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Art. LII.—Descriptions of New Genera and Species of New Zealand Coleoptera.

By Francis P. Pascoe, F.L.S.

[From the “Annals and Magazine of Natural History,” Sept., 1875, and Jan., 1876.]

The following is a list of species described in this paper:—

Byrrhidæ.

  • Morychus coruscans.

  • Liochoria, n. g.

  • —huttoni.

Tenebrionidæ.

  • Phycosecis, n. g.

  • — discoidea.

  • — atomaria.*

  • Actizeta, n. g.

  • — ammobioides.

  • — albata.

  • Syrphetodes, n. g.

  • — marginatus.

  • Ectomida, n. g.

  • — lacerata.

  • Adelium bullatum.

Cerambycidæ.

  • Stenopotes, n. g.

  • — pallidus.

  • Ochrocydus, n. g.

  • Xuthodes, n. g.

  • Xuthodes punctipennis.

  • Xyloteles costatus.

  • Ochrocydus huttoni.

Curculionidæ.

  • Tysius, n. g.

  • — amplipennis.

  • Inophlœus, n. g.

  • — traversii.

  • — inuus.

  • — villaris.

  • — rhesus.

  • — vitisus.

  • Phrynixus, n. g.

  • — terreus.

  • Cecyropa, n. g.

  • — tychioides.

  • Irenimus, n. g.

  • — parilis.

  • Lyperobius, n. g.

  • — huttoni.

  • Pædaretus, n. g.

  • — hispidus.

  • Erirhinus acalyptoides.

  • Aneuma, n. g.

  • — fulvipes.

  • Stephanorhynchus purus.

  • — brevipennis.

  • Hoplocneme punctatissima.

  • Pactola, n. g.

  • — variabilis.

  • Idotasia egena.

Coccinellidæ
Cranophorus venustus.
Scaphididæ.
Scaphisoma tenellum.
Cucujidæ.
Dendrophagus capito.
.

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Elateridæ

  • Amychus, n. g.

  • — candezei.

  • Limonius collaris.

Cleridæ.

  • Phymatophæa, n. g.

  • — electa.

  • Eumede, n. g.

  • Eumede æraria.

  • Eleale opiloides.

Pythonidæ.

  • Salpingus bilunatus.

Œdemeridæ.

  • Sessinia pauperata.

Moridellidæ.

  • Mordella funerea.

  • Mordella detracta.

Anthribidæ.

  • Aræocerus paladis.

Lamiidæ.

  • Agapanthida scutellaris.

Erotylidæ.

  • Triplax brounii.

Captain F. W. Hutton, Director of the Museum at Otago, and author of several valuable papers on the geology and natural history of New Zealand, has had the kindness to remit to me from time to time collections of insects of nearly all orders from that country. To his friends also, especially Mr. Travers and Captain T. Broun, I am indebted for several interesting novelties. Some of these gentlemen's discoveries have been anticipated, as far as publication is concerned, by other collectors, and have been described by Messrs. H. and F. Bates, Dr. Sharp, * and Mr. Wollaston, more especially the former gentleman, and our knowledge of New Zealand entomology has been greatly increased; but doubtless much still remains to be done, inasmuch as insects in those islands are very scarce individually, and the species seem restricted to more than usually limited areas.

It is perhaps premature to generalize upon our present materials; but, so far as we have gone, the following is a summary of what I think may be said:—(1) That the insect-fauna is most nearly allied to that of Australia,

[Footnote] *I take this opportunity to mention that Dr. Sharp's genus Lawsonia “(Ent. Monthly Mag.,” X., p.30) is identical with Exillis (ante, ser. 3, V., p. 43). Two species are described from New Zealand, both distinct from the type E. longicornis from Borneo. Unfortunately Dr. Sharp has given the same specific name to one of his species. Lacordaire wrongly refers Exillis to his “Anthribides vrais;” it is nearer Tropideres, but, from its reniform eyes, it is perhaps best placed near Proscoporhinus, as Dr. Sharp has suggested.

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if we exclude such “microtypal” forms as are common more or less to all temperate countries. Such well-marked genera as Distypsidera, Promecoderus, Calonota, Cilibe, Rhadinosomus, Psepholax, Mitrastethus, Didgmocantha, Phlyctœnodes, and others are common to both and are not known elsewhere; while genera found in Australia have in New Zealand comparatively numerous others closely allied. On the other hand, however, there is a singular absence, or only an exceedingly limited number, of large and characteristic Australian genera, and even of whole families having numerous exponents in Australia—as, for example, the Buprestidœ, with over 300 representatives in Australia, but only with one, and that very doubtful, in New Zealand; the Scarabiœdœ, with 11 New Zealand species (no Cetoniinœ) has about 450 in Australia; the great group of Phytophaga, abundant almost everywhere, and some of them great pests to the agriculturist, with more than 200 Australian species, has only three or four in New Zealand, and those belonging to three microtypal genera. Of the entomology of the numerous islands north and north-east of New Zealand we know very little, except that it includes some isolated forms. (2) That out of about, in round numbers, 180 genera of Coleoptera, about 50 are peculiar to New Zealand, and about 50 are either almost cosmopolitan or also found in middle Europe [mostly British]; the remainder have representatives in Australia, the Malayan archipelago, Japan, Madagascar, North and South America, Africa, etc., but not in Europe. In the other orders of insects European forms are mostly represented. No one genus, I believe, is peculiar to New Zealand, except amongst the Lepidoptera. * From these considerations, I think that the New Zealand fauna (for insects at least) cannot be regarded as belonging to the primary Australian region, but that it is a secondary or “satellite” region, having too many endemic forms and too many representatives (out of all proportion to the rest) of widely distributed genera, and yet subsidiary to a certain extent to the Australian, inasmuch as it approaches it in a very marked manner in possessing several peculiar forms, as we have already stated. †

[Footnote] *Mr. Butler, in the recently completed “Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. ‘Erebus’ and ‘Terror’” [Janson], enumerates 318 species of Lepidoptera. A few genera, for the present at least, may be assumed to be peculiar.

[Footnote] † Mr. Murray, in his paper “On the Geographical Relations of the chief Coleopterous Faunæ” (“Journ. Linn. Soc.,” XI., pp. 1 et seq.), seeks to establish three great “stirpes” to which all the Coleoptera in the world are referable, viz., I., the Indo-African; II., the Brazilian; and III., the “microtypal.” To the first of these, inter alia, belongs the New Guinea group, and to the last Australia and New Zealand, including also the temperate regions of the globe as well as tropical Peru. While I agree with Mr. Murray in regarding the beetle-fauna of New Guinea as totally different in character from that of Australia, I look upon the latter as being peculiarly distinct and isolated. If we knew anything of the entomology of the southern part of New Guinea and more of the district of Cape York the gap which now exists might be somewhat lessened.

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Some caution must be exercised in regard to introduced species. New Zealand, it has been observed, seems to have a slight hold on its animal and plant life; and, conversely, introduced species seem to do well. In that category I believe I may place the Australian Cyttalia griseipila (ante, XI., p. 195), or at least a form so closely allied that I hesitate to place it as a distinct species; it is found very commonly on a plant called the “Spaniard,” whatever that may be. An Onthophagus, apparently identical with the Australian O. fulvolineatus, Bl., and an Aphodius, like A. pusillus, have also been received; but there could have been no pabulum for such insects formerly. Captain Hutton has likewise sent from Wellington numerous specimens of our Otiorhynchus sulcatus. I suspect, among others, a Catops, a Scymnus, a Ptinus, some wood-borers, etc.

Morychus coruscans.

M. ellipticus, valde convexus, nitidissime æneus, antennis pedibusque pallide ferrugineis; capite leviter subconfertim punctato; prothorace elytrisque coriaceis, subtilissime punctatis; scutello transversim triangulari, impunctato; corpore infra ferrugineo, leviter punctato; femoribus tibiisque sparse hirsutis. Long. 2 lin.

