.29, t.2. f.5.

Akaroa. I have three examples from Mr. Henry Edwards, but do not know their exact locality.

Holcaspis subœnea.

Platysma subœnea, Guérin, Rev. Zool. 1841, p. 122.

Feronia (Pterostichus) vagepunctata, White, l. c. p.4.

Port Nicholson; also Christchurch.

I obtained an example from M. Doué's collection named Platysma subœnea, which is evidently authentic, agreeing with the author's description and the types of vagepunctata of White.

Holcaspis œdicnema, n. sp.

H. subœneœ proxime affinis, sed maris femoribus posticis subtus medio valde dilatatis et dentatis. Subæneo-nigra, nitida; thorace magno, quadrato, postice perparum angustato, ante basin vix sinuato, angulis posticis paulo productis; elytris brevibus profunde striatis, striis punctatis et passim (præ-eipue postice) subinterruptis. Long. 8 lin. M.

Much resembling H. subænea; but the elytra are much shorter and the thorax rather longer than in that species. The thorax is very nearly as long as broad, and is somewhat regularly and slightly rounded on the sides, the greatest width being in the middle; behind it is very much less sinuate, and the hind angles are less produced than in subœnea; the basal fovea also is larger, and offers on its outer slope a distinct second smaller fovea; but some trace of this is visible in well-developed examples of subœnea. The hind legs are remarkably short, and the femora are widely dilated beneath, forming a tooth, between which and the base is lodged the elongated trochanter.

One example; in may own collection. Exact locality unknown.

Holcaspis elongella, White, l. c. p. 4.

Christchurch. Several examples from Mr. Fereday.

Holcaspis ovatella, Chaud. Bull. Mosc. 1865, iii., p. 103.

Distinguished by its three punctures on the third interstice of the elytra; otherwise similar to H. elongella.

– 307 –

The precise locality of this distinct species (9 lines long) is not known. I have one example obtained from a New Zealand collection, probably from the Southern Island.

The genus Holcaspis resembles in general form the parallel species of Pterostichus, having, like them, very short metathoracic episterna and the marginal stria of the elytra duplicated towards the apex. It is distinguished by the base of the scutellum being-scored by a number of short fine lines; this character, however, is seen in some European species of the Feronia group—e. g. Haptoderus abaxoides, Dej., Tapinopterus cephalotes, Gaut., and others.

Haptoderus maorinus, n. sp.

H. oblongus, nigro-piceus, M. nitidus, F. elytris sericeo-subopacis; palpis pedibus, antennisque plus minusve piceo-rufis; capite foveis frontalibus vix impressis; thorace quadrato, lateribus antice paulo rotundatis, post medium leviter sinuato-angustatis, angulis posticis paulo productis rectis, fovea basali utrinque unica profunda, toto impunctato; elytris postice paulo angustatis, apice haud sinuatis, striis profundis simplicibus, interstitio tertio bipunctato. Long. 3 1/2—3 3/4 lin. M. F.

Christchurch (C. M. Wakefield, Esq).

Similar in form to Holcaspis sylvatica, but wanting the essential character of the group—the striated base of the scutellum. In all essential characters it agrees with the European Haptoderi. The palpi have the terminal joints narrowed to the tip and very briefly (the maxillaries in the male not at all) truncated. The head is rather small, and shows scarcely any trace of the usual frontal foveæ;- the thorax has on each side of the base a single deep, almost sulciform, fovea, and its whole surface is impunctate. The elytra have a well-developed scutellar striole between the suture and the first stria; the interstices are plain in the subopaque female and a little more convex in the shining male, but in both sexes they become narrow and convex at the apex, and the first stria is continued round the apex to the marginal stria.

Argutor erythropus, Blanch., as far as the very insufficient description goes, agrees with this species; but no mention is made of the two punctures on the third interstice.

Argutor pantomelas, Blanch. Voy. au Pôle Sud, Zool. iv., p.27, t.ii. f.6.

8—9 millims. Rather broad, black; elytra nearly plane; palpi clear red; thorax with two lineiform foveæ on each side.

The description almost applies to the O. (Holcaspis) sylvaticus of the same author; and the species probably belongs to Holcaspis.

