3 COLEOPTERA 



Sent from Auckland by Mr. Lawson. I have also received it from 

 Captain Broun, with the information that it was found on trees at 

 Cabbage Tree Swamp, Auckland. 



548. P. picticornis, Sharp; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1877. 

 P. sat elongatus, angustus, fortiter punctatus, tenuiter pubescens, vix 

 nitidus, rufescens, antennarum basi, articulis tribus ultimis pedibusque 

 testaceis, antennis medio, prosterno, thoracisque vittis duabus nigrican- 

 tibus, elytris oblique fusco-plagiatis, maculis magnis ante apicem testa- 

 ceis ; thorace crebre, fortiter, profundeque punctate, sat nitido, angulis 

 posterioribus divergentibus ; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis. 



Long., 5 1- mm. 



This species approaches closely to the reddish varieties of P. guttatus, 

 but has the apical joints of the antennae yellow, and shows also some 

 slight structural differences ; the middle coxse are a little closer, the 

 metasternum is less advanced between them, and the mesosternal cavity 

 is not quite so parallel-sided and is rather broader in its hind part. 



A single specimen was sent me by Captain Broun some time ago ; 

 it was found in the Hikuwai forest, Tairua. 



549. P. Opacus, Sharp ; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1877. P. 

 sat elongates, angustus, fortiter dense punctatus, opacus, evidenter 

 pubescens, rufescens, prosterno medio diluto, lateribus infuscatis, anten- 

 nis nigris, basi, pedibus, prothoracis angulis posterioribus, elytrisque 

 macula ante apicem testaceis ; prothorace dense fortiter punctate, opaco, 

 elongato, angulis posterioribus divergentibus ; elytris fortiter profunde- 

 que seriato-punctatis, vix striatis, opacis. 



Long., 5^-6 mm. 



This species, though closely allied to P. guttatus and P. picticornis, 

 may be distinguished by a glance at the underside of the thorax, which 

 is pale along the middle, with the flanks infuscate ; it is considerably 

 duller above, the elytra are palish red at the base, with the apical half 

 darker reddish and a pale yellow spot placed in this darker part ; these 

 markings on the elytra vary considerably in their definiteness. 



Two individuals have been sent me from Tairua by Captain Broun ; 

 and I have seen others in Messrs. Pascoe and Wakefield's collections 

 from the same source. 



Elater. 



550. E. lateristrigatUS, White; Voy.^ Er. Terr., Ins., p. 7. 

 Deep black; the side of elytra with a long red vitta, highly polished and 

 minutely punctulate ; elytra with obscure punctured striae and a few 

 short hairs, the apex of elytra bluntish. 



Length, 3^ lines. 



Port Nicholson (Captain Parry). 



NOTE. The position of this insect must remain doubtful until 

 specimens can be obtained for examination. 



