292 Dr. Horn's Notes on the habits of Cah'fornian Coleoptera. 



APOCRYPHA AXTHICOIDES Esch. 



Occurs under chips, etc.. in very dry places. It is difficult of cap- 

 ture as it is exceedingly agile in its movements. It occurs at Tejou 

 during April and May. 



The Eleodes of California, more especially the elongate forms, denti- 

 2)es, gracilis, longicollis, grandicollis, etc., have the habit, if disturbed 

 while walking, of elevating the hinder portion of the body so as to 

 make them stand almost vertically. In this position they will remain 

 sometimes for hours. If handled they emit an offensive, oily liquid 

 from the anus, staining the hands, of a somewhat reddish color, becom- 

 ing brown on the attempt to remove it with soap. 

 CONOXOTUS SERICANS Lee. 



Adheres to the under side of stones. Occurs in very dry places and 

 is more abundant in early Spring. They are generally in colonies, and 

 have their heads all in one direction. They move almost as rapidly in 

 hot weather as Telcphanus velox. To secure a whole colony the head 

 one must be taken first, for if one be disturbed and runs forward among 

 the others, all start. 



CYSTEODEMUS ARMATITS Lee. 



Very abundant during March and April. I have found it ranging 

 over an extent of country equal to nearly three hundred miles, from 

 the great bend of the Gila to Vallecito, California. During life this 

 insect is covered with a whitish efflorescence, forming a band sugges- 

 tive of the marking on the elytron of Megetra. This insect also lives 

 on the Greasewood bush, a fact reported also by Dr. LeConte, in the 

 original description of the insect. It is rather remarkable, that of an 

 insect of which millions could be collected in season, so few remains 

 are found in the fall. 



TEGRODERA EROSA Lee. 



Occurs rather abundantly in Owens Valley during the latter part of 

 June, on a low plant bearing a blue flower. Though winged, I have 

 never seen it fly. This insect was described from specimens brought 

 from San Diego. It is a remarkable fiict that many of the species pre- 

 viously reported from San Diego, and even from Arizona and New 

 Mexico, have been sent me from Owens Valley since my departure 

 from it. 



The numerous species of vesicants (Lytta, Epicauta, etc.) of Cali- 

 fornia are found infesting the various species of Lupin, (Astragalus,) 

 so common all over the State. Lytta vulnerata, however, occurred on 

 Composite plants only. 