Argutor erythropus, Blanch. l. c. p. 27, t.ii. f.7.

Probably a Haptoderus.

– 308 –

Argutor piceus, Blanch. l. c. p. 28, t. ii. f. 8.

The head is described as having two large rugose foveæ, and the elytra as ovate.

Feronia (Platysma) vigil, White, l. c. p. 3.

Nothing can be made of the superficial description given.

Feronia (Platysma) politissima, White, l. c. p. 4.

Port Nicholson.

The same remark as above applies to this species.

Molopsida polita, White, l. c. p. 6.

Waikouaiti.

I have not succeeded in finding the type of this insufficiently described genus and species in the British Museum.

Alogus monachicus, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. 1865, iv., p. 245.

7 1/2 lines. Similar to Omaseus in form, but broader and without scutellar striole. Metathoracic episterna a little longer than broad. Thorax nearly twice the width of the head, transverse, cordate, base on each side bisulcate; sides arcuated; hind angles prominent, acute. Elytra with one puncture on the third interstice.

I have seen no species agreeing with Motschulsky's description.

Cerabilia maori, Castelnau, l. c. p. 202.

Dunedin.

Belongs to the Feronia group, according to the author; but the mentum is described as without tooth, and the palpi as pointed. The species is 4 1/2 lines long, brown, and elytra feebly striated.

Rhabdotus reflexus, Chaud. Bull. Mosc. 1865, iii. p. 94.

Notwithstanding the almost invariable accuracy of M. de Chaudoir, I suspect an error in the locality he gives to this species. The specimens I have seen are all from Tasmania.

Subfamily Anisodactyline.

Triplosarus, nov. gen.

Corpus breviter oblongum, subdepressum. Caput pone oculos haud angustatum. Mandibulœ edentatæ, basi latæ, apice angustatæ et curvatæ. Labrum medio leviter emarginatum, angulis rotundatis. Mentum medio dente forti, acuto; lobis extus valde rotundatis, apice intus acutis; epilobiis haud conspicuis. Ligula oblonga, apice libera, recte truncata; paraglossis apice æque truncatis, longitudine et latitudine ligulæ æqualibus. Thorax transversim quadratus. Elytra apice obtuse rotundata, paulo sinuata; striola scutellaris longa, inter strias primam et secundam posita. Tibiæ setosæ; anticæ extus 5-spinosæ.

– 309 –

M. Tarsi quatuor anteriores articulis secundo ad quartum dilatatis, pedum anteriorum brevissimi, intermediorum longiores cordati; articulo quarto nullomodo lobato; palmis ut in Anisodactylo dense breviter setosis, planis; articulo primo triangulari, subtus nudo.

This genus differs from the other Anisodactylinœ in the form of its head and mandibles, which resemble those of Phorticosomus, Cratacanthus, etc., but the eyes are rather prominent; the suture separating the epistome from the forehead is very sharply impressed, and has a short deep frontal foveole near each end. The paraglossæ are lateral, and not placed behind the ligula, as in other genera of the group.

Triplosarus fulvescens, n. sp.

T. ochraceo-fulvus, subnitidus, capite thoraceque interdum æneo tinctus; thorace antice rotundato, postice modice angustato, angulis posticis obtusis, basi utrinque fovea lata, indistincte punctulata; elytris in utroque sexu sericeis; interstitiis planis, tertio postice unipunctato. Long. 4—4 1/2 lin. M. F.

Harpalus novœ-zealandiœ, Casteln. Trans. R. Soc. Vict. pt. ii. vol viii., p. 194?

Castelnau's description applies to the species as far as it goes, except the size (5 lines). My specimens came from Mr. Henry Edwards (from Auckland?) and Mr. Fereday of Christchurch.

Lecanomerus latimanus, n. sp.

L. ovatus, piceo-fuscus, modice nitidus; partibus oris, antennis, pedibus, elytrorumque marginibus (postice dilatatis) fulvo-testaceis; thorace transversim quadrato, vix postice angustato, angulis posticis rotundatis, supra basi lævi haud foveato; elytris ovatis, convexis.

