November, 1902.] 253 



DIASTICTUS VULNERATUS, Stcrh : AN ADDITION TO THE 

 BRITISH LIST. 



BY E. A. NEWBEBY. 



The above interesting addition to our list has been sent to tne by- 

 Mr. Claude Morley, who took it in Suffolk under circumstances which 

 I leave him to describe. 



The following diagnosis of the genus is from Mulsant's Lamel- 

 Ucornes, 2nd Edition, 1871 : — 



Thorax not ciliated at the sides, nor creased on the upper-side with transverse 

 furrows separated by raised interstices. Postpectus marked in front of the posterior 

 coxre with a triangular space limited by a raised line. Posterior tarsi with first 

 joint feebly triangular Diastictus, Muls. 



The single species is thus characterized : — 



Oboval, convex, black or black-brown, slightly shining above; thorax marked with 

 a spot of red-brown near the sides, rather coarsely and densely punctured, creased 

 with a furrow on the second half of its middle line, and with an impressed line 

 (raie)* or transverse furrow on the sides of its disp ; elytra sensibly arched on the 

 back, with furrows sulciform posteriorly, forming grooves, with interstices raised in 

 the form of ribs. Long., 2£ mm vulneratus, Sturm. 



Mulsant states that it is found principally in the cold and tempe- 

 rate zones of France, and prefers dry and sandy places. " Eather 

 rare on the high ground in the environs of Lyons." It has rather a 

 wide distribution in Europe, and it is not surprising that it has been 

 found iu Britain. 



The following table will assist in distinguishing the iusect from 

 the numerous small genera which come at the end of the Apho- 

 diidce, none of them comprising more than two British species, 

 JEgialia and Dimalia are usually excluded on account of their 

 mandibles not being entirely hidden by the hood. Although scienti- 

 fically correct, this is not a very obvious character, I have, therefore, 

 included them. 

 I. Thorax without transverse grooves. 



A. Margins of thorax without a fringe of hairs or bristles. 



a. Elytra with punctured strise and nearly flat interstices... 



Ammiecius, Muls. (brew's, Er.). 



a.a. Elytra with impunctate stria and ridge-like interstices... 



Diastictus, Muls. {vulneratus, Sturm). 

 A.A. Basal and side margins of thorax fringed with conspicuous hairs. 



b. Posterior tarsi with middle joints longer than broad ; apical spurs long 

 and slender Dimalia, Muls. (sabuleti, Pk.). 



* This furrow is very superficial, and cannot be mistaken for those in Pleurophorv.s casus, 

 which is an elongate, subcylindrical insect, D. vulneratus being short, obovate. 



A A 



