Vol. XI, f?p. 105-107 



May 13, 1897 



PROCEEDINGS 



OK THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF SPH.EROMA.* 

 BY HARRIET RICHARDSON. 



Mr. E. Ben Carter has sent to the U. S. National iMuseum a large 

 number of individuals of an undescribed species o? Sph aroma, 

 found l)oring the piers on St. Johns River, at Palatka, Florida. 

 Sections of the wood received at the same time had been reduced, 

 during a period of eight years, from a diameter of 16 inches to 

 one of 72 inches. The whole surftice of the wood was bored with 

 holes averaging in size about 5 mm. in diameter and in an end 

 section arranged in concentric rings between the rings of annual 

 growth, showing the little animal's preference for the soft pine. 

 Very strong mandibles, projecting beyond the labrum in a most 

 conspicuous manner, provide a perfect equipment for this de- 

 structive work. Spence Bate describes a species of Sphxroma 

 from the Indian Peninsula with similar habits, with which the 

 present species is compared. 



Sphaeioma destructor sp. nov. 



Head twice as broad as long, luivinp; a small median projection 

 lateral and posteriorly situated. The first pair of an- 

 tennae, witli a flagellum containing eight articles, 

 reach the posterior margin of the head ; the second 

 pair of antennpe extend to the post-lateral angle of 

 the first thoracic segment ; its flagellum is twelve 

 jointed. 



The first and fourth thoracic segments are of equal 

 length and are one and a half times longer than the 

 other thoracic segments. The epimeral parts are dis- 

 tinct from the segments, are quite broad, and termi- 

 nate laterally in acute angles, which point downward. 

 The seventh thoracic segment bears four tul)ercles 

 situated in a transverse line. 



Eves 



Fig. 3. — Sphesroma 



destructor. 

 Dorsal view. X 3. 



* Published with the permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 



24— Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. XI, 18ii7 



(105) 