M. Tarsi quatuor anteriores articulis secundo et tertio magnis, maxime dilatatis; secundo semicirculari; tertio paulo breviore, haud angustiore; primo breviter triangulari; quartio brevissimo, lato, quam tertio paulo angustiore, nullomodo lobato. Long. 2 1/2 lin. M.

The form of this curious insect is that of an Oöpterus, the elytra being ovate (much broader than the thorax) and convex; but the broad patelliform anterior and middle tarsi of the male, with their even, smooth brush-soles, show that it belongs to the Australian genus Lecanomerus, Chaud. It agrees in all other generic characters with L. insidiosus; but the second tarsal joint is shorter and more semicircular, and the fourth is much broader. The elytra in the unique specimen are dark pitchy brown with fulvous lateral margins, not very well defined, but widening much at the apex; there is no puncture on the third interstice, and there is a short scutellar striole between the first and second striæ. The margins of the ventral segments are more or less fulvous.

– 310 –

One example, from New Zealand. Obtained from the late Rev. Hamlet Clark's collection.

Hypharpax antarcticus.

Harpalus antarcticus, Castelnau, l. c., p. 193.

Christchurch (Mr. Fereday).

Scarcely belongs to Hypharpax, the hind tibia of the male not being arcuated; in facies and in the long fine bristles on the inner side of the tibia, with a row of shorter spines on the outer side, it resembles that genus. Four joints of the four anterior tarsi of the male are dilated, and smooth, brush-like, beneath.

Hypharpax australasiœ.

Harpalus australasiœ, Dej. Sp. Gén. iv., p. 386.

Hypharpax australis.

Harpalus australis, Dej. l. c., p. 385.

Both these species are found in New Zealand, according to Redtenbacher.

Although only the female in each case was described by Dejean, I think they belong to the genus Hypharpax.

Subfamily Harpalinæ.

Euthenarus, nov. gen.

Gen. Tachycello similis. Palpi robusti, glabri; articulo terminali fusiformi, versus apicem attenuato, apice leviter truncato. Antennœ robustæ; articulo undecimo multo longiore, crasso. Mentum parvum, emarginatione semicirculari, dente mediano prominulo acuto. Ligula cornea, oblonga, apice libera bisetosa; paraglossis ipsa duplo latioribus et multo longioribus, apice late rotundatis.

M. Tarsi quatuor anteriores articulis quatuor valde dilatatis: primo triangulari; secundo ad quartum brevissimis et latissimis; quarto bilobo; omnibus laciniis argenteis longissimis vestitis.

The insects on which this distinct new genus is founded resemble the Bradycelli and small Stenolophi of the northern hemisphere, but are widely different in the clothing of the four dilated palms of the male. This is unlike either the squamæ arranged in pairs of the true Harpalidæ, or the even brush of short vertical hairs of the Anisodactylinœ, but consists of a few very long linear hair-scales set obliquely on the broad palms and forming a broad fringe to the feet. The paraglossæ also differ from those of the Harpali in being very broad, not tapering to the apex, but broadly rounded. The frontal foveæ of the head form short striæ curving to the inner margin of the eye. The thorax is quadrate. The elytra are obtuse at the apex, with a strong sinuation; the scutellar striole is rudimentary between the first and second striæ; the third interstice has one puncture. The males have a hairy fovea in the middle of the first ventral segment, like the Tachycelli.

– 311 –

Euthenarus brevicollis, n. sp.

E. oblongus, fusco-æneus; elytris subcupreis; antennis basi, palpic apice, genibusque piceo-rufis; thorace postice paululum angustato, angulis posticis obtusis fere rotundatis, fovea utrinque lata sparsim punctulata; elytris acute striatis, interstitiis planis. Long. 2 3/4 lin. M. F.

Lake Coleridge; under stones in dry lagoon (C. M. Wakefield, Esq.).

Immature specimens have testaceous-yellow legs and pale under surface of body; but the dark brassy colour of the head and thorax and cupreous elytra remain in all the numerous individuals sent. The hind angles of the thorax are distinct in some examples and perfectly rounded off in others; the basal foveæ also vary in the amount of punctuation, which is always rather coarse.

Euthenarus puncticollis, n. sp.

