1910.] I^Qy 



LESTEVA FONTINALIS, Kibs., AN ADDITION TO THE BRITISH 

 LIST OF COLEOPTERA. 



BY E A. NEWBERY. 



My friend Mr. P. de la G-arde recently sent to me for identilieation 

 a species of Lesteva, which he believed to be new to our list. I had 

 no difficulty in referring it to L. fontinalis, Kies., and Captain Deville 

 has since confirmed this identification as certainly correct, furnishing 

 me with French examples for comparison. 



A full description of the insect is given by Eey (Omaliens, 

 pp. (59 — 71, 1880) ; it will therefore suffice to say that the fine 

 pmictuation of the u]iper-side, taken in conjunction with the short 

 elytra, which are inflated behind, will distinguish it from every other 

 British Lesteva but pubescetif, Mann., while the following characters 

 are given by Rev to separate it from the latter : — 



First joint of posterior tarsi siibeqiial to the three following imited, the latter 

 rather short. Thorax and elytra svibequally pnnctiu-ed. Body grey-black, 

 densely pubescent L. imhcscens, Mann. 



First joint of posterior tarsi a little longer than the two following united, the 

 latter subelongate. Thorax less finely and densely punctured near the 

 base. Body shining black, less pubescent L. fontinalis, Kies. 



The size of the two species is about the same (length, 4 mm.). 

 It should be observed that the tarsal distinction appears to be of little 

 value, while that of the vestiture of the upper- side is very striking, 

 the much longer and closer pubescence and closer pimctuation of 

 L. puhescens rendering it a much duller insect than L. fuutinalis, the 

 head and thorax of the latter being conspicuously shining. 



Three specimens of L. fontinalis were taken by Mr. de la Garde 

 (two on February 19th, 1908, one on March 2nd, 1910) amongst wet 

 moss on the face of the cliffs at Shaldon, Devon, in company with 

 L. pubescem nud L. punctata (muscorum). Captain Deville tells me 

 that the species occurs in Normandy and Brittany, and its discovery 

 here might have been foreseen. 



13, Oppidan's Road, N.W. : 



April 12th, 1910. 



[All my southern specimens standing under L. puhescens are referable to 

 L. fontinalis. They were taken from moss along the margins of a small stream 

 at Sandown, I. W. An example of L. fontinalis from Aix, Provence, in my col- 

 lection, is a little larger and darker than these Isle of Wight insects. — G, C. C.]. 