Hab.: Wellington.

Of this species I have seen only one specimen. It is very like the European M. auratus; but, inter alia, it is narrower, more minutely punctured, and the scutellum is transverse.

Liochoria.

Antennœ subelongatæ, articulis sex ultimis, ultimo exceppto, perfoliatis, clavam angustatam formantibus. Labrum magnum, distinctum. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo ovali. Tibiæ anticæ extus excavatæ.

I have only a single specimen of the species described below; but, so far as I have been able to examine it, it seems to differ from Morychus in the six-jointed, very narrow club of the antennæ. It is apparently perfectly free from any villosity; but under a strong lens very short, erect, hair-like bristles are seen to exist.

Liochoria huttoni.

L. elliptica, convexa, nigra, nitida, antennis pedibusque piceis; capite prothoraceque confertim subtiliter, elytris subtilissime punctatis; scutello æquilateraliter triangulari; corpore infra femoribusque subtiliter punctatis, sparse hirsutis; tibiis extus integris, intus ciliatis. Long. 3 ⅔ lin.

Hab.: Otago.

Phycosecis.

Caput transverum, deflectum. Antennæ longiusculæ, 11-articulatæ,*

[Footnote] * In a note Phycosecis algarum and P. litoralis, from Australia.

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articulo basali ampliato, secundo subelongato, tertio breviore, duobus ultimis conjunctim globosis, intermediis transversis. Oculi prominuli, liberi. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo ovato. Prothorax antice productus, lateribus ciliatus, basi rotundatus. Elytra modice convexa, subrotundata. Tibiæ anticæ subtrigonatæ, apice inermes, omnes extus denticulato-ciliatæ; tarsi lineares, antici liberi, articulo ultimo majusculo.

*

In the rounded base of the prothorax, in contact only with the elytra in its middle portion, this genus agrees with Hyocis; but the globose two-jointed club of the antennæ, the last joint being very small, differentiates it from all the other genera of its sub-family. The genus contains four species, two only inhabiting New Zealand; the other two, from Australia, are described in the note. One of the species, and probably all, like many others of the Phaleriinæ, is found on the sea-shore under Algæ.

Phycosecis discoidea.

P. breviter ovata, nigra, elytris vel totis pallide ochraceis vel nigris, sæpissime in medio plus minusve nigris, squamulis minutis albis rare adspersa; fronte longitudinaliter sulcata; antennis fuscis; prothorace sparse punctato, antice leviter granulato; elytris sat rude seriatim punctatis, singulis in medio seriebus irregulariter dispositis; corpore infra fusco, sparse punctulato; pedibus subsetulosis, fermoribus tarsisque dilute fuscis, tibiis ochraceis. Long. 1 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Waikato.

A variable species in regard to the coloration of the elytra.

Phycosecis atomaria.

P. breviter ovata, nigra, squamulis albis sparse irrorata, antennis pedibusque piceis; fronte minus sulcata; prothorace pone medium latiore, punctis sparsis singulis squama repletis; elytris subrotundatis, haud seriatim punctatis, punctis singulis squamulam albam elongatam erectam gerentibus; corpore infra pedibusque sparse albosetosulis. Long. 1 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Great Barrier Island; Kaikarua.

The silvery white, small, erect scales dotting the elytra will, inter alia, readily distinguish this species from the preceding. *

[Footnote] * Under a high power of the microscope the exceedingly minute scales are seen to radiate from a common base; the patches thus formed appear under an ordinary lens to look like simple scales closely imbricated.

[Footnote] Phycosecis litoralis.

[Footnote] P. ovata, fusca, supra squamulis minutissimis albis sat dense tecta; antennis, marginibus elytrorum pedibusque ochraceis, albo-setosulis, femoribus aliquando nigris; corpore infra dense albo-squamoso. Long. 1 ⅓ lin.

[Footnote] Hab.: King George's Sound.

[Footnote] In this species the punctures are filled with very minute scales, and probably in a fresh state the intervals between the punctures are also covered with scales; beneath the scales appear to be massed together in profusion.

[Footnote] * Phycosecis algarum.

[Footnote] P. breviter ovata, supra pedibusque fulvo-testacea, squamulis minutissimis albidis dense tecta; capite castaneo vel subcastaneo; antennis pallide ferrugineis; prothorace subtransverso, marginibus lateralibus longe albo-ciliatis; elytris subrotundatis, punctis numerosis, singulis squama pallida repletis, sat confertin impressis; corpore infra pedibusque subtiliter sparse setosulis; tarsis articulo ultimo apice nigro. Long. 1 ⅓ lin.

[Footnote] Hab.: Melbourne.

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Actizeta.

Caput transverum, antice rotundatum. Antennæ validiusculæ, 11-articulatse, articulis duobus basalibus ampliatis, æqualibus, tertio minore, cæteris ad octavum valde transversis, gradatim incrassatis, tribus ultimis clavam oblongam formantibus. Oculi liberi. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo breviter subcylindrico. Prothorax transversus, convexus, lateribus haud ciliatus, basi rotundatus, antice late emarginatus. Elytra breviter obovata, prothorace vix latiora. Tibiæ anticæ dilatatæ, extus profunde emarginatæ, lobo elongato terminatæ, angulo interiore spinis duabus instructo; tarsi lineares, antici liberi, intermedii et postici elongati.

There are two species of this genus: one, A. ammobioides, the type, is like Ammobius rufus and is about the same size, apparently scaleless; but I suspect when perfectly fresh it is otherwise; the second species, A. albata is a pretty little insect clothed with close-set white scales having a somewhat varnished gloss, but generally marked with a few dark more or less indistinct spots. All the tibiæ are armed at the interior angle of the apex with two long spines.

Actizeta ammobioides.

A. ovalis, castaneo-fusca, subtillissime crebre punctulata; antennis ferrugineis, clava articulis bene determinatis; prothorace transverso, basi in medio canaliculata et bifoveata; elytris striato-punctatis, striis secundo tertioque subflexuosis, interstitiis parum convexis; corpore infra sparse punctato: pedibus colore dilutiore; tibiis setulosis. Long. 1 ⅓–1 ½ lin.

Hab.: Great Barrier Island.

Actizeta albata.

A. ovata, nigra, squamis albis, aliquando maculatim nigrescentibus, dense tecta; antennis brevioribus; clava articulis arcte contiguis; capite prothoraceque rarissime punctatis, hoc fortiter transverso, basi in medio impressa; elytris striatis, striis subflexuosis, interstitiis

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rarissime uniseriatim punctulatis; corpore infra pedibusque ferrugneis, squamis albis adspersis. Long. 1½–1⅔lin.

Hab.: Waikato.

In most specimens there is a dark round blotch on the middle of each elytron, and vestiges of two or three smaller spots on the prothorax.

Syrphetodes.

Caput depressum; clypeus apice truncatus; labrum productum; palpi maxillares elongati, labiales brevissimi; mentum transversum; oculi rotundati. Antennæ tenues, articulis tribus ultimis clavam formantibus. Prothorax transversus, basi angustatus, apice profunde emarginatus. Elytra convexa, subcordata; epipleuræ latæ, integræ. Pedes tenuati; tibiæ cylindricæ, apice breviter bispinosæ. Coxæ posticæ subapproximatæ.

The head is slightly concave between the antennæ; the latter are nearly free at the base, owing to the small size of the antennary orbits; for the same reason the eyes preserve their rounded outline. The clypeus is rather narrowed anteriorly, and shows no trace of any line of separation from the front. The tarsi are filiform, and the claw-joint is nearly as long as the rest together, especially of the anterior pair. Opatrum tuberculicostatum, White, the type of a new genus, differs from Syrphetodes in the antennæ not being clavate, the eye partly divided by the antennary orbit, and by the non-approximation of the posterior coxæ; both genera agree with the “Phylacides” of Lacordaire in having the epipleuræ of the elytra entire behind. The exact habitat is unknown: my specimens I owe to the kindness of Major Parry.

