1S96.] 51 



colour iu all its parts ; the antennae slightly stouter ; the head larger 

 and more distinctly punctured, with two punctures (instead of one) 

 towards the postero-interior border of the eyes ; the prothorax with 

 from 2 — 4 punctures in an arched series upon the sides of the disc, 

 with the lateral pore a little less distant from the margin ; the elytra 

 more densely punctured, and with a slight bluish reflection, violaceous 

 in immature examples ; the abdomen less iridescent, &c." The larva 

 is also described by them ; it is stated to live in caves with the perfect 

 insect. In the puncturing of the sides of the disc of the thorax the 

 insect is more nearly allied to Q. fulgidus, which in its typical form 

 has the elytra red. Amongst my long series of Q. mesomelinus not 

 one shows any trace of blue coloration on the elytra, this being very 

 distinct in Mr. Butler's specimen. 



Horsell, Woking : 



February 8th, 1896. 



BIPTERA MET WITH IN 1895, CHIEFLY IN THE MIDLANDS. 

 BY RALPH C. BKADLET. 



In the Midlands, 1895 will certainly be remembered as a year for 

 Syrphi. Early in May they were extremely abundant, occurring in 

 thousands in the blooms of Caltha palustris in Blackroot Bog, Sutton 

 Park, three or four in each flower, the species were chiefly venustus, 

 tricinctus, ribesii, nitidicollis, punctulcdus, annulatus, cinctellus, bifas- 

 ciatus, and arciicus, Zett. After paying several visits I found that it 

 was possible to recognise some closely allied species yards away by 

 their different styles of holding their wings when they settled in the 

 blooms. 



On May 11th, in company with my friend Mr. Martineau, I paid 

 a visit to Trench Woods. On a hill-side facing the setting sun great 

 numbers of Syrphi were found between 4.30 and 6 o'clock ; they were 

 not occupied in the usual manner, imbibing sweets, but were basking 

 on leaves, enjoying the great heat and perfect weather. Never have 

 I seen Syrphi out in such numbers so late in the evening : *S'. hif'is- 

 ciatus and nitidicollis were the most numerous ; the prizes being two 

 specimens of decorus. 



Criorrhina asilica was common the following day at apple bloom, 

 but very difficult to capture on account of the strong wind. A feature 

 of this trip was the extraordinary number of Tipula vernalis, they 

 were a positive nuisance, dozens rising up at every step, many of 

 them coupled. 



E 2 