E. oblongus, fusco-piceus æneo tinctus vel cupreo-æneus; antennis basi, palpis basi et apice, pedibus (femoribus interdum exceptis) rufo-piceis; thorace longiore, postice subsinuatim paulo angustato, angulis posticis fere rectis, fovea basali grosse punctata; elytris apice fortiter sinuatis, subtruncatis. Long. 2 3/4 lin. M. F.

Apparently distinct from E. brevicollis, although similar in size and colouration. It is decidedly slenderer, with longer thorax, the posterior narrowing of which is slightly incurved and the hind angles more distinct. The general colour is less metallic, and the side rims of the thorax are pale, which is sometimes the case with E. brevicollis. A better distinction is the more transverse and stronger sinuation of the apex of the elytra, the edges external to the sinuation being more flattened out; they are finely and sharply striated in the same manner.

Auckland. Several examples from Mr. Lawson and Mr. H. Edwards.

Subfamily Trechinæ.

Oöpterus rotundicollis, White, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Ins. p. 6.

Bay of Islands.

Oöpterus lœvicollis, Bates, Entom. Monthly Mag. vol. viii. 1871, p. 14.

New Zealand; precise locality unknown.

Two other species of this genus are described from the Falkland Islands.

It is very easy to confound this genus with Tropopterus, belonging to a quite different subfamily, the resemblance in general form between the two being very great.

Subfamily Bembidiinæ.

Tachys antarcticus, n. sp.

T. oblongo-ovatus, convexus, testaceo-rufus nitidus, palpis pedibusque flavo-testaceis; capite foveis frontalibus, magnis, profundis, interspatio elongato,

– 312 –

convexo: thorace subcordato, lateribus antice valde rotundatis, post medium sinuatim angustato, angulis posticis productis acutis; supra antice convexo, postice transversim depresso, utrinque foveolato, lævi: elytris ovatis, humeris rotundatis utrinque striis 3 prope suturam, fortiter impressis, subpunctatis; interstitio tertio bipunctato. Long. 3/4 lin.

In form intermediate between T. hœmorrhoidalis, Dj., and T. globulus, Dj. As convex as the latter, but much more slender, the thorax especially being narrower (much narrower than the elytra), more cordiform, and the elytra more ovate and rounded at the shoulders. The antennæ are wanting in both my specimens.

Auckland? (H. Edwards, Esq.).

Bembidium (Peryphus) maorinum, Bates, Ent. Monthly Mag. iv. p. 56 (1867).

Christchurch (Mr. Fereday).

Bembidium (Peryphus) charlile, Bates, l. c. p. 79.

Christchurch (Mr. Fereday).

I have not again received either of the above species. They form a distinct section, near Peryphus, distinguished by the setiferous punctures of the fifth as well as the third interstice of the elytra. In form they closely resemble the European B. eques; but the thorax is smaller and still more cordate (similar to that of the Lopha section). The frontal furrows are deep, and reach to the level of the hind margin of the eyes. The fovea of the hind angles of the thorax has no carina exterior to it. The anterior tarsi of the male have only the basal joint dilated, parallelogrammical, as in Peryphus eques.

Bembidium rotundicolle, n. sp.

B. nilotico similis, cupreo-æneum, nitidum; antennis basi pedibusque piceo-rufis; elytris utrinque versus apicem, ipsoque apice flavo-testaceis; thorace fortiter rotundato, basi angusta, marginibus angustis, postice nullomodo explanatis, angulis posticis vix conspicuis, fovea parva juxta angulum lævi; elytris punctato-striatis, extus, et apice minus impressis, interstitiis paulo convexis, tertio bipunctato. Long. 1 3/4—2 lin. M.

M. Tarsi antici articulis duobus dilatatis, apice obliquis et fortiter intus productis.

Differs from the section to which B. niloticum belongs by the very narrow margins to the thorax, not explanated behind, and with obtuse hind angles; the sides of the thorax are very strongly rounded, but the base is much narrower than the apex; the apical angles are not at all conspicuous.

Lake Coleridge; under stones in a dry lagoon (C. M. Wakefield, Esq.).

– 313 –

Subfamily Actenonychinæ.