Syrphetodes marginatus.

S. ovalis, fuscescens, squamis silaceis sat dense tectus; antennis articulo tertio quam secundo duplo longiore; clava tomentosa; prothorace inæquato, apice bifido, angulis anticis acute productis, lateribus explanatis; scutello valde transverso, fusco; elytris prothorace latioribus, punctis parvis in seriebus irregularibus impressis, dorso tuberculis plurimis instructis, marginibus explanatis, transversim sulcato-punctatis; pedibus albido variatim maculatis. Long. 5 lin.

Hab.: ——?

Stenopotes.

Caput elongatum, antice protensum, quadratum. Oculi reniformes, obliqui, grosse granulati. Antennæ corpore longiores, articulo basali elongato. Prothorax capite angustior, latitudine sesquilongior, lateribus inermis. Elytra elongata, subparallela, leviter

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costulata, epipleuris distinctis. Pedes tenuati; femora fusiformia; tibiæ recitæ. Coxœ anticæ subcontiguæ.

The strongly faceted eyes in this genus are an exceptional character in this and in a few others of the forty-eight “groupes” into which Lacordaire has divided his “Section B” of the Cerambycidæ. In other respects Stenopotes differs, in the form of the prothorax, in the presence of epipleuræ to the elytra, etc., from both Rhagiomorpha and Tritocosmia, the other two genera of the “groupe.” These he differentiates by the one having a tuft of hairs on the third joint of the antennæ, which the other has not. At best this is a doubtful character; one objeetion to it is, that the tuft very often, apparently, belongs to the insect only in its earlier life. * Rhagiomorpha is at present confined to one species—lepturoides, Boisd; My R. evilis, from its prothorax slightly protuberant but not spined at the sides, will probably form the type of a new genus. Stenoderus concolor, McLeay (“King's Voyage,” II., 452), with which Lacordaire identifies R. lepturoides, is a true Stenoderus.

Stenopotes pallidus.

S. elongatus, fulvescens, vix nitidus, capite prothoraceque saturatioribus, illo in medio canaliculato; rostro longitudine paulo latiore, planato - marginato; antennis leviter piloso - fimbriatis, articulo tertio quam sequentibus multo breviore; prothorace latitudine sesquilongiore, postice gradatim latiore, pone apicem parum incurvato, supra lineis duabus pilosis notato; scutello subrotundato; elytris prothorace quintuplo longioribus, supra plunatis, singulis costulis duabus longitudinalibus instructis; infra, pedibusque pube tenuissime indutis. Long. 7 lin.

Hab.: Waikato.

Xuthodes.

Caput breve, inter oculos sulcatum. Oculi magni, supra distantes. Antennæ corpore longiores, tenuiter ciliatæ, articulo basali obconico, tertio fere æquali, quarto paulo breviore, quinto ad undecimum longioribus. Prothorax antice late truncatus, utrinque bituberculatus, tuberculo anteriore apicali, altero mediano, disco inæquali. Elytra oblonga, parallela. Pedes mediocres; femora fusiformia. Prosternum angustum, arcuatum.

[Footnote] * In the case of Tritocosmia digglesii (“Tr. Ent. Soc.” ser. 2, V., p. 58), one of my specimens has the tuft reduced to a small patch at one point of the apex of the joint; this is what I alluded to in saying that the tuft was “deciduous,” an expression which M. Lacordaire has taken to mean a denial of its existence. In the same note (Gen. VIII., p. 408) he quotes me as giving “Nouvelle Bretagne” (from which island I have never seen an insect) instead of New South Wales, as the habitat of T. rubea. The antennæ of T. paradoxa are remarkable, but do not, in the absence of other characters, justify its generic separation as Lacordaire suggests.

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In habit and colour the only representative of this genus is like the Chilian Phymatioderus bizonatus; but its characters ally it with Grammicosum and Hesperophanes, from both of which it differs in the prothorax and antennæ.

Xuthodes punctipennis,

X. capite prothoraceque fulvis, opacis; elytris nitide flavescentibus, nigro-punctatis, punctis apicem versus minutis, pone medium fascia angusta fusca ornatis; antennis, pedibus abdomineque luteis; pro-thorace impunctato, disco 5-tuberculato. Long. 7 ½ lin.

Hab.: Pitt Island.

Xyloteles costatus.

X. elongatus, fusco-metallicus, antennis pedibusque castaneis sub-tilissime tomentosis; illis articulis basi plerumque pallidioribus; capite prothoraceque lævigatis, hoc in medio tenuiter cor-rugato; scutello semicirculari, griseo-pubescenti; elytris ob-longo-obovatis, apicibus rotundatis, singulis fortiter quinquecostatis, costis duabus exterioribus basi conjunctis, interstitis sparsim impresso-punctatis; corpore infra subtiliter punctulato; abdomine segmentis quatuor basalibus utrinque macula grisea pilosa notatis. Long. 7 ½ lin.

Hab.: Pitt Island.

What, from its narrower abdomen, I take to be the male, has shorter elytra less drawn out at the apex than the female; the antennæ are about the same length—a little shorter than the body in both. This fine species, which at first sight might be taken to be generically distinct trom Xyloteles, was, like the last, found by Mr. Travers in Pitt Island, one of the Chatham group.

Tysius.

Caput elongatum; rostrum mediocre, subangulatum; scrobes subterminales, obliquæ, infra oculos currentes. Scapus tenuatus, gradatim incrassatus, ad marginem posticum oculi attingens; funiculus 7-articulatus, articulo basali elongato, ampliato, secundo breviter obconico, cæteris transversis; clava distincta, longe elliptica. Oculi subrotundati, grosse granulati, a prothorace distantes. Prothorax parvus, subcylindricus, antice paulo productus. Scutellum triangulare. Elytra ampliata, oblongo-cordata, humeris rotundatis. Femora antica et intermedia modice incrassata, illa mutica, postica valida, infra fortiter dentata; tibiæ subflexuosæ, apice inermes; tarsi mediocres, articulo tertio late bilobo. Meta-sternum modice elongatum. Processus intercoxalis latus, trumcatus. Abdomen segmentis duobus basalibus ampliatis; sutura prima in medeo arcuata.

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The only species of this genus is ferruginous in colour, with deciduous greyish scales, but always more scattered at the sides, which, to the naked eye present the appearance of being marked with a large brownish patch. I obtained my original specimen from an old collection in the possession of Mr. Stevens; but I have since received it from Capt. Broun, who finds it plentifully at Tairua, near Auckland.

Eugnomus, Schönh., with an undescribed New Zealand insect for its type, is unknown to me, but is apparently differentiated from the present genus in several particulars, i. e. in the eyes, antennæ, prothorax, elytra, etc.

Tysius amplipennis.

T. ferrugineus, squamalis grisescentibus inæqualitur vestitus, supra setulis pancis adspersus; capite confertim punctato, super oculos tuberculis duobus munito; rostro capite parum longiore; prothorace longitudine latitudini fere æquali, pone apicem fortiter constricto; elytris basi prothrace duplo latioribus, pone basin oblique excavatis, striato-punctatis, interstitiis latis, vix convexis, tertio quintoque interrupte elevatis, quarto quintoque versus apicem callosis; corpore infra sparse punctato. Long. 1 ¾ lin.

Hab.: Tairua.

Inophlœus.

Rostrum modice elongatum robustum, apicem versus gradatim incrassatum, supra tricarinatum, plaga triangulari munitum; scrobes terminales, arcuatæ ad latera rostri cito desinentes. Scapus pone oculum superans; funiculus articulo basali elongato, cæteris obconicis vel pyriformibus; clava distincta. Oculi infra angulares, sub-fortiter granulati. Prothorax basi angustior, lobis ocularibus munitus. Elytra dorso planata vel subdepressa, apicem versus declivia. Femora in medio crassiora; tibæ anticæ flexuosæ, intus haud dentatæ, reliquiæ, rectæ, posticæ corbellis subapertis; tarsi nor-males. Abdomen segmentis duobus basalibus ampliatis.

