52 THE VICTORIAN NATURALlS'J. 



such places being almost exclusively tenanted by Wood-lice and 

 Cockroaches, which were present in astounding numbers. 



The Scarabseidse are, without doubt, the most dominant group 

 of beetles in Gippsland ; of robust build, and voracious feeders, 

 and with the eucalypts as their food plant, they appear eminently 

 suited to hold the premier position. The species of the genus 

 Anoplognathus seem to prefer the Stringybark or Messmate to 

 other trees ; in fact, I never saw a specimen in the Blackbutt 

 country. The handsomely marked Mupoecila australasice was 

 fairly common, as also was Polystigma punctata, a yellow, black- 

 spotted beetle ; a series of this latter species shows considerable 

 variation in the shape and size of the markings. Clithria 

 eucneinis was much rarer, and was taken on flowering Blackberry. 

 The fine Cetonia, Schizorrhina christyi, was often seen, but was 

 difficult to capture, owing to its rapid flight ; this beetle seemed 

 to have a liking for flying about haystacks, and was alluded to 

 by residents as the " Harvest Beetle." The rare and handsome 

 Schizorrhina bestii was diligently sought for, but without success ; 

 it is recorded from Nar Nar Goon, Launching Place, &c. 



Buprestidse were rather scarce, with the exception of three 

 species — viz., Stigmodera erythroptera, S. octomaculata, and 

 *S'. bicincta — the first two on Leptospermum, and tiie last on Black- 

 berry ; these could be taken by the handful. aS'. andersoni and 

 S, erythromelas were a couple of prizes. 



Amongst the Heteromera, the best represented families were 

 Tenebrionidae, Cistelidge, Mordellidae, and Gidemeridae. The 

 Cistelidae were always in evidence wherever eucalypt or ti-tree 

 blossom was to be found ; many of the species are elegantly 

 formed and very active beetles. Atractns columbinus is a lovely 

 brassy-green insect. One specimen only of the rare Mystes 

 pla7iatus (Melandryidae) was met with. This beetle, though small, 

 and of sober colour, is regarded as a prize by collectors ; it is not 

 unlike an elater in shape. 



The Curculionidae of Gippsland would appear to be, so far, 

 only partially worked up. During my short stay I found at least 

 three new species, and the micros, were almost neglected. They 

 need careful searching for, as many of the beetles will not shake 

 off, but must be pulled from the branches. The beautiful green 

 and black Chrysolo2}hus spectabilis was often met with on 

 Bursaria and wattles; it may be justly called the champion of 

 Victorian weevils. Of the genus Syarbis, of special interest on 

 account of its being without claws, one species was secured which 

 has proved new to science. 



Of the Longicornes, by far the commonest species was 

 Monohammus aryentatus. This silvery-tinted beetle hides by 

 day amongst the branches of the Cotton-bush, and about sunset 

 takes wing and flies about the clearings. Phacodes obscnrus 



