Bergr., described from Tasmania by Bergroth (1909, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 53: 185). This is the third Coreid to be recorded from New Zealand.

“The three New Zealand Coreids may be listed as follows:—

“1. Subfamily Corizinae, tribe Leptocorini: Leptocoris sp. undetermined (most likely the Australian Leptocoris mitellatus Bergr.), North Island, Taihape, collected by G. Howes (no date). Recorded by Bergroth in a letter to Myers, 1924, and published by J. W. Evans in 1928 (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (10) 2: 463). The genus Leptocoris is holotropical and is rather difficult nomenclatorially, which probably explains why the species was not determined by Bergroth. It may be possible that the New Zealand Lygaeid Arocatus rusticus Stal was mistaken by Bergroth for a Leptocoris, as there is a general resemblance in colouring and shape.

“2. Subfamily Alydinae, tribe Alydini: Melanacanthus margineguttatus Distant, South Island, Tahuna, on the North Coast. Numerous specimens of Psamma arenaria on sand dunes near the sea in March, 1928, collected by J. W. Evans and E. S. Gourlay. Recorded by J. W. Evans in 1928 (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (10) 2: 463). The genus Melanacanthus is restricted to Australia and M. margineguttatus occurs throughout Queensland. The above mentioned colony was thought to have been destroyed by the burning of the grass.

“3. Subfamily Coreinae, tribe Hygiini: Acantholybas brunneus Breddin. Numerous specimens in Auckland, T. E. Woodward, 1949. The genus Acantholybas (= Acanthocolpura) is recorded only from Lombok Island, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania. A. brunneus Breddin was described from New South Wales, but we have a specimen from the Bunya Mts. west of Brisbane, Queensland. It was probably introduced into New Zealand from Australia.”

Acantholybas brunneus is readily distinguishable from all other recorded species of the New Zealand Heteroptera, except the two species of Coreids listed above, by the following combination of features characteristic of its family:

Antennae 4-segmented, inserted on or above the line between the centre of the eye and the apex of the central lobe of the face (tylus); two ocelli; scutellum not reaching apex of clavus; membrane of hemelytron with numerous (more than five) longitudinal veins, which branch from a common vein paralleling the distal margin of the corium; rostrum not strongly curved at base; tarsi 3-segmented.

From the other two species of Coreids it is separated respectively by the following subfamily characters:

From the Corizinae (Leptocoris), in having the odoriferous apertures distinct and auricular and not concealed between the middle and hind coxae; from the Alydinae (Melanacanthus), in having the distal antennal segment stout and not greatly elongated and curved.

The following account is given as a further aid in determination. The adult is brown, with more or less of apex of distal antennal segment, apex of scutellum, the tibiae, except at apex and sometimes near base, and mottling or banding on femora, with bands most distinct on posterior pair, lighter in colour; length, ♀ 9·5–11 mm., ♂ 8·5–9 mm.;

antenniferous tubercles externally and anterior angles of prothorax produced into short, broad, spinous process; sides of head behind eyes dilated as knob-like protuberance; rostrum reaching anterior end of third abdominal sternite in ♀, posterior end in ♂; pronotal calli well developed, dark marginally; pronotum shortly collared in front, anterior margin nearly straight, sides slightly sinuate near middle, posterior angles rounded and somewhat raised, though not prominently shouldered, posterior margin nearly straight, declivous, width (♂ 2·6 mm., ♀ 3·1 mm.) twice that of anterior, length (♂ 1·9 mm., ♀ 2·3 mm.) nearly 1 ½ times anterior width; head, pro-

Acantholybas brunneus Breddin
Fig. 1—Adult, female. Fig. 2—Nymph, late instar. Fig. 3—Nymph, early instar.