1908] 105 



MICRAMBE VILLOSA, Hebe, =- PILOSULA, Er., 

 AN ADDITION TO THE BRITISH LIST OF COLEOPTERA, 



BY E. A. NEWBERY. 



For some years past I have had an insect in my collection which 

 I referred to the above species, but hesitated to bring it forward as 

 new upon a single specimen. On the appearance of Ganglbauer's 

 " Kfifer von Mitteleuropa," vol. iii, finding that M. villosa was reduced 

 to a synonym of M. vini, Pz., it appeared that the insect — which was 

 evidently distinct from both M. vini, Pz , and M. abietis, Pk. — must 

 be referred to M. perrisi, Bris., the only other known European species 

 of the genus. 



With a view to settling the question, I have recently sent the 

 insect to Capt. Sainte Claire Deville, acquainting him with what is 

 stated above. He tells me that Ganglbauer was in error in uniting 

 M. villosa, Heer, and M. vini, Pz. ; that the former is a good and 

 distinct species, and that Ganglbauer has now recognised this from 

 his (Capt. Deville's) observations. As M. villosa will probably be 

 found in other collections, it seems now to be desirable to bring the 

 insect forward as new to our fauna. 



The British species of Micrambe may be separated by the follow- 

 ing table : — 



I. Anterior angles of thorax narrowly explanate, forming only a small, obtuse, and 



but little projecting tooth at anterior third of sides of thorax, which is 

 scarcely narrower immediately behind this tooth ; length, 2 mm.... 



abietis, Pk. 



II. Anterior angles of thorax more broadly explanate, forming an angular and 



projecting tooth at anterior third of thorax, which is much narrower im- 

 mediately behind this tooth. 

 a. Pubescence of elytra decumbent, without conspicuously longer hairs ; average 



size smaller ; length, l^-lj mm vini, Pz. 



aa. Pubescence of elytra with conspicuously longer upright hairs mixed with 

 the decumbent pubescence; average size larger; length, lj-2 mm. 



villosa, Heer. 



M. abietis, Pk., occurs on various species of Abietinece, and is rare 

 in Britain. The late Mr. A. J. Chitty found it in some numbers last 

 year in a fir plantation near Huntingfield, Faversham. 



M. vini, Pz., is common on Ulex europceus eveiywhere in western 

 Europe. 



31. villosa, Heer, appears to be rare. Capt. Deville tells me that 

 it is found on the flower heads of several species of Carduacea? (Cir- 

 sium palustre, Cardaus nutans, &c). Tbe only British example that 

 I have seen of it was beaten by me off hawthorn flowers in June, 

 1895, at Chingford. Essex ; but Capt. Deville has sent several French 

 specimens for comparison. 



12, Churchill Road, Dartmouth Park, N.W. : 

 April I2lh, 1908. 



