﻿SOLOMON ISLANDS TRIPTEROIDES — BELKIN 235 



two slender bristles on the apex of the palpus ; the males collected at 

 the same time agree very well with specimens from Guadalcanal. De- 

 velopment of apical bristles in females from Guadalcanal is very in- 

 frequent, only four specimens showing one weak bristle. New Georgia 

 specimens agree with those from Guadalcanal. It is quite possible 

 that we are dealing with two very similar species or perhaps with one 

 extremely variable species. To settle this point, it would require a 

 larger number of specimens than are available for this study and long 

 series of individual rearings. No individual rearings have been made 

 outside of Guadalcanal. For the present time the author prefers to 

 consider these forms as a variant of stonei. 



No constant differences have been noted in specimens originating 

 in different breeding habitats. 



Specimens examined : 28 individual rearings, 179 adults, 215 larvae, 

 105 pupae. 



Biology. — T. stonei larvae are commonly found in coconut shells, 

 tree holes, and bamboo stubble. They are also very commonly col- 

 lected in various artificial containers, such as tin cans and shell casings. 

 Our records indicate that they never utilize leaf-axils of taro. They 

 are more numerous during the rainy season, but they maintain them- 

 selves throughout the year, as there is usually sufficient rainfall to 

 provide breeding places. 



The larvae are predaceous and cannibalistic, as those of mathesoni. 

 They have the same habit of resting quietly on their backs at the 

 bottom of their breeding places with the enlarged hooked maxillae 

 projecting away from the head. The length of the aquatic cycle 

 appears to be similar to that of mathesoni. 



In the field the larvae are easily recognized by their large size and 

 their elongate white bodies covered with conspicuous black-spiked 

 stellate hairs. They cannot be confused with the larvae of other species 

 of Tnpteroides occurring in similar habitats because of the poor 

 development of the stellate hairs and the length of their bodies. 



The adults are commonly seen in the field resting in coconut shells 

 and on buttresses of large trees in swampy jungle areas. An occa- 

 sional specimen has been collected attempting to bite during the day. 

 This species apparently is not attracted to lights. 



Several species have been collected in association with T. stonei: 

 T. Upovskyi in coconut shells, bamboo stubble, and tree holes; T. 

 solomonis in bamboo stubble ; Gulex pullus-gYOxx^ in coconuts ; Aedes 

 alholineatus Theobald in coconuts and tin cans; Culex papuensis- 

 group in coconuts ; and TJranotaenia quadrimaculata Edwards in tin 

 cans. A dozen or more individuals of stonei are usually found in one 

 breeding place and are not numerous enough to completely eliminate 

 all their prey. 



Distribution. — Solomon Islands: Guadalcanal: Generally distrib- 



