18S0.J 33 



THE NITIDULID.E OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



BY REV. W. W, rOWLEE, M.A., F.L.S. 

 {Continued from Vol. xxi, j9. 267). 



B. Thorax and elytra with fine but very distinct cross reticulation 



between punctures ; anterior margin of forehead emarginate. 



M. rotundicollis, Bris. — Short oval, rather convex, leaden-black ; thorax about 

 half as broad agaiia as long, broadest about the middle ; antennae light ; legs 

 reddish-yellow ; punctuation very close ; anterior tibise finely denticulate. Very 

 closely resembling M, picipes at first sight, and often confounded with that species ; 

 it is, however, I'eadily distinguished from it by the rounder and somewhat dilated 

 sides of thorax, emarginate forehead, closer punctuation, and also by the plain cross 

 reticulation between the punctures of the thorax and elytra, and the finer denticula- 

 tion of the anterior tibise. Length, f lin. 



On Genistce and TrifoUum medium ; rare ; Littliugton, Horsell, 

 Micklebam, Caterham, Highgate, Brighton. 



C. Thorax quite smooth between punctures ; elytra with fine though 



distinct cross reticulation ; body with strong purple-metallic 

 reflection ; anterior margin of forehead straight. 



M. symphyti, Heer. — Oval, convex, short in comparison with its breadth ; 

 colour violet or greenish-blue ; body smooth and shining ; legs yellowish ; antennse 

 light, except club, which is somewhat darker ; elytra rather strongly and somewhat 

 diffusely punctured, with plain cross reticulation between punctures ; thorax more 

 strongly and closely punctured, with interstices quite smooth ; anterior tibise finely, 

 sharply, and evenly toothed. Male with a deep longitudinal impression on the 

 hinder half of the metasternum, with a tubercle on each side and a smaller one in 

 the middle of the posterior margin. Length, li lin. 



Eare ; on SympJiytum officinale, but by no means confined to 

 this plant ; in fact, more of our English specimens have been taken on 

 Agraphis nutans, and it has occurred on Taraxacum. Henley, Dr. 

 Power ; Shiere, Dr. Capron ; on Galeohdolon luteum, near Bowdon, 

 Manchester, Mr. Chappell ; Caterham, Mickleham, Amberley, St. 

 Mary Cray, Mr. Champion and Mr. J. J. AYalker ; Studley Eoyal, 

 E-ipon, Mr. Waterhouse. 



iv. Anterior tibise strongly serrate or pectinate for at least two-thirds from 

 apex ; teeth often irregular, but always distinct and more or less 

 strong. 



A. Upper surface very scantily pubescent, entirely smooth between 

 punctures ; legs lighter or darker brown ; anterior tibise 

 *• serrate. 



a. Anterior tibia dilated from above middle ; thorax nearly a& 

 long as broad. 

 M. nanus, Er. {marruhii, Bris.).— Oblong ovate, not very convex, deep black, 

 shining, with scanty pubescence ; thorax not much broader than long ; punctuation 



