1898.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 235 



despoiled of its leaves, and its peculiar appearance, with noth- 

 ing but its long slender pods depending from its branches. It is 

 said that, in the South, Catalpa trees are planted in order that 

 the larvae may be obtained for bait. I would call attention to 

 to this fact so that those who may be piscatorially inclined can 

 take advantage of it. 



o 



RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD COLLECTING GROUNDS. 



By H. F. WICKHAM, Iowa City, Iowa. 



VI. THE COLORADO DESERT AND ITS ENVIRONS (Concluded). 



At Yuma, where I stopped for a few days two years later, a 

 number of the same features were noticed that marked collecting 

 at The Needles, but some species were taken that I had not met 

 with at the latter place. In the willow trees along the river 

 bottom I found considerable numbers of Chalcolepidius webbii 

 and many specimens of a fine black and orange colored Long- 

 horn, Dendobrias mandibularis. I think this Dendobrias must 

 feed, as a larva, on willows, at least in those spots where the tree 

 grows. The adults may often be seen pairing on the living 

 trunks. Nevertheless, I have occasionally captured the beetles 

 in the semi-desert regions of Arizona, far from water, and con- 

 sequently distant from any willow trees. There is great variation 

 in size, color and mandibular development, even in the same 

 sex. Some males show scarcely any trace of the transverse 

 post- median black band which is so characteristic of fully marked 

 specimens. 



Some Staphylinida; were obtained by throwing water on banks 

 of pools or by rolling over pieces of wood in wet places. Among 

 them I may enumerate Actobiu's, pccderoides, A. grains, Stemts 

 incultus, Cryptobium arizonense, Sunius simi/is, Trogophl&us 

 dentiger, T. gilce and T. tantillus. Under bark I took Adelina 

 lecontei, Ditoma ornata and D. sulcata. On mesquit trees or on 

 posts of this same wood were secured specimens of Chrysobotliris 

 odocola, Acm&odera gibbula and Polycesta velasco. A magnifi- 

 cent Chrysobotliris atrofasciata was seen at rest on a bush and 

 created quite a flutter of excitement until safely landed in my 

 bottle. The Buprestidae are so active in very hot climates that 

 they often escape after being located, and it is no easy matter to 



