222 CLAVICOKNIA. \_BracTiypterus. 



rather longer in proportion to the thorax, and the punctuation is rather 

 stronger. L. 2 mm. 



Generally distributed and common on nettles in flower throughout England and 

 Scotland, and probably Ireland ; in the midland and southern districts of England, 

 however, it appears to be not quite as abundant as B. pubescens. 



CERCUS, Latreille. 



This genus contains upwards of twenty species, which are found in 

 Europe, Algeria, Siberia, and North America ; three occur in Britain, 

 the first two of which differ considerably from the third, and have by 

 some authors been placed under a separate genus, Aiiomceocera, Shuck. ; 

 with regard to the small apical dorsal segment, through the supposed 

 absence of which in both sexes this genus is to a great extent separated 

 from the preceding, there seems to be a difference of opinion ; Erichson 

 expressly says that the pygidium is simple in both sexes ; Thomson 

 says, " segmento anali maris haud conspicuo ;" and Dr. Horn says of 

 the Brachypterina generally (including Cercus), " the males have a small 

 apical dorsal segment ;" as a rule it is very difficult to perceive the extra 

 segment, but it appears to be visible in some specimens under a high 

 power when the beetle is held in a certain position. 



I. Antennae long ; thorax plainly transverse. 



i. Male with the second joint of the antenna) strongly 



dilated, triangular; elytra reddish-testaceous with the 



scutellary region and apex dark C. PEDICTOABIUS, L. 



ii. Male with the second joint of the antennae simple; 



elytra black with two large testaceous spots on disc. C. BIPUSTULATPS, Payk. 



II. Antennas short ; thorax nearly as long as broad, 



gradually contracted from base to apex C. BTTFILABRIS, Latr. 



C. pedicularius, L. Moderately convex, clothed with very fine 

 and thin greyish pubescence, reddish-testaceous, with the scutellary 

 region and apex of elytra dark ; in somewhat immature specimens the 

 elytra are occasionally entirely reddish-testaceous ; antennae long, second 

 joint in male strongly dilated, triangular ; thorax transverse, about as 

 broad at base as elytra, with sides strongly rounded, deeply and rather 

 thickly punctured, posterior angles rounded ; elytra about double as long 

 as thorax, rather strongly punctured ; breast blackish ; legs -reddish - 

 testaceous. L. l|-2f mm. 



Marshy places ; on Spiraea ulmaria (meadow-sweet), Carex paniculata, &c. ; 

 local but occasionally abundant where it occurs; London district, not common, 

 Greenhithe, Aylsham, &c. ; Brandon ; Maidstone ; Hastings ; Isle of Wight, common 

 in a marshy place near Sandown in April on Carex ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Plymouth ; 

 Barmouth ; Repton ; Sutton Park and Solihull near Birmingham ; Chat Moss ; 

 Northumberland district ; Scotland, very rare, Tweed and Forth districts ; Ireland, 

 near Dublin. 



C. bipustulatus, Payk Very like the preceding, but not so 

 strongly and rather more thickly punctured; elytra black, with two 

 large testaceous spots on disc ; colour, however, very variable, sometimes 



