Vol. xxii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 65 



is the home of P. hoppingi; from the Cuyamaca Mts., one hun- 

 dred miles south came the unique type of P. puncticollis, and 

 in the Santa Monica Mts., near the coast, and not more than 

 thirty miles distant a single wing cover of a Pleocoma has 

 been picked up, showing the presence of the genus in that 

 somewhat isolated range. The Sierra Madre Mts. ought then 

 by good rights to harbor a species of this remarkable genus, 

 but the obscure habits, and the ephemeral existence of the 

 perfect insects has enabled them to escape detection up to this 

 time. 



In the absence of the male it was not possible to identify 

 Mr. Camp's specimen with certainty, and he was urged to 

 keep a sharp lookout for males during or immediately follow- 

 ing the next rain. This was done, and on the I5th of Novem- 

 ber during a drizzling rain nineteen males were taken in about 

 an hour at the same spot in an area not more than one hun- 

 dred feet across. The beetles flew slowly and apparently aim- 

 lessly, keeping as a rule a foot or two above the ground. Mr. 

 Camp was unable to define the extent of the flight, either in 

 time or space, but there is little doubt that both were quite lim- 

 ited. Unfortunately no special attempt was made to locate the 

 females, and it is doubtful if it will now be possible to secure 

 any this season. 



A careful study of the males indicates rather close relation- 

 ship with fimbriata and puncticollis, but with a sufficiently 

 marked and constant deviation from either to warrant a dis- 

 tinctive name. The following description and comparative 

 notes are therefore offered: 



P. australis n. sp. 



Male. Black, shining, glabrous above, the long hairs of the marginal 

 fringe and under surface reddish brown. Antennae and cephalic 

 structure very nearly as in fimbriata. Prothorax slightly more than 

 twice as wide as long in horizontal projection, sides arcuately con- 

 vergent in front, subparallel and feebly or barely perceptibly sinuate 

 posteriorly, the hind angles obtuse but well defined and usually slightly 

 prominent ; disk flattened and obliquely declivous in front, the median 

 line broadly vaguely impressed anteriorly and again more narrowly 