The Chilian genus Cylindrorhinus is not capable of being strictly defined as it stands at present; but taking Lacordaire's characters, the more determinate seeems to be the close connection of the club to the funicle; in the genus before us the club is well limited. If, however, we had been dealing with Chilian instead of New Zealand insects I should have had little hesitation in placing, provisionally at least, the species described below with Cylindrorhinus, except that the latter is without any vestige of scales.

Inophlæus traversii.

I. fuscus, obscure griseo-squamosus, rostro prothorace paulo breviore, carina intermedia sat acute elevata; antennis piceis; funiculi

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articulo secundo quam primo paulo breviore; clava elongato-elliptica, griseo-tomentosa; prothorace parum longiore quam latiore, supra inæquali, subtilissime punctato, lobis ocularibus prominulis; scutello minuto, vix conspicuo; elytris postice gradatim latioribus, supra valde planatis, inæqualiter striato-punctatis, punctis non-nullis arcolatis, humeris obliquis, singulis elytris utrinque angulatis, postice dentato-productis, apicibus acutis, parte declivi in medio paulo producta; pedibus sparse squamosis; tibiis sat elongatis. Long. 5—6 lin.

Hab.: Chatham Islands.

This species is remarkable for the perfectly flat disc of the elytra, the sides bent suddenly down forming a sharp angle with the disc. It is from Pitt Island, one of the Chatham group, where it was found by Mr. Travers.

Inophlæus inuus.

I. nigrescens, subtiliter squamosus, squamulisque piliformibus albis adspersus; rostro prothorace vix breviore, carina intermedia basi magis elevata; antennis piceis; funiculi articulo secundo quam primo breviore; clava elongato-elliptica, tomentosa; prothorace paulo latiore quam longiore, punctis flexuosis leviter impresso; scutello parvo, distincto; elytris sat anguste obovatis, supra paulo convexis, seriatim fortiter punctatis, interstitiis alternis paulo elevatis, tertio a sutura postice dentato-producto, parte declivi in medio modice convexa, apicibus paulo elongatis; tibiis sat elongatis. Long. 7 lin.

Hab.: Queenstown.

The punctures on the prothorax are so modified as to give the impression of a granulated surface rather than of punctuation. Nearly all the characters of this species are diagnostic.

Inophlæus villaris.

I. fuscus, griseo-squamosus; rostro prothorace multo breviore, apice sat subito deflecto; antennis brevioribus, funiculo articulis duobus basalibus æqualibus; prothorace fere in medio latiore, supra inequali, vage foveatim impresso; scutello inviso; elytris pone humeros latioribus, supra subplanatis, striato-punctatis, postice minus angulatis; apicibus acuminatis, vix productis; corpore infra pedibusque squamis elongatis aspersis; tibiis minus elongatis. Long. 3 ½ lin.

Hab.: Christchurch.

Has a somewhat different outline from that of I. traversii, but is perhaps more nearly allied to it than the preceding.

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Inophlæus rhesus.

I. ovatus, fuscus, leviter griseo-squamosus, supra setulis adspersus; rostro prothorace breviore; antennis ferrugineis; funiculo articulis secundo, tertio, quarto subæqualibus, modice elongatis; clava minus elongata; prothorace rugoso, ante medium latiore; scutello parvo; elytris subcordatis, dorso ad suturam postice-den-tato-productia, versus apicem verticaliter declivibus, seriatim foveatis, singulis costis tribus munitis; tibiis minus elongatis. Long. 3 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Lake Guyon.

Allied to the preceding; but, inter alia, there is a small but very distinct scutellum.

Inophlæus vitiosus.

I. subangustus, niger, nitidus, squamis concoloribus adspersus; rostro prothorace fere duplo breviore, apice squamositate grisea tecto, costis lateralibus obsoletis; antennia piceis; funiculi articulo secundo quam primo longiore; prothorace æquato, latitudine longiore, ante medium latiore; scutello minuto; elytris elongato-cordatis basi depressis, postice singulis in mare acute productis, apicem versus ad suturam carinato-elevatis, supra striato-punctatis, punctus sat remotis, bene determinatis; tibiis posticis paulo flexuosis. Long. 3 ¾ lin.

Hab.: Lake Guyon.

A somewhat aberrant species. A specimen, apparently the female, has the elytra less produced and the apex more rounded.

Phrynixus.

Rostrum mediocre, arcuatum, basi angustius; scrobes medianæ, foveiformes. Oculi, parvi, ovales, grosse granulati, a prothorace distantes. Scapus antennarum clavatus; funiculus 7-articulatus, articulis a secundo sensim crassioribus; clava distincta. Prothorax suboblongus, irregularis, lobis ocularibus obsoletis. Scutellum nullum. Elytra brevia, ovata, angulis anticis porrectis. Pedes breviusculi; femora in medio incrassata; tibia subflexuosæ, apice mucronatæ; tarsi artieulis tribus basalibus transversis, penultimo integro, supra excavato, ultimo valido. Abdomen segmentis duobus basalibus connatis, ampliatis.

On the whole this genus may be considered as being most nearly allied to the European Dichotrachelus; but in four species of that genus, which I have examined, I do not find the penultimate tarsal joint entire, as stated

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by Lacordaire, but more or less bilobed. The foveiform scrobes and small eyes away from the prothorax are the most essential diagnostic characters of Phrynixus. My specimen is from an old collection, and was purchased from Mr. Stevens.

Phrynixus terreus.

P. ovatus, fuscus, supra squamositate dilutiore vestitus; rostro prothorace paulo breviore; funiculi articulo basali longiusculo, secundo breviore, quinque sequentibus transversis, ultimo crasso, obconico; clava brevi, obsolete articulata; prothorace supra sulcatim tuber-culato; elytris irregularibus, seriatim punctatis, punctis approximatis, tuberculis plurimis conicis instructis; pedibus rude squamosis. Long. 2 ⅔ lin.

Hab.: —?

Cecyropa.

Rostrum breve, validum; scrobes subterminales, postice dilatatæ, longe ante oculos desinentes; scapus elongatus, gradatim incrassatus, pone oculum superans; funiculus breviusculus, 7-articulatus, articulo basali crassiore, secundo breviore, cæteris transversis; claxa distincta. Oculi ovati, grosse granulati, prothoraci contigui. Prothorax ampliatus, paulo convexus, utrinque rotundatus, basi truncatus; lobis ocularibus fere obsoletis, fimbriatis. Scutellum invisum. Elytra cordiformia, prothorace latiora, humeris obliquis. Femora crassa; tibia versus apicem valde ampliatæ, posticæ corbellis cavernosis; tarsi articulis duobus basalibus triangularibus, secundo minore, tertio late bilobo; ultimo mediocre; unguiculis liberis; coxæ anticæ haud contiguæ. Abdomen segmentis duobus basalibus amplis, sutura prima arcuata.

It is not without hesitation that I place this genus with the Rhyparosominæ, the cavernous corbels of the posterior tibiæ being exceptional. It has, however, some analogy at least to Dysostines on account of its large prothorax and the non-contiguity of the anterior coxæ. At any rate there is no other place for it in “Section A” of the “Phanérognathes symmérides” of Lacordarie, to which the genus belongs. Of my two specimens, one has a few patches of dark-coloured scales on the middle of the elytra; in the other the dark predominates, the white forming dispersed spots on the upper surface.

Cecyropa tychioides.

