38 



and considerable economic importance and will add not a little to our 

 knowledge of the southwestern fauna. 



COLEOPTEKA. 



BMzophagus sp. — Collected a large number of a small, elongate beetle 

 of this genus on a living 12-foot llower stalk of Dasylirion n-heeleri, in 

 Soledad Caiion, Organ Mountains, May 23. The beetles were distinctly 

 seen to be eating into the young paniculate flower buds, which were at 

 this date just developing beneath large protecting scales on the main 

 stalk. Under these scales the beetles were numerous and not only the 

 embryo flowers, but the stems which held them, had been extensively 

 eaten. Beetles determined by Dr. H. Skinner; plant by Mr. W. H. 

 Evans. 



Gyascufus planicosta Lee. — This large Buprestid was found July 8 

 on mesquite bushes {Prosopis julijiora) and later on flowers of the same. 

 On July 17 great numbers were seen on flowers of Larrea mexicana or 

 Creosote Bush. When found on the flowers they are covered with pol- 

 len, giving them a rich yellow color. Determined by Dr. Skinner. 



Thryncopyge alacris Lee. ? — This is a beautitul Buprestid of an orange 

 yellow and purplish blue or green color. It bores the dead standing last 

 year's flower stalks of Dasylirion wheeleri, the eggs being undoubtedly in- 

 serted when the stalk is green. The dry stalks are very woody and hard, 

 and dead imagos of this species were found in them August 22, in the 

 San Andres Mountains. Almost every last year's Dasylirion stalk in 

 this region is bored and tunneled throughout its length by this Bu- 

 prestid. On May 18 large numbers of live pupte were found in the stalks 

 and a very few larvjB. The larviie were apparently about full grown, 

 and these are undoubtedly last year's stalks. This Buprestid requires 

 but one year for its transformations. Some of the pupte were begin- 

 ning to assume the chitinized condition and color of the imago, but 

 most of them were still white. The pupa of a hymenopterous parasite 

 was found in a thin silken cocoon in one of the barrows. May 29 to 31, 

 eight of these beetles emerged from sections of stalks which had been 

 placed in breeding cages. Identified by comparison with plate of Mex- 

 ican Buprestidte, in La Naturaleza, by Dr. Eugene Duges. 



Macrodactylus umformis Horn. — The Macrodactylus referred to in 

 Insect Life (vol. iv, p. 26), proves to be this species. Ithas been found 

 eating the leaves of grapevine (1. c). Determined by Dr. Skinner. 



Anomala bi)iotata GyW. — Several taken May 23 on flowers of Bohinia 

 neomexicana, in Soledad OaQon. Determined by Dr. Skinner. 



AUorhina mutabilis Gory. — This was referred to as A. nitida both in 

 Insect Life (vol. iv, p. 26) and in Bulletin ]S"o. 3, New Mexico Sta- 

 tion (p. 15) ; and later as A. sohrina var. (on authority of Dr. E. Duges), 

 in Bulletin No. 5, New Mexico Station (p. 10). It has recently been 

 determined by Dr. Skinner as this species. 



Friomis californiGUs Mots. — The borers mentioned in Bulletin No. 5, 



