Some Beetles from the Dublin District. 191 



typhceus, which is said to be common in Wicklow — though in 

 my experience and from what I hear, it appears to be rare 

 enough. I possess one specimen — a female — which was found 

 dead at Howth. The males of this species have two long 

 horns on the front of the thorax, projecting on each side of 

 the head. The beautiful rose-beetles are unrepresented on 

 our Dublin catalogue as yet, and, as far as I can hear, are not 

 very common in Ireland generallj^ 



Among the Elateridce we possess an interesting species, 

 Corymbites C7ip7'eus. It is one of the finest examples of the 

 British ''skipjacks" or click-beetles, and inhabits the blades of 

 long grass. This creature, in common with its relatives, has 

 the habit of shamming death, and dropping to the earth when 

 disturbed. If it falls on its back it has a ready method of 

 righting itself again, for by a sharp movement of its thorax 

 it can spring into the air to a height of some inches and 

 usually lands in proper position. In this operation the insect 

 makes a clicking noise, whence its second popular name. 

 Fourteen species of this group are taken in this part of Ireland. 



Of the Telephoridoe we have an interesting species added to 

 our list during the summer of 189 1. The name of the species 

 is Dolichosoma iiobile; it was found near Wicklow during the 

 June excursion of the Club, and was pointed out to me b}^ Mr. 

 W. De V. Kane on the flowers of Coniolvuli, near the sea coast. 

 This is a maritime or semi-maritime species, and is limited 

 to certain parts of England having a liking to the Convolvuli. 

 Mr. Cuthbert and I took it in numbers at this place in Wicklow, 

 and I have since found it on the North Bull on the flowers of 

 Dandelion. 



Dr. Scharff was very successful in captures of the renowned 

 Mesites tardii last summer, having taken the insect in all its 

 stages in Co. Wicklow. Mr. Cuthbert has I believe found it 

 near Dublin. 



Several new species have been added to the Chrysomelidoe, 

 one at least being of importance. Two of these come from 

 Poul-a-Phouca and were taken during the excursion in 1890. 

 The first is Gonioctena pallida, and is I believe new to Ireland. 

 It was first taken by Mr. Sydney Cary, and abounded on the 

 bushes, nut trees, ete. at that place. The other is Phratora 

 vulgatissima, a widely distributed beetle, but hitherto not 

 recorded. Both w^ere taken near the banks of the river, and 

 Gonioctena occurred in large numbers. The banks of rivers 

 when well covered with herbage and bushes are amongst the 

 best places to search for beetles, and with regard to Poul-a- 

 Phouca, I believe, if it were better worked, it would give a rich 

 harvest. Mr. Cuthbert adds another good insect to our last, 

 namely, Gastrophysa polygon!, a pretty little beetle with red 

 thorax and blue wing-cases. Two vSpecies of this genus in- 

 habit Britain, the second being G. raphani, which is of a bright 

 golden green colour. The remaining Chrysomelidcc added are 

 Phyllotreta punctnla, and Phoedon tumidiUum. 



