Return this book on or before the Latest Date stamped below.
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THE
COLEOPTERISTS’
BULLETIN
Vol. 1, No. 1
April 1, 1947
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THE LIBRARY OF THE OCT 1 7 1947
UNIVEtiSilr i* i- I L L I f! P / J*
NDITOR: Ross H. Arnett, Jr.
Mimeoprinted by THE SHERWOOD PRESS, Dryden, N. Y.
Mimeoprinted in the U. S. A.
PRICE: 15c a copy or $1.00 a year (Ten Issues)
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April 1, 1947
. PLAN AND PURPOSE
, There is a general .feeling among Coleopterists that something should be done to provide closer, cooperation in the study of the tax¬ onomy of beetles. The younger workers in the field are particularly handicapped by the lack of some method of knowing what other workers are doing. By. maintaining a large correspondence over a period of
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years one can become familar with the work being’ done. The museum
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workers keep in contact through the reouests which come in for loans
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. of material. Other than that, one usually knows nothing about current research until it appears in print in some journal.
rt would be a distinct advantage to each worker if he were in¬ formed as to the groups currently .being, .revised. , The reviser would have more material to work with, and the collector would have his material correctly identified by the authority in the group.
The purpose of this bulletin then, is to further the science of Coleopterolcgy by providing a list of current workers and their specific interests and desires. By this cooperation amongst Coleopterists, both amateur and professional, our knowledge of many groups nay be made more complete .
Begining with this introductory issue then, we are including a list of the current workers who have responded to this idea. In addi¬ tion, some ecological and collecting notes have been contributed.
As now planned, this bulletin will include lists of determiners, revisers and current workers. Lcological notes, collecting notes, news items, short reviews and notices of locations of collections and
types will be welcome additions to the bulletin.
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AR APPEAL TO THE 'READER
With each issue of this bulletin there will be included a form tc be filled out and returned immediately to provide, material for .the ' .. . following issues. The life of this bulletin depends entirely upon
the response of its readers. This is the only source of material. So
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the reader’s cooperation is necessary.
THE AUITEUR AND THb, PROFESSIONAL It may be well at this point to make one thing clear. Some journals state that ’’amateurish” material is not wanted. An. amateur
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is not necessarily a person who is a novice or who is. unscientific . As
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every taxonomist well knows, the so-called ’’amateur” has laid much of
the very ground v;ork of our knowledge of the taxonomy of insects. So
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it is net the amateur that should be excluded from publishing in scientific journals, but rather the person who is not serious in his
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pursuit of the study. It is difficult to know where to set the limits, but it is certainly not betweep the amateur and the professional.
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Ross H. Arnett, Jr.
EDITOR
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CUKRENT LIST OF C QLLOPTF.K IS TS AND ♦THEIR INTERESTS
This list is presented in alphabetical order fof this first lisc ing. In following issues of the bulletin, they will be arranged according to the families, of Coleoptera, with name's* arrd addresses numbered and listed at the end of the bulletin.
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Arnett, Ross H. , Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. ^ -
Revising ; Forth American Oedemeridae Borrow for study: Oedemeridae, Silphidae
Exchange : Nearly all families, N. , f Cent . • fc S. Amor., Pacific Is, and some Indian material.
Desire : Sanerda hcrni , C ic ipdola sp.-ond particularly a ny species' of Oederne r i da e .
Will determine : Oedemeridae , Silphidae j Histeridad
Baker, James iu , 2800 Broadway, Baker, Oregon.
Exchange ; Elateridae .* : . ■
Desire: Elateridae '• f-
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Ball, George E. , 604 Highland ltd., Ithaca, N.Y.
Ballou, Charles a., Jr., Lovell Street, Lincolndale ,. N.YV .
Comments : Will be glad to collect -for anyone' on any basis.
Tkr*. Ballou fs world collection of Histeridae is now in the Chicago Natural History Luseum, ED. )
Barr, William F., 112 Agriculture Hall , University of California, Berkeley 4, California.
Revising : Cleridae:. Cymatodera, U. Borrow for study: Cymatodera exchange : if. A. Coleoptera - : Desire :~~Cleridae , Buprestidae
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species' of Folycesta .
Beer, Frank IC. , 113t North 18th, Salem, Oregon.
Exchange : Buprestidae, Cicindelidae , Scarabaeidae Desire : Above families • \ . .
Comments: Will collect Oregon material ’ of- any- family of order of insects in exchange for Buprestidae, Cic indelidae , ';'or Scarabaeidae
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Bissell, Theodore L., Georgia Experiment Station, Experiment, Ga.
exchange : Rhynchophora
Desire: Curculio , (Balaninus ) , C ha 1 cod emus ..
Bliss, Raymond .v. / 236 ^ . Evergreen avu., Philadelphia 18,'P.a., (Old address, 127 Lanheim St.) - ' ‘ .
Interested in:'- Silphidae, especially Silphinae.
.exchange : Ivla to rial in Silphinae. . ' -
.Will determine: U.S. Silphinae.
Desire : Any material in the subfamily Silphinae not found in the Philadelphia area.
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Comments: Ani interested in by Hatch in Cat. Col.; in biology also. Would like id^as, also may bu able to
the subfamily Silphinae as delineated taxonomy of all world species and in to exchange material, information, anc collect other groups for exchange.
Bottim^r, L. J. , Box 72b, Kerrville,
Texas.
Casselberry, R. C
55 Bdgemont ' Rd. , Scarsdale, K.Y.
Lxchange : Scarabs, will send list to interested exchangers by Long’s Cat. number.
Desire: Buprestidae and Siipha sp. Also will furnish want lists by Long’s Cat. no. to interested exchangers.
Crabill, Ralph, 126 Kelvin Place, Ithaca, K.Y.
Darlington, P. J. , Jr., La s s .
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge 38,
Revising: Carabidae of Hew Guinea and Philippines.
Desire: Carabidae of New Guinea and Philippines.
Borrow for study: Carabidae of Lew Guinea and Philippines. Lx change : Carabidae from various regions..
Bieke , G . H. ,
1101 Argonne Drive, Baltimore-, KdP<
Revising: Lpilachna (Coccinellidae)
Sorrow for study: Lpilachna from any part of the world, exchange: ~Mi sc. Coccinellidae of the world or .Coleoptera of
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La stern north America.
Desire: Coccinellidae of the world. Comments : Will also buy Coccinellidae. groups .
Will determine' certain
Dietrich, Henry, Comstock Ha'll, Ithaca, K.Y.
Comments: Do not have any distinct- desirata at present but shall be glad to see what others want and possibably the Cornell collection can supply .some.
Dillon, Lawrence 3., Reading Public Museum, Reading, Penna.
Revising. : Gnomini (Cerambycidae )
Borrow for study: Gnomini and Fijian Ceranbycidae . Comments : I would like to hear from any person who exotic Coleoptera (especially Cerambycidae ) who is a correspondent of mine.
collects not already
Dreisbach, Robert K, , 301 Helen bt«, Midland, Mich.
Working on: Coleoptera of Michigan.
Desire : Any Coleoptera that I do not have in mY collection, have over 3,000 species at' present.
Lxchange : Have about 430 species of N.A. Cerambycidae and would like to exchange for any not in ny collection.
Duncan, J. Bruce, 2762 Roilingwood Drive, Richmond, California.
Dybas, Henry S. , Division of Insects, Chicago Natural History Museum, Chicago 5, Illinois.
Revising : Nanosellinae (Ptiliidae)
Desire : Cleridae of the world for exchange and study Lx change ; Cleridae, U.S. U Exotic.
jaaston, Norman S. ,
458 High St. ,
Fall River, Mass.
Comment s : I will supply when possible specimens from my coilec- - tion or by collections in this region.
Lnns, Wilbur R. , Department -of Entomology, Columbia, Missouri.
University of Missouri,
Exchange : Meloidae, Chrysonelidae , Cicindelidae .
Desire : Meloidae, Cerambycidae, Hornia mi nut ipennis Riley
Fender, Kenneth M. , Route //3, McMinnville, Oregon.
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Revising : Cantharidae (except genus Cantharis)'
Desire : Podabrus, Silis, & M'althodes.
Exchange : Assorted Oregon' Coleoptera .
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Ferguson, Vfa. E. , 6180 Moraga Ave., Oakland 11, Calif.
Green, J. EM, R.D. -No. 2V, Easton, pa, • .
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Revising : plateros . , . ■
Borrow for study.: Plateros from U,3. ic‘ Canada. '•
"Desire : Podabrus and Lampyridae, except Photinus pyralis , from the Louth, especially from southern Florida and -Texas.
Exchange-: Pa. and II. J. Coleoptera.
Hatch, Melville II. , Dept, of Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle 5, Washington. .• .• .
Comments; My interest is primarily the study of the Coleoptera of tile pacific Northwest.'
Janvrin, Edmund R. P., M.D.‘, 38 Last Shth St., New York 28, II. Y.
Comments : I am not collecting actively any more, and so would not be in a ' position to exchange specimens. I might however pur¬ chase interesting items ocassionally .
Jones, Edward W. , 941 Boyer Ave., Walla Walla, Washington.
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exchange : Lost all- families.
Desire: All Elateridae.
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King, Wilbur L. , 503 Main St.*, Bethlehem, Pa.
Desire : Coleoptera from other states than Pennsylvania (named). Exchange: Coleoptera from Pennsylvania.
Leech, Hugh B. , Bex 306, Vernon, B.C.
Exchange : Species of various tanilies, in'^papers .
Desire: "Hydrophilidae . - • .
Lug, inbill, Dr, Philip, Box 49b, Lafayette, Ind.
Revising: Phyllophaga . .. , • . : ■
Borrow for study: pHyllophaga spec mens.
Lx change-: phyllophaga . • , •_ ;
Desire: phyllophaga. ,
Comments: Interested only in Phyllophaga of the U.S. x Canada.
Mac Andrews, A. H. , New York State College of Forestry, Syracuse 10, ij . y.
Lxchange: Cerambycidao , Buprestidae, L.Ipidae.
pc? sire: Cerambycidao, Buprestidae, IpidaeL .
Kaehler, Kenneth L. , U.S.D.A., P.0,. Box 340, S. , .Honolulu, T.H.
Lxchange: Hawaiian Insects, all, groups. ... .
Lesire: Agrieul-turia-I and -Economic Coleoptera. . ‘ • a:
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Marshall, Dr. k. Y. , Veterans Administration, Wadsworth, Kansas. ~ Revising: Malachilhao .
Borrow; for study: Melachinus, Hicrolipus, Ant ho conus, Attalus. Lxchange; Several hundred species of U.S. Coleoptera .
Desire: Trophimus, Tennopsophus , Chaetocoelus, Attalusinus. Identify : kalachiinae . ... ■ ” . " : ’ /
Marx, Ldwa-rd-.F. , 115 Plymouth place, lie r chan t v.i 1 1 e#* - .
Studying: Donaciini ( Chrysoneli&ae ) '
Borrow Tor study: U. a. ^ Donaciini (Chpvsonelidae)
Lxchange : Donaciini from KV J. and Me. •
Desire: N. a. Donaciini, particularly Donacia subtil is Kunze from Middle and Far West and D.. subtilis fulgens Lee.
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Ouellet, Brother Joseph, C.S.V., 7400 Bbul . St. Laurent, Montreal 14, Canada. ...
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Lxchange : Have an extensive .list of Coleoptera from R.uebec, in almost every family. . "
Desire : Coleoptera' from all parts, of U.S, A-., West Indies, and South Ame r i c a .
Seev-er’s,. Charles H.-, Roosevelt College, 231
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Wells St**, Chicago, Ill
Revising : Cyrophsena (Staphyl'inidae ) also: The Termitophilous Coleoptera of the Vest. Hemisphere, ( Aleocharinae ) .' •*'
Borrow for study : Termitophilous Coleoptera. Specimens -of Cyrophaena .
Lxchange : Above groups.
Lesire : Above groups.
Genthner, Louis .G. , 22 Groveland Ave., Ledford, Oregon.
Revising: N . a. Hal.tica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae ) bor row for study : Haltica oregonensis Schffr.
Exchange Many species of Haitlcinae.
Desire : Lpitrix lobata Er..
Sanders, Robert R. , 1039 mast Howard, Pasadena 7, Calif.
jjXchdiye . Lise . Coleoptera, and will be collecting in Colorado this summer.
£-e_sire: Typical examples of the families of Coleoptera, for a teaching collection. • • _
C omne n t s : My mam interest .in Entomology1 is in aquatic insects and I do not have very much in the way of Coleoptera.
Schuh, Joe, Box 101, Gresham, Oregon.
Exchange: Lise. Coleoptera.
Desire: Mi sc. Coleoptera.
j Comments : An interested in having nisc. Coleoptera named and in ^ exchanging Coleoptera.
Scott, F.T., Box 1149, Visalia, California.
Com nt s : I am not at present active in collecting or exchang¬ ing^ but have a large collection of Coleoptera.
Smith, Ray Fred, 112 Agriculture Hall, University of California, Berkeley 4, California.
Revising : N. A. Diabrotica .
Borrow Tor study: Diabrotica of North and South America. Exchange : . Diabrotica of North and South America.
Desire: Diabrotica of North and South America*
Stehr, Dr. Em. C., Prof, Entomology, Dept. Zoology, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
Revising : ngonoderus s. str. , Carabidae.
Borrow for study : Any material from Nest of the Mississippi River, except Minn, and 3.D. also Eastern Gulf Coast.
Thatcher, Theodore 0., 700 3. 31st St., 2-C, Richmond, California,
Interested: Primarily in Scolytidae - also interested in other wood boring Coleoptera and Forest Insects.
borrow for study: Scolytidae - particularly Ips at the present time .
nxc hange : Lestern Scolytidae and some other wood boring beetles. De siru : Ne stern Ips.
Thomas, Charles A., Cedercroft Road., Kennett Square, Pa .
Desire : All stages of ^lateridae, especially accurately deter- mmed larvau .
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Vaientine, Barry D.., 207 Williams Street, Ithaca, ll.£,
Exchange; Berth American Cerambycids, undetermined Coleoptera from Guadalcanal and Bougainville* ; * -
Desire: Anthribidae ( Rhyne ophora )*' "of the world,1 'but preferably from U. 5. or Solomon Islands.
Wilcox, John A. , f La Grange , Ohio. .
Desire:. Chrysonelidae , particularly the Alticinae. exchange : Coleoptera from Ohio. a-
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Williams , ’ Dr . Eliot C., Jr., The Chicago Academy of Sciences, 2001 N, Clark. Street, Chicago 14, Ill.: .
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Wolcott , Albert"' Burke , 4706 Borthcott a ve Downers Grove, Ill. (Retired)
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iiCOLpaiC.X iiND COLLLCTIKG NOTES
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General Collecting :
ah excellent place to collect is on top of mountains, especially if they are bare rocks such as Whiteface, Kc Intyre., Marcy and many others in Hew York State; the White Mountains i-n Hew Hampshire and Katahdin in Lame. The wind currents bring the insects to the top and they can be picked off the rocks' where they are hanging on. Many beetles can be collected in this way, but most other insects too, even thv_ deer bot that is supposed to be such a fast flier, can be picked up by hand. • •
Twipborers :
In the Spring many wood boring beetles may be collected by pick¬ ing up the broken twigs and small limbs under trees and splitting them apart with a knife or small hatchet. Lost of the beetles have pupated and are ready to come out and when an infested branch. is found, the species will be found in goodly numbers. This is an excellent way of obtaining Anobiidae and the rarer Scolytfdae, as well as their preda¬ tors. Under white pines look for cones that did not mature and break them open, you will find Conophthorus coniperda Sz.
C.tenocera appressus Land. :
This interesting species has been collected in numbers along the trails in the Adirondacks where the elevation is above 3500 feet and the sphagnum is common. The males sun themselves on the ferns growing in the sphagnum. The block females may be- found by tearing apart the sphagnum. Females may be found marked like the males. The best time to collect these in June and a good place is along the Van Hoevenburg Trail to Lt. Larcy, N.Y. , right after you leave the Indian Fails leanto..
Henry Dietrich Cornell University
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HnBITATS OF P OUOA IMVILLF COLLOPTLRA I After spending over a year on Bougainville and collecting beetle, part of the time, some interesting facts on distribution and habitats have become evident.
The outstanding distributional fact is the strange relationship
between the many islands in the vicinity of the Solomons. I have seen
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material from Guadalcanal, Bougainville and New Georgia and in seeing these series, one thing is evident - that is the faunal homogeneity of the Solomons except for New Georgia which has apparently deviated and developed independent lines. This is strange for New Georgia is almost exactly between Guadalcanal and Bougainville, yet the beetles are distinctly different. I imagine some good series and analytical work will show an explanation. {See Mayr , Svstematics and the Origin of Species , p. 82, 1944.)
The number of beetles that may be collected on Bougainville in a few hours is fantastic, and one who collects Cerambycids will really find them in abundance. They 'outnumber any other group of beetles
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practically two to one - 'at least in the jungle areas. The Prioninae
are the only ones which will come consistently to light. As a matter
of fact, in over ten years' collecting in* the" states and the tropics, I
have only taken two Prionids in the field; all the others were at light.
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The other Cerambycids are very common. Practically every bush
and plant has a few. If one desires series of five hundred or more
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specimens in a few minutes, collect from a dead branch with very little undergrowth around it. Often they will’ be sitting there - crowded head to tail and even two deep. There Is also a brown Nlaterid beetle about an inch and one-half long which likes the same kind of branch, but which is uasy to pass up for it looks more like dead wood than the branch The genus Ba. toe era , the heavyweight of the Lamiinae, is easy to find. V.’olk through the jungle and watch the top foliage of fig trees
end rattan pains. Be toe e re feeds on these trees and has a tendency to stick to one snail area. Unless one of these spots is found one probably will never collect any. Though occasionally they cone to light 4 But once an area is found it can be collected week after week and it is easy to knock down fifty specinens in a few days.
Curcul ionidae and bcarabaeidae are the next most common. Scarabs will cone to light, but the big majority are diurnal and fly from flower to flower. 7,'eevils are widely distributed, but they are not a-s numer¬ ous as the Cerambyc ids . Lore searching is necessary to find them.
Rhyne ophorus seems to like fresh tree stumps, while the rest can be found almost anywhere. Many weevils travel in pairs and if one specimen is found, the opposite sex can often be located just a few inches away.
Barry D. Valentine Ithaca, N.Y.
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THE COLEOPTERISTS’
BULLETIN
Kay 1, 19);./
OCT 1 7 1947
• UNlVEhSHI ut iLutiQlS
I:
EDITOR: Ross K. Arnett, Jr.
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Mimeoprinted by THE SHERWOOD PRESS, Dryden, N. Y. Mimeoprinted in the U. S. A.
PRICE: 15c a copy or $1.00 a year (Ten Issues)
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EDITOR'S NOTE
The response to the first issue of this "bulletin was quite gratify¬ ing. Many have subscribed, and many have taken the trouble to write and tell us their reactions to this idea. I v/ish to thank all who have written for their kind suggestions and criticisms. If the material con¬ tinues to come in at the present rate, we will be able to carry on the bulletin. Your continued support and cooperation is needed.
There are two main projects in viev; at present. They are: first to make as complete a list as possible of North American determiners. 3y early fall, we would like to devote nearly an entire issue to a list of the families, subfamilies, and tribes of North American Coleoptera v/ith a determiner for each group, as far as possible.
Our second project is to have more reviews of the current literature. It will be greatly appreciated if the reader will send us reviews of any new paper on the taxonomy or ecology of beetles.
To date we have been able to include only the North American Coleo- pterists. Ve would like very much to expand this to include many foreign Coleopterists. So far we have not had many letters from abroad. But all will agree that it would be distinctly to our advantage if we could locate good sources of foreign material. 'Therefore, if you will send us the names and addresses of any of your foreign correspondents, we will write to them and ask if they will cooperate with us.
Finally, we would like to publish lists of the locations of type material. If Institutions maintaining collections which have type mater¬ ial would send us a list of that material we would gladly include it in the bulletin. The location of some collections may seem obvious, for ex¬ ample, the location of the Casey types, but we would like these for the record anyway . The locations of types not associated with large collect¬ ions could well be listed in detail, that is, the actual specific names
could "be listed.
These are suggestions. Any .you, the reader, may have will he welocme.
Ross H. Arnett, Jr. EDITOR
ADDITIONS TO TEE CURRENT LIST OP CCLSCPTERISTS
Elis.s, Raymond Q. , Department of Zoology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. (Note: New Address).
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Determine : Silphinae of U.S.
Desire ; Silphinae, especially Nicrophorus of the world.
or row ; Silphinae, especially Ni.crophorus .
