QQ [February, 



APHODIUS STURMI, Harold, NOT A BRITISH INSECT. 

 BY THE REV. W. W. FOWLER, D.Sc, M.A., V.P.L.S. 



In the Entomologists' Record, xv, p. 92, Mr. Frank Bouskell records 

 a specimen of an Aphodius taken near Plymouth by Mr. J. H. 

 Keys, as A. sturmi, Harold, and says that Herr Eeitter had confirmed 

 its determination. Mr. Keys has kindly sent me the specimen for 

 examination, and it is nothing, I feel sure, but a very small and some- 

 what immature example of A. nitldulus, F. ; I have one in my own 

 collection which is only a little larger. It is certainly not A. sturmi, 

 which is narrower, more compact and parallel-sided and subcylindrical, 

 and differs in punctuation, in the denticulation of the anterior tibiae 

 and in the spurs at the apex of the intermediate tibiae. In all these 

 respects Mr. Key's insect agrees with A. nitldulus, except that the 

 punctuation of the thorax is rather more reuiote ; in A. sturmi, 

 however, it is closer than in typical A. nitidulus. A. sturmi, there- 

 fore, cannot claim a place in the British list. 



I think that all Coleopterists interested in the British fauna will 

 airree, firstly, that no species should be introduced on a single speci- 

 men, except under exceptional circumstances, and never in the case 

 of closely allied species, where any doubt can possibly exist ; and, 

 secondly, that the determination of continental authorities should 

 not be accepted as absolutely final, without being verified, as is too 

 often the case. 



While writing on this subject I should like to point out that 

 Lathrohium Idevipcnne, Heer, has quite recently been introduced on a 

 single female specimen, which has been confirmed by Herr Gangl- 

 bauer ; the male characters of the species are very peculiar, and had 

 it been a male, there might have been no need, perhaps, to wait for 

 further captures, but any Coleopterist might be deceived by a single 

 female specimen of the closely allied species of the first group of 

 the genus Lathrohium, and, although the record may very likely be 

 correct, still it would be well if it received further confirmation. 



Earley Vicarage, Reading : 



January lUh, 1907. 



[Since the above was written, I find that the male of Lathrohium 

 Icevipenne has been taken, and therefore the species is authenticated 

 as British. 



This does not, however, overthrow my point, that it was in- 

 troduced as British on a single female specimen, and that we ought 

 not to be so ready to take the ipse dixit of a single continental 

 authority without verification ; at any rate in the case of obscure and 

 easily confused groups.] 



