THE GROUND BEETLES. 113 



XXVIII. DIPLOCHIL.A Brulle. 1835. (dr., "double + Up.") 



Smooth black beetles of small or medium size. Elytra usually 

 with one dorsal puncture near the middle of the third interval, the 

 apex feebly sinuate. They live beneath stones and rubbish, usually 

 in damp places. Three species and two varieties are known from 

 the United States, all of which occur in Indiana. The following 

 table is based on that of Dr. Horn in Bull. Brooklyn Entomological 

 Society, III, 1880, p. 52 : 



KEY TO SPEl'IKS OF DIPLOCHILA. 



<i. Hind angles of thorax distinct. 



I). Seventh stria of elytra feeble or almost obsolete; base of thorax 



broader than apex. 



c. Smaller, 13-15 mm. 170. LATICOLUS. 



cc. Larger, IS or more mm. 17<>a. var. MAJOR. 



hh. Seventh stria about as distinct as sixth ; thorax less narrowed in 



front, base more narrowed, scarcely broader than apex. 

 (I. Klytral intervals all black. 177. iMi'KKssiroLus. 



<ld. Alternate elylral intervals reddish-purple. 



177a. var. ALTERNA.NS. 



mi. Hind angles of thorax obtusely rounded: elylral stria 1 finer, seventh 

 almost obsolete; length 11-12 mm. 17S. OBTUSA. 



*17<; (710). iHPLocmr.A LATH 01. us Lee., Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist., IV, 1S4S. 



319. 



Black, feebly shining; antenna- and tarsi dark brown, the basal joints 

 of both piceous. Thorax one-halt wider than long; sides curved to behind 

 middle, thence oblique to base; hind angles rectangular. Elytra finely 

 alutaceous. the stria* shallow, not or very faintly punctured; intervals flat. 

 Length 13-15 mm. 



Throughout the State ; frequent. February fi-Oetober 9. Some- 

 times attracted by electric lights. 



176a (710a). DIPLOCHILA LATICOLLLS MAJOR Lee., lot-, cit. 31S. 



In addition to its larger size, this form lias the basal impressions ei' 

 thorax broader and more shallow, the elytra 1 stria* finely but distinctly 

 punctate, the seventh fainter, often wholly obsolete. Length 1X-20 mm. 



Throughout the State; common. March 18-Octobi'r 27. Usually 

 considered a variety of laticnllix, but probably distinH. 



177 (711). IMI'LOCHILA IMPRKSSK'OLLIS I>ej.. Spec. V. 1X3(1. liXL'. 



Black. Apex of thorax less narrowed than in Intirollix. nearly as 

 broad as base. Elytral stria 1 dee]>er. ratlier coarsely punctured: intervals 

 more convex. Length Id 17 



Lake. Laportc and Vigo couiilics; scarce. March IS-.July 7. 