Exchange » Silphinae..
Comments: A3. so ■ interested in biological studies of these beetles
Bottimer, L. J.,-Box 722, Kerrville, Texas,
Exchange ; Will collect in certain. families for Bruchidae of western U.S. and foreign countries. ‘
. Dcsire : Bruchidae of the world, especially from Mexico and south- i ward-. ' . .
O.L. Cartwright, Entomology Department, Clemson College, . Clemsoii, S.C.
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Revising: ‘ Pleurophorus'fe Ataenius : Scarabaeidae.
Be „ row : All available Pleurophorus right away. Revision pract¬ ically completed. .. • : 5 - " • '• - . .
Exc range : At aenius from all parts p-f. the ’world, especially from ’ Mexico, Central and South.. America. :
Casselberry, R,C . , 55 Edgemont Rd.., S cars dale, N.Y.
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Desire ; Chrysocnus auratus in large quantities. Please write me . ii you will collect these during 19^-7 season.
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Cook, Carl,t,.. Crailhope, Kentucky. * '"■
exchange : Nearly all families- of North American Coleop’t era.
Desire : Cicindelidae, Scarabaeidae, Cychr ini. *
Co.m.teut s : My main interest is in the Odonata and Papilios of the world, but I also collect in the above . families of Coleoptera.
Downie, N. M., Elbridge, N.Y. .• • •: •
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■ ^ Comment s,: I' have a large quantity of mounted and papered specimens (n. i . State) which I would be glad to exchange for North American species, not in. rqy collection. I also have quite . a few mount fed and papered specimens from Turkey, some. .of these being named and some, not. These also I would glad- ■ - r i *ly exchange for American species new to my collection. I • - • have a general collection of about l'S’,000- 20,000 specimens and I am willing to trade for most anything except Western . Tenebrionidae. Will send Leng Catalog numbers for the papered specimens or will answer correspondence In. detail
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in reference to the mounted specimens. Also will furnish a list of the Turkish specimens.
duBois, John J. , 205 Wayside Drive, Turlock, California.
Revising ; Sorrow : Exchange : Desire :
Eurygeniidae (Pedilidae) : Coleoptera.
All Pedilidae (Coleoptera) except Pedilus. pedilidae, nearly all, and all groups of Coleoptera. All Pedilidae.
Gillogly, Lor in Pay, 5k62 l4th Avenue, Sacramento 17, California.
Determine : Near tic Nitidulidae,
Collect : Hitidulidae only.
Exchange : Will exchange any other families for Hitidulidae. Guppy, Richard, R,l R. no. 1, Wellington, S.C., Canada.
Exchange : Vancouver Island Coleoptera.
Desire: Coleoptera of Vancouver Island only. Will also accept in
return cash or some families of H, Amer. Lepidoptera.
Comments: I cannot undertake to ship many orders during summer months, hut will welcome correspondance with a view to ascertain¬ ing which species are worth taking.
Kicks, Stanton D. , 507 Canada Bldg. , Plant Inspection Office, Dept, of Agr., Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Comments: My interest as a working Coleopter ists has heen to collect
and record as correctly as possible the rarer native beetles of extreme southern Ontario, Canada. Species common to Europe and North America from this area have been a special interest. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST- has been and will con¬ tinue to be the medium for recording names and notes, espec¬ ially when the host is considered important.
Knull, Josef IT., Department of Zoology & Entomology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Determine: North American Buprestidae, Elateridae, Cerambycidae.
Exchange: Will exchange the above families.
Leech, Hugh B. , Box 308, Vernon, B.C., Canada.
Comments : Would like to obtain by exchange, examples of. Hydro char a obtusata (Leng Cat. No. 2795) from La., Ark., Mo., Kans., Okla, , Tex.
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Mackenzie, G, P., 1284 Sherwood Road, San Marino, 9> California.
Exchange: All groups of N. A. Coleoptera except Rhynchophora. My
exchange . list normally contains more than 600 named species; all neatly mounted and labeled.
Mange, Emerson W. , 307 West Walnut St., Hanover, Pa.
Comments : At the present time I am especially interested in Diplotaxis and will be glad to buy or exchange any other group for them. My collection isn’t so large, but anyone is free to use any of the specimens for study anytime they wish.
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Mar xf Edward J. F. , 115 Plymouth Place, Merchantville, P, j#
Determine ; Donaciini .
Desire;. Donacia subtilis Kunze and, its subspecies.
Borrow: N. Am.er. Donaciini, as much material as possible.
Exchange: Pa. and 21. J. Coleoptera.
head, Albert R. , Department of Zoology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
Stehr, Urn. C. , Ph.D., Prof, of Entomology, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
Comments : be have a considerable collection of insects of all orders from the North Central, Northern Great Plains and South¬ eastern States, most of which are undetermined and which we will gladly make available to specialists for study and determination with the privilege of retaining duplicates, etc.
Sumerville, Bruce, 11 36 Delaware, Detroit 2, Michigan.
Townshend, Henry H. , 35 Hillhouse Ave. , New Haven 11, Conn.
Comments : I am interested in purchasing specimens of New England Coleoptera ior my collection. - This would include neigh¬ boring states like New York.
White, Burdette E. , 703 23rd St., Merced, California.
Interested in ; Bruchidae, Chrysomelidae, Buprestidae.
•• xll determine : Cryo tocephalus , Bruchidae, Pachybrachys .
Desire: . Hegacerus folylabrus = Bruchus) arenarius~twole) ; Anisostena bicolon Smith: Anistostena ar iadne Newn. ; Anisostena arigita (Oliv.) ; Anisostena kansana Schffa. ; Mylabrus? wheelockl ■ ' Blatchley ; Ky torhinus Hfylabrus) prolixus (FallYT "
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REVIEWS
Oke, Charles, Aculagnathidae. A Hew Family of Coleoptera, (proc. Hoy. Soc.
Victoria, 44 (U.S.), pt . 1, 1932» PP* 22--24, 1 pi.)
Even though this paper has "been in print for fifteen years, a review of -it is of interest because the evidence cited is not generally known by the Forth American Coleopterists. Mr. Oke describes what he terms as w a very anomalous beetle** which is remarkable in tnat it has what are thought to be sucking mouthparts. He states that *' a similar condition is found in the Clavergerinae, where the mouthparts are so atrophied that they are very indistinct and quite useless.'* The Forth American collector is fam- ilar with the Meloid genus Memo gnat ha which have the galeae produced some- vrhat in the same manner as the Lepidoptera, and are thought by some to be capable of sucking nectar. (This however, is doubtful). Mr. Oke has de¬ scribed Aculagnathus mirabilis which is a small beetle measuring only 1.50 mm. and inhabits the nests of Amblyopone ants. They are genuine inquilines, and lack teichomes. But the most remarkable feature of these beetles is the modification of the mouthparts. The mouthparts are very small, the mandible is highly specialized, placed somewhat transversely, with a long thin process on its outer edge, which normally rests within the labrum.
When the mandible is moved the end of this process protrudes beyond the labrum and is evidently used for piercing its prey. The labrum is curled over on its edges and forms an open sheath for the styliform processes of the mandibles, the sheath being partly closed by a thin, membranous extension of the labrum below. At the time of Mr. Oke's writing-, only a few speci¬ mens had been found (number not stated). The article does not mention the location of the type of this species. It is found in Victoria.
- R. H. A.
Faulian, Henaud, Les Cole'opteres ; Formes - Moeurs - Role , Bibliotheque Scientif ique, Payot, Paris, 194^1 39^ PP-, 1&4 figs., l4 plates.
This book, which is prefaced by the well known French Coleopterist ,
Dr. R. Jeannel, is a thorough, well organized, well written introduction to the Order Coleoptera. Unfortunately, the paper which was used for this book is of a very poor grade, and consequently, the page illustrations, even though well made are not as distinct as might be wished. Dr. Faulian makes liberal use of footnote references, but he does not have a very ex¬ tensive bibliography. He includes an index to authors and an index to species, but there is no subject index.
The book is divided into two parts, the first deals with the structure and habits, while the second deals with the distribution, evolution, and relationship to man. This book is so well organized, that it may not be out of place to list the contents of the chapters to show the organization and scope. Chapter one defines the order, discusses the general morphology and briefly summarizes the classification; chapter two deals with the fossil beetles, while chapter three is on the physiology of beetle nutrition; sex, courtship and development are covered by chapters four and five. The re¬ mainder of part one deals with the effects of environment, types of adap¬ tion, and reproduction.
Fart two has five chapters, the first devoted to habitat types, the second to zoogeography, the third to the faunas of beetles, the fourth to the formation of the species, and the final chapter to man's interest in beetles .
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Dr, Paulian is to ‘be congratulated for his preparation of this hook.
The English speaking world would do well to have as fine a text for the begining student of Coleopterology.
- R. H. A.
- ^TTER from SPAIN ■ '
I recently received a letter from M. Frdncisco Espanol (Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Apartado de Correos 593, Barcelona, Spain), who is in¬ terested in entering into scientific relations with American Coleopterists. He specializes in Tenebrionidae and at present desires American specimens of Crypt icus.
- M, H. Hatch
. .. 1 COLLECTION AND PREPARATION OF BEETLES
I always hesitate to tell any one "how" to mount beetles but I will just tell how I do it and if determiners1 approval is any critirion, it seems to be successful.
First I collect directly into cyanide bottles made in the approved way, potassium cyanide covered with sawdust and topped with several discs of white blotting paper... A line of "Duco" cement run around the edges of the blotting .paper after it is in the bottle helps keep it in place. Then place plenty of crumoled tissue 'paper iq the bottle. (I use a wide mouth 4 oz. bottle). As soon as the beetles are quiet and certainly thai same evening place the catch in vials. , (I use 4 dram .vials), sorted according to sizes and fill with a solution made as follows:
, 95$ Ethyl Alcohol 280 cc.
Distilled water 230 cc.
Benzol . . 35 cc.
Ethyl Acetate: • 95 -cc;
Leave in the above solution over nite or longer depending on size. This cleans the beetles and also dissolves ' much o.f the fat, besides the geni¬ talia will- extrude with a little pressure. After you pour off the solution, fill the vials with SO/o. ethyl alcohol. If the vials are quite full of beetles it might be wel‘1 to pour the alcohol off and refill in a day or two. In this way beetles may oe preserved until you are ready to mount them. To have the beetles look nice after pinning it is not advisable to keep them in alcohol over, eight to ten years. Labels written on good quality paper should be placed inside of each vial, never paste labels on the outside of vials.- ,
Now as. to mounting the above specimens. Those large enough to pin on a number 1 .pin, or larger, pin directly. Never use any pin smaller than a number 1. If you are in doubt use a point. ' Many nice specimens have been spoiled by a pin. To make points, first be sure to use a good paper. 1 like a two-ply Bristol board. If you Use a punch- get two sizes, one with as fine a point as you can get and the other coarser. If you cut ’ them with a razor blade make strips 8-9 mm. wide and then cut from each side making the point to fit the specimen. Be sure and make the other end wide enough so that the point' does not tear when the pin is pushed thru. If you use a wooden step block for adjusting the height of the pin, cover the top with a piece of "tin" cut from a tobacco can and make a small hole in the middle. .Bend the end of the point to conform to the contoqr of the beetle to be mounted. If the mounted beetle does not stay upright ’until dry, place the
-1S-
pin and point head first in a block of yucca flower stem with the beetle on its back and leave a few minutes until dry.
Many different compounds have been used for 11 glue". If you use the common tubes of fish glue, be sure and get a fresh one every six months or year. Following is a formula of a glue that F. ¥. Nunenmacher gave me some years ago and it seems to improve with age. Several of my colleagues here swear by it.
White gum arabic Sugar
Carbolic Acid crystals 95 fo Ethyl Alcohol
Dissolve the gum and sugar in as little water as possible, mix and strain thru fine muslin (you will have to use pressure), dissolve carbolic acid in alcohol and mix slowly with the above by stiring. I keep some of the glue in a Canada Balsam bottle which makes it quickly available and handy. The main thing to watch with this glue is not to let it get too thick. If it does, just add a little water once in a while. You will be able to tell when the glue is getting too thick by the way it runs off the glass rod.
If the specimens have been preserved in alcohol, pour off the alcohol and refill with water at least a couple of hours before mounting on points.
Even if the specimens are left in water 24 hours it will not hurt them. When beetles have been mounted on points and the glue is dry it is v/ell to take a pin and open the legs and straight en the antennae. If you want to relax or remount a specimen, place the whole mount, beetle, pin, and point in hot water an d the glue dissolves..
- Henry Dietrich Cornell University.
60 parts 30 parts 2 parts 8 parts
REPORTING THE SIZE OF COLLECTIONS
I suggest that reports on the size of various beetle collections are of interest. I report mine in terms of small size Schmitt insect boxes; Silphidae 36 boxes; Pacific Northwest 4o5 boxes; North America 253 boxes; exotic 126 boxes; unsorted 3 boxes; total 823 boxes. In addition, the University of Washington has about 120 boxes of the 0. B. Johnson collection left by the collector a.t his death in 1917* The. two collections together probably contain 15,000 or more species.
- M. H. Hatch
University of Was*
ON THE OCCURENCE OF V5ILLETTA LAURENTINA FALL (ANOBIIDAS) IN NEW YORK
In April or May a trip to a very ancient and long since fallen bass¬ wood tree which is located in the north side of a wind-swept drumlin here in Central New York has always resulted in the capture of quite a few soeci- mens of 1 rillet ta laur ent ina Fall. I find the beetles either alone or in coitu resting on the bark of the tree. I first came across this species in May of 1941. In April. and. May of 1942 many more specimens were taken. During April 1946 after an absence of almost four years spent in the Army,
I returned to the same tree- and was not disappointed when I found the species was still there in fairly large numbers. It would seem that this species lives on basswood, for there are several other species of trees in this tangle mess of tree ruins, but I have never found this beetle on any ol the other kinds. Also I have searched basswood in the same vicinity for this species, and this was also all for naught. - N. M. Downie
Elbridge, N.Y.
ECOLOGICAL AND COLLECTING HOLES:
Many small and hard- to- find species of Mono tomidae, Cucujidae, Crypt o- phagidae and Lathridiidae can "be taken in numbers on the wing and on the north ends of "buildings in barnyards in early spring.
-Hugh B. Leech Vernon, B.C., Can.
A most fruitful place for collection of certain Carabidae (Bembidion, Tachys, Tachycera, Platynus, etc.) and many species of Dytiscidae and Kydrophilidae is under stones and debris in the last pools to become dry in intermittent streams. I have found as many as 200 individuals in a spot like this not over a square yard in area.
-life. C. Stehr, Ph.D. Ohio University.
NEWS
Under date of 5th* 19^7* Gunther Schenkling of Blaubeuren, Germany, writes that his father, Sigmund Schenkling, died December 12, 1946, in his S2nd year, at Berlin. Sigmund Schenkling was the editor of the Junk-Schenk- ling Coleopterorum Catalogus, that was completed during the war. His son writes that his father fell into disfavor with the Nazi government because of his friendship with W. Junk, who was Jewish, and was deprived of access to the library of the Deutschen Entomologischen Institute of the Kaiser- Wilhelm Gesellschaft , which he had largely labored to build up.
- M. H. Hatch
University of Wash.
THE COLEOPTERISTS’
BULLETIN
Vol. I, Ho. 3
June 2, 19^7
EDITOR: Ross H. Arnett, Jr.
Mimeoprinted by THE SHERWOOD PRESS, Dryden, N. Y.
PRICE: 15c a copy or $1.00 a year (Ten Issues)
THE COLEOPTERISTS’ BULLETIN is printed monthly except July and August, by The Sher¬ wood Press, Box 84, Dryden, N. Y. PRICE : $1.00 per year (10 issues) or 15c a single copy, post¬ paid. Back copies may be obtained by writing to the publishers.
- - ARTICLES AND NOTES
All articles and notes should be sent to the Editor in care of The Sherwood Press, Box 84, Dry¬ den, N. Y. Only material conforming with the editorial policy of this bulletin will be accepted. The editor reserves the right to reject or change any material not conforming with the stated edi¬ torial policy.
EDITORIAL POLICY
TO FOSTER AN INTEREST IN AND FURTHER THE SCIENCE OF COLEOPTER- OLOGY BY PROVIDING A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, A GUIDE TO THE SOURCE OF MATERIAL, NEWS OF CURRENT PROGRESS, AND TO WORK FOR A UNITY OF SPIRIT AND PURPOSE SHALL BE THE AIM OF THIS BULLETIN.
Anv person in any country may contribute material lor this bulletin in any language provided they conform with this policy. All material thought to be “amateurish” in the sense that it is juven- ile will be rejected. But it is to be distinctly understood that this bulletin is for the serious Ama¬ teur as well as for the Professional, and all are invited to write its pages. Material for this bulletin will be confined to the field of COLEOPTEROLOGY except in the case of items of a general na¬ ture which would be of interest to Coleopterists. Material written in a light or humorous vein which is not designed to promote interest in the field of Coleopterology will be rejected. It is felt that descriptions of new forms, etc., should not be included in this bulletin.
Printed in U. S. A.
11 SY STEMA -HA TUFAS 11 , a publication devoted to taxonomy, has appeared as listed below. This publication presents "birds’ eye" views of various groups from the world point of view. They are essentially compilations which in¬ clude keys to most of the genera of the world, brief accounts of the group, its range, number of species and often references to original descriptions and genotypes.
S ' t ’ . >
All may be obtained by checking the desired publications and returning this page together with your remittance to the publishers, THE SHERWOOD PRESS, 2ox S4, Dryden, II. Y.
To date, the following have been published:
Pub. Ho. 1 - The Family Culicidae, Feb. 1946 , (reissued June 1947) $ .20
Pub. Ho.. 2 - The Family Cicindelidae, Mar. 1946, (reissued June 1947)$ .10
Pub. Ho. 3 & 4 - The Order Coleoptera, July 1946, (reissued June ’47)$ .55
Pub. Ho. 5 - The Family Kisteridae, Jan. 1947, (reissued June 1947) $ .15
Pub. Ho. 6 - The Family Silphidae, March 1947 $ .10
Pub.: No. 7 - The Family Lagriidae, June 1947 $ .10
Name & Address
T
THE COLEOPTERI STS’ BULLETIN
Yol.' I,~ No. 3 ' • June 2>
EDITORIAL
Prof. M. H. Hatch of the University of Washington has contributed an article to be found in this issue which the editor would like to call to the attention of all our readers. Dr. Hatch's proposed program for American Coleopterists is worthy of the attention of every serious student of Coleo- pterology. The American Coleopterists are far behind the European workers because- of the lack of a "unity of spirit and purpose" which Dr. Hatch states could be possible by following a program such as he suggests. For many years the Europeans have successfully maintained such societies and published works far exceeding anything ever attempted in this country. ' Even during the re¬ cent war the.. Europeans were able to accomplish more in the field of beetle taxonomy than we in the New World have done.
I earnestly hope all our readers will give these suggestions their ser-
■ *"k r-
ious consideration and I am taking the liberty to suggest that everyone write to either Dr. Hatch or myself his ideas on the subject. This bulletin will stand behind any program of this sort which meets with the general approval of American Coleopterists.
However, any such project must be the result of careful planning and serious thought. Therefore, it should not be entered into hastily and with¬ out the full realization that it will take the combined efforts of many to be a success.
A WORD FROM THE SHERWOOD PRESS.- It might be well at this time to mention that the part played by this press in publishing this bulletin is purely in the interest of science, and to assure the reader that it is in no way a pro¬ ject run for profit. The Bulletin is charged only for the actual cost of publication, and depends solely on the receipts from subscriptions and from the sale of copies of "Systema Naturae" to meet these expenses. We will cont¬ inue this policy as long as it is the desire of those in charge of the Bulletin for us to do so.
-21-
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.- The Bulletin is mailed on the first day of each month. In the event that you do not receive your copy within a reasonable period after that date, please advise us and we will send you an additional copy. To the best of our knowledge our mailing list is correct. We have sent cards to each subscriber asking that we be advised of any inaccuracy in the mailing address. However, some have written to us that they have' not received the May issue. Therefore, we believe that some copies have been somehow lost in the mails.
We would appreciate it if you would advise us if the lost cony eventually turns up and let us know what indication is made as to how it was lost. You need not return any duplicate copies. Pass them on to some interested person. ***************************************
Also we wish to bring to your attention that even though we plan to publish this bulletin monthly except during July and August (as is noted on the first page of this issue) this will not hold true for this year. If we have enough material we will try to get out ten issues this year, so that volume one will have ten issues. In any event, volume two v/ill start with the January 19^8 issue. Subscriptions will not be due however, until ten numbers have been issued. The subscription price will continue to be one dollar for ten full issues, unless otherwise stated.
