104 ERNEST WARREN. 



doubtedly belongs to the g-onus Corotoca, and is closely 

 allied to^ altliongli specifically distinct from, Core toe a 

 m el ant ho ScJ dixit e of Brazil. 



Since this discovery^ about 120 nests in different localities 

 have been examined with a view to obtaining more material 

 and ascertaining the life-history of the species, but only three 

 other speciiiiens have been found. 



In certain nests a beetle-lai"va with some resemblance to 

 the larva figured by Schiodte as being that of Corotoca 

 melantho has been found in fair numbers, but all attempts 

 to rear it have proved fruitless. The termite Eutermes 

 trinervius does not live for any length of time under arti- 

 ficial conditions, and the beetle-larva is even more delicate. 

 The antennio and mouth-parts are quite like those of the 

 larva of C. melantho; the abdominal segments also bear 

 lateral processes, but in the present species they carry bristles. 

 On the whole it seems probable that the larva is that of the 

 Corotoca, but it is remarkable that it is comparatively 

 common, while the beetle appears to be excessively rare, and 

 this rarity explains the circumstance that apparently it has 

 not been previously found. A possible explanation is that the 

 termites interfere injuriously with the beetle when in the pupal 

 condition, so that only a very few ever arrive at the perfect 

 state. 



It is hoped that when further material has been collected, 

 a comparison of the anatomy of this genus may be made with 

 that of Termitomimus entendvcniensis Tri'ig., which 

 was carefully described and figured by Dr. Triigardh^ in 

 1907. 



The occurrence of this highly specialised termitophilous 

 genus Corotoca both in Brazil and South Africa is interesting 

 in indicating its antiquity, and in connection with the fact 

 that the similarly modified termitophilous dipteron, Termi- 

 toxenia, is found both in South Africa and India. 



' TriigHrdh, Ivav, ' Description of Termitomimus, a New Genus of 

 termitophilous physogastric Aleocharini, witli Notes on its Anatomy," 

 Upsala, 1907. 