C. sat late ovalis, fusca, squamulis griseo-albidis adpressis, supra plus minusve fuscis interjectis, omnino dense tecta; rostro antennisque squamulosis, his ferrugineis setulis adspersis; prothorace ante medium latiore, utrinque valde rotundato, apice quam basi duplo

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angustiore; elytris seriatim punctatis, punctis approximatis, juxta apicem sat subito deflexis; pedibus parce setulosis. Long. 2 ¾ lin.

Hab.: Pitt Island; Wellington.

Cranophorus venustus.

C. elliptico-ovatus, modice convexus, villosus, niger, supra sat confertim, punctulatus; prothorace utrinque late flavo-marginato; elytris singulis margine externo maculisque duabus magnis flavis. Long. 2 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Waikato.

Cranophorus, Muls., is easily recognised by the prolongation of the anterior part of the prothorax completely covering the head (not emarginate as in the generality of the Coccinellidæ). Two species only from the Cape were known hitherto. I have but a single specimen of the species before me; but a minuter examination might show structural peculiarities requiring its generic separation from the Cape species, which have certainly a somewhat different aspect. Only four members of the family are known from New Zealand, viz, Coccinella tasmanii, C. concinna, Lais antipodum, and the above; Capt. Broun has sent two or three species of Scymnus, not yet determined, and possibly introduced.

Scaphisoma tenellum.

S. nitidum, nigrum, pygidio pedibusque piceis; antennis pallidis, articulis quinque, ultimis, basi apiceque exceptis, fuscis; capite prothoraceque impunctatis, hoc lobo scutcellari scuttellum obtegente; elytris impunctatis, stria suturali distincta; pygidio conico; corpore infra nigro; abdomine segmentis sex. Long. 1 ¾ lin.

Hab.: Auckland (Tairua).

Longer than our S. boleti, and the elytra, except in the sutural stria, impunctate; in my specimen the eighth joint of the antennæ is much narrower than the seventh or following joints. This character is found in other members of the genus, but it does not seem to be invariable even in the same species.

Dendrophagus capito.

D. parallelus depressus, fulvus, parcim pilosus; capite prothoraci latitudine æquali, inter oculos plicato-rugoso; antennis corpori longitudine fere æqualibus, articulis secundo tertioque simul quarto paullo brevioribus, prothorace antice utrinque tuberculato producto, lateribus dentibus tribus parvis instructis; elytris pallidioribus, confertim fortiter lineatim punctatis, plagis fuscis obscuris notatis; pedibus pallidis, tarsis anticis articulo basali cordato-ampliatis, secundo minore, tarsis intermediis et posticis elongatis, linearibus. Long. 2 ½—3 lin.

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Hab.: Otago; Lake Guyon.

Dendrophagus brevicornis, Wh., is a Cryptamorpha, a genus first discovered in Madeira by Mr. Wollaston (“Ins. Mad.,” p. 156). D. suturalis and D. umbrinus, also from New Zealand, and each represented by a single specimen in bad condition in the British Museum, appear to me to be scarcely more than varieties. A species of the nearly allied genus Prostomis from New Zealand was sent to me many years ago by the late Dr. Howitt; but, excepting its larger size, I am unable to separate it from the European P. mandibularis.

Amychus.

Caput parvum, inter oculos planatum. Antennæ breves, articulo primo valido, secundo quam tertio paulo breviore, cæteris, ultimo elliptico excepto, triangularibus, quam secundo haud longioribus. Sulci pectorales obsoleti. Characteres alii fere ut in Lacone.

The habit of the species described below is unmistakably that of Lacon; but it has only a very slight trace of the lateral prosternal groove destined for the reception of the antenna in repose. It was discovered in the Chatham Islands by Mr. Travers. I have dedicated it to Dr. Candéze, who has so elaborately monographed the insects of the family.

Amychus candezei.

A. validus, modice convexus, fusco-tomentosus, pilis aurulentis parce adspersus; antennis fuscis, extus, magis pubescentibus; prothorace amplo, subtransverso, basi fortiter trisinuato, angulis posticis productis; scutello scutiformi; elytris striatis, lateribus valde rotundatis, griseo subfasciatis vel plagiatis, punctis nitidis adspersis; corpore infra indumento fusco, verisimiliter sæpe detrito, induto. Long. 7—9 lin.

Hab.: Pitt Island.

Limonius collaris.

L. gracilis, nitide fuscus, prothorace pedibusque, fulvescentibus; antennis luteis, corporis dimidia longitudine, articulis secundo tertioque breviusculis, cæteris longiusculis, serratis; capite prothoraceque sat vage punctatis; elytris elongato-cuneiformibus, striato-punctatis; meso-metathoraceque nitide fuscis.

Hab.: Auckland.

An elegant species, not agreeing well with Limonius, and probably belonging to a new genus.

Phymatophæa.

Caput antice modice productum. Oculi reniformes, transversi. Antennæ articulo basali elongato, valido, tertio ad octavum gradatim brevioribus; clava magna, laxe triarticulata, articulis duobus

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basalibus triangularibus, ultimo rotundato. Palpi articulo ultimo triangulari. Prothorax utrinque tuberculato-productus. Elytra supra inæqualia, basi prothoracis duplo latiora. Pedes modice elongati; femora fusiformia anteriora crassiora; tarsi articulo basali obtecto; unguiculi basi dente instructi.

There is nothing in the sterna or abdomen different from Scrobiger, Spin., near which this genus may be placed. Its distinctive peculiarity is the large, loosely three-jointed club, but there is much to remind us of the West African genus Erymanthus.

Phymatophæa electa.

P. modice elongata, fusca, subnitida, plagis succineis ornata, pilis concoloribus adspersa; capite inter oculos nudo, bituberculato prothorace antice tuberculis duobus succineis instructo; elytris inæqualiter rude impresso-punctatis, humeris tuberculisque succineis sex, scil. duobus subbasalibus, duobus ante medium, duobus sub apice positis, pone medium fascia obliqua elevata notatis; pedibus fusco variegatis; corpore infra nitide fusco. Long. 4—4 ½ lin.

Hab.: Auckland.

Eumede.

Caput antice brevissimum. Oculi magni, leviter emarginati, tenuiter granulati. Antennœ breviusculæ, 11-articulatæ, articulis tribus ultimis clavam formantibus. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo ovoideo, labiales securiformi. Prothorax capite angustior, basi modice latus. Elytra oblonga. Pedes graciles; tarsi articulo primo brevissimo.

The only exponent of this genus has somewhat the habit of Lemidia, from which it differs, inter alia, in its emarginate eye; while Aulicus, to which it slightly approximates, has all the palpi securiform.

Eumede æraria.

E. fusco-ænea, nitida, antennis, palpis pedibusque, femoribus exceptis, testaceis, pilis volitantibus aliisque albis subadpressis vestita; antennis prothorace vix. longioribus, articulis duobus basalibus validis, secundo dimidio breviore; prothorace paulo longiore quam latiore, lateribus rotundatis; elytris postice paulo gradatim latioribus. Long. 2 ½ lin.

Hab.: Christchurch.

Eleale opiloides.

E. elongata, æneo-fusca, fulvo-varia, vage breviter pilosa; antennis modice elongatis, clava laxe articulata; capite prothoracque confertim punctatis, hoc capite angustiore, basi angusto, in medio fulvo; scutello cordiformi; elytris fortiter punctatis, apicem versus paulo gradatim latioribus, fasciis duabus apiceque fulvis notatis; pedibus

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fulvis. Long. 2 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Christchurch; Auckland.

Not unlike a small individual of Opilus mollis. The genus is somewhat doubtful.

Ectomida.

Characteres generici fere ut in Pristodero, sed tarsis tibiisque aliis, scil. articulis duobus basalibus conjunctis triangulum breviusculum formantibus, tertio, parvo, angusto; tibiis extus compressis, margine exteriore denticulatis.

