1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 253 



Rancora strigata n. gen. et sp. ; first row, ist figure. An ally of Cu~ 

 i-n/fia, differing from it in the heavier thorax, shorter body, impromtnent 

 hood to collar, serrate antennae of male and broader, less lanceolate wings. 

 The color is ashen gray, the transverse markings are obsolete and the 

 longitudinal dashes are obvious outwardly. Expands 1.75 inches; 44 mm. 



Hab. Victoria, B. C., one ? ; Mr. Neumoegen. 



It is possible that Cucnllia serraticornis may be congeric, but 

 this species is larger, more robust, the wings broader, less lan- 

 ceolate. 



o 



Notes on Bruchus alboscutellatus, Miarus hispidulus, Coeiiodes 

 acephalus, and a new Thiobius. 



By JOHN HAMILTON, M. D., Allegheny, Pa. 



Bruchus alboscutellatus Horn, breeds abundantly in the seed 

 capsules of seed-box, Bastard Loosestrife, Ludivigia alkrtiifolia, 

 a perennial plant of the Onagraceae family, which grows in wet 

 places. The ripe capsule is coriaceous, with four-winged angles, 

 perforated at the top, divided internally into four cells each con- 

 taining a hundred or more seeds, and is about the size of a pea. 

 Each cell usually contains a Bruchus in some stage, and it the 

 larva eats the seeds the diminution in their number is not very 

 great. As the dead plant stands rigid and its capsules indehis- 

 cent till Summer, and not eaten by birds or animals, it is quite 

 probable the beetles remain in them all Winter, or even till the 

 time the plant is in bloom. At this time, October 2oth, the cap- 

 sules contain larva?, pupae and beetles in about equal numbers. 



This is a wide departure from the food-habits of any of the 

 North American species of Bnn'Iins on record, riifimanus, />/- 

 sontm, chincnsis, j.-maculatus , dcscrtonim, ob scums, obsolcius, 

 Schrankicc and aureolus, are known to inhabit the seeds of legu- 

 minous plants. Pnminus occurs on the Ironwood of Ari/ona 

 (family unknown to me), but whether it breeds in the fruit is not 

 stated. It is quite likely other species of Bmchus may inhabit 

 the seed vessels or succulent parts of other plants, especially of 

 such as have persistent capsules or pods. 



The dents on the hind femur of this species are usually three, 

 a large basal, small median and moderate apical, well separated; 

 sometimes the apical is absent, occasionally the apical and me- 

 dian; and sometimes the femur on one side will have the normal 