***************************************
Beginning with this issue we are printing on both sides of the page. He shall continue this practice as long as the copies are clear. This will be dependent on a continuous supply of heavy paper. This saving on paper and postage will make possible more pages per volume.
-22-
PROPOSED PROGRAM FOR AMERICAN COLSOPTERISTS
The publication of Ross Arnett's Coleopterist s' Bulletin makes it possible for the coleopterist s of the United States and Canada1' to work for a unity of spirit and purpose that has heretofore been impossible. It is the purpose of this note to suggest what some of the objective of our group might be.
(1) An American Coleopter ists * Society to whose membership every per-
* son in the United States and'Canada, interested in any phase of the scienti¬ fic study of beetles, would' be 'invited.- •
(2) The formulation of a code of ethics' governing procedure in the borrowing or lending of specimens for 'study. Row many and what specimens should be retained by the determiner. Row long should materials be held before be-
* ing returned. Provision for the not too long delayed return of material, even though unstudied, that a 'determiner finds himself unable to get around to studying for any of a series of legitimate or illegitimate reasons. We would prefer to have our materials returned unnamed rathdr than not to get them back at all l
(3) The prompt publication of a Fifth Supplement* to the Leng Catalogue.
(4) Following the publication of such a Supplement, the publication (possibly in' the Coleopterist s' Bulletin) of an Annual Supplement to the North American list, possibly with quintennial or decennial cumulative issues.
(5) The preparation and publication of a new catalogue of the Coleo- ptera of North America north of Mexico.
(6) The reprinting or, better, the revision of Bradley's Manual . It
is extremely unfortunate that there is in print at the present time no descript¬ ive analysis of the genera of our Coleoptera.
*ED . NOTE.- In Catalogue "No. 6o - Oct. 1946, Mr. John D. Sherman, Jr . makes
the following announcement: "We are glad to. announce the coming publication of a FIFTH SUPPLEMENT to the LENG CATALOGUE OF COLEOPTERA, which Mrs. Ruth MacCoy Blackwelder has kindly consented to prepare. This supplement \\dll cover the years 1939-19^6 inclusive, and will be published in 1947, provided there is any paper in the World ! 1 "
-23-
(7) The eventual preparation of an adequately illustrated and document¬ ed manual of our genera, after the model of Curran's hook on Diptera.
(8) The eventual preparation of a manual of the species of North Amer¬ ican Coleoptera after the model of certain of the European manuals.
(9) The eventual publication of a journal of American Coleopterology (perhaps an expansion of Mr. Arnett's Bulletin) .
These are some of the things for which, I believe, American coleopter-
f
ists should strive.
M. H. Hatch
University of Washington
NOTED COLEOPTBRISTS DIES
Dr. Armand d'Orchymont, Honorary Curator at the Royal Museum of Natural History of Belgium, and world authority on Kydrophilidae, died of angina pectoris on February 9, 1947, according to a recent letter from his colleague, Mons. A. Collart.
Hugh B. Leech Vernon, B. C.
BOOK NOTICE
Jeannel, Reni, La G-enfese des Faunes Terrestres, felfenents de Biog&ographie, Presses Universitaires de France, Paris, 1942.
This book is called to your attention as Coleopterists because the author used beetles extensively throughout the volume to illustrate his principles of biogeography. . There are 5^3 pages, 213 figures, and 8 plates. Paper cover.
-2*U
cuerebt list or cgleoptxbists (goft.)
Arnett t Ross.K
.Department ox Entomology, 0
ornell University, I thaca, H.Y.
Re vis ing ; Let online : --P.TTL *
Desire *
Comments j
Oedeneridae of Hortii America.
' Oedemeridae of the World.
T?ie only species I have not seen of north American Oedemer- iclae is Xanthochroa trinotata LeC. Any material so labeled would.be welcomed, by', me for study purposes. .
I would like to know ‘the localities of any collection of _ North American Oedemeridae species for my revision. ■ If you would' send me a list of species and localities other than those mentioned, in Horn’s l$9o revision, I will see ii it extends the' range-- o-f the species, and if so, would desire to see the. specimens and include the record in my revision. ALSO; 'There i's practically nothing known about the habits and- habitat s of Oc-demerids. Any data you care to send on habits will be greatly appreciated and fully acknowledged in the revision.
My revision will appear in parts probably begining in Jan¬ uary 19-i-o. .One genus* has been completed and is now in the hands of the publishers.
(EDITOR1 S UOTEi I have given above an example of the detail which may be included in your notes submitted regard i?ig.,yoiX5V.work with Coleoptera. Even if you are not revising a: group, details regarding the size of your collection, etc. are suitable for this section. I feel, and many readers have expressed a like feeling, that actual progress reports by the workers will “be* a great step towards acheiving thO" ’’unity of spirit' and purpose that has heretofore been impossible" mentioned by' Prof . Hatch in his "Proposed Program for American Colecpterists" which is printed in this issue.)
Benesh, Bernard, P.O. Box lhy* north Chicago, Ill.
Determine: Lucanidae.
Desire: Members of South American genera.
Genera: Scortizus (=Sclerostonius, Sclerogr.athus , etc.), Pycno siphorus (rrSclerost onius en pars) .
Will accept for determination Lucanidae (endemic and exotic) with privilege to retain some duplicates. Collect, exchange •and -purchase desirable species (at reasonable rate).
Comments :
V
' - V -
> • n ' *
Bet timer, L. J,., Box 722, Kerrville, Texas.
. . . , • *
Exchange; Will collect in certain families for Bruchidae. of Western
U.S. and foreign countries.
Desire: Bruchidae of the world, especially species from Mexico and
southward .
Brown,
Division of Entomology, Ottawa, CABAPA
Do t erm ine ; Several gr 0 up s , by arrangement .
Wanted : Chrysomela (Lina), especially Ion,: series, unmounted in
'cot ton, assoc iat ed with food-plant, from states west of the the Great Plains* also other Cliryso.melidae, Elateridae, and other Coleoptera. (The species of Chrysomela occur in colonies on their food-plants, which ore willow, poplar, and alder, and are often very abundant) .
-25-
Car t wright , 0. L., Entomology Department, Clemson College, S. C.
Determine: Scarabaeidae of United Stages.
Desire: pleuro phorus and Ataenius of Forth, Central and South Ainer-
ica, and allied genera of Apiiodiinae.
F.evising: Pleurophorus and Ataenius of United States. Would like to
Dorrow all available Pleurophorus and Psammodius within next couple months as Pleurophorus revision is about complet¬ ed.
Will, collect and exchange : All local Coleoptera for Forth, Central, and South American Scarabaeidae.
Chandler, Harry P., c/o Entomology Department, University of California, Berkeley, California.
Determine • Interested Desire : Exchange :
Most groups of Aquatic Coleoptera.
in: Aquatic Coleoptera.
Hydroporus (Dytiscidae) ; small Hydrophylidae .
All families of named Coleoptera or named and unnamed aquatic Coleoptera in papers, alcohol or pinned.
Dahl, Richard G. , 3133 Arizona Street, Oakland 2, California.
Revising; Central & South American Cicindelinae. •
Borrow for study: Cicindelidae from Americas or Pacific Islands.
Will. exchange: Cicindelidae and North American Coleoptera. Particularly desire specimens of : Cicindela malaris, hamulipenis, bergiana, pilosipes, graphiptera and others’^ * *
Comments : Do not want Coleoptera other than Cicindelidae, and am
interested in adding localities for record of Fo. American species or aberrant forms.
Dawson, R. W. , Department of Zoology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 14, Minnesota.
Determine: Genus Serica of Scarabaeidae.
Everly, Ray T. , 4299 N. High St., Columbus 2, Ohio.
Borrow; Carabidae (Chlaenius, Anomoglossus, Brachylobus) .
Desire; Chlaenius viduus, C. aestivus, C. platyderus, C. diffinis,
0. laticollis, C. fuscicornis, C. erythronus.
Comments: Would be willing to purchase specimens of above species,
particularly pairs taken in copulation of closely associated species.
Fattig, p. W. , Box 723, Emory University, Ga.
Co me.it s : V«ould like to have data on any Georgia Coleoptera, especial¬ ly Carabidae, Chrysomelidae, and Scarabaeidae.
Furry, Frank ¥., 1633 Virginia Ave. , Glendale 2, California.
Interests : Coccinellidae, technical illustrations of beetle structure using such mediums as ink or water color.
Comments : Many small forms have never been adequately illustrated, so
I am trying to develop some skill along these lines which
will 1)6 useful in the study of structure.
Desire: I would appreciate hearing from other collectors who have
found useful literature on this subject or whc are willing to discuss their own technique.
Hagen, Kenneth S. , 112 Agriculture Kali, University of California, Berkeley, 4, California.
Determine: Ko tonus, Mecynotarsus, Amblyderus (Anthicidae) .
-r - - -- * ~r ■ TL, “ ^ ~ ~ ^ X ^ _ IV /?
Revising:
Borrow : Exchange : rire :
The following genera cf Anthicidae : Notoxus, Mecynotarsus, and Amblyderus of North America.
Above genera.
IT. A. Coleoptera.
Anthicidae .
Hardy, George A. , Office of Provincial Museum, Victoria, 3. C., CANADA.
Comments :
While we have a representative collection of the provincial Coleoptera, I am particularly interested in the Ceranbycida< and Buprestidae ana will welcome any means by which our knowledge concerning these families may b.e advanced,
Pearce, Rev. E. J.; M.A., E.R.S.S., Priory of St. Teilo, Church Terrace, Roatli, Cardiff, S. Walws, (ENGLAND) .
■ • 'JC
Interests: Kaliplidae, Pselaphidae, Scynaenidae .
Exchange : W il 1 exchange .
Pickford, Grace E,, Osborn Zoological Laboratory, Yale University, New
Haven, Conn.
Studying: Water beetles of Connecticut.
Hitcher, Paul 0., Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington, Ey.
Revising : Desire :
Scat abaeo idea. Larvae of Scarabs.
^ ~ - - - — -
_x change : Reared or associated scarab larvae of a great many genera.
Particularly desire : Tyco, Phobetus, Doltochelun, Aegialia, Bolboceras, "~Cloetus, Queer us, Gymnopyge ,■ Plusiotus , Dichromic. a, Stephanuchay Diphyllo stoma, ITicagus .
Schuh, Joe, Box 101, Gresham, Oregon.
Desire : Exchange :
Econor..ic species.
Miscellaneous Coleoptera. Desire to have miscellaneous weevils and Chrysomelids named.
Strochecker, H. Eu, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
Determine : Endomychidae, ITycetaeidae.
Desire particularly: Symb io t e s- spp., Stethorhanis spp. Wanted : World Endomychidae and Mycetneids.
Exchange :
Eastern Coleoptera for Western Erdonychids, Mycetaeids, and Cerambycids .
-27-
Summerville, Brace, 1136 Delaware, Detroit 2, Mich.
Determine : Cicindelidae east of Mississippi. Will determine this sommer. Desire : Will hay Omas (Cicindelidae), Southwe stern Baprestidae and
Ceramhycidae.
Thatcher, T. 0., 700 So. 31st St., 2-C, Richmond, Calif.
Determine : Scolytidae.
Desire : Ips from Western U. S.
Interests : Making a taxonomic study of the genus Ips.
Wenzel, Rupert L., Division of Insects, Chicago Natural History Musem, Chicago 5, Ill.
Revising: Ahraeinae (Kisteridae) of the New World, (Acritus, Aeletes,
Halacritus, etc.)
Desire: Histeridae cf the world.
REVIEWS
Fletcher, Frank C., The Odd Beetle, Ward’s Natural Science Bulletin, No. 5» May I9U7. • •
The interesting story of the rediscovery of Thylodrias contractus Mots. (Dermestidae : Thylodriinae) is told hy Mr. Fletcher. It was accidently named Ignotus aenignaticus hy Mrs. Slosson in 1902. The circumstances in¬ volved make interesting reading.
WE NEED MORE REVIEWS FOR THIS SPACE
THE LEPIDOPTERISTS’ NEWS
The editor of The Coleopterists ' Bulletin" wishes to congratulate the editors of The Lepidopterists’ News. The first issue of that publication appeared recently. It is a bulletin similar to this one, and may be ob¬ tained by writing to: The Lepidopterists’ News, Box 104, Cambridge 38, Mass.
22-
COLTjTOT I1TG TEOKWI CUES
Th« Coleman. Lamp
While in the t e elm 1 qu e v;h i ch
field with a friend, Mr. I would line to pass on.
ju. Bailey, I have noted the use of Mr. -Bailey and I have had great
success in the use of "sugar" "bait at night, combined with the use of a Coleman "Junior" lamp, Model 2423. This is a mantle lantern of 200 watt
power *
My own catches of "beetles have "been richly rewarded "by the use of this light. A "bright daylight illumination is effected, throwing very few shad¬ ows. This almost shadowless light is very important, as one is enabled to walk up to the specimen feeding or. the bait mixture, without disturbing it, and capture it with a minunum of effort and eyestrain. It is surprising that such a bright light does not disturb the specimens, as one would expect.
On the whole, a seminary of the qualifications of this lamp reveals a distinct advantage ever the eld coal-cil lantern of Dr. Holland1 s ( day; it is economical, easily carried, almost shadowless, extremely bright, and restful to the eyes. * The Coleman lamp is moderately priced and its purchase should amply repay the night collector.
Stanton D. Hicks Windsor, Ont . , Canada
a Collecting Bottle
If one wishes to have a perfectly clean collecting bottle, the cork may be partially hollowed out "and cyanide powder poured in. A cotton stopper will bo effective in preventing any of the powder escaping to damage the specimen below. By this method, a fresh supply of poison. gas can be provid¬ ed at any time, and the bottle can be used indefinitely.
Stanton D. Hicks Windsor, Ont., Canada
The Microscope and Plasticine
Working infer a micro scope, I find plasticine very handy for ventral views of pinned material. I merely roll together about a 2 inch in diameter chunk of plasticine, sau.are it up a bit, and stick the head of the pin possessing the beetle into it. The specimen is easily moved in any direction. One can obtain most of the spectrum colours in plasticine if a certain colour is desirable.
Stanton D. Hicks W i nd so r , On t . , C anada .
Another use of plasticine is as a wo rk ing und e r the hi no cu 1 ar n icroscape. placed or. the stage of the microscope,
holder for bisecting needles If two lumps of plasticine one for each needle, and the
when
ere
needle
handles imbedded in the pi >.sti-cine,
much more accurate delicate cuts
possible with the needles, genitalia.
They- are particularly useful
when di sect ing
will be small
H .H .A
-29-
HABITAT'S C F BOUGAINVILLE COLEOPTSFA, PART II by Barry P. Valentine
According to the distribution given by W. Korn in Coleopterorum Cata¬ logues, about nine genera of Cicindelidae should occur in the Solomon Islands. At least Three of the nine can be found in the thick jungle areas of Bougain¬ ville. These genera, Tricondyla, Therates, and Cicindela are quite inter¬ esting as they have very distinct habits and do not intermingle.
Tricondyla is the most unusual looking and is quite common. From a distance it looks like a large ant. It is large - about one inch long, apterous with conate elytra and is black with red legs. They can be found running along the trunks, branches, and twigs of small trees and bushes and very rarely on the ground. I've never seen these tiger beetles on weeds or other soft— stemed plants and the only tines they venture out upon the leaves of the trees in which they live are when they are pursuing prey or trying to escape enemies. These insects have the typical cicindelid habit of crouching and remaining motionless when a.larmed. When one trys to pick them up, they dodge arcana the branch and appear on the other side - sometimes hanging upside down, but always alert and ready to run.
The genus Therates is found closer to the ground than Tricondyla - either on the jungle floor or on low growing leaves and weeds. It is easily distinguished from other tiger beetles by its fourth tarsal segment v/hich is deeply emarginate arid bilobed. Two species of this genus were taken and, except when disturbed, they were never seen more than three feet above the ground. They fly from leaf to leaf and are almost impossible to catch without a net. When disturbed, they seldom fly more than a few feet, but they take off again at the least disturbance. Therates basalis De j . is un¬ mistakable in the jungle. The pronotum is irridescent violet, while the bases of the -.elytra are yellow and the apices shiny black. The other species is less common but easier to catch. It is larger and has no yellow on the elytra. The two insects fly together and are most abundant during the heat of the day - particularly after a light rain.
Only two species of Cicindela were taken, but I am sure there are many others. The only specimen of one species was taken. at light. The other species is represented by five specimens which were te-ken around the muddy edges of shell holes and bomb-craters in open sun-light. 'They are quite small - 8 mm. and very active. I have no idea what their natural habitat is as I've never seen an open muddy area in the jungle which wasn't causea by man. There are no large animals on Bougainville which might make wallows, so the only possibility I can imagine is that these beetles live on tne banks of rivers and streams. Except for the one day when I found my five specimens, this species of Cicindela was never collected in the year v/hich I spent on Bougainville.
(To be continued)
-30-
FLOOD COLLECTING- FOR COLEOPTERA
'by O. L. Cartwright Clemson, S.C.
'Beetles in surprising numbers may sometimes he collected "by tailing advantage of rising flood waters. The advancing water sweeps up all kinds of insects and carries them along on twigs, leaves, and other floating debris. If a mass of such material can he located slowly rotating or piling up in a quiet eddy along the edge of a stream, it can he scooped up, rolled in an old sheet or piece of canvas to dry out and the beetles easily captured. As the mass -dries the beetles gradually crawl downward to the cloth where by rolling the material from side to side, specimens may he found every day for as much as a week or more, or until it is completely dry.
For example, on March 30 , 1944 two bushels of debris were collected at Clemson, South Carolina from the Seneca river and over the next few days hundreds of specimens were found. Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Elateridae, Chrysonelidae, Scarabaeidae and weevils were most numerous. Of the ' Scarabaeidae, the family of- greatest' interest to the writer, 42 species were taken, two of which were represented by over 1000 specimens each.
ROTES OR SOME OREGON CARTHARIDAE
by Kenneth M. Fender McMinnville, Oregon •
In years past, the. common. species of Cantharidae in the northern Oregon Coast Range have, been podabrus -piniphilus (Esch, ) , Podabrus cavicollis LeC., Silis pallida Mann. , Halthodes humidus Fend, and Maltho&es oregonus Fend. Podabrus extricatus Fall has always been a rare catch and Silis lutea LeC. unknown to the author north of Corvallis.
This spring (1047) has been quite mild and unusually nice in north¬ western Oregon. Podabrus cavicollis and the Mai tholes have only begun to emerge and no real report can as yet be given on these species, but Fodabrus extricatus has turned up-more frequently than has Podabrus piniphilus and Silis lutea is the only species of the genus taken up to the time of writ¬ ing. Both of these species have appeared in fair abundance in the foot¬ hills west of McMinnville, some forty miles north of Corvallis.
THE COLEOPTERISTS’ BULLETIN is printed monthly except July and August, by The Sher¬ wood Press, Box 84, Dryden, N. Y. PRICE: $1.00 per year (10 issues) or 15c a single copy, post¬ paid. Back copies may be obtained by writing to the publishers.
ARTICLES AND NOTES
All articles and notes should be sent to the Editor in care of The Sherwood Press, Box 84, Dry¬ den N Y Only material conforming with the editorial policy of this bulletin will be accepted. The editor reserves the right to reject or change any material not conforming with the stated edi¬ torial policy.
EDITORIAL POLICY
TO FOSTER AN INTEREST IN AND FURTHER THE SCIENCE OF COLEOPTER- OI OGY BY PROVIDING A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, A GUIDE TO THE SOURCE OF MATERIAL. NEWS OF CURRENT PROGRESS, AND TO WORK FOR A UNITY OF SPIRIT AND PURPOSE SHALL BE THE AIM OF THIS BULLETIN.
Any person in any country may contribute material for this bulletin in any language provided they conform with this policy. All material thought to be “amateurish m the sense that it is juven¬ ile will be rejected. But it is to be distinctly understood that this bulletin is for the serious Ama¬ teur well as lor the Professional, and all are invited to write its pages. .Material for this bulletin -.■ill be confined to the field of COLEOPTEROLOGY except in the case of items of a general na¬ ture which would be of interest to Coleopterists. Material written in a light or humorous vein which is not designed to promote interest in the field of Coleopterology will be rejected. It is felt that descriptions of new forms, etc., should not be included in this bulletin.
Printed in U. S. A,
THE COLEOPTERI ST S ’ BULLETIN
Vol. 1, Nos 4 & 5 SPECIAL SUECER ISSUE ' " August I9U7
CURRENT LIST OF COLEOPTERI STS (Cont .)
