XXXli, '21] KNTOMOI.OOICAL XKWS 



A Second Nearctic Species of Protura, Acerentulus 



barberi, New Species. 



By H. E. EWING, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department 

 of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 



Since the discovery in 1907 of the very interesting primitive 

 insects, the Protura, by the Italian zoologist and entomologist. 

 F. Silvestri, only a single species has been reported, as far as 

 can be learned, from the Xearctic Region. This species was 

 described in 1909 by Silvestri, from New York, as Hosentomon 

 -a'licclci'i. Aside from this single record by Silvestri, the pres- 

 ence of Proturans in the Nearctic Region has been only 

 a matter of conjecture until quite recently, when their occur- 

 rence in the vicinity of Washington became established. 



Some years ago Dr. A. C. Baker, of the Bureau of Ento- 

 mology, collected three minute arthropods at East Falls Church, 

 Virginia, which he determined as being Proturans. The matter 

 was not given any special attention at the time, and a specific 

 determination was not made. Also no record was published 

 of this discovery. Since then, apparently these primitive insects 

 have been overlooked in the vicinity of Washington until the 

 winter of 1920-21. Their occurrence here was made definitely 

 known by the finding by H. S. Barber of a single living speci- 

 men in humus that had been brought to the National Museum 

 from Plummer's Island, Maryland, by R. C. Shannon some 

 weeks previously. Soon after the discovery of the first speci- 

 men two more were found under stones near the mouth of 

 Dead Run. Virginia (opposite Plummer's Island) by H. S. 

 Barber and W. M. Mann, and since then specimens have been 

 taken in some numbers in decaying leaves, by the writer, at 

 Takoma I 'ark, Maryland. 



This important discovery of representatives of the order 

 Protura in this vicinity has been reported to the Entomological 

 Socictv of Washington in the form of a note by Mr. Barber at 

 the March 3rd meeting, and Mr. 1'arber has suggested that tin- 

 writer make a specific determination of the Proturan. 'Ibis 

 has been done, the species proving to be new. It is here named 

 Accroiliilns barberi, new species, in honor of Mr. IJarber. 