Dermestes scaber, Fab., * is congeneric with Pristoderus antarcticus, White; Erichson's Ulonotus is probably founded on one of these two (he does not describe any species); Lacordaire, indeed, suggested the identity of these genera. In Pristoderus the tarsi are simply linear, and the tibiæ filiform, not denticulate externally. The species here described is remarkable on account of the dilatation, deeply divided into lobes, of the sides of the prothorax; the insect varies in colour from uniform yellowish testaceous to brownish or with brownish patches.

Ectomida lacerata.

E. oblonga, depressa, subtestacea, aliquando infuscata vel fusco variegata, subtiliter tomentosa; capite tuberculis parvis instructo; antennis articulis duobus basalibus crassis, tertio ad octavum gradadatim brevioribus, clava fusca, articulis duobus basalibus valde transversis, ultimo rotundato; prothorace rugoso, lateribus foliaceis, trilobis, lobo anteriore tripartito, lobis duobus posticis multo minoribus; scutello parvo; elytris striato-punctatis, seriatim tuberculatis, tuberculis interioribus quatuor, quorum tribus majoribus, marginibus externis serratis, apicibus divergentibus. Long. 1 ½—2 lin.

Hab.: Auckland (Tairua).

Adelium bullatum.

A. nitide nigrum, vel subnigrum; capite prothoraceque subtiliter punctatis, hoc transverso, in medio levier canaliculato, lateribus rotundato, basi sat lato, angulis posticis snbaeutis; scutello parvo, transverso; elytris elongato-cordatis, leviter irregulariter punctatis,

[Footnote] * “Nova Hollandia” is given as the habitat; but the type in the British Museum is the only individual I have seen. Dermestes limbatus, Fab. “Enter-Syst.” I., p. 234), is either my Phycosecis discoidea or P. atomania (ante, Vol. XVI., pp. 213, 214). I in-oline to the former; but Mr. C. O. Waterhouse, who has carefully compared them, thinks it is the latter; the two specimens in the British Museum are barely recognizable. Fabricius must have been labouring under difficulties when, in describing these two species from the Banksian collection, he referred them to Dermested, with which, it is almost needless to say, they have no affinity.

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spatiis inter puncta lævibus ovatis, plurimis oblongis vel linearibus; pedibus lævigatis, nitidis; corpore infra nitido, abdomine reticulato-punctulato. Long. 7 lin.

Hab.: Otago.

Adelium is a common Australian genus; but it has not previously been found in New Zealand. This species may be placed after A. proximum, although it is not closely allied. The sculpture of the elytra is very distinctive (lines of fine punctures embracing oval, oblong, and a few linear spaces, all of a very irregular character). Seirotrana, to which A. proximum was referred, should, I think, be united to Adelium, its principal character (the “contiguity” of the prothorax to the elytra) being in some species rather difficult to determine, although Lacordaire lays great stress on it. Amarosoma, Redt., is the same as my Pheloneis (“Journ. of Entom.,” Vol. II., p. 483); his species, A. simulans, is or was known to Australian entomologists as Adelium harpaloides, White; but White's species is much less convex, with more parallel sides, and larger. The two species should therefore stand as P. harpaloides, Wh., and P. simulans, Redt.

Salpingus bilunatus.

S. fuscus, subnitidus; antennis articulis quatuor ultimis perfoliatis, fuscis; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis, hoc utrinque rotundato, basin versus multo angustiore; scutello transverso; elytris confertim striato-punctatis, macula magna semilunari, ad suturam contigua, ornatis; corpore infra pedibusque fulvescentibus, vel aliquando infuscatis. Long. 1–1 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Auckland.

This species has quite the outline of our S. æreus; but it is scarcely half the length (i.e., eight times less in bulk), and well marked by the large semilunar patch on the elytra extending from the shoulder to near the apex and meeting its fellow at the suture.

Sessinia pauperata.

S. testacea, parce pubescens; antennis articulo tertio quam quarto paulo, breviore; capite prothoraceque subtiliter et confertim punctatis; scutello majusculo, transverso; elytris brevibus, subpunctato-striatis; interstitiis alternis multo latioribus. Long. 4 lin.

Hab.: Christchurch.

This very distinct species may at once be known by its short elytra. The genus Sessinia was published by me in January, 1863 (“Journ. of Entom.” II., p. 45, note). Ananca, Fairm. et Germ. (“Ann. Soc. Ent. de Fr.” 4e sér. III., p. 267, 1863), must have been published some months later, as a subsequent paper (p. 293) was read at the “séance” of the 10th June in the same year. Dryops lineata, Fab. (“Ent. Syst.,” I., pt. 2, p. 76),

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and Dryops strigipennis, Wh. (“Ereb. and Terror,” p. 12), belong to Sessinia. The genus is differentiated from Nacerdes by its two-spurred tibiæ. Seleno-palpus chalybaus and subriviridis are probably only varieties of S. cyaneus, Fab. (Dryops).

Mordella funerea.

M. nigra, subtillissime squamulosa, elytris in medio maculis duabus fasciaque flexuosa postica, ad suturam interrupta, albo-pubescentibus, sed in certa luce evanescentibus; antennis, articulis quatuor basalibus exceptis, serratis; capitis fronte subtillissime punctata; tibiis fere ecalcaratis; tarsis quatuor anterioribus breviusculis; aculeo paulo recurvo; corpore infra nitido nigro. Long. 7 lin. lin.

Hab.: Waikato.

About the size and general appearance of the Australian M. 10-maculata, Fab., but, inter alia, minutely scaly, except the white spots and band, not pubescent, and the tibial spurs nearly obsolete.

Mordella detracta.

M. nigra, pube, in certa luce grisea, subtiliter vestita; elytris fascia flexuosa ante medium maculisque duabus posticis albis ornatis; antennis minus serratis; capite antice valde convexo; tarsis quatuor anterioribus valde elongatis; aculeo recto, breviusculo; corpore infra griseo-sericante. Long. 4 lin.

Hab.: Waikato.

About the size and general appearance of our M. fasciata, but the elytra narrowing much more posteriorly and differently marked.

Irenimus.

Rostrum parum elongatum, modice robustum, versus apicem manifeste crassius, apice triangulariter emarginato; scrobes breves apicales. Antenna graciles; scapus prothoracem attingens; funiculus articulo primo vix incrassato; clava distincta, Oculi subtenuiter granulati. Prothorax subcylindricus, basi rotundatus, lobis ocularibus parum prominulis. Elytra elongato-cordata, basi prothorace manifeste latiora, humeris obliquis. Femora crassa; tibia flexuosæ, posticæ corbellis subcavernosis. Abdomen segmentis duobus basalibus ampliatis. Corpus squamosum.

Allied to the Australian genus Perperus, differing principally in the base of the elytra exceeding the width of the prothorax at the base. This is a character on which Lacordaire lays great stress; but in many genera it really seems to be only of specific importance.

Irenimus parillis.

I. oblongus, niger, squamis obscure cervinis omnino dense tectus, setulisque nigris adsperus; rostro capite duplo longiore, antice carinato;

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antennis ferrugineis; scapo squamoso; funiculo articulis tribus basalibus sensim brevioribus, cæteris obconicis; prothorace parum longiore quam latiore, lateribus rotundatis, pone medium sub-parallelis; scutello inviso; elytris seriatim punctatia, interstitiis vix convexis, tibiis subbisinuatis, apice subacuminatis. Long. 3 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Chrischurch.

Lyperobius.

Molyti affinis. Rostrum validum, rotundum; mandibula lamelliformes; scrobes obliquæ, oculos vix attingentes; clava distincta. Prothorax lobis ocularibus paulo prominulis. Elytra ovalia. Femora incrassata; tibiœ apice haud laxminatæ. Abdomen segmento secundo quam tertio paulo longiore.