Arnett, Ross H., Jr., Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Revising: Determine ? NEED: Desire:
Oedemeridae of North America.
Oedemeridae of the World.
Information on the "biology of Oedemeridae. Exotic material representing Oedemerid genera.
Barber, H. S., U. S. National Museum, Washington, 25, D.C. Bottiraer, L. J., Box 722, Kerrville, Texas.
Exchange : Will collect in certain families for Bruchidae of Western
U. S. and foreign countries.
Desire : Bruchidae of the world, especially species from Mexico and
southward.
Bondar, Gregorio, Secretaria da Agricultura, Bahia, BRAZIL.
Interest:
Revising; Desire : Borrow: Exchange:
Curculionidae, Bruchidae and other phytophagus Coleoptera. Some genera of Brazilian Curculio.
South and Central American Barinae.
South American Barinae.
South American Barinae and a monograph.
Corporall, J. B., c/o Zoolog. Museum, Entom. Div. Zeehurgerdi jh 21, Amsterdam 0. , NEDERLANDS.
Determine :
Revising:
Exchange ;
Comments :
Cleridae of the world.
Cleridae of the world.
Cleridae of the world.
Insects of all other groups, notably from Europe and from the East-Indian Archipelago can he sent in exchange.
Dahl, Richard G., 3133 Arizona St., Oakland 2, California.
Desire : Ctenostoma from Central or South America.
Dillon, Laurence S., Reading Public Museum, Reading, Penna.
Borrow: I would like to borrow Cerambycidae from the Fiji Islands.
The Bishop Museum has sent me nearly 1000 specimens, but as the authorities there would like the study to be as complete as possible, more would be welcome. While over 100 species a re included in the above lot, queerly enough several of the larger, more conspicuous forms are not re¬ presented.
Easton, Dr. Alan M., Roadside Cottage, Lower Road, Great Bookham, Surrey, ENGLAND .
Comment : Dr. Easton is studying the world species of Meligethas,
-32-
(Nitidulidae) . He is anxious to receive freshly taken Amer¬ ican species, for which he will exchange British Beetles.
He will, in addition he happy to determine any Meligethes sent to him for this purpose.
CORRECTION: In vol. I, no. 1, Mr. Louis G. Gentner’ s name was misspelled
"Genthner” instead of Gentner. Mr. Gentner’ s correct name and address is: Louis G. Gentner, 22 Groveland Ave . , Medford, Oregon.
Gilmour, E. E. , F.R.E.S., "East View", Milnshridge, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, ENGLAND .
Determine :
Desire :
Revising:
Exchange :
Cerambycidae (Prion.— Ceramh.- Lamiinae.) of the world, especially the latter.
Numerous Cerambycidae from all parts of the world. Further list to correspondents writing.
At present revising Batocerini.
Have for exchange several other Coleopterous families be¬ sides Cerambycidae. Exchanges greatly desired.
Gressitt, J. Linsley, Lingnan University, Canton, CHINA.
Revising;
Desire : Borrow: Exchange : Comments :
Pacific and Asian Cerambycidae, Hispinae and Cassidi. Chinese Chrysomelidae.
Above .
Above .
South China insects.
Willing to purchase.
Heifer, J. R., Mendocino, California.
Determine : U.S. Buprestidae.
Desire : Buprestis .
Comments : Will collect California (Mendocino County) in exchange for
U.S. or foreign Buprestidae.
Jolivet, Pierre, Lie. Sc., 6 Rue de Balzac, Franconville -S-et 0 - FRANCE.
Determine : Desire : Revising: Interests ; Exchange :
Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, esp. Palarctic species. American Timarcha (Adults and larvae) .
The Timarcha and the French Orsodacnidae.
3iology, systematics, and physiology of Chrysomelidae. French Coleoptera. Also publications on Chrysomelidae.
Last, H. , 12 Winkworth Road, Banstead, Surrey, ENGLAND.
Interests: Staphylinidae of the world.
Determine ; British Staphylinidae.
Desire » Separates and references to Staphylinidae.
NEW ADDRESS: Leach, Hugh B., Dept. Ent., Calif. Ac. of Sc., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco IS, Calif.
Malkin, Borys, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
Determine: N. A. Coccinellidae, Haliplidae, Gyrinidae.
Desire : Agrabia (Neohramonia) ampla & Agrabia cyanoptera from
S.W.U.S., Mexico and Central America.
Borrow:
Kippodania and Coccinella west of the Rocky Mts. only, also all other Coccinellidae of U.S. exchange . All aquatic beetles from U.S* and all other regions only
with exact data. Western U.S. Coccinellidae plus Mexican Coccinellidae.
Offer: Warned U.S. Coleoptera of all families.
Marshall, Dr. M* Y., Veterans Administration, Murfreesboro, Tenn [Note new address. ]
Comments :
I would appreciate an expression of opinion from as many Coleopt erists as possible as to the ideas expressed in my "Studies in the Malachiidae", published in the ITov.-Dec.
1946 issue of the Canadian Entomologist, concerning the identity of the genera Malachius, Microlipus and Anthocomus . I do nob want to prepare a key to the combined genera un¬ less it is thought that such a key would be helpful.
McDermott, F. A.,
815 V. 32nd St., Wilmington, Del.
Depire ; Photinus marginellis Lee. & $>, preferably collected in
eastern Ohio or western Pennsylvania, with any notes on light emission. Two or three pairs will be enough.
Meiners, Edwin P., 6651 Enright Ave., St. Louis 5, Mo.
Exchange ; I would like to exchange local species of Coleoptera for
specimens from any part of the world. Would like especially Coprinae of the world.
Monro s, Francisco, calle Bolivar 1.4g4, dt° E., Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA.
Revising:
Desire : Borrow: Exchange ;
Neotropical Cassididae.
Chrysomeloidea sensu latu all over the world. Above .
Argentine Coleoptera of nearly all families.
Mouchamps, Raymond, Rue Paul Janson, 29 Herstal (Liege) 3ELGIUM.
Deter.- ine : Dytiscidae, Haliplidae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae, Gyrinidae. Desire: Above, of the world.
Paulian, Renaud, Dr., Ass. Director, Institut de Recherches Scientif ique, Tananar ine-Tsimbazaza, MADAGASCAR .
Comments : I shall be glad to give such help as I can to get insects,
if needed for scientific purposes.
Pearce, (Rev.) E. J., C.R., M.A., F.R.E.S., Priory of St. Teilo, Church Terrace, Roath, Cardiff, S. Wales, ENGLAND.
Determine ; Haliplidae, Pselaphidae, Scymaenidae.
Desire ; Any U.S. A. species of these groups.
Exchange : British specimens.
Penn, George E., Department of Zoology, Tulane University of Louisiana,
New Orleans, La.
Desire :
Locality records of any species of aquatic Coleoptera coll¬ ected in Louisiana, together with number' of specimens and location of collection, and whether available on loon for examination.
Ritcher, Paul 0., Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington, Ky.
Determine: Larvae of Scarabaeidae.
Desire : Larvae of Phobetus , Thyce, Bolboceras, Bolbocerosoma,
Gymnopyge, Deltochilum.
Comment: We have a large collection of Scarab, larvae and many
species which are available for exchange.
Stirrett, Dr. G-eo. M., Dominion Entomological Laboratory, Chatham, Ontario, CANADA .
Determine: Halticinae (Chrysomelidae) all species.
Revising: Diliolia, Chae to enema. Revising these two genera at present
time but would like to exchange or make determinations in all genera of Halticinae.
Summerville, Bruce, II36 Delaware, Detroit 2, Michigan.
Determine: Cicindelidae east of the Mississippi. I do not retain
Uniques.
Desire: The following species [Leng Cat. Nos.] la, 2, 2a, 3» 4-3
14153, 14514, 14515, 14599, 14600.
Comments: I would like four boxes of species of Rhyncophora determin¬
ed. Specimens principally from east of the Mississippi. There are sparse host records and taxonomists may retain duplicates.
I will be pleased to collect unidentified material in other orders for similar material in Coleoptera. Papered, pinned or alcoholic specimens in any family.
Ting, Peter C., State Department of Agriculture, State Office Bldg. no. 1, Sacramento l4, California.
Determine : Curculionid genera - Dyslobus, Cimbocera, Paracimbocera,
Miloderes, Milo&eroides, Cryptolepidus, and Ehinomacer of - Leng* s catalog.
Desire: Rocky Mountain species of Dyslobus and reared or associated
larvae of Dyslobus from all western states.
Larvae of Rhynchophora from all regions identified by rear¬ ing or association.
Revising: Curculionid genus Dyslobus . This is a large genus of
broad-nosed weevils restricted in distribution to western United States and Canada. Over fifty species are known to the author.
Interests : Rhynchophorus families and larvae of Coleoptera.
Exchange: Selected species.
van Doesburg, P. H., Cantonlaan 1, Baarn, HOLLAED.
Determine : Passalidae.
Note : Have an extensive collection of Coleoptera from East India
and Holland and available for exchange.
Passalidae of the world.
Desire :
Werner, Floyd G. , 702 Pearl St., Ottawa, Illinois.
Revising: Desire: Borrow: Exchange : Comment :
Epic ant a (Meloidae) .
Spicauta of the world.
Ep leant a of the world.
Misc, of all families from Ill., La., and Mass.
Oat of the country at present. Back in September 1947.
Wood, Stephen L., River Heights, Logan, Utah.
Determine : North American Scolytidae,
Desire; All Scolytidae but particularly Carphoborus species.
-36-
Munro , H . K . , The taxonomist and his needs (Presidential Address, 19^5) »
Jour. Ent. Soc. Southern Africa, IX: 3-6, 1946.""
,rIt may at times he felt that entomology is a most unsatisfactory science; there are altogether too many insects. Immediate qualification is needed; conditions are probably neither better nor worse than in zoology in general, or in botany, or in biological sciences generally. Comparison with such sciences as astronomy and geologs'- raay no^ convey much that is worth while. All the same, if one wants an interesting and absorbing occupation, either as a professional or as a hobby or both as is the habit of some un¬ fortunates, the study of insects, their lives, habits and classification, is one of the best. The amount of satisfaction obtained from such a study will depend partly on the nature of the subject, but mostly perhaps on the per¬ sonality of the worker and on his temperament and outlook.
•’Entomology as a whole is so vast that no single worker can expect to master more than a small fraction. Of two major divisions of the science, the economic and the systematic, a more sharply marked dividing line might be desirable, both as regards personnel and training. Economic and systema¬ tic interests would, however, meet on the common ground of general biology. In considering the position as it is at the present time, one gains the impression that it is the economic aspect that is the one that is more to the fore. That the systematist tends to be in the background may be partly his own fault, partly to the actual lack of s uitable workers, partly to the nature of the work, but general lack of opportunity for him to take up such studies as a profession must not be forgotten.
’’There is some tendency for the systematist, or taxonomist, in ento¬ mology to endeavour to assert his rights, but it is an uphill task .
”0n the other hand, the systematist is often, if not usually, of a peculiar temperament. ...he is always anxious and willing to get on with his work in and cut of season. ... Difficulties that arise may be due in part to the worker himself, his temperament and the manner of presentation
-37-
of his work, in part to a lack of division of labour and of appreciation of the duties of the systemat ist .
"The improvement in the status of the systematist is an urgent matter.
• • •
"A sound classification is the only "basis for a stable nomenclature, and the taxonomist must therefore be given every opportunity to carry out the work invloved. He must have facilities, time and a remuneration commensurate with the best offered in other branches of his science and with the import¬ ance of the work he does .
"It is an open question as to how far a systematist should collect material for himself. If he is to retain a real, live interest in his work ... he must keep in touch with field work and increase his knowledge of the general biology of the insects he studies. Unfortunately, the nature of tiic work, the accumulation of material and often circumstances in general, all too often lead to the systematist becoming a slave to the microscope.
"The taxonomic entomologist must he a general biologist; he must have a knowledge of insect morphology in general and of his group in particular; a sound knowledge of nomenclature and classification, their aims and methods, including statistics, is essential. As a linguist he need not be a profound philologist, but needs to give due attention to semantics. A knowledge of bibliography and of sound methods of indexing and recording are keys to efficient work. Mechanical aids such as microscopy and photography must not he neglected and a knowledge of carpentry will not come amiss. Finally, if the systematist is to succeed, it is almost more than essential that he should, in most cases, be born to the work."
INFORMATION WANTED
M. Pierre Jolivet, of Franconville, FRANCE, (see address on page 32), who is currently revising the genus Tiinarcha (Chrysomelidae) , wauld like the following information on the American members of this genus:
1) The palearctic Tiinarcha are called r,Bloody Nose Beetles".
Do the American species ever exude "blood" from the mouth? (Autohemorrhage, reflex bleeding) .
2) What is the plant-host? In Europe, Africa, and Asia it is Galiine, a Rubiceae and for the subgenus Metallo it is Vaccinium. In America, authors report "beans", Strawberry and Thimble berry, the latter being a species of Rubus . Possibly the beetle feeds on a number of rubaceous plants. Malkin’s record on "beans" is s trange, but possible.
3) What are the number of stigmata, eight or nine? [if he is unable to see a larva].
**************************************
COLEOPTERI STS AT "MUSEUM NATIONAL D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE"
OF PARIS
The following list was sent to me by M. Renaud Paulian. The address of each is: 45 bis, Rue de Buff on, Paris V°, FRANCE. [R.H.A.]
K. Legros . Collects: Aquatic Coleoptera, specially Dytiscidae and Helmidae .
Exchanges, determines, the same.
G. Ruter ♦ Collects, exchanges, determines, Cetonidae of the world. Offers in exchange, Cetonidae or French Coleoptera.
J. Jarrige . Collects, exchanges, determines, Staphyl inidae of the world.
G. Gamier . Collects, exchanges, determines, Coprinae and Aphodiinae of the world.
P. Dewailly. Collects, exchanges, determines, Melolonthidae of the world.
L. Chopard. Collects, exchanges, Cerambycidae of the holarctic region.
G. Colas . Collects, exchanges, Carabidae of the holarctic region.
M. Dev/ail ly ♦ Collects, exchanges, Bembidiinae and Dyschirius of the world. J. Negre . Collects, buys, Lucanidae and Chlaenius of the world.
**********************************4,1'***
SOUTH AMERICAN BEETLE COLLECTORS
Dr. C. P. Alexander, Fernald Hall, Amherst, Mass, is willing to help South American beetle collectors finance their collecting trips by purchas¬ ing from them specimens of Tipulidae.
-39-
^ IPSA- WQ RTH PASS ING ON FOR CONS ID5RATION ; Mr. S. D. Hicks suggests that it would he a great help to workers, especially systenatists, to know where to obtain reprints easily, particularly when they are group specialists. He pro¬ poses that * subscribers or interested Coleopterists co-operate by forwarding to the Coleopterists* Bulletin items to be listed from their work.
[NOTE : We will accept for publication complete bibliographies of any Coleopter— ist. Also, we would appreciate separates for reviewing. R.H.A.]
PLANT IDENTIFICATION
The members of the Lepidopterists* Society have established a board for host plant identification. The Coleopterists are in general very weak when it comes to recording host plants of beetles. It would probably be a great help if we had facilities for plant identification. I would appreciate your writing to me your ideas on tne subject. If there is expressed a desire for such a service, it is possible that we can interest some botanists to under¬ take the task of making these identifications.
EDITOR
NEED FOR ECOLOGICAL DATA
Wm. C. Stehr, Ph. D.
Professor of Entomology Ohio University
In working over various collections of Carabidae, I have been impressed by the very small percentage of specimens that have any habitat or other ecological data with them. In some instances inquiry from the owner or collector has brought the desired information. I believe we can all make a very useful contribution to Coleopterology by at least recording such data for our collections, even if we do not find it feasible to put it on labels on each specimen. Such information helps the taxonomist in recording more complete information on a species anf helps the collector locate the species more readily in territory and habitats new to him. I have found such data extremely useful in the above mentioned ways and wish much more of it were available .
THE GENERIC NAME OF THE BEETLE ON THE COVER OF THE BULLETIN
The June issue of the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Wash¬ ington contains an article by K. S. Barber in which he describes the genus Acalynma . The included species contain Diabrotica vittata (Fab.), the beetle which we are using on the front cover of the bulletin. This was called to the attention of the editor in a recent letter from Dr. Barber. Thus Mour” beetle becomes Acalynma vittata (Fab.)
R.H.A.
-40-
NEWS
Dr. Renaud Paulian, recently of Paris, editor of "L’Entomologiste" and author of MLes Coleopteres", left France on July 7th to take over his new duties as Assistant Director of the Institut de Recherches Scientif iques in Madagascar. (See page 33 for Dr. Paulians new address).
Dr. E. Gorton Linsley, of the University of California at Berkeley is spending the year 1.947-48 on sabbatical leave on a Guggenheim Fellowship with headquarters at the American Museum of Natural History, New York. His study will be devoted to completion of a monograph of North American Cerambycidae .
The 8th International Congress of Entomology will be held in Stockholm, Sweden, August 8-15, 1948. Prof. 0. A. Johannsen of Cornell University, a member of the executive committee advises that' early arrangements must be made in order to secure booking on steamships and for housing arrangements in Stockholm. Also it is noted that the thirteenth International Congress of Zoology v/ill be held in Paris sometime in July, 1948.
Notice has been received regarding a new exchange publication called 11 Informat ion of the Friends of the Entomological Science, Breeding, and Research". The editor and publisher is Otto Muhr, Wien S./&5, Lerchenfelde- strasse 46, IV. Treppe, 57* Austria.
Mr. Muhr is anxious to obtain the names, addresses and interest of as many entomologists as possible. I believe that some issues have a3.ready appeared, but I have not seen a copy. R.H.A.
-4l-
BEVIES
Beal, James Allen & Calvin L. Massey, Bark Beetles and Ambrosia Beetles
(Coleoptera: Scolytoidea) : with special reference to species occuring in North Carolina, Duke University, School of Forestry, Bull. 10, "1945.
This is an extensive study of both the taxonomy and the control of bark beetles. Biology and ecology is given considerable space. Keys to families, subfamilies, genera and species are given. In addition a key to the genera of bark beetles, using the gallery types has been worked out and included. There are 28 plates showing the beetles, their galleries and type of injury. These photographs are outstanding in their perfection.
Fattig, P. U . , The Cerambycidae or Long-Horned Beetles of Georgia, Emory University Museum Bulletin no. 5, April 1947“ ~
A numbered list of the species of Cerambycidae occuring in the state of Georgia is presented by Mr. Fattig. Synonyms, and Leng catalogue numbers are included. Records cite localities, months collected and collection specimens examined are in. A brief note regarding habitat and economic im¬ portance follows each species. The catalogue has a short introduction on economic importance, methods of collecting and egg laying. A short biblio¬ graphy and a generic index is found at the end.
Uolcott, A. B., Catalogue of North American Beetles of the Family Cleridae, Fieldiana* Zoology, vol. 32, no. 2, 1947 .
This catalogue of North American Cleridae is presented after years of study and consideration by this countries foremost student of this group.
The selection of type for ranking the groups and citing references is ex¬ cellent. Original description' references are cited in every case. The geno¬ type for each genus is stated. The range of the species is listed in detail. A complete bibliography and index to genera and species is found at the end.
Mr. Uolcott has set a standard. Let thid catalogue serve as a model for more North American family catalogues.
Hatch, Melville H., Beetles, The Biologist, vol. 28, pp. 66-80, 1946.
This is a fine account of the developement of beetles from their origin to the present day. Dr. Hatch writes in a easy going style, giving information of interest to the general public as well as to the professional Coleopterist . He discusses the habits and habitats of beetles, and the relation of beetles to man. The history of the study of beetles is briefly sketched in such an interesting manner that the reader is left eager for more of the details of this history. This is a carefully handled resume of a vast subject.
-42-
Knu.ll, Josef N. , The Long-horned beetles of Ohio, (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) , Ohio Biological Survey, Bulletin 39* P* 133— 35^5 29 plates, Columbus,
1946. $ 1.00.
Next to monographs on a broad basis, the reviewer believes descriptive lists the most useful and most needed sort of publication - especially when they are as complete and carefully done as the present one is.
The paper, after a general introduction, presents a check-list of the species. In the main body of tie work, keys to all categories and brief de¬ scriptions of all genera and species known or apt to occur in the state are provided. With each species the chief references are given and host-plants, habits, and like data is stated. Actual localities are given for only the rarer species. Five pages are devoted to bibliography and 118 species are figured in the author’s well known, clear style.
While devoted to the Cerambycidae of Ohio alone, it is a paper that should prove invaluable to students of the family in any portion of North America. We can all wish for similar works f or many of the other States as well.
- Lawrence S. Dillon.