Actenonyx bembidioïdes, White, l. c. p. 2 (1846).

Sphallax peryphoïdes, Bates, Ent. Monthly Mag. iv. p. 56 (1867).

Christchurch (R. W. Fereday, Esq.)

White's description omits all the essential characters of this curious Carabid, and is so vague that there are no means of identifying it without reference to the type. I have seen a specimen so named in the British Museum, which quite agrees with Sphallax peryphoïdes. The extraordinary form of the ligula, and other characters, necessitate the formation of a new subfamily for the insect, which will range near the Odacanthinœ.

Subfamily Scopodinæ.

Scopodes fossulatus.

Dromius (!) fossulatus, Blanch. Voy. Pôle Sud, iv. p.9, t.iii. f.16.

Periblepusa elaphroïdes, Redtenb. Reise Novara, Col. p.21, t.i. f.9.

Blanchard's description accords exceedingly well with a species apparently common at Auckland, with the exception that no mention is made of the prominent eyes; this omission, however, is supplied to some extent by his figure.

Auckland. Both from Mr. H. Edwards and Mr. Lawson.

A well-preserved specimen, rather larger than usual, agrees exactly with Redtenbacher's description.

Scopodes elaphroïdes.

Helœtrechus elaphroïdes, White, l. c. p.5, t.i. f.5.

Larger than the preceding (2 1/2 lines), and differing besides in being “deep black,” S. fossulatus being silky æneous; the legs are “yellow, with middle of femora and the tips with a brownish band.”

Scopodes aterrimus, n. sp.

S. magis elongatus, gracilior, toto insecto sericeo-niger; thorace angustiore, ab angulo anteriore usque basin recte angustato, supra subtiliter strigoso sed nitido; elytris striis latis paulo undulatis, impunctatis, foveis tribus magnis prope suturam alterisque irregularibus versus apicem. Long. 2—2 1/4 lin.

Distinguished from S. fossulatus and from all the Australian species known to me (nine in number) by the form of the thorax—rather narrow, with slightly prominent antero-lateral angles, and without trace of posterior angle, the lateral margin being rounded off to the base; the surface is rather faintly transversely strigose and shining.

Two examples from Mr. H. Edwards (Auckland), and one from Christchurch (Mr. Fereday).

– 314 –
Subfamily Coptoderinæ.
Agonochila binotata.

Lebia binotata, White, l. c. p. 2.

Gomelina binotata, Blanch. Voy. Pôle Sud, iv. p. 12 (1853).

Agonochila binotata, Chaud. Bull. Mosc. (1848).

Coptodera (Agonochila) antipodum, Bates, Ent. Monthly Mag. iv. (1867), p. 78.

Sarothrocrepis binotata, Redtenb. Reise Novara, Coleop. p. 7.

Christchurch.

Subfamily Calleidinæ.

Demetrida lineella, White, Zool. Ereb. and Terr., Ins. p.2, t.i. f.3.

Port Nicholson.

Demetrida nasuta, White, l. c. p. 2.

Auckland (H. Edwards, Esq.).

Demetrida picea.

Demetrida picea, Chaud. Bull. Mosc. 1848, i. p. 77; Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. tome xv. p. 195 (1872).

Cymindis australis, Hombr. and Jacq. Voy. Pôle Sud, Zool. t.i. f.7 (1842?).

Cymindis dieffenbachii, White, Dieffenb. New Zeal. vol. ii. p. 273 (1843); Blanch. Voy. Pôle Sud, Zool. iv. (1853).

Christchurch (Mr. Fereday).

Chaudoir's name must remain for this species, according to the rule that the first unoccupied name accompanied by a description takes the priority. The figure in the “Voyage au Pôle Sud” was published eleven years before the description, and was erroneously lettered C. australis, not being the C. australis of Dejean. Blanchard himself corrected this error in 1853; but long before that date Chaudoir's excellent description had appeared. White's name was simply given (without description) to the above-mentioned figure, in place of the erroneous C. australis.

Species of doubtful position.

Pedalopia novœ-zealandiœ, Castelnau, l. c. p. 154.

Previous Article | Table of Contents | Next Article