Xatural History Xoles of Southern Arizona. 5 



were Cotalpa, Polyphylla and Stractegiis, with a liost of 

 smaller species. Automobiles passing under these lij^lUs 

 received a shower of insects. In corners and recesses of 

 buildinfj;s heaps of insects were piled up. I remained here 

 until July 12th, and every nij^lit this deluge of insects con- 

 tinued. On July 12th, I went to the Santa Rita Mountains. 

 a most interesting locality for a naturalist. Some of the 

 canyons on the western side of this range are well watered 

 and covered with fine trees and curious plants. During my 

 stay here a large collection of insects of all orders was made. 

 Of the Coleoptera, or beetles, many interesting species were 

 secured. The plants most prolific in producing beetles were 

 the diflferent forms of cactus. The cactus faunae has been 

 well described by the late Henry G. Hubbard in Psyche and 

 the Proc. Ent. Soc. of Washington, D. C. The large weevil, 

 Cactophagus validus, was common, clinging to the Prickly 

 Pear (Opuntia). The Tree Cactus Opuntia versicolor, is 

 attacked by a Longicorn, Coenopoeus palmeri, that causes 

 an exudation of gum, which hardens and forms lumpy black 

 masses on the stem of the plant. The colors of the beetle 

 mimic this blackish exudation and makes them difficult to 

 see. They cling so tightly to the plant that they must be 

 pried off. The needlelike thorns of these plants furnish 

 them good |)rotection. In some huge Barrel Cactus which 

 I found in the proper condition of decay there were swarms 

 of beetles of many species, that feed on tlic moist, fermenting 

 pulp. The large Hololepta yucateca and the smaller Cacti 

 and Vicina were abundant. A perfectly huge histerid, 

 Omalodes grossus, was rare. The very active Xanthopyga 

 Cacti, Belonuchiis Masocharas and other interesting Staphy- 

 linidae went rushing about seeking safety in crevices and 

 holes in their efforts to escape. At the base of the i)lants 

 in the wetter pulp, were quantities of large dipterous larvae. 

 The cacti are the only jjlants that have much moisture in 

 them, and the moist decaying interior is very attractive to 

 insects. One may travel for miles over sunburned plains 

 and foothills without finding a drop of moisture anywhere. 