With nearly all the characters of the European Molytes, this genus is principally distinguished by the tibiæ being without that peculiar external prolongation of the lamina which normally forms the floor of the hollow (corbel) above which the tarsus is inserted, and also by the club of the antennæ deing distinctly marked off from the funicle. The fine species constituting the only exponent of the genus at present has been recently discovered by Capt. Hutton, at Tarndale, near the head of the Wairau River, Nelson. “It lives on the spear-grass (Aciphylla colensoi), and sucks its turpentiny juices. The plant only grows on the mountains from 2,000 to 5,500 feet elevation.” The insect is entirely black; but some of the specimens are sprinkled with a few fine straw-coloured hairs.

Lyperobius huttoni.

L. ovalis, niger, nitidus; capite antice convexo; rostro tenuiter punctato, basi fovea profunda impresso; oculis valde angustis; antennis piceis; scapo apice sensim incrassato; funiculo articulis duobus basalibus æqualibus, reliquis submoniliformibus; clava breviter ovata, tomentosa; prothorace inæqualiter convexo, leviter vage punctato; elytris striato-punctatis, punctis approximatis, interstitiis planatis, tertio quintoque multo latioribus; corpore infra nitido, subtiliter punctato; pedibus tenuiter vage setulosis. Long. 9–11 lin.

Hab.: Tarndale.

Pædaretus.

Caput parvum; rostrum, modice elongatum, apicem versus crassius; scrobes præmedianæ, obliquæ, ante medium oculorum desinen [ unclear: ] es. Oculi ovales, grosse granulati. Scopus oculum vix attingens; funiculus 7-articulatus, articulo primo magno, cæsteris, transversis. Prothorax amplus, utrinque rotundatus, basi leviter bisinuatus. Scutellum invisum. Elytra breviter cylindrica, basi prothoracis

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latiora. Coxœ anticæ baud contiguæ; femora mutica; tibiæ cylin-dricæ, unco valido armatæ; tarsi breves; unguiculi liberi. Propectus haud excavatum. Abdomen segmentis duobus basalibus ampliatis.

I can only compare this genus to the Australian Psaldus, from which it is at once differentiated, inter alia, by its normal scrobes and propectus (the latter without the slightest trace of a canal). Syagrius has a different rostrum and the tibiæ not armed with a hook.

Pœdaretus hispidus.

P. breviter cylindricus, fuscus, squamulis erectis piliformibus, rostro incluso, vestitus; antennis nitide subfearugineis, clava ovata; prothorace latitudine longitudini æquali, lateribus valde rotundatis supra confertim fortiter punctato; elytris fortiter striatis striis punctis remotis impressis, corpore infra fortiter punctato; tarsis fulvis. Long 1 ¾ lin.

Hab.: Auckland.

Erirhinus acalyptoides.

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

E. ovatus, fulvus, parce sericeo-pilosus, prothorace fusco; rostro gracili, prothoraci longitudine æquali, modice, arcuato, basi striato; antennis fere in medio rostri insertis, clava majuscula, fusca; prothorace transverso, utrinque valde rotundato, sat vage punctato; scutello rotundato; elytris prothorce multo latioribus, striato-punctatis, apice rotundatis; pedibus fulvis; corpore infra infuscato. Long. 1 3/2 lin.

Hab.: Otago.

I can see nothing to differentiate this pretty little species generically from Erirhinus. It is very similar in appearance to our Acalyptus carpini.

Aneuma.

Rostrum cylindricum, tenue arcuatatum; scrobes antemedianæ, laterales. Scapus oculum attingens; funiculus articulo primo elongato, crasso; clava distincta. Oculi rotundati, fortiter granulati. Prothorax transversus, basi truncatus, lobis ocularibus nullis. Elytra elongato-cordata, prothorace multo latiora. Pectus antice emarginato-canaliculatum. Coxœ anticæ contiguæ, intermediæ modice approximatæ; femora incrassata, infra dente minuto instructa; tibiœ breviusculæ, rectæ.; tarsi normales. Abdomen segmento secunto haud ampliato, duobus sequentibus conjunctim longiore. Carpus pilosum.

In this genus the head is deeply inserted into the prothorax, and, although it is much, bent inward, the rostrum is not received in the pectoral canal, the latter being bounded behind by the anterior coxæ. The presence

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of this canal prevents the genus being associated with Erirhinus, to which otherwise it might have been referred.

Aneuma fulvipes.

A. ovalis, supra subtestacea, nigrescenti-nebulosa, pilis griseis sat sparse vestita; rostro prothorace breviore, basi lineis elevatis instructo; antennis subtestaceis, apicem versus infuscatis; funiculo articulis secundo, tertio quartoque gradatim brevioribus, tribus ultimis transversis; prothorace utrinque rotundato, leviter punctulato; elytris confertim striato-punctatis interstitiis convexis; corpore infra piceo-testaceo: pedibus fulvescentibus, sparse pilosis. Long. 1 ¼ lin.

Hab.: Christchurch.

Stephanorhynchus purus.

S. fere omnino griseo squamulosus; rostro vix compresso, antice haud cristato, fronte super oculos leviter bituberculata, tuberculis haud setosis clava antennarum elongato-ovato, tomentosa, arcte articulata; prothorace nonnihil subquadrato, sed antice subito constricto, supra vix tuberculato; scutello parvo, transverso; elytris elongato-subcordatis, supra subplanatis, leviter tuberculatis, striatis interstitiis alternis elevatis, lateribus subito deflexis, apicibus divergentibus; femoribus posticis dente minus prominente; abdomine segmentis tribus ultimis esquamosis, infuscatis; tarsis articulo penultimo nigro. Long. 3 ½ lin.

Hab.: Pitt Island.

In S. attelaboides, Fab., the only species hitherto described, the upper surface is very irregular, the rostrum with a sharply raised longitudinal crest, the prothorax conical, etc. It varies in colour, being sometimes uniformly grey, as in the species before us; but its normal state is well represented in Mr. White's (“Erebus” and “Terror,” tab. 3, fig. 11).

Stephanorhynchus brevipennis.

S. squamulis filiformibus brevibus fere omnio tectus; rostro capite paulo longiore, antice gibboso, fronte super oculos leviter bituber-culata, tuberculis haud setosis; occipite longitudinaliter recavato; clava antennarum elongato-ovata arcte articulata; prothorace capite minore, conico, pone apicem strangulato; elytris brevibus leviter striatis, singulis quadrituberculatis, tuberculo juxta suturam pone medium majore, vel cristam triangularem formante, apicibus rotundatis; tibiis fulvis, posticis valde curvatis. Long. 2 ½ lin.

Hab.: Christchurch.

Well differentiated, inter alia, by its short elytra, rounded at the apices.

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Hoplocneme punctatissima.

H. nigra, vel purpureo-nigra, vix nitida, femoribus apice, tibiis tarsiscque, subferrugineis, supra confertim punctata; capite inter oculos haud excavato, collo valde constricto; clava antennarum majuscula; prothorace subcylindrico, angulis anticis rotundatis; scutello parvo; elytris sat ampliatis, haud striatis. Long. 1 ¾ lin.

Hab.: Otago.

Smaller than H. hookeri, Wh., from which it may be at once known by the irregularly crowded punctures on the elytra without any trace of striæ, instead of being in regular lines. Mr. White refers Hoplocneme to the neighbourhood of Orchestes, with which it has nothing to do; it is one of the Erirhininæ, and applied to the same writer's Stephanorhynchus. The funicle in Hoplocneme is six-jointed, and the club is four-jointed.

Pactola.

