Dr. M. Bun — Xofts on the Forficularia. 53 



Timomenus aeris, Sliiraki. 

 Aptenjgida aeris, Shir. op. cit. p. 9 (190o/06). 



Sliiraki described this species upon a single female, and 

 gave no figure ; I did not venture to hazard a guess as to its 

 position. 



1 have received a small series from Tainan and Kosempo, 

 representing both sexes, the female of which agrees so well 

 with the description tiiat I do not think there is any doubt as 

 to its identity. 



It is an elegant and well-marked species, undoubtedly 

 relerable to Timomenus ; the last dorsal segment of the male 

 is compressed laterally, and has exactly the appearance of 

 having been pinched together between a finger and thumb. 



The basal antennal segment, especially in the male, is 

 swollen or inflated, much more strongly in the male than in 

 the female. The forceps of the male, which vary in length 

 from 6 to 12 mm., are contiguous and depressed at the base, 

 elongate, slender, and attenuate, gently arcuate in the apical 

 half, the slender tips overlapping in repose ; there is a short 

 sharp tooth in the middle. 



It is closely related to T. slielfordi. Burr, from Sarawak, 

 agreeing almost exactly in structure, but diflering entirely in 

 coloration. 



Timomenus flavocapitatus, Shiraki. 

 Apterygida flavocapitata, Shir. op. cit. p. 10 (1905/06). 



l^Iy suggestion that this species may be referable to Timo- 

 menus proves correct ; I have two males, one from Tainan 

 and one from Kosempo, which agree with the description. 

 It is the largest member of the genus and perhaps the most 

 elegant earwig known. The longest pair of forceps measures 

 15 mm. Its nearest relative is T. nevilli, Burr, from the 

 Himalayas. It resembles that species generally in build and 

 appearance, in the green sheen of the pronotum and 

 abdomen, contrasting with the dull elytra and wings, and in 

 the form of the forceps. 



It differs in the pale yellow head, strongly contrasted with 

 the rest of the body, but chiefly in the form of the pronotum ; 

 in T. nevilli this is rounded and a little narrowed posteriorly, 

 and the sides are gently rounded; in this species the sides 

 are quite parallel and the posterior margin is convex or 

 obtuse-angular. 



