117 



Occurence of an Aphtkotia new to Britain. 



Aphthona nigriceps. 



Haltica nigriceps, Willi. Redtenbacher, quasd. Gen. et Spec. Col. Aust., p. 27. 25. 

 Longitarsus nigricei^s, Ludnv. Redtenbacher, Faun. Aust., 940. (1067) 5. 

 Aphtona sicula, Foudras, Alt. 365. 

 Aphtona nigriceps, Allard, Gal. Anis. (Alt.) 1861, 395. 116. 



Ovata, convexiuscula, subtilissime punctulata ; nigra, thorace rufo-testacco, 

 elytris testaceis, suturrX fused, medio plus minusve late nigro-piced ; antonnis fnsco- 

 piceis, articulis qwatuor primis testaceis ; pedi^Ms testaceis, tarsis ap>ice fuscescentibv,s, 

 femoribus posticis fusco-testaceis. Long. carp. | lin. 



A few examples of this insect, taken by Mr. Harris, of Burton, by sweeping the 

 Cranesbill (Geranium pratense) at Eggintou, on the banks of the Trent, near 

 Burton, were lately brought before my notice by my friend Mr. Garneys, of Reptou ; 

 in company with whom, and Mr. Harris, I captured about 300 specimens, in eveiy 

 degree of maturity, in a very short space of time, on the 20th August last, at the 

 same place, and under similar conditions. 



As Allard (loc. cit.) states, in his diagnosis, that the hinder femora arc black, 

 and, in his detailed description, that the legs are entirely testaceous, whilst 

 Redtenbacher only mentions that they are frequently pitchy, I have given above 

 a fresh diagnosis of this species. Out of the large number taken, I found that the 

 hinder femora were never more than brownish-testaceous, and chiefly darkest on 

 the ui)pcr surface. Both Redtenbacher and Allard state the antennae to be brownish 

 at the apex, but I find the antennae in aU my examples to have always the four 

 basal joints testaceous, the fifth pitchy -testaceous, darkest at the apex, and all the 

 remainder pitchy -brown. 



These difterences, however, are so small, that they would not warrant the 

 elevation of our British specimens into the rank of a separate species ; especially as 

 in all other respects the latter agree very exactly with the published descriptions. 

 It appears to be a rare insect on the Conti)ient. When alive, the thorax has a 

 decidedly reddish tinge, which, however, soon fades. 



The only variation between individual specimens appears to be in the sutural 

 marking, which in some examples is scarcely, if at all, visible, and in others 

 expands into a pitchy -black broad stain, common to both elytra, commencing about 

 a quarter of the length of the suture from the scutellum, and ending at the same 

 distance from the apex. 



The only insects at all resembling this species are Aplithona lutescens and 

 Thyatnis atricapilla ; from both of which its nmch smaller size will at once serve 

 to separate it. From the latter, which it most resembles in form and colour, it 

 may be known also by the shorter and broader basal joint of its hinder tarsi, the 

 transverse groove forming two smooth but slight elevations between the eyes, and 

 its shorter hind legs. From the former it difiers in being not so flat, and of a 

 shorter oval form ; also in having a black head and scutellum, but no black patch 

 on the hinder femora, and the antennae not so stout or deep black. — E. C. Rye. 