Rostrum capite brevius, cylindricum; scrobes obliquæ, infra oculos desinentes. Antennœ subterminales scapus elongatus, pone oculos superans; funiculus 7-articulatus, articulo primo majusculo, quatuor ultimis transversis; clava magna, ovata, concreta. Oculi prominuli, laterales, rotundati, grosse granulati. Prothorax angustus. Elytra ampliata, supra irregularia, humeris callosis. pedes quatuor anteriores mediocres, femoribus simplicibus, tibiis subrectis; pedes posteriores majores, femoribus fortiter clavatis, infra dente magno armatis, tibiis arcuatis, haud compressis, omnibus apice muticis; tarsis articulo tertio late bilobo: unguiculi subdentati; coxœ anticæ contiguæ, intermediæ et posticæ lato dis tantes. Abdomen segmentis duobus basalibus valde ampliatis.

It is with some doubt that I refer this genus to the Erirhininœ. In the form of the hind legs it approaches the two preceding genera; but the head, not constricted behind to form a neck, would seem to indicate a different type. Ixalma, another anomalous genus, with somewhat similar legs, but having a free pygidium, I refer to the neighbourhood of Tachygonus. M. Roelofs (“Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg.,” XVII., p. 126) places his genus Celia, * apparently identical with Ixalma, among the “Eugnomides,” i. e. with the Erirhininœ. These are all isolated forms; but I think the pygidium offers a more important character than the separation or the contiguity of the anterior coxæ. The species described below differs considerably in coloration, some individuals being of an almost uniform dark brown, others pale brown on the disk of the elytra; some have the elytron prettily variegated—a central dark triangular spot with a light semicircular line behind, and other variations.

[Footnote] * Celia has long been used for a genus of Carabidiæ.

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Pactola variabilis.

P. oblongo, fusco- vel brunneo-squamosa, aliquando variegata: an-tennis fulvis, apiceni versus infuseatis; prothorace subcylindrico, in medio bituberculato; elytris basi prothorace fere triplo latio-ribus, supra tuberculatis, antice subdepressis, late striato-punctatis; corpore infra sparse punctato. Long. 1 ¾ lin.

Hah.: Auckland.

Idotasia egena.

I. elliptica, nitide nigra; rostro pone basin fortiter arcuato, dimidio basali antice punctis magnis oblongis approximates impresso; oculis grosse granulatis; antennis fulvo-ferrugineis; clava oblongo-ovata; prothorace sat vage punctato; elytris vage leviter punctulatis; pedibus piceis. Long. 1 ⅔ lin

Hab.: Waikato.

This species is more nearly allied to the Batchin I. scaphioides than to either of the Australian members of the genus; it is, however, broader and less convex, the posterior portion of the elytra less attenuated, the intervals of the punctures on the rostrum less decidedly elevated or cariniform, etc. Idotasia now contains nine species—five from New Guinea and the neighbouring islands, two from Queensland, one from New Caledonia, and the above. They are very homogeneous, except the one from New Caledonia, but are differentiated by well-marked characters.

Arœocerus pardalis.

A. dense pubescens, fuscus, albido maculatus; antennis breviusculis nitide fulvis, articulis tertio ad quartum paulo elongatis; clava infuscata, articulis perfoliatis, duobus basalibus valde transversis, ultimo rotundato; prothorace transverso, basi quam apice fere duplo latiore; scutello minuto; elytris oblique striato-punctatis, humeris paulo callosis; pedibus pallidis, tibiis apicem versus leviter incrassatis, tarsis articulo basali modice elongato. Long. 1 ½ lin.

Hab.: Auckland.

Probably introduced, as this species has also been found in Ceylon; but it has not, I think, been described. It is like A. Coffeœ, but smaller, with shorter antennæ, the club stouter and more compact, the tarsi not nearly so long, etc.

Ochrocydus.

Caput breve. Oculi permagni, subtenuiter granulati; epistoma distincta; labrum parvum; labium membranaceum, bifidum; maxillæ lobo interiore triangulari. Palpi elongati, omnes fere æquales. Antennæ (male) corpore longiores, 12-articulatæ, articulo basali mediocri, obconico, tertio paulo breviore, cæteris (ultimo excepto breviusculo)

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parum longioribus, subæqualibus, unilateraliter dilatatis; (female) corpore breviores, 11-articulatæ. Prothorax transversus, depressus, muticus. Elytra prothorace latiora, elongata, subparallela. Pedes tenuati, elongati; femora linearia; tibiæ posticæ flexuosæ exceptæ, rectæ, apice bispinosæ; coxœ anticæ transversæ. Prosternum elevatum, postice rotundatum. Abdomen molle, lævigatum.

The only exponent of this genus retains the name of Aphanasium australe, Boisd., in the British Museum, * and as such was referred by Mr. White to the Prionidœ. It is probable that Lacordaire, had he known it, would have placed it in his “Monodesmides.” I do so now with some hesitation in consequence of the absence of the lateral ridges separating the pronotum from the sides of the prothorax, and the presence of the inner maxillary lobe.

Ochrocydus huttoni,

O. fulvescens, elytris nitide testaceis; capite prothoraceque sat sparsim, pectore dense, villosis; prothorace angulo antico rotundato, lateribus subparallelis; elytris sat confertim punctatis, apicibus ad suturam spinosis; pedibus tenuiter pilosis; tarsis intermediis et posticis articulo primo quam secundo longiore; segmento ultimis abdominis in fæmina solum detecto. Long. (male) 12 lin., (female) 15 lin.

Hab.: Waikato; Wellington.

Agapanthida scutellaris.

A. oblonga, depressa, rufo-castanea, antennis pedibusque dilutioribus, supra confertim punctato, griseo variegata; scutello nigro, subscutiformi, in medio excavato; elytris apice, paulo dehiscentibus, sutura canaliculata. Long. 4 lin.

Hab.: Waikato.

Judging from Mr. White's figure of A. pulchella (“Voyage of the ‘Erebus’ and ‘Terror,’” “Entom., tab. 4, fig. 10), this species differs, it might be thought almost generically, in its shorter and much thicker femora. The derm in my unique example (apparently a female) seems to be covered with a membranous sort of integument, peeling off in patches; but, from the regularity on both sides, the variegation does not seem to be due solely to that cause. The slight intervals between the punctures on the elytra have a granulated appearance. Agapanthida differs from Phlyctœnodes in its finely faceted eyes, an exceptional character in its own and allied groups.

Triplav brounii.

T. obovata, fusco-castanea, nitida, antennis pedibusque ferrugineis, illis

[Footnote] * It was this that led me to describe the true Aphanasium australe as a new species under the name of Solimnia sublineata, a mistake which I afterwards corrected (“Journ. Linn. Soc.,” IX., p. 134).

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articulo ultimo apice obliquo, palpis maxillaribus articulo ultimo valde transverso; capite prothoraceque subtiliter, elytris fere obsolete punetatis; tibiis modice triangularibus; prosterno postice paulo bilobo. Long. 1 ¾ lin.

Hab.: Auckland.

Rather narrower than T. œnea, and the elytra more cuneate. The nearly allied Australian genus Thallis, Er., has filiform palpi. I have named this interesting species after Captain Broun, whose numerous discoveries are adding so much to our knowledge of the insect-fauna of New Zealand.

Explanation of Plate.

  • Fig. 1. Tysius amplipcnnis: 1 a, head.

  • Fig. 2. Phrynixus terreus; 2 a, head (the eye is much too small)

  • Fig. 3. Cecyropa tychioides.

  • Fig. 4. Inoplœus traversii.

  • Fig. 5. Actizeta albata.

  • Fig. 6. Phycosecis discoidea; 6 a, antenna; 6 b, fore tibia and tarsus; 6 c, maxilla with its palpus, 6 d, mentum with the lower lip and its palpi.

  • Fig. 7. Stenopotes pallidus.

  • Fig. 8. Xyloteles coatatus.

  • Fig. 9. Xuthodes punctipennis.

  • Fig. 10. Syrphetodes marginatus.

  • Fig. 11. Right fore tibia and tarsus of Actizeta albata (the artist has placed it in a position to represent the left). 11 a, antenna; but the basal joint has been unaccountably omitted.

  • Fig. 12. Head of Cyttalia griseipila.

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