McKeown, Keith C., Catalogue of the Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) of Australia,
Australian Museum, Memoir, vol. X, 190 pp., Sydney, May 2, 194-7 .
This catalogue, which, according to the introduction, is the first dealing solely with Australian cerambycids since Pascoe’s list was publish¬ ed in I867, fills a long felt need of students of the Indo-Australian region - and fills it very admirably.
While the species are not numbered, a quick count of the index indicat¬ es the known occurence of 1057 forms on the continent, or about equal to those occuring in North America. Bearing in mind that Australia is less than half as large as the latter continent and that much of the interior is treeless, this is a surprisingly large number.
The whole undoubtedly represents years of painstaking labor. Under each genus and species a full s ynonymy is given, with the scientific names quoted accurately as in the citation. The genotype has been determined in each case; recorded localities as well as the known range of all the cate¬ gories have been included. Dates of the bibliographical references are cited to day or month as far as possible and type localities and present location of the type when known are also provided, and in addition the food plants are recorded wherever known.
- Lawrence S. Dillon
-43-
Papers on Coleoptera from the "Entomologisk Tidskrift",
Journal of the Entomological Society of Stockholm, Sweden
Jansson, Anton, Coleooterologoska hidrag. 35-3C, PP* 4-12, Argang 68, hafte 1-2, 1947.
Leiler, T.-E., Agrilus higuttatus Fahr., pp. 13-15. Argang 68, hafte 1-2. 1947.
Lindgren, L. A. H. , Entomologiska notiser 3-5, pp. 16-18, Argang 68. hafte 1-2, 1947.
Sjogren, 3engt, Bidrag till kannedomen om sydsvenska Vatten- Coleoptera II, pp. 32-36, Argang 68, hafte 1-2, 1947 .
Palm, Thure, F8r Sverige nya Coleoptera IX, pp. 37-44, Argang 68, hafte 1-2. 1947 .
Palm, Thure, Om nagra kritiska Cionus-arter (Col. Curculionidae) , 45-46, Argang 68, hafte 1-2, 1947 .
Palm, Thure, Vara Cerylon-arter (Col. Colydiidae), 47-49, Argang 68, hafte
1-2, 1947.
Nttrnberg, W., Patrohus septentrionis ssp . australis 'abb ♦ (n spp. Bitschnaui Reitt. sensu Kuhnelt partim) in Mecklenburg., pp. 51-54, Argang 68, hafte 1-2, 194fl
Nyholm, Tord, Zur Kenntnis der Curculioniaenfauna Schwedens, 1. Die Arten der Ceuthorrhynchus pulvinatus-Gruppe . , pp. 55-66, Argang 6sT hafte 1-2.
WT.
Sjoberg, Oscar, Die Ergehnisse einer Genitalunterschung der nordischen Arten der Gattung Atomaria StephT (Col. Cryptophagidae)T, pp . 91-96, Argang ^87 hafte 1-2, 1947 .
THE YEARS 1945-1946 COLEOPTEROLOGICALLY
The following works are listed by Dr . R. Paulian in the Revue Francaise D'Entomologie, volume l4, fascicule 1, 1947, pages 48 to 50 as being some of the on or partly on Coleoptera for the years 1945 and 1946:
Brues, C. T., Insect Dietary, Harvard U. Press, 1946, 466 p. 22 pi., 68 figs.
Crov/son, R. A., A revision of the genera of the Chrysomelid group Sagrinae (Col.), Trans. R. ent. Soc. London, XCVII, I945, p. 95-115, 36 figs.
Gray, I. E., Observations on the life-history of the horned Passalus, Amer. Midi. Nat., XXXV, 19467 p. 728-746.
Jeannel, R., Faune de 1’ Empire francais. VI, Coleopteres Carabiques de la region Malgache (premiere partie), Larose ed., 1946, ~ 372 p? l6S~figs.,
4 pi.
Kaszab, Z., Monograohie der Leiochrinen , Naturwiss. Monogr., Budapest, III, 1946, p. 1-221, 1 pi., 307 figs .
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Lili.ieblad, E., Monograph of the family Mordellidae (Coleoptera) of North America, North of Mexico, Misc. Public .Mas. Zool. U. Michigan, 62,
1945, p. 1-229, 7 pi*
Lindroth, C. H., Die fennoskandischen Carahidae. Eine tiergeographische
Studie, Medd. Gdteborge Mas. zool. Avd., 109, 19^5. P» 1-709. 26£ cartes.
Mequignon, A. , Contribution a l* 1 etude des Mordellides palearctiques (Col.) ,
Rev. franc. Ent . , XIII, 1946, p. 52-76, 18 figs.
Palmen, E. , Ueber Quart ierv/echs el and submerse TJberwinterung einiger terre- strichen Uferkftfer, Ann. ent. Penn., XI, 19^5 » P- 22-34, graphs.
Palmen, E., and Suomalainen, H., Experimen telle Unt ersuchungen fiber die
Transpiration bei einigen Arthopoden, insbesondere Kfifern, Ann. zool.
Soc. Eot. Fenn. Vanamo, XI, 1945, 50 p.» 1 fig*, 9 graph., 9 table*
Smith, K. M., and Markham, R., An insect vector of the turnip yellow mosaic virus, Nature, 158, 1946, p. 147 •
Villiers, A., Revision des Languriides de l'Ancien Monde, L'Abeille, XXXVII,
1945, p. 1-320, 637 figs-
Wigglesworth, V. B., Organs of equilibrium in flying insects, Nature, 157 »
1946, p. 655»
W * * * * * * * * * * * * * '* '»*'*** * * *' * » ****** * * * * *
Jeannel, R. , La Lignee des Irogloflromus Deville (Coleoptera, Bathysciitae) , Revue Fran. D 1 Ent . , "l4":l-13 , 1947 •
This paper discusses the p hylogeny and range of the two genera, Tro- glodromus and Speodiaetus. The French species and subspecies are discussed
giving the range and the morphological variations within the species. The author applies the principles which he has set forth in his previous articles and books on the subject of biogeography. Dr. Jeannel1 s life long study of the cave fauna of France has not only resulted in making the cave Silphids a well known group both morphologically and biogeographically, but from these studies he has been able to formulate many valuable principles of biogeography applicable to other groups. This paper represents another step forward in the search for the natural classification of beetles.
Jeannel, R., Le Peuplement des Pryrenees, Rev. Fr. D'Ent., vol. XIV, fasc.
1, suppl . , pp. 53-104/1947.
This is still another work by Dr. Jeannel in which he draws on beetles extensively to illustrate his principles of biogeography.
Paulian, Renaud, Sur la position systemat ique des Rhysopaus sides, (Coleoptera) , Revue Fran. D'Ent., 144 13-15, 1947-
The family Rhysopaussidae was erected by Wassmann (I896) for the three ternitophilous genera: Rhysopaus sus Wasm., Xenotermes Wasm. and Azarelius Fairm. which occur in tropical Asia. Wassmann placed the family between the families Rhysodidae and Paussidae. Fairmaire places the genus Azarelius among the "Heteromera" . In 1897 Wassmann added the genera Ziaelas Fairm. Rhysodina Cherv., Gonocnemis Thoms, and Synopticus Thoms, to the family, and places the entire family among the ,,Keteromeran . This was adopted by
-45-
Sharp and Muir, as veil as by Jeannel and Paulian.
Recently, Dr. Pauiian has "been able to see additional material of this family, and by a careful study of the morphology and the habits of this material, he concludes that the correct ..position of the family is not in the Tenebrionoidea as he previously thought, but rather among the Cucujoidea.
Davis, A. C. , Review of the weevils of the tribe Ophryastini of America North of Mexico, no, 3207, Proceedings of the United States National Museum, vol. 9bf pp . 483-551, 1947 .
'This paper contains a key to the world genera of Oohryastini as well as keys to all the North American species. The introduction contains a discussion of the male and female genitalia, with a defination of the terms used, illustrated. The genitalia are figured throughout the text.
Due to the death of Mr. Davis before the completion of this work, the task of editing and adding type localities, etc. fell to L. J. Bottimer and L. L. Buchanan.
Ritcher, P. 0., Rutelinae of Eastern North America with descriptions of the larvae of S crlgodermella p "J gmae a \ F ab . j and three species of the tribe flute lini (Coleoptera: Scarab aeidaeTT* Bull. 471. Kv. Agr. Exo7~Stat ion. Jan. 1945, figs. ~
Ritcher, P. 0., The Anomalini of Eastern North America with descriptions of the larvae and a key to spec ies (Coleoptera: Scar abaeidae"! , Bull. 44 2~ Ky. Agr. Exp. Station, Mar. 1943, figs.
Ritcher, P. 0., Perth American Cetoni inae with descriptions of larvae and keys to genera and species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), 3ulT.~476, Ky. IgrT Exp. Station, June 1945, figs.
Ritcher, P. 0., Coprinae of Eastern North America, with descriptions of larvae keNs to genera and species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Bull/T+77, Ky. Agr. Exp. Station, June 19 45, figs.
These four papers contain detailed descriptions of the larvae, with keys and figures of a goodly number of our North Eastern Scarabaeidae, which should do much to advance our knov/ledge of this important group.
Green, J. W., New Eastern American species of Podabrus (Coleoptera: Canthar- idae), Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., vol. 73, pp7 £>3-76, 1947, figs.
r
Five new species are herein described.
Balfour— Browne, Frank, Syst emat ic notes upon British Aquatic Coleoptera, vol. I, London, 1932, 95 PP* index, figs.
(,A corrected and revised edition of a series of papers which appeared in ‘Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine*, from 1934 to 1936.” - from flyleaf.
-46-
BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES
[This editor is herewith starting what he hopes will he to the liking of our readers and will he carried on by other contributors; that of presenting biographical sketches of Coleopt erists . The matter present here has been drawn for the most part, directly from the mimeographed book by Harry !flL Weiss, "The Pioneer Century of American Entomology", published by the author, 193&. Only 150 copies of that work were published. In as much as it was such a limited edition, it is felt that this will not be unnecessary repetition.]
JOHN LAWRENCE LECONTE
LeConte may be called the father of North American Coleopterology, b e- cause it was he who first placed the study of American beetles on a firm foundation, and indeed, presented a classification which gained recognition in Europe. He was the son of an entomologist, Major John G LeConte. Dr. LeConte was born in New York City, May 13, 1825* He belonged to a wealthy and distinguished Huguenot family. His mother, Mary A. H. Lawrence died shortly after his birth, leaving to his father the responsibility for his early education.
Undoubtly, LeConte’s father was a great influence on his liking for natural history and we are told that the young LeConte shewed an early liking for and ability in Natural History. We know little of his early life, ex¬ cept that he graduated from St. Mary’s College, Maryland at the age of 1J •
He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1842. During his college career he began Ms life-long study of '‘Coleoptera. He also served as chemical assistant to Prof. John Torrey. In 1846 he receiv¬ ed the degree of M.D., and began the practice of Medicine.
At the age of he married Miss Helen Grier. During the same year he gave up the practice of Medicine. However, he ti'as soon forced back into the medical profession vecause of the Civil War. During the war he served as Lieutenant-Colonel and Medical Inspector. His entomological studies were interrupted by the war, but were continued at the end of the war when he made his final break from medicine.
Among LeConte’s friends, who greatly influenced his studies was Dr.
H. Schaum of Berlin, Prussia. In 1847 and 184$, Dr. Schaum visited the United States and stayed at the LeConte home. There he gave LeConte many hours of his time and much friendly advise regarding his beetle studies. Another, who rounded out LeConte’s general education, was Prof. L. Agassiz. Shortly after Prof. Agassiz arrived in this country, LeConte began his association with him which was to be life-long.
Travel was a great part of LeConte’s education. He made many trips, which took him half way around the world, and enabled him to collect. much of his material, as well as study the types of many species. In 1845 he made his first trip to Platte River and Port Laramie. In 1849 he went with Agassiz to explore the Lake Superior region. By 185Q he was on his way to California, going by way of Panama, where he spent some time collecting. He visited many places in California, and in 1851 he collected in the Valley of Gila. In the year IS67 he took the job of geologist for a railroad survey through Kansas and New Mexico, at which time he was able to do a great amount of collecting. From IS69 to 1872 he was in Eurooe, his family with him. He visited Algiers and Egypt during this stay, and he occupied many hours work¬ ing with European collections. His last trip was made in 1883 when he went
-47-
to California to try to regain his rapidly failing health, hut failed. He died that same year, on November 15th.
LeConte spent his final years as Chief Clerk in the United States mint. He was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. His wife surviv¬ ed him, living to be seventy-five. She died in I917 at the home of her son. Dr. Robert G. LeConte, a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Council of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia.
LeConte began his entomological studies early. His first paper was published while he was still a student in Medical School. Dr. George Horn was so closely associated with LeConte in latter life that the two names are always linked together. They pursued the quest for a sound class¬ ification of the beetles with close cooperation for many years. Together, they had 11,000 species of North American beetles in their collection.
LeConte was always the patient, diginifed entomologist. He gave his time generously to all who came to him for advice and critism. He readily determined all beetles that were sent to him for identification, and many were sent from all parts of the globe. He had many hundreds of corres¬ pondents all over the country, and many foreign. LeConte’s position of having a private fortune ample enough to provide for his and his family1^' needs enabled him to spend practically his full time studying beetles. He was of the opinion that monographic works were badly needed in this country and spent more than his share of time and energy filling this need. Although he described many hundreds of new species, it was nearly always with the aim of paving the way for a monograph of the group containing the new species.
In 1874, LeConte was elected president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was a member of a great many societies, Tboth in the United States and abroad.
LeConte left his entire collection of Coleoptera to the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard. This collection is preserved there in the original boxes, with the specimens arranged as LeConte had them. Each specimen had on it, instead of the conventional locality label, a bit of colored paper. A color key has since been made to help following student to determine the locality at which the specimens were collected. His library, however, \*as not given to an institution, but rather sold at a public sale in Philadelphia in 1884. It was listed as one of the major and most import¬ ant libraries ever offer.
Dr. Horn in his ''Memoir of John L. LeConte, M.D." reports the following about the character of his writings:
"The early papers by LeConte gave little evidence of his analytical power until, in 1850, he published his "Monograph of Pselaphidae", proposing an arrangement v/hich remains at present the basis of the general classifica¬ tion of these minute insects. In the same year appeared the commencement of his "Attempt to Classify the Longicorn Coleoptera of America north of Mexico", requiring several years in publication, a work of much wider application than indicated by its title, contributing much that was new to science, and adding greatly in the rational classification of these favorite beetles.
"From this period his contributions to entomology were for the most part monographic, and from their importance soon attracted attention abroad, many of them being reprinted in foreign journals, winning for their author the reputation he justly deserved. In their scope his papers cover nearly
-48-
every portion of hig specialty. They contain evidence of patient and original research, and added greatly to science. Eis work was in every case an inprove- ment on what had previously "been done; he left a subject better than he found it.
"In a general review of LeConte’s writings, we find them remarkably free from controversial tendencies. Ke gave to science the results of care¬ ful study, knowing that in time whatever was worthy would be adopted. His dissent from the views of others was always couched in the mildest terms.
He was above the limit of those petty jealousies which too often prevail be¬ tween those working in the same field.
"Numerous were the demands for his advice and assistance from all parts of the country; rarely did he repel them, and no small portion of his time was consumed in the determination of specimens for correspondents, with no other reward than the hope that the seed thus sown might some day bear fruit.
"The results of LeConte’s works in Coleopterology in America are plain¬ ly marked. He entered the field ton years after the death of Say, who seems to have had no higher ambition, if Indeed capacity, than the description of the species which he collected. LeConte, on the other hand, began the frame¬ work of a systematic structure which he lived to see completed in all its parts. He reduced chaos to order. His influence in entomological progress in general is admitted on all hands, and so rapid has been the advance that we now have nearly as many purely entomological societies and clubs as there were interested individuals forty years ago. At that time the American literature consisted of very little beyond the works of Say* to-day five periodicals are devoted solely to entomology."
**************************************
IMPORT. A NT NOTICE
Please send material immediately for the September issue of We would like notes on your summer collecting, ecological notes, new collecting techniques, etc. Also you’ exchange offers can be keep in mind that we want to build up our list of determiners so December we co.n have a special issue with as complete a list as j determiners. • EDITOR
(Use this sheet if you wish, to return your notices, etc.)
. . y '
the bulletin, reviews, used. Please that by ossible of
"SYSTEMA NATURAE”, a publication devoted to taxonomy, has appeared as
listed below. This publication presents "birds* eye” views of various groups from the world point of view. They are essentially compilations which in¬ clude keys to most of the genera of the world, brief accounts of the group, its range, number of species and often references to original descriptions and genotypes.
All may be obtained by checking the desired publications and returning this page together with your remittance to the publishers, THE SHERWOOD PRESS, Box 84, Dryden, N.Y.
To date, the following have been published:
Pub. No. 1 - The Family Culicidae, Feb. 1946, (reissued June 1947) $ Pub. No. 2 - The Family Cicindelidae, Mar. 1946, (reissued June 1947)$ Pub. No. 3 & k - The Order Coleoptera, July 1946, (reissued June ’47)$ Pub. No. 5 - The Family Histeridae, Jan. 1947, (reissued June 1947) $
Pub. No. 6 - The Family Silphidae, March 1947 Pub. No. 7 - The Family Lagriidae, June 1947
$
.20
.10
•55 • 15 .10 .10
Name & Address
3 S'
£
I
THE COLEOPTERISTS’
BULLETIN
September 1947
i
THf f. or ?
QC" 31 1947
ORHEii^ii \ ut aursU!.;
EDITOR: Ross H. Arnett, Jr.
Mimeoprinted by THE SHERWOOD PRESS, Dryden, N. Y. PRICE: 15c a copy or $1.00 a year (Ten Issues)
THE COLEOPTERISTS’ BULLETIN is printed monthly except July and August, by The Sher¬ wood Press, Box 84, Dryden, N. Y. PRICE: $1.00 per year (10 issues) or 15c a single copy, post¬ paid. Back copies may be obtained by writing to the publishers.
ARTICLES AND NOTES
All articles and notes should be sent to the Editor in care of The Sherwood Press, Box 84, Dr>- den N Y. Only material conforming with the editorial policy of this bulletin will be accepted. The editor reserves the right to reject or change any material not conforming with the stated edi¬ torial policy.
EDITORIAL POLICY
TO FOSTER AN INTEREST IN AND FURTHER THE SCIENCE OF COLEOPTER- OLOGY BY PROVIDING A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, A GUIDE TO THE SOURCE OF MATERIAL-, NEWS OF CURRENT PROGRESS, AND TO WORK FOR A UNITY OF SPIRIT AND PURPOSE SHALL BE THE AIM OF THIS BULLETIN.
Anv person in any country may contribute material for this bulletin in any language provided they conform with this policy. All material thought to be “amateurish'' in the sense that it is juven¬ ile will be rejected. But it is to be distinctly understood that this bulletin is for the serious Ama¬ teur as well as for the Professional, and all are invited to write its pages. Material for this bulletin will be confined to the field of COLEOPTEROLOGY except in the case of items of a general na¬ ture which would be of interest to Coleopterists. Material written in a light or humorous vein which is not designed to promote interest in the field of Coleopterology will be rejected. It is felt that descriptions of new forms, etc., should not be included in this bulletin.
Printed in U. S. A.
Vol. I> no. 6
-49-
THE C0LE0PT2RISTS’ BULLETIN
September 1947
EDITORIAL
We seem to have fallen into the scheme of things; we are following in the footsteps of so many other journals and bulletins, by bringing out our September issue in the middle of October. Cur only excuse is that the printers have heen swamped, with work: having priority over ours. Conse¬ quentially, material has piled up, so we will probably be able to have the October issue out sometime this month.
However, we still do not have an over abundance of material. So let me urge you to send in these notes, articles, or notices that you have
t
ready, but haven’t had time to put in an envelope and mail.
I feel that perhaps you would like to know how many people this bulletin reaches each month and something as to the results which have been obtained to date .
At the present time, we mail out nearly tv.ro hundred copies of this bul¬ letin. The mailing list is still growing, thanks to the reviews which have recently appeared in such journals as Entomological Hews, Annals of the Entomological Society of American, and L’Entomoliste . The majority are mailed to parts of the United States and Canada, but copies also gc to 12 other countries, mainly, France, Belgium, England, Netherlands, Brazil and Argentina. An increasing number of libraries and institutions are subscrib¬ ing, which of course greatly increases the actual number of readers over the number of subscribers.
