106 [May, 



coloration, and the two have certainly been confounded both in col- 

 lections and descriptions ; but they are really very distinct. In di- 

 versipes the dorsum of the abdomen has an intensely fine sculpture, 

 visible only under high magnification, while the punctures etc. of 

 rufipes are comparatively quite strong and conspicuous. I have several 

 specimens of the former from Switzerland and Austria, but never 

 saw anything really like it from any British locality, all those recorded 

 as hxmatopus which I have been able to trace being undoubtedly forms 

 of rufipes] . 



NOTES ON THE SPECIES. 



Rtifipes seems fairly common on the south coast (Swauage, Worth- 

 ing), and I have taken it occasionally here in Surrey (Effingham) and 

 in the New Forest. 



Pnnctuni album is an exceedingly pretty little insect, which I have 

 fomid in many localities both British and Continental, but only $ $ , 

 and always, I believe, on privet (Ligustrum). I have vainly sought 

 f 01' c? c? ill s-ll the collections public and private which I have examined 

 in this coimtry and elsewhere, but never found one, nor am I acquainted 

 with any description of it, except that in Dr. Enslin's Revision 

 published last year. The insect is so distinct in the $ by its colour 

 characters that it is perhaps not surprising that the peculiar situation 

 of its eyes should have been unnoticed till Dr. Enslin called attention 

 to it, and as this seems to be the only positive character by which the 

 ^ can be detected, specimens of the latter may not improbably exist 

 in collections standing mider the name of rihis. Now that its charac- 

 ters are known, more specimens will probably turn up, if carefully 

 looked for in May and Ji;ne near privet hedges (the species has been 

 said to occur also on Fraxinus and Quercus). 



\2 punctata, L., is said to be attached to Alnus. I have taken it 

 occasionally, but know nothing myself of its habits or life-history. 



Rustica, in the ? , owing to the coloration, is apt to be mistaken 

 by beginners for an Allantus. It is not an uncommon insect on um- 

 bellifers, &c. ; but I find no statement in any of the books I have 

 consvilted as to the food-plant or appearance of its larva, nor can I give 

 any evidence of my own on the subject. 



Blanda occurs here (neighbourhood of Woking) not unfrequently. 

 Hartig says it is found " in beech woods and hedges." 



Annulata is common and widely distributed. I have seen it 

 running over herbage, going in and out of bushes, and once skipping 



i 



