36 The Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. IV, No. 2, 



ARADIDAE OF OHIO.* 



Herbert Osborn. 



The Aradidae are a very interesting group of Hcmipfcra, being 

 adapted by their flattened bodies to hve under the loose bark of 

 stumps and dead timber. 



The species are many of them quite rare and it seems probable 

 that their numbers have diminished rapidl}- with the deforestation 

 of the region and the destruction and manufacture of the dead 

 timber that constitute their natural habitat. It is of particular 

 interest, therefore, to collect them as carefully as possible since 

 the chance of securing a full knowledge of our local fauna is 

 growing constantly less. 



Some of the species seem to show a preference for certain kinds 

 of timber and possibly careful stud}- would show some decided 

 predilection; so far, however, little accurate record has been kept 

 of the kind of bark under which they occur. In many cases, no 

 doubt, the determination of the kind of a tree which has become 

 a rotting log or stump is difficult, but reccrds, whenever possible, 

 would have a distinct interest. Neuroctenus simplex Uhler has 

 been taken under the bark of beech at Columbus, but I have 

 specimens from Iowa in a locality where I think the beech does 

 not occur. 



Mr. Dur}^ has collected a number of species in sifting dead 

 leaves and forest rubbish in fall and winter. 



Our native species are dark brown or black and have wings 

 nuich reduced in size, the elytra or fore wings covering onl}' the 

 disk of the abdomen. The beak is rather short in .some genera — 

 not reaching beyond hind border of head. Our species so far 

 recognized in the State fall into three genera, Aradi(s, Brachy- 

 ilnnichus and Neuroctenus, but we most probably have representa- 

 tives of Aiieiinis also. 



These genera are separable as follows: 



.\. Heinel3tra with distinct veins. 



a, Prosternuni with distinct sulcus. Beak (exce])t in nit(er) reaching 

 or passing prosterninn. Anu/iis. 



aa. Presternum without sulcus. l?cak short, not passing hinder edgt 

 of heail. 

 b. Abdouiinal segments without keel l)etween spiracles and 

 lateral uiargin. /Irac/iyr/ivitc/iiis. 



1)1). .\1)(l().i.inal segments with a rlislincl keel on marginal s])ace 

 between spiracles and border. XiKiodi-iiiis. 



A.\. Hemelytra without evident veins. ^liitiinis. 



Aradus akquaus Say. 



Atadiis aei/nalis ?,ny. Hetcrop , Uemip. p. 29 (1831). Coll. Writ., I, 352. Stal. Hmiin. 

 Hfiiiip III, p. i3(>. rhler Hull. U. S. Oeog. and Geol. Siir., I, 321. 



Large, dark fu.scous, with gray spots, joints 2 and 3 of antennae 

 of very nearly equal length, all joints cylindric. IvCngth, 10 mm. 



* Contributions from the Dcparlincnt of Zoology and ICiitoniology, No. 14. 