Our primary aim is to increase the availability of material and to present the news of the field. Exclusive of this issue, 117 names have been printed offering exchanges, determiners, etc. However, some of those names have been repeated from issue to issue, so the number is somewhat smaller than that. The reports from those listing their interests have
-50-
shov/n that the idea is getting results. Several have written that much more material has been made available to them as a result of their notices. It has certainly been a great aid in the editors research, nearly half of the material upon which his work is based has become available directly as a result of notices in the bulletin.
The number of contributors of notes, reviews, techniques, etc. is not what we wish it were. Our goal has been to have this a "self-propelled" pro¬ ject. We do not desire it to be a one man effort, or the writings of the editor only. We do appreciate the interest and suggestions that many of you have sent. I do know that there is a lot of material that could be used in this bulletin which has not been sent in. Several readers have indicated as much in their letters to me.
As now planned, we expect to have four more issues this year. The final issue of the year will be a complete list of determiners as known to date, with an index to the volume. We would like , to have suggestions from each reader as to what they would like to see included in the bulletin. We would like news, reviews, biographies, notes on techniques and habitat re¬ cords for publication. And as always, exchanges, determiners and progress reports .
Ross H, Arnett, Jr.
EDITOR
-51
SOME RECORDS OP CARAS IDAE COLLECTED Oil VANCOUVER ISLAND
WITH ECOLOGICAL DATA
Richard Guppy, Wellington, V.I., B.C.
In the following notes I have attempted to select either those species which I have collected in sufficient numbers to enable me to gain an in- sig^t into their habits, or those which are scarce enough to v/arrent special mention. Odd records of common, well known species are omitted.
Species recorded as from "garden" were collected on reclaimed swamp land, once covered with very dense forest and undergrowth. The soil is of a muck or peaty nature and quite damp at all seasons. The species taken here are m the mam quite different from those occupying the neighbouring "unimproved"area.
Elaphrus clairvillei . I have one wet mud among heavy undergrowth. This imen of the common E. r iparius, from " usually on sandy shores of streams.
record, Wellinton, June lgth. from could be a stray as I have one spec- garden". The latter species occurs
I have out the
^lcera decenpunctata. Fairly frequent in garden among damp herbage. taken tnese als0 a'-<ier bits of wood in muddy spots; occurs through-
summer
zlcrr di versa. Under logs on sandy beaches near the line of highest u ides •
rn.h iophxlus _sylvat icus . During June I game across a colony of these on dry ground, among the pine needles, sawdust, and other debris left by the felling and cutting up of large trees. I am inclined to believe though, that the clearing made in dense forest by removal of timber is the attraction.
Cychrus tuberculatus .
ground here is rocky, from concealment by burning of undergrowth.
One only from Departure 3ay, October 4th. The with many fallen trees. This specimen was driven
gjarginatus . Though usually associated with dead or rotten logs and loose bark, I have found them quite frequently among dead leaves and moss in clearings. Hi is and related species are best collected in the late
summer and autumn. In the spring they are inclined to be tenereal, and are harder to find.
Ptercstichus crenicollis . Said to be scarce in collections, I have been aole to take fair numbers, nearly always under bits of wood and bark
on very wet ground. Also occurs in very rotten logs imbedded in mud. Occas¬ ional specimen from garden among wet weeds.
A small species which may be P. anethystinus, P. castaneus, or both is very common in the same situations as P. crenicollis, but appears to be less dependant on wet conditions.
I have taken Ptercstichus spp. in tenereal condition in August and in coitu frequently in August, and September. P. validus particularly is verv active in September, at this time will take advantage of bits of wood placed almost anywhere that is reasonably damp.
— ^iciophorus ater . Almost always in rotten wood or under logs, in fair¬ ly dry situations.
-52-
Ajnara fallax, extremely common in garden. This insect is on the wing a gr eat~deaT~orTho t days, when it may he picked up anywhere, just after alighting.
Bemhidion erosum, Bemhidion zephryun, from sandy beaches.
B emb i d i o n duh i 1 021 s , garden, not frequent.
Bemhidion ni gripes, garden, very common, both species taken running over open ground.'
Carabus nemoralis. I have some evidence that this widespread species may bTpa^hy~in~'dIs’tribution. Though I have never taken it here, it appears to be fairly common at Eanaino only seven miles distant. Among dead leaves and moss on ground.
Carabus lapelayi . Two specimens taken from under boards in garden during June, Uellington.
Dicheirus piceus. Very common on Rocky barren shorelines, under stones and Togs. An attempt at collecting Coleoptera on several dry rocky islands in the Strait of G-eorgia, resulted in this species only being taken in any numbers. In addition, I had only one Harpalus cautus, and one large Staphylinidae, (Ocypus ater?) Batches of D. piceus token in late Septem¬ ber contained many teneral individuals.
Zacotus natthewsi . One only from sandy beach, under log, Tofino, May l6th. Collected by Kenneth Gibson.
Bothriopterus adstr ictus . Very common under boards in garden, not
t ak en els ewher e .
******** *************** ******** ********************************************
OBITUARY
In Dr. Daniel Louis Uyttenboogaart , who passed away after a painful illness on August 2nd, 1947 in his seventy-fifth year, the ITederlandsche Entomologische Vereeniging (Dutch Enton. Soc.) has lost its President and one of the most prominent Coleopter ist s among its members. He was a well known specialist in Curculionidae and in Coleoptera from the Azores. He made collecting trips to the Azores and to South Africa.
P. K. v. Doesburg.
Baarn - HOLLAED
sfc:fcsj<****:fc:<eJi«*******5!{*5!!**>!e** ******************************* *******************
-53-
fall COLLECTING
Henry Dietrich, Cornell University
Many interesting "beetles are collected in the Fall. Many of- the jground beetles or Carabidae seen to be quite plentiful under stones, and ot^r cover. In tiie vicinity of Ithaca, Sphaeroderus lecontei is very common at this time and may be taken in mating pairs in the woods under stones. Judging by the labels, collecting of Cychrini in the Great Smokies of Tennessee and North Carolina must be very good too at this time of year. Beating and sweeping are still productive on warm days. Many weevils come’ to tiie ends of the grass and other vegetation in swamps and may be taken by sweeping. It also is an excellent time of year for sifting. But be sure it i.s a sunny day and spread your' cloth in the sun so that the sun* s hays cause the" beetles to move and' you can see them. Further, at this time of year you will find groups of fungi on the forest floor; dig under them and you are very likely to find' species of Geotrupes. By breaking up the fungus over a sheet, you will find Derodontidae, which are always rare as well as .several species of Oxyporus of the Staphylinidae. Sifting sphagnum, especially from the mountain tops is very good at this time of year, but it is best to gather the sphagnum in burlap- sacks and bring it down to lower levels and let it warm up before sifting in the sun. Several sacks of sphagnum brought, down from Mt . Whit ef ace had a nice series of Leiodidae besides other small "bee ties •
* * *
************
* * *
LARVAE ( . •;
• * } * ’ - .
• Henry Dietrich, Cornell University. , ,
A collection of larvae is an interesting addition to any collection of beetles. But it takesn little practice to keep the larvae in their natural color. Bring the larvae in. alive and then drop them in water tuat is at a boiling temperature and leave then for a couple of minutes or more depending on their size. Large larvae it is xvise to prick with a- ninuten-nad-el in several, places. Then "drop in a .solution made .as follows
95$ alcohol (ethyl) " 280 cc Distilled water 230 cc Benzol 35 Cc Ethyl acetate 95 cc
Leave, in the above solution overnit e and then preserve in 75-80$ ethyl alcohol. Do not use., too small a vial as they dry out too soon. We use the 4 dram. vrial as standard. Laoels for alcoholic specimens may be typed on a type writ ter provided ‘a grey ribbon is used. 'The ordinary black ribbon will run.
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110 TICES
Barr, William F., Department of Entomology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. [llotes CHANGE OF ADDRESS]. Will determine: North American Cler- idae and Buprestidae.
van Doesburg, P. H., Jr., Ceintuurbaan 2, Deventer - HOLLAND. Exchange : Carahidae or other Coleoptera from here for American Carahidae.
******** * * ** *** * ** * ******** **** ** *************** *** *******************
IMPORTANT NOTICE
[The following notice was received from Dr. C. P. Alexander today.
Aside from being a wonderful opportunity to obtain hard to get Chinese mater¬ ial, it is an appeal to every Coleopterist to help a fellow worker. I hope that every reader will give this appeal serious consideration, as an appeal from one in need, disregarding the additional incentive of obtain¬ ing beetles as pay for doing a good deed. EDITOR]
Dr. Hans Klapperich, Kaiser strasse 229* (22) Bonn, British Zone,
Germany, desires to exchange beetles from the high mountains of north¬ western Fukien Province, China for packages of FOOD. Dr. Klapperich and family are in great NEED and advantageous exchange of specimens for pare el s of food can be made by interested persons. It is suggested that the food be handled through C.A.R.E., 50 Broad Street, Hew York 4, II. Y. Packages costing $ 10.00, U.S.A. currency, can be obtained by sending this amount of currency to C.A.R.E. Will interested persons contact Dr. Klapperich and make their own arrangements concerning the desired beetle families.
Dr. C. P. Alexander Amherst, Mass.
***************************************************************************
Arnett, R. H., Jr., Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, II. Y. Desire ; Exotic species of Oedemeridae r epresenting as many genera as possible. I will exchange Oedemeridae or most any group desired. Also,
I would like to see any North American material which you m ay care to send for determination or loan for study. I am particularly interested in seeing as much additional material of the genus Copidita as possible.
Bottimer, L. J., Box 722, Kerrville, Texas. Exchange: Will collect in certain families for Bruchidae of western U. S. and foreign countries. Desire : Bruchidae of the world, especially species from Mexico and south¬ ward .
-55-
Hicolle, Henri, Ingenieur E. C. P., Saint-Blaise paer Uontieramey Aube, FPA1TCE. Desire ; Scarabaeidae . Will exchange: European beetles for Worth American Scarabaeidae.
Leech, Hugh 3., California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, cisco, 18,. California. Will determine:. Small lots of Haliplidae, idae, Gyrinidae and Hydrophilidae.
San Fran- Dyt i se¬
ll ar lick, Robert, 831- 36 Avenue, San Francisco 21
mine: Buprestidne of the world. Desire; Same. Coleoptera for Buprestidae of the world. Comments
, California. Will deter- Sxchange : Most families of : Will buy Buprestidae.
Werner, Floyd, Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge 38, Mass. Desire; United States and Deo tropical Epicauta, particularly Epicauta vir guinea over its range, Eg - fun ebr is , spotted Epicauta1 s from Manitoba and Wyoming, grey ones from. Nebraska .and Kansas for some notes- and additions to my revision coming out scon.
CQLlCPT’ZRISTS AT THE 'BRITISH I!USBUM (UATURAL HISTORY) , LOl'DOIT S .U. 7
Staff
H . Scott, Sc.D., F.R.S. In charge of Staphylinidae, Malacodermata, Teredilia, Serricornia, Clavicornia [part], Phytophagaf Special interests: Fauna of Ethiopia and Arabia.
E. B. Britton, M.Sc., In Charge of Adephaga, Lamell icornia, Curculion- idae .
Special interest : Australia.
Carabidae
of ITew Zealand,
Melolonthidae of
H. E. Hinton, Ph.D. , In charge of Eeteromera, Clavicornia [part], Dascilloidea, Scolytidae, Brenthidae, etc.
Special interest: Elm idae of the World. Coleoptera of stored pro¬ ducts.
E. A. J. Duffy, Special interest ; Cerambycidae and Melandryidae, im¬ mature stages and biology. Will exchange larvae and adults of British species for material from Europe and America.
Part-time Workers:
J. D f our-B r 0 wn e , M.A., Water-beetles, Curculicnidae .
Special interest : Hydrophilidae of the world.
S. Maulik, M. A., D. Sc., Chr y s one 1 i dae ; relations of phytophagous
insects to their food plonts. Requires plants damaged by Chrysomelidae and parasites of Chrysomelidae.
Volant ary Workers:
G-. J. Arrow, Laraellicornia, End.omych.idae.
G. E. Bryant, Chrysomelidae .
A. F. Kapur, M.Sc. Coccinellidne and their immature stages. S;ir"~Guy A. K. Marshall , D. Sc., F.R.S. Curculionidae* (Africa- and OrientalT .
SIZE OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM COLLECTION OR COLEOPTEBA
The general Collection of Coleoptera in the British Museum (Natural History) includes about l4o,000 species and roughly 3.000,000 specimens. About 50fo of the know, species of Coleoptera are represented. The collection is contained in 6,000 drawers, IS" "by IS" in wooden 20 drawer cabinets .
E. B. Britton, M.Sc.
[The preceding information on the staff and size of the British Museum was supplied by Mr. E. 3. Britton of the British Museum (Natural History). Mr. Britton adds in his letter: "It would be most useful if other museums could be induced to provide similar lists of their Coleopter- ists." I agree vith Mr. Britton, and hope this notice will aid in inducing some staff member of the Museum containing collections of beetles to compile a similar list for this publication. EDITOR. ]
-57-
BRISF BIOGRAPHIES
George Henry Horn
In the previous issue, we "briefly outlined the life of John L. LeConte. The story of LeConte would not he complete without the story of George Horn, pie two names are linked together in the minds of every American Coleopter-' ist. Between the two of them, they gave us the foundations of much of" our work today. There is no single group upon which they heave not left their :mark. It is remarkable, the close parallelism between the life pattern of
LeConte and that of Horn. This parallelism is fairly consistent through¬ out ;their lives.
Li. Horn was a native of Philadelphia. Like so many naturalists, he was born in the month of April, April 7th, lS4o to be exact. He received his -secondary education in both private and public schools of Philadelphia. At the age of 13 he entered the Central- High School of Philadelphia. Prom tnere he became a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Like LeConte, he studied medicine. j.e graduated in 186l, with the degree of Doctor of r.ec.icine. His zoological work began while he was a medical student. His early interests were not with beetles, or even insects, but rather he studied the Coelenterat es and Bryzoa. Several papers appeared on these subjects, written in collaboration with Mr. William M. Gabb. In lgbO,
Horn became a member ol the newly formed-Entomological Society of Philadel¬ phia. It was- then that he met Dr. LeConte, and there formed a friendship destined to last a lifetime and profoundly change the course of Coleopter- logical research.
In June, 1862, Horn went to- California where he was commissioned by Governor Leland St am ore., Assistant Surgeon, in the Second Cavalry, Califor¬ nia Volunteers . On July l4, 1864, he was made surgeon of the First Infantry Regiment, California Volunteers. His Civil War service included additional comissions and finally terminated with the rank of Major in the Second In^try Regiment, California Volunteers, on April 16, 1866. He made use of v%y opportunity during tke war to collect and observe insects.
At the end of his war service, he returned to Philadelphia and started the practice of medicine. He was active in the work of the" Entomological Society of Philadelphia, and was elected president.
During the spring and summer of 1874 he visited Europe, studying the types in London and Paris. He became acquainted with European entomologists on this visit and on others which he made in 1882 and 1888*. In 1889 he was elected Professor of Entomology at the. University of Pennsylvania, but never actively taught under that title. He visited California in 1893, shortly oe fore his death. In 1895 his health failed rapidly and he died sudc’enlv, November 24, 1897, in Philadelphia.
In many respects, Dr. Horn’s work was a completion of the work started by LeConte. It \^as he who , developed LeConte's classification, and made species revisions of many groups in which LeConte established the generic concepts. Horn's work is an example of thoroughness. LeConte was a broad student of nature, Horn narrower. Horn's descriptions are models of clarity in which essentials are emphasized, structure given first rank, and minor details mentioned as incidents. The important thing to him was the combina¬ tion of characters.
Korn's papers, fortunately, are not widely scattered; the majority nay he found in the "Proceedings of the American philosophical Society" and the "Transactions of the American Entomological Society." Most of his papers are long, representing complete revisions; very few are short notes.
REVIEWS
Dawson, R. Soc . ,
** . , Dew Sp
55:223-235.
ecies of Serica ( Scar ahaei dae ) pis. IX-XXI ; 1947.
VII,
Jour.
IT. Y. Ent.
Tli is paper discusses l6 species of the genus Serica, 7 of are new. One new subspecies is described. 13 of the species ed by fine examples of halftone stippled drawings of the male
these species are illustrat- genitalia.
The genus Serica is perhaps, one of the most troublesome to every Coleopterist when he tries to identify his material. So much so, that most collections have little beyond a generic label. Mr. Dawson explains that the external characters are few and often variable. "Consequently the usual descriptions do not suffice for the identifications of the species. The characters of the male genital, armature should be considered first and the description of external characters used as a supplement." Mr. Dawson has carried out this introductory statement ly precis descriptions and measurements, and by his remarkable artistic ability, has g iven the student of this group a s et of drawings which should greatly aid in making positive identification of these species in the future.
Robinson, Mark, Dotes on a few Scarabaeidae (Cole_optera) , Ent. News., 53: 14Q-150, 1947.
Motes on some species of Aohodius, Ataer.ius and Phyllophaga are given in this paper.
Buck ,
John B. , Studies on the Firefly, IV : Ten new Proc. U.S.U.M., vol. 97, no. 3210, pp, 59-79 »
Lanpyrids from J amaica. , pis. 1-3 > 19^7 •
This studying the media This has
paper is introduced by a discussion of the technique used for the male genitalia, a technique which is very useful for studying n and lateral lobes without removing them from the specimens, the advantage of being a great time saver, both in preparation
and in record keeping.
This maper deals with the genera Phctinus, Dipho tus , Me ro diphot and Presbyolampis, the last of which is new. Ten new species are described and each is illustrated by both photographs aid line drawings. Photographs of the entire insect are included. The line drawings are of the male genitalia, claws and other structures.
This work was conducted with the cooperation of Dr. Barber of the United States National Mseum, and it is mentioned in the introduction that Dr.
Barbe-r and Dr. Buck have in preparation a monograph of the fireflies of Jamaica which will include all previously published information on this group .
THE COLEOPTERI STS’ BULLETIN is printed monthly except July and August, by The Sher¬ wood Press, Box 84, Dryden, N. Y. PRICE: $1.00 per year (10 issues) or 15c a single copy, post¬ paid. Back copies may be obtained by writing to the publishers.
ARTICLES AND NOTES
All articles and notes should be sent to the Editor in care of The Sherwood Press, Box 84, Dry¬ den N Y. Only material conforming with the editorial policy of this bulletin will be accepted. The editor reserves the right to reject or change any material not conforming with the stated edi¬ torial policy.
EDITORIAL POLICY
TO FOSTER AN INTEREST IN AND FURTHER THE SCIENCE OF COLEOPTER- OI OGY BY PROVIDING A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, A GUIDE TO THE SOURCE OF MATERIAL, NEWS OF CURRENT PROGRESS, AND TO WORK FOR A UNITY OF SPIRIT AND PURPOSE SHALL BE THE AIM OF THIS BULLETIN.
Any person in any country may contribute material for this bulletin in any language provided they conform with this policy. All material thought to be “amateurish” in the sense that it is juven- ile will be rejected. But it is to be distinctly understood that this bulletin is for the serious Ama¬ teur as well as for the Professional, and all are invited to write its pages. Material for this bulletin will be confined to the field of COLEOPTEROLOGY except in the case of items of a general na¬ ture which would be of interest to Coleopterists. Material written in a light or humorous vein which is not designed to promote interest in the field of Coleopterology will be rejected. It is felt that descriptions of new forms, etc., should not be included in this bulletin.
Printed in U. S. A.
EDITORIAL
In the next few issues of the bulletin we plan to publish articles dealing with some of the phases of beetle study which are particularly in need of attention, This will be done by means of feature articles which we have asked certain workers to write. Such subjects as the following will be
l V
covered?
1. Groups of beetles needing revising.
2. Genotypes of Coleoptera.
3 » Larvae of Coleoptera.
4. The genitalis. of beetles and technique for their study.
3. ’wing venation and folding patterns of Coleoptera.
6. Bioxicmi os of beetles, and methods of studying bionomics. 7 • Color patterns insbeetle taxonomy.
8. Comparative morphology of beetles.
9* Geographical distribution of beetles.
It is the thought of the eeito'" that the proportion of work done on simple routine descriptions of new species far outweighs the work done on these
other pho.ses of study. By such a series of articles bringing to tion of the Coiecpterict the need of more comprehensive studies, phasis might be exerted along these lines.
the atten- more em-
bhereas tne Coleopterists perhaps have more work ahead of them in the way of pure descriptions than do the workers in most other groups, they have been prone to overlook comprehensive reviews of the work already done.
