280 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
The beetles (Coleoptera) make up by far the largest proportion 
of insects so far as number of species is concerned; the families 
Carabide and Elateride are particularly well represented while 
a surprisingly large number of weevils (Rhynchophora) is re- 
corded. 
Of the latter, only two will be mentioned; one, a small, brown- 
ish form, four mm. long, (Stephanorhynchus attelaboides), covered 
with scales and with a slender, elongate prothorax has a prominent 
ridge on each regularly punctate elytron. The long slender femora 
are markedly club-shaped, the posterior ones being furnished dis- 
tally with a low, sharp tubercle in addition. The other form 
(Lasiorhynchus barbicornis) exhibits an unusual sexual dimor- 
phism so far as size is concerned; a male in my collection has a 
total length of 81 mm. of which the beak alone makes up 41 mm., 
while in the female, with a total length of 50 mm., the beak makes 
up but 17 mm. 
Several species of tiger-beetles are found in the Dominion, the 
commonest and most elusive one being Cicindela tuberculata. 
At Helensville we found a large brownish click-beetle (Lacon 
variabilis, family Elateride) in some numbers. Often three or 
four individuals were grouped together in a decaying log; some- 
times only a male and a female were together, the latter almost 
invariably resting on the back of the male. 
In the beech forest in Gollins Valley we secured several fine 
stag-beetles (Ivssotes reticulatus) some of which bore small mites; 
these beetles seem to associate together in much the same manner 
as do the elaterids. 
Along the shores of Rokino Island, under an old gasoline tin 
partly filled with erushed rock, I found a great mass—perhaps a 
good-sized handful—of a large, brownish darkling beetle (family 
Tenebrionide) in hibernation. This peculiar method of associa- 
tion during the winter months seems to be shared by these forms 
also. Another tenebrionid (probably Uloma sp.) was common at 
Wellington. 
In the moist, moss-covered earth at Mamaku bush a beautiful 
scarabeid (Odontria sp.), thickly covered with fine yellowish pile 
was taken. The several species of this genus, the larve of which 
are commonly ealled ‘‘grass-grubs,’’ are of considerable economic 
importance; for, as the native bush is eut down and cultivated 
land takes its place, the grubs advance upon the more succulent 
vegetation where they cause considerable damage to the roots. 
