1886.] 229 



ASCOGASTER CANIFEONS, Wcsm. 



Ascogaster canifrons, Wesiii., Nouv. Mem. Ac. Brux., 18R5, p. 236 ; 

 Eeinli., Berl. ent. Zeit., 1867, p. 364. ? $. 



$ . Black, base of antennae and legs, with the exception of the coxae, apex of 

 the four posterior tibiae, hind femora and tarsi, rufo-testaceous. Meso-thorax reticu- 

 lato-rugose. Length, 2 lines. 



One male taken at Shiere in 1884. 



At first sight very like a black-bodied instahilis, bat at once 

 separated by the rugose unpunctured mesothorax. The bind margin 

 of the head is also much less emarginate, the metathorax distinctly 

 bidentate, and the posterior coxae transversely rugose. 



With regard to the observations made by the Eev. T. A. Marshall, 

 i in his monograph, on Chelonus annuJipes, Wesm., I may here observe 

 that I have met with a female Chelonus here which scarcely agrees 

 M^ith any he describes, and seems to answer well to "Wesmael's insect. 

 It is a larger and broader insect than inanitus (2f lines), with testa- 

 ceous spots at the base of the abdomen, and antennae with 24 joints ; 

 I have taken with it some with the abdomen unspotted, but curiously 

 enough these are even still larger (quite 3 lines), so can hardly be his 

 new species corvulus. I have also taken his carhonator, which is very 

 different. Mine seems to come nearest to speculator, but this again 

 is much smaller. 



Shiere: t/anwary, 1886. 



Tenthredinidce at Shiere. — Hoplocampa cratcegi, Klug, "was abundant in the 

 blossom of hawthorn in the spring of last year. I also captured one of the rare H. 

 jpectoraUs,\Thova. During the summer I likewise took Dineura verna, Klug, and 

 Nematus suh-bijidus, Thorn. 



S(fncerema rubi, Pz. — I see Mr. Cameron says he has not seen the ? of this 

 species. I took one in this neighbourhood some years ago ; it agrees very 

 well with Thomson's description, with the exception of the scutellum, which is 

 pitchy as contrasted with the rest of the deep black and white mesonotum. It looks 

 as if it ought to be white. — Id. : February, 1886. 



Myrmecina Latreillei, Curt., at Shiere. — This rare ant was abundant last 

 autumn. I took many of the neuters in moss in the spring, while the winged males 

 and females abounded in the autumn on a chalk hill close to the village. I hare 

 never seen it on the sandy side of our sti'eam which divides the chalk from the 

 greensand. — Id. 



ChoRrocampa celerio and Sphinx convolmli at IJfracomhe. — On or about the 

 6th of September last (1885), I took a perfect specimen of Chcerocampa celerio 

 within twenty yards of the back of my premises ; it was suspended from, a low walL 

 During that month I had also numerous Sphinx convolvuli brought to me. — H. A. 

 Copp, 37, High Street, Ilfracombe : February 12th, 1886. 