In the rush of cataloguing and describing, many features are omitted even in pure morphology. Tor instance, very little use is made of wing venation, and only recently has the structure of the genitalia been considered. Hundred of species are described each year without thought of the larval form. True, this is due to circumstance to a large degree. By that I mean lack of time,
-60-
facilities and means of publishing. The fact remains, however, that • the
... * • % ■ />
taxonomy of beetles is rapidly getting out of hand simply because of this mass of uncorrelated, purely external morphological descriptions. Few species
f *
are described and placed in genera which have no genotype designated and are poorly defined.
It is hoped that by means of these articles, some interest will
' *
be kindled in these subjects where it is now lacking, and serve to bring to the attention of the neophyte, especially, the need for this work. **************************************
What about the formation of a Coleopterists' Society ? This editor
has received very little in the way of suggestions and indications of inter-
< /
est in the formation of such a society. Let’s have some ideas'.
R.H. Arnett, Jr.
EDITOR
special oeeer to fore I git
COLEOPTERISTS
The editor will exchange a years subscription to this Bulletin with Coleopterists living in those countries unable to send money to this country for beetles .
He desires especially specimens of OEdemeridae, Silphidae, Histeridae or any Keteromera,, He prefers not to have Cuculionidae or Clirysomelidae, but will accept any lot of short series.
You may send beetles with your subscription order if you like, with¬ out previous arrangements.
-6i-
Cicindelid Collecting in Texas
By Barry B. Valentine Ithaca, 11. Y .
This past summer, the author had the opportunity to collect rather extensively in the state of Texas. Seventeen species and twenty-four varieties of Cicindelids were taken during this collecting trip. A large open pasture located six and one-half miles west of Fort Davis in the Davis Mountains proved to he one of the most interesting collecting spots for Cicindelids.
The following is an account of some of the species taken there.
One of the most interesting species collected was Cicindela ohsoleta, which is the largest species of Cicindelid in the United States. This species is between seventeen and twenty-one millimeters long and very variable in color. Typical obsoleta is dull black and immaculate. Variety prasina LeC. is bright green and also immaculate. Variety santaclarae Bat. is also green but varies from a single submarginal spot to a complete set of markings. As a rule, the brighter the green, the more complete the markings. Variety anita Dow is black with incomplete markings and variety vulturina LeC. ap¬ parently combines most of the maculate forms but is appreciably larger.
Actually, this hair-splitting of color characters is valueless because inter¬ mediate forms occur in each case. There were observed maculate, immaculate, green, brown and black forms in various combinations in copula. A series of forty specimens were collected in this pasture. It had a mud hole in one corner and only five obsoleta were on the mud flats while all the others were running around in the arid pasture several hundred yards from the near¬ est moisture.
This species is fast, alert and very hard to catch. They prefer open ground with short sparse vegetation and are most active late in the afternoon when the sun loses some of its intensity. They have the habit of resting in the shade of a bit of grass or small stone where they are im¬ possible to see. The best system for finding them is to walk back and fourth across the field waving a net from side to side. Using this system, the only difficulty is to distinguish the flying obsoleta from the thousands of grass¬ hoppers and then keep track of them until they land. This would be a simple matter for most tiger beetles, but obsoleta flies so long that it is often lost in the distance.
Cicindela horni Schp . was one of the less seldom seen tiger beetles which inhabited the same range as obsoleta* It took twelve days of collecting before the first specimen was found, and this was quite by accid¬ ent. While looking for a black widow spider under a piece of dried cow manure,
both the spider and a jet black Cicindela were found. During the next few
days six more were collected, two being beneath dried manure and four running over the ground during the late afternoon. The easiest method of recognizing these beetles is by the way they act. Instead of flying when distrubed, they
duck and try to run off in the grass. A net is useless; they are far easier
caught by hand. Strangely enough, even when there is no place for them to hide, they invariably run a short distance before they take wing. They are almost impossible to keep in sight when in the air, as they fly very fast. If they dissapear from view while in the air, they may be again found by walking about five paces in the general direction the insect went, then standing quietly for a minute or so. Horni, like obsoleta, remains quiet for some time after landing. 1/hen it senses the danger is over, it begins to move. When it does
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this, the shiny black color is easy to see against the dry ground.
A third species which shunned the mud flat area and preferred the pasture was Oicinde: a.pulchra Lay. This 'beautiful beetle is bright purplish- red' ancl emerald gr eon ,* -It ..s about fifteen mixlimeters long. The species is relatively easy to^ approach, but it the first try is missed, there is seldom the opportunity for a second! The first specimens seen were a mating pair which separated when approached » A swing, with the net captured the male, but the female was so fast she was not even observed taking wing. Pulchra appears to be abroad at all times of the day, but since only seven specimens were observed in two weeks of intensive collecting, this is said with reser¬ vation. ;
Four other -species of Cicindelidae were caught in this same past¬ ure, but these were on the mud flats or in-. the immediate vicinity. These species were1. C» punctulata 01 iv., lemniscaja LeC., se&ecimpunctata Klug and nigrocoerulea LeC. Punctulata was quite common on the mud, most of the specimens being intergrades between typical punctulata and variety micans Say; the majority of specimens being dull green with some running into dull bronze. • There was also one bright blue specimen with a complete set of dots. This was probably Bates’ variety chihuahuae .
Cicindela lemniscata LeC. was not as _ common at Fort Davis as it was in other adjacent areas. It prefers^dry sandy spots close to moisture and can usualljr be found within a yard or two of the line of demarcation bet¬ ween wet and dry ground. It also comes to light.
C. sedicimpunctata Klug was common on the mud flats, rare on the adjacent dry ground.
Cicindela nigrocoerulea LeC. was the commonest tiger beetle ever observed by the writer. There were thousands of them crowded together on the mud flats and more- on the surrounding dry ground. The great majority of the hundred collected were of the green .form named robusta by Leng in his revision. -'The typical blue or blackish nigrocoerulea were relatively rare, occur ing about .one blue to every two or three hundred green. As in obsoleta and punctulata the blue and black forms we re much harder to catch than the green, many specimens talcing wing as soon as one moved in their direction. . .
The other ten species observed and collected on this trip will be discussed in a later issue.
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A TECHNIQUE FOR STAINING, DISSECTING, AND MOUNTING THE MALE GENITALIA OF BEETLES
By Ross H. Arnett, Jr.
Ithaca, K.Y.
The classification of certain groups of Beetles is to a large extent becoming dependent on characters offered by the genitalia, primarily the males, but more and more by the females. In some respects, this is unfortun¬ ate, because of the additional time which must be spent in preparing adequate mounts of these organs. However, it is a fact that in some groups, at least, the genitalia offer characters which are more positive for identification purposes than the characters offered externally. It must be always borne in mind that in the final analysis, these characters are really only another set of morphological structures. Perhaps they are less affected by nutritional and environmental factors, and hence can be relied upon to give a clearer definition of the species. But they are not immune to change, slight modifica¬ tions and alterations, as are all other structures. So at best, they are, like all taxonomy, but man's interpretation of natures disorderly scheme of things.
Sharp and Muir in 1912 [The Comparative Anatomy of the male genital tube in Coleoptera, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1Q12, pp. 477-642, 37 plates], gave us a comprehensive view of the genital tube as found throughout the order. They also gave us a set of terms which we can apply to these various structures. However, due to the magnitude of the work, lack of time, and of vital practical importance, probably lack of space, these authors considered only the median and lateral lobes forming the so-called aedeagus. They mention only in nass- ing that the eighth and ninth abdominal segments offer many characters of Value. It has been this author's experience that these two segments offer in many cases much more diversity, and hence many more positive characters than are offered by the aedeagus alone. Therefore, the following discussion in¬ cludes these two abdominal segments as well as the aedeagus.
MORQPKOLOGY ; The following sketches illustrate the structure of the male genitalia as found in the Keteromera, specifically, the genus Rhinoplatia of the family OEdemeridae . It will be noted here that the median lobe fits
into a trough formed by the lateral lobes [tegmen]. In this case, the lateral
lobes are poorly differentiated, in other groups they are well developed processes projecting from the base along each side of the median lobe. These two parts are collectively refened to as the aedeagus. The aedeagus fits in¬ to the collar formed by the ninth abdominal segments. These together are be¬ tween the two plates of the eighth abdominal segment. In this case, the
tergite and sternite of the eighth segment are deeply emarginate, each form¬ ing two lobes. Note the long apodemere of the ninth abdominal segment. This is characteristic of the order, but in many groups the remainder of the ninth segment is reduced to a narrow ring. Often, the eighth abdominal segment is simply two flat plates which offer little in the way of identification char¬ acters. In the example figured here, this is a small lobe on the inner sur¬ face of the ventral plate of the ninth abdominal segment. This lobe is sub¬ ject to considerable modification throughout the group.
It is these parts then, that should be considered in the study of the genitalia. Because of the several layers of chitinous structures invol¬ ved, the author has found it an advantage in studying these parts to dissect the membranes holding them together and separate the individual segments. In some cases, however, this is not necessary as the entire set of structures may be stretched out into a long series, with the membrane holding them to-
-64-
)
^Basal piece
4— Median strut
Lateral lobes [tegmen]
Median lobe
(Dorsal surface towards top of drawing)
-65-
gether, without overlapping of the parts.
It must "be.; mentioned here, that even by including the eighth and ninth abdominal segments in the study of the genitalia, the possibilities of finding yaluable characters are not exhausted. If the membranes connecting these harder parts, the ducts leading into the parts, and the muscles connect¬ ed to these parts were throughly studied, much more could be learned from these structures about affinities, etc., perhaps facts of a much more funda** mental nature than any known at the moment .
I*. V - • .
TECHNIQUE : The first step in the preparation of the material for study is relaxing the specimen. This is done simply by putting the specimen in a beaker of hot, but not boiling water, after first removing the labels.
Only one specimen at a time however, because of the danger of confusing the data, should be r.elaxed. The author has found it more convenient to relax specimens in this way, rather than placing a number of specimens in a relax¬ ing jar over night, for two reasons. The first is, that there is always the danger of the labels becoming water soaked in a relaxing jar, and secondly, it is not- always possible to determine the sex of the specimen before hand, and hence,, the relaxing jar may be filled with females instead of males. By this faster method, a great number of .specimens may be relaxed in a few minutes, and if they prove to be females, there has been little time lost.
After the specimen has been relaxed, the genitalia are removed by holding the specimens between the thumb and forefinger under the low power of the binocular microscope and extracting the genitalia by means of a finely ground .insect pin. Care must be taken not to cut or pierce the structures with the pin. If the specimen is throughly relaxed, the genitalia will easi¬ ly pull out to a point where it may be cut off with fine scissors or pulled off with a pair of forceps.
• ■ , ■ i ... *
After the genitalia are removed they should be placed in a small watch glass of pure water. The author has found that the two cm. size watch glasses used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Quarantine, are the most economical to use. A number is given to both the specimen and to the removed genitalia, and this number recorded in a record book. If the plates of; the seventh abdominal segment have been removed with the genitalia, as is often the case, these may be removed while in the water, and the struct¬ ure teased apart somewhat before it is placed in KOH. This will facilitate the penetration of the KOH and hasten the eating away of the muscles and membrane. A ten percent solution of potassium hydroxide is used to dissolve out the muscle and membrane. This is heated in a small casserole with a cover. The exact concentration of the KOH is relatively unimportant, unless the structure is particularly small and delicate. The continued heating of the KOH soon boils away a great deal of water, thus greatly increasing the concentration of the KOH, making it necessary to frequently add water. By using a covered casserole, this is somewhat overcome. But the change in concentration has no bad effects on the genitalia if a close vratch is kept.
Here again time is saved. If the genitalia were soaked in cold KOH over night as is usually, recommended, much more time is necessary to prepare a series of slides, and also, what is more important, the progress of dissolv¬ ing the undesired tissues cannot be as closely checked.
It is often desirable in the case of small or weakly chitinized genitalia to stain with Gage’s stain to bring out the structure. Gage’s stain is prepareed as follows:
Acid fuchsin . 0*5 gran
10 percent, hydrochloric acid . 25-0 cc.
(Add 10 cc. of concentrated HC1 [Sp. gr. 1.18] to 90 cc.-of
distilled water.)
Distilled water .... . 300.0 cc.
This stock solution is diluted, one drop of stain to five drops of water.
After the genitalia are removed from the KOH,' the length of tine "being dependent on the amount of muscle and membrane necessary to remove, it is placed in acetic alcohol (3 parts of hO percent ethyl alcohol, 1 part acetic acid). This has the additional advantage of expanding and extending the organ as veil as neutralising the KOH and stopping the action. It is 'also necessary "because Gageus stain is colorless in a "base solution. From the acetic alcohol, it is placed directly into the stain. The stain is diluted, and the watch glass covered and left for 12 hours.
Dissection may be done either before or after the staining, which ever is more convenient. Dissection should be done only where it is necessary to see the parts clearly, and if done, care must be taken to observe the re¬ lationship of the parts. It is well to sketch the parts as observed during the dissection. Sometinesit is an advantage to leave the dissecting until after the structures have been cleared in xylene.
After removing from the stain, place in water to remove the excess stain, and then place in 9 5$ alcohol, except in the case of very delicate specimens in which case placing directly in a concentration of alcohol may cause some distortion. From 95 $ alcohol, place in carbo-xylene, which is prepared from a solution of carbolic acid, one .part and xylene, one part.
From the carbo-xylene, place in pure xylene, and then mount in balsam. The length of time necessary to leave the specimen in each solution must be deter¬ mined by experience, but in general, five minutes in each is sufficient.
Often, if there is little to prevent a free penetration of the solution, much less time is necessary for each step.
It is always well, before making a permanent slide of a specimen, to make a sketch of the structure while it can still be freely moved. Often, if this is not dene, important structures, or a least form and relationship is overlooked.
As with any attempt to outline technique, this is little mere than a sketch of some of the points to oe considered. Each technician must work out the details for himself. Each group presents certain problems peculiar to that group, and must he overcome by a modification of technique. Therefore it is important to be always alert, and ready \o make changes to suit the case Do not let the technique become the end, but rather carefully prepared mater¬ ial which will serve to best advantage the worker in carrying on his research the end. Remember that an extruded, dried genitalia still attach- specimen may serve the purpose $ust as well as an elaborately pre¬ stained slide. It depends solely upon the complexity of the struc-
1 1 •
should be ed to the pared and
ture and the fineness of the characters necessary to employ in separating the species .
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brief BIOGRAPHIES
Thomas Lincoln Casey
Thomas Lincoln Casey was horn at West Point, N.Y. in 1857 . He came from a family long associated with the Army. His father was Chief of the Engineers and carried through the construction of the Congressional Library building and the upper part of the Washington Monument.
yj . ■ •
Young Casey attended the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University for a year and then entered the Military Academy at West Point.
He was a brilliant student and a leader of his class.
Casey’s first scientific interest was astrcnony. In 1882 he was a member of a scientific expedition to the Cape of Good Hope to observe the transit of Venus. Later he i^ent to Texas as a member of the Greer County Commission to mark the boundary lines between a portion of what was then the Indian Territory and the State of Texas.
Early in his career Casey became interested in beetles. As an Army man, his frequently changed stations afforded him opportunities to collect in wideljr separated localities throughout the United States. Half a dozen pf his papers on North American beetles appeared in 1884, and from then on they were frequent. The fifty or more publications which were pub¬ lished before 1910 were confined to the Coleoptera of North America, but with the "Memoirs on the Coleoptera" (1910-1924) he enlarged his field to include Central and South America species as well.
Casey advanced regularly 'throughout his Army career. He retired from active duty in 1912 with the rank of Colonel. After retirement, he made his home in Washington, D. C. Colonel Casey died February 3» 1925» and the microscope he had used throughout his long entomological career was buried with him.
Casey not only specialized in beetles, but conchology was a field of interest to him as well. Upon his death, he left to the United States National Museum one of the largest and finest collections of beetles in the • world. He also bequeathed his conchological collection to the museum and with each collection a comprehensive library.
Much could be said regarding Casey’s collection. A special room is set aside for it at the National Museum and a special fund established by Mrs. Casey takes care of the collection, paid for the arrangement of it for use by other students and provides for the publication of certain beetle papers by the museum. [For further details, see: Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol. 9^* no . 2, 1935* "Thomas Lincoln Casey and the Casey Coll¬ ection of Coleoptera. ]
Casey was perhaps the most ardent student of beetles this country has yet produced. Also he was and is the subject of the greatest amount of criticism. Much of this criticism is just, much injust . But regardless of the criticism, "he was," as a well known Coleopterist states "the first to put a beetle under a microscope." There is no denying that his work was care¬ ful, painstakingly accurate and well done. Also, there is no denying that he created a great number of species • synonyms, species as we think of them today. Perhaps he was ahead of his time. Perhaps his species are micro-
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- • 7 ' V * ' i * * * * -
species or embryonic species. Bu.t his oh s or vat ions were correct, and a well described synonym is better than a poorly described species. There' is also one factor in iii.s species descrioing which is often overlooked. According to thOoe who knew something of his work, there is definite .evidence that many of the series which were sent no him to l cuc.y were ,'6dite^Jl, so to speak. Many of his ■^ypg series are only of a i.ew snedmens which are Ctx spinet unless the inter-, mediate forms are interjected. Casey was never known, or suspected of conven- igfld.y overlooking these intermed.* HuS forms®. Tills "editing of series, there¬ fore, accounts for many of hie synonyms,! and ;hp was the innocent victim of this "editing'1. But it cannot be denied /that- he was a "splitter" to the "nth" degree, and hence . many of his ■ followers. have rejected his species.
Colonel Casey, soldier, astronomer, concologist and coleopterist, left a deep imprint on American ■ccheopterology,:. such an imprint that he has left many of us bewiltered by his- -intense pursuance of the study and the extent of the ground which he covered.
* ' 'J *" » '*•. ' ^ * • » ■' 4 • : . • ’ •
» «.# •„ ■ * • - I
************* *************************
REVIEWS • ;
Knull, J. N., New Els.teridae with notes on Eucnemidae (Coleoptera) , Ent. News,
58 : 177-18l7”9"5*? • ■’ . ..
Three new species- are described,; two in the genus Limonius, and one in the genus Ludius. ■ Also 'there are notes -on. species of Isorhipis, Deltomelopus, Dirhagus and Nematodes . . ; " . .
White, B. E., A new species of Caphrocerus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) , Ent. News., 58; 181-18^, 1 9^7 • ' >
Voss, E. , Uber Cuculioniden, vorwiegend aus dem Gebiet der Anden (Col. Cure.) Rev. de Ent . , 18 : 45-64, 1947 •
Two new genera and- twelve new speciesare described from Peru.
Uhmann, E . , Die Deckenelemente der Hisp inae- Gruppen Chalepini und Uroplatini . (Col., Chrysom.), Rev. de Ent., 18:113-132, 19^7*
.An interesting paper which deals with the sculpture of the elytra of these groups. • ' ‘ • •
. ■ ■ • }' > i . ■
Saylor, L. W. Studies in the Melolonthine Scarab beetle genera of the Amer¬ ican continents, no. V, Rev. de Ent . 18 : 161-166 , 1947 •
A continuation of Mr. Saylor's Melolonthinae studies in which a new genus is described.
Fisher, W. S., Nev; Neotropical Cerambycidae, . belonging to the genus Dorcasta
Pasco e (Col. ) , Rev. ‘ de Ent., 173-122, 19^7 »
• • « • * » !
V ts - ‘
Eight species are described as new.
-69-
Jeannel, D. Rene, Sur les Kaptoderus des Pyrenees, (Coleoptera, Pterostichidae) . Rev. Fran. D'Ent.7T4 :105-188, lW TCarabidae J! - - - -
* t •
Keys to species, subspecies, etc. with illustrations of the edeagus and descriptive notes on each are given.
* ' . * « • A, \ ' 1 . 1 *
Normand, Dr. H., Remarques sur les Cryptocephalus voisins du C. blandulus Har., Rev. FTSZTD^tTT'lFTlUiri^Tlfi^ - .* - — ^
Two new species are here described.
Sanpere, Joaquin M., Contribucion al estudio de los Carabidos del Sahara Espanol, (Col., CarabidaeT, Eos, 23*103-164, plT 5,1947. ; -
Sixty-one species of Carabids are discussed in this paper. It is concluded by a 'discussion of the 'distribution of these species in Rio de Oro * [Sahara Espanol]. * '
Gressitt, J. Linsley, notes on the Lepturinae (Coleoptera, .Cerambycidae) , Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. , 45: 190-192, 1947. ‘ ~ - -
' This is a brief discussion of the subfamily Lepturinae of the
world, with thirteen notes involving changes in nomenclature of the snecies and genera of the group.
Br. Philip & Fr. 0. Fournier, Technique for the Detection of Insect Molting, Report of the Ent. Soc. of Ont., 19467 pp. 10-13, 1947.. 1 pi . “
After several substances had been tried, the authors found that the, marking of nymphs of Blattella germanica with Higgins Eternal Black Ink (no. S12) enabled then to note the exact number of instars. The recently
moulted nymphs will not eat the portion. of the cast skin marked with this ink . •
I . A
Rees, Bryant E., Taxonomy of the larvae of some Horth American Novi ini,
. (Coleoptera, CoccineUidael,. Pan-Pac. Ent., 23:113-119, 194*76 r
This paper describes the larvae of-the three species of Coccinellids comprising the North American represent ives of the tribe IToviini, which is a tribe containing fifty-five -species throughout its world range.
Ray, Eugene, Studies on North American Mordellidae, V, Coleootera. Pan-Pac. Ent., 23: 121-131 t 1947. " ~ -
"This is the fifth of a series of papers dealing with Horth American members of the family [Mordellidae]. Two species are described from Arizona, two from Oregon (one also from Kansas) , and one each from Tennessee, Michi¬ gan and -Florida. Notes have been added for ten previously known forms."
-Ray's introductory paragraph.
I
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NOTICES
Valentine, Barry D., 207 Williams St., Ithaca, N.Y.
Desire: Anthrihidae of II. A.
Will Exchange : Cicindelidae of H.A., also from the Solomon Isf Tricondyla
and miscellaneous Coleoptera.
Will determine: Anthrihidae.
Bridwell, L. H., Box 44, Forestburg, Tex.
Exchange: Would exchange Scaphinotus flammeus for Carahus or other
other Cychrini.
Bondar, Gregorio, Coqueiros do Furol 5S, Bahia* BRAZIL.
Determine: Barinae (Curculionidae) of South America.
Exchange: South American Belinae, Pr ionomerinae, Ceratopinae, Barinae.
Bottimer, L. J., Box 722, Kerrville, Texas.
Exchange: Will collect in certain families for Bruchidae of Western U. S. and foreign countries.
Desire: Bruchidae of the world, especially species from Mexico and Southward .
DeLisle, M. , Ingenieur en Chef des Travaux Publics, Saint-Louis, s/n^gal (A.O.F.) AFRICA.
Desire: Lucanidae, Cetonidae, Cerambycidae of the world.
Exchange : African beetles, equatorial and tropical zones.
Reinach, 0., President Association Agricole Mutuelle de Cote D'Ivoire, Tiassale (Cote d'lVoire) FRENCH WEST AFRICA.
Desire : North American Cerambycidae.
Exchange: West African Coleoptera.
INSECT PIN LABELS
Insect pin labels, set in 4 point type, printed in strips of about 30
labels on heavy ledger bond. Price: 1 to 4 lines, 500 for $. 50 -
1,000 for $ .75. Your order in the mail twenty-four hours after received l
THE SHERWOOD PRESS - Dryden, N.Y.
SEE SPECIAL OFFER TO FOREIGN SUBSCRIBERS ON PAGE 60 IN THIS ISSUE.
I /fa
% g
t'9
THE COLEOPTERISTS’
BULLETIN "
"7 ^LIMois
Vol. I Nos. 8 & 9
Nov. *■ Dec, 1947
EDITOR:
Ross H. Arnett, Jr.
Mimeoprinted by THE SHERWOOD PRESS, Dryden, N. Y.
PRICE: 15c a copy or $1.00 a year (Ten Issues)
yi.tr.
THE COLEOPTERISTS’ BULLETIN is printed monthly except July and August, by The Sher¬ wood Press, Box 84, Dryden, N. Y. PRICE: $1.00 per year (10 issues) or 15c a single copy, post¬ paid. Back copies may be obtained by writing to the publishers.
ARTICLES AND NOTES
All articles and notes should be sent to the Editor in care of The Sherwood Press, Box 84, Dry¬ den. N. Y. Only material conforming with the editorial policy of this bulletin will be accepted. The editor reserves the right to reject or change any material not conforming with the stated edi¬ torial policy. v
EDITORIAL POLICY
TO FOSTER AN INTEREST IN AND FURTHER THE SCIENCE OF COLEOPTER- OLOGY BY PROVIDING A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, A GUIDE TO THE SOURCE OF MATERIAL, NEWS OF CURRENT PROGRESS, AND TO WORK FOR A UNITY OF SPIRIT AND PURPOSE SHALL BE THE AIM OF TPIIS BULLETIN.
Any person in any country may contribute material for this bulletin in any language pio\ided they conform with this policy. All material thought to be “amateurish” in the sense that it is juven¬ ile will be rejected. But it is to be distinctly understood that this bulletin is for the seiious Ama¬ teur as well as for the Professional, and all are invited to write its pages. Material for this bulletin will be confined to the field of COLEOPTEROLOGY except in the case of items of a general na¬ ture which would be of interest to Coleopterists. Material written m a light or humorous, vein which is not designed to promote interest in the field of Coleopterology will be rejected. It is felt that descriptions of new forms, etc., should not be included in this bulletin.
Printed in U. S. A.
THE COLEOPTERI STS BULLET I IT
Vol. I, Uos. 8 & 9
Nov. -Dec., 1947
BEETLE WINGS
by Wm. T.M. Forbes
Cornell University
In most groups of insects our ideas of grouping and our classifications lean heavily on characters of the venation. But in the Coleoptera the wings have been relatively neglected, for several reasons. Firstly the wings don’t show on a beetle:*as customarily mounted; then there are plenty of characters that do show on the outside of these neatly chit ini zed creatures, so the need to go. deeper was not felt strongly. Thirdly they got the re¬ putation of being unduly variable,- which is not true. Then a large pro¬ portion of beetles are minute, and like other minute insects tend to lose the wing-veins. The pattern of folding, \vhich does remain in these minute forms, is difficult to work out, and needs a special technique if it is to be done completely, and so has been almost completely left alone, while the one or two published schemes were totally incorrect; thus part of Woodworth’ s diagrams showed a main fold along the anal furrow, where there is almost never a fold, and the fold is absent in the genera he claims to figure .
Characters of the wing venation are on the whole more useful within families than for major classification, so I will pass over them with a mention. Some idea of the variety of venational types can be gained from the figures in my paper ir '-'Anh. Ent. Soc. Am. 15, 328-352, 1922, and especially in Kempers, Ent. Mitt. 12, 71~H5» 1923* But a few orienting points are needed to understand the folding. The two main veins of the wing are Radius and Cubitus, and the area between them may be called the ’’cell”, as in the Lepidoptera. It is bounded at its outer end by a vari¬ able system of veins and folds, of which the most important are the two that hook back into the cell, - the radial and medial recurrents (Rr and Mr) . At the lower outer angle of the cell there is a small cell cut off in the Adephaga and Cupes, the oblong cell. Further out the costa in pri¬ mitive forms shows the usual thickening, the stigma, and below this are two or more flat, weak and diffuse veins which the Germans call Strahladern.
The patterns on which the wings are folded are of much more importance in classification, and I have described the ways to get at them in Jour.
H.Y. Ent. Soc., 3^» ^2 ff., 1926. But to determine the basic type of fold¬ ing it is not necessary to work out the folding completely, but mainly to follow along the costal edge and note how it behaves. As one runs out from the base, he will usually find the costa continues undisturbed to well beyond the middle of the wing, when it turns sharply back. This is the pivot or hinge, and is produced by a fold up and a fold down meeting at an angle just below the costal edge. If the concave fold comes first, the outer part of the wing will overlie the basal, and we call the hinge normal. This type lies just beyond the cell, as described above, and be¬ fore the stigma, when present, and marks the great majority of beetles; even when at first it appears absent (as in Staphylinidae) more careful study shows it is there, though subordinated to the many other folds. In one series, however, of which Anthrenus and the Lyctidae are fine examples, the apparent hinge is another fold, it works the other way, with the outer part
-71-
-72-
underlying the mors basal, and is located before the end. of the C6ll ♦ On farther examination we find that at the place where the pivot should exist, just "beyond the cell, there is a single concave fold, followed "by a single convex one, so that the costa as we follow it folds up and over, and then
"back again.
Just "below the hinge, in the Adephaga, we can almost always see the oblong cell, but twisted around, and partly tucked under cubitus in a dist¬ inctive way* in the few cases where that cell is lost, there is still an area of the wing which is twisted around and tucked under cubitus in the sane way though it only bears a single vein down the middle (e.g. Cicindela and Physodes) . The Archostemata (Cupes and Micronalthus) alone share this feature;" but can be instantly recognized by the outer part of the wing, which is rolled in a double spiral instead of the usual folding; while the Ealiplidae and the old world genus Hygrobia (Pelobius) are folded as if such a spiral had been ironed flat.
As we follow the costal edge out beyond the hinge, we find in the Adephaga that the next fold is always up and over, while in the vast majority of Polyphaga it is down and under. As a rule this fold lies about half way between hinge and apex, but it has a tendency to migrate back towards the hinge* especially in much-folded types where there are further folds beyond it; and in a good many families, mostly nov; called clavicorns, it has gone so far back as to cut off the hinge from the costa entirely; in this case as we follow the costal edge out, instead of turning back sharply at the end of the cell, it immediately turns down and under. There is another series of families, roughly corresponding to the group sometimes called Kaplogastra, but including the Lamellicorns, in which the outer folds of the inner edge of the wing, have moved forward instead, so that the outer part of Cubitus is folded squarely across. This group are not so easy to pick out, without a fuller study of the folding.
In a few cases single families are instantly recognized by the folding alone; thus in the Kydrophilidae that outer costal fold runs at a 4^ slant, so that the costal edge turns back at a right angle, instead of directly back in itself,- only the Georyssi&ae share this character. In the Hitidul- idae and the single Ptiliid which has preserved a complete folding, the costal convex fold is followed always by two concaves in succession. The Clambidae have a system all their own, which does not fit any of the groups I have defined above. In some other cases the venation alone will define a group; thus the Lamellicornia are marked by a distinctive loop in the anal area, a thick hock-like radial recurrent and many minute Strahlader.n in the outer part of the wing.
In some other cases the folding patterns challenge our classification. Thus the Dermestidae have three totally different kinds; Dermestes agree¬ ing both in venation and folding with Dascillus, while all the genera with an ocellus preserved have a group-resemblance to the Bostrychidae and Lyct~ idae, while one or two genera are more like the Byrrhidae; on the other hand I'osodendron has no likeness to its supposed relatives in the Byrrhidae, but would not be out of place near Anthrenus. The Dascillidae of the con¬ ventional system are a complete hodge-podge, having at least seven types of folding, most of which are also found elsewhere in our system; thus Dascillus itself is almost like Dermestes, Rhipicera and Sandalus, while Eucinetus, Cyphon and Artenatopus are three very distinct types within the general pattern of the Bostrychidae and Anthrenus. Bidessus is more un¬ like the other Dytiscidae than even the Gyrinidae are, but on the other
hand is much like the Haliplidae, Sphaerius is superficially an unchalleng¬ ed clavicorn, hut its wing shows perfectly the oblong cell and twisted cen¬ tral area of the Adephaga, and Hydro scapha, always placed near the Staphy— linidae, looks almost exactly like it.
Again the pattern of Catopochrota shows instantly the very distinctive type of the normal Cryptophagidae, and Gnostus, which has hatted about our systems, evidently goes along with the Lyctidae and Ptinidae, hut in other cases the evidence is weakened hy close resemblance in a whole series of families; thus there is no wing-difference at all corresponding to the separation of Mordelloidea and Tenebrionoidea, as e.g. used in Leng’s cat¬ alogue; hut this is weakened hy the fact that the Elateridae, Lampyridae and Erotylidae are also fundamentally of the same type.
-74-
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'JKS EIGHTH I UTERI! AT I ORAL CONGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY IN STOCKHOLM
Tlie Congress will assemble in Stockholm from August 9^ to l4th,
1945. The following sections are provided for discussion: Systematic Entomology, Physiology, Oecology and Zoogeography, Morphology and Ana¬ tomy, Embryology, Agricultural and Horticultural Entomology, Apiculture, Forest Entomology, Stored products insects, Medical and Veterinary Ento¬ mology, Methods of control and insecticides, Nomenclature and History, Bibliography, Arachnids.
Specific information about the Programme of the Congress and the arrangements in connection therewith, will be forwarded in tne near future.
Address of the Congress Office: Stockholm 50 (Sweden). ***************************************************************** **********
VOLUME I
With this issue, and the r'.ndox and list of determiners which will follow shortly, volume I of the Coleopterists 1 Bulletin will be complete with ten issues and about 100 pages.
Subscriptions are now due. Renewal blanks are included with, this* issue. ' Some . are .paid' up in- advance.. A statement of your account will be sent shortly.
Unfortunately, we have a deficit of about fifty dollars due to the original advertising and sending of free copies mainly, but also due to increased costs of materials. Ue have the choice of either cutting down the number of pages, or increasing the subscription costs. Ue have chosen the latter. By increasing the subscription price to $ 1.25 the extra 25 cents will cover the cost of mailing and help make up our deficit. Even with the income from Systema Naturae, there is still a deficit.
If, in the event of an increase in the number of subscribers, which will of course, cut the expense per copy, we find that the deficit is made up by this increase, we can then use the money for more pages per issue.
If you would like to see this grow and hence become more valuable to you, than it is up to you to support it by sending in your articles, notes etc. and urge others not now subscribing to get on our mailing list.
Ue have a supply of back issues in stock. If you are a regular sub¬ scriber and are missing any copies of volume I, we will send then to you at ten cents an issue if ordered before Febrt»ecy 1, 194?. Otherwise, back copies are fifteen cents an issue, or $ 1.50 a volume.
-75-
TSE CLASSIFICATION OF COLEOPTERA*
By J • Chester 3radley Cornell University
Leng in his Catalogue of the Coleoptera of America north of Mexico, 1520, and in its second supplement, 1933* summarized the attempts that had Been made up until then to Bring the classification of "beetles into line with probable phy'icgeny* The important results of Saving and Craighead on larvae remained wholly uncorrelated with the evidence obtain¬ able from adult structures, until an important paper by Peyerimhoff appear¬ ed in 1933- (Les larves des Coleoptores d!apres A. Saving et F. C. Craig¬ head et les grandes criteriums de l;ordre). Lameere in 193S (Precis de Zoologie) published his final revised views on the classification of the order, emphasizing the work of Max Poll, one of his own students, and others on cryptonephridisra, but on the whole an improvement . To all that has been dene before Drs. Jeannel and Paulian (Korphologie abdominale des Coldopt&res et syst&natique de l’ordre, Ijbb) have now added their work on the reduction of the sternites, and on the types of male genitalia.
A study of the last mentioned paper suggests that there may have been certain phylogenetic relationships that are not clearly brought out in it. To illustrate these graphically I have prepared the accompany¬ ing phylogenetic tree.
Coleoptera have descended from liegaloptera. The correspondences between their larvae, as Lameere remarks, are too numerous and too close to permit of any other interpretation. The base of the tree (1) represents, therefore, the common prototype of the two. The larva of this protype was aquatic, thysanuriform, active, and predaceous. Instead of prolegs the leg-rudiments of the abdominal segments 1 to 9 have been re-utilized to form gills, the tenth segment terminated in two pairs of hooks. The tibia and tarsus were separate, the latter terminating in a pair of claws. The adult had many segmented, filiform antennae, five segmented tarsi, six free malpighian tubes, tubular testes, polytrophic ovarioles, and genitalia of the three-lobed tpye.
This prototype differed from that of all other Eolometabola in that the pupal covering was secreted by the malpighian tubes, instead of being spun from labial silk, and likewise by the absence of prolegs.
The changes that it underwent in becoming a beetle were few: the larvae acquired pseudocerci (urogomphi) ; the adults, in developing elytra acquired a more perfect protection for their functional but nov/ folded wings than had been previously known and in so doing were fitted for the initiation of the conquest of the infinite diversity of confined environments that has made the order successful and prodigious above all other living creatures. In addition the number of antennal segments was set at eleven, the first sternite, cerci, and male gonopeds lost, the male developed accessory glands on the ejaculatory duct that produce a spermatophore, and the ninth abdominal segment became invaginated.
From this ancestral coleopteron there have arisen two lines of descent, the Adephaga, and the Pqlyphaga. The Adephaga constitute a
* This paper was read before the Richmond meeting of the Entomological Society of America, December, 19*4-6.
-76-
group, say Jeannel and Paulian, so separate “by all its characters, morpho¬ logical r anatomical, and larval that one is tempted to make it an order apart. And yet they ame the original Coleoptera. There is nothing of any importance by way of change from the prototype that we can say about either larra or adult. In fact the larva of C-yrinoidea differ in no essential respect frvm those of Megaloptera- except that an extra pair of gills on segment 9 ere probable precursors of pseudocerci, and one is tempted to wonder vhether they are not migrants, The numerous adaptations of the adult tm a.: id or. the surface of the water are strictly neogenetic, less ad V' need in Oligoeene fossils, and of no significance in placing the origin of the group. J have no doubt that the aquatic larvae of Adephaga have had. a continuously aquatic history that traces back to Protoperlaria and even to the earliest ptilote insects. But within the Adephaga there have been two lines of specialization, the one has been a tendency on the part of the adults go follow the lead of their larvae and become in their turn aquatic, the other has been for the larvae to become terrestrial, and in iuch case the adults never became aquatic. This is the case v/ith Carab- idae; Bhysodidaeg and Cupedidae.
There is no occasion to constitute a third suborder for Cupedidae. Their fundamental characters are those of the Adephaga, and hence of the archetypal coleopteron. Persons have been misled in interpret¬ ing the adaptive characters that have fitted them for a xylophilous life, and that have been paralleled polygenet ically many times in the Polyphaga* as indicating a relationship with the latter. There is none, merely similarity, Koweve r we know nothing of their internal anatomy, and when- this lacuna is supplied it may appear that their proper origin is between 2’ and 3r on the tree.
The more important changes at 31 that have produced the Polyphaga are; the tibia and tarsus of the larva have fused and the claw become s ingle ♦ in the adult the propleural plates have become concealed by the pronotal flanks, the testes are of the type that Lameere terms lb, that is the follicles are sessile, verticillate, and arranged around the vas deferens, and the ovarioles have become teletrophic.
The full complement of seven sternites was present in the archetype of Polyphaga from which the Cantharoidea depart in no important respect except that the larvae have for the most part become terrestrial, and have lost the segmentation of their pseudocerci. But some are aquatic and possess tracheal gills. It would seem that Lameere as well as Jeannel and Paulian were wise in beginning the Phytophaga with these beetles.
At 6’ there has been a change in the testes to what Lameere terms type la, v/ith the follicles sessile,1 but fasciculate, arranged at the end of the vas deferens. It is possible that this is the primitive type, and that the Cantharoidea have developed type lb as a specialization.
At 7, the stem of Staphylinoidea -*■ Scarabaeoidea, in the adult sternite 2 has become invaginated, absent medially but distant and visible at the sides. The antennae have become clavate. The larva of the primitives are still aquatic, doubtless continuously so, and the lateral processes on the abdominal segments of Spercheus suggest the retention of modified gills.
The Scarabaeoidea are a very clear-cut group in which the antennal club of the adult in becoming asymmetric has become lamelliform;
-77-
the testes are of a special type not occurring elsewhere (hut approached in Phytophaga) the accessory glands of the ejaculatory duct have been lost, and the male genitalia have undergone characteristic modifications not paralleled elsewhere.
Returning to the main (cantharid-like) stem, two important changes have occurred that set apart all of the lines that follow: The distal ends of the nalpighian tubes have become concealed under the membrane that surrounds the proetodaeum, a condition known as cryptonephredism.
In the larvae the pseudo cere i have become single- -segmented immobile horns or hooks, but in more specialized offshoots may disappear entirely.
Branch 9? Tenebrionoidea, is characterized by a particular type of male genitalia, invaginated9 the phallobase forming a dorsal sheatth, and after the differentiation of the Meloidae, the second sternite has become completely xost. This last has also occurred at 9’» evidently independently,, since it is not accompanied by the type of genitalia characteristic of all of the male Tenebrionoidea, including Meloidae.
9* , at which point sternite 2 has disappeared, represents a platform for the ultimate evolution of the order, more and more difficult to decipher. 'The branches Dascylloidea, Cleroidea, and Cucujoidea, I accept more on the conviction of Drs. Jeannel and Pauli an than my own. In the former two the male genitalia have each developed a characteristic type, but in the primitives of the Cucujoidea • they have retained the primitive three-lobed coleopterous type. The best we can say here is that evolution has become ’'explosive" with many different lines resulting, which are difficult to assemble in main trunks, the latter being at best opinionative .
The final branch, ll1 ' ' , on the contrary is a very distinct one, culminating in high specialization. All of them phytophagous, reaching in this respect their highest culmination in the ambrosia