I08 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, 



APHODIUS RUGIFRONS. 



By H. C. Fall. 



Among the species of Aphodius occurring in So. California, 

 A. rugifrons is, in several respects, peculiar. Unlike every other 

 species of the genus with which I am acquainted, the approacii 

 of Winter rather than of Spring is the signal for its appearance. 

 Like Pleocoma, it should be sought immediately after the first 

 considerable rainfall in November or December. 



For several years I have at this season taken examples of this 

 species, but as it is called for by every eastern collector with 

 whom I have exchanged, the supply has never equaled the 

 demand. The past season I determined to make special effort 

 to renew my stock, and began to look for it as early as the latter 

 part of October. As I anticipated, however, not an individual 

 appeared until the first rain of consequence, which occurred 

 December 5-8. A search through the garden on the 9th revealed 

 dozens of specimens ; almost every small object lying on the 

 surface sheltered one or more, while the numerous little openings 

 in the damp soil showed the manner of their advent. In colora- 

 tion the elytra are normally yellow with black markings, but 

 about one example in ten is entirely piceous. The size also 

 varies, unusually . 10 to . 15 inch, the smallest specimens being in 

 this respect inferior to every other species in our fauna. 



In addition to the above it may be remarked that never in my 

 experience have the beetles been seen on the wing, nor have they 

 ever been found in situations usual to the species of the genus. 



The limited geographical range, time of appearance, small 

 size, retiring habits and brief stay, are factors which have com- 

 bined to make rugifrons up to this time a rarity in collections. 



Besides rugifrons, I have taken in So. California granarius, 

 lividus, alfernatus, rubidus, militarise pardalis and luxatus. With 

 the exception of granarius and rubidus, none are at all common, 

 while lividus and pardalis, so far as I know, have not been re- 

 corded from this section. 



A VERY pretty species of Cetoniidse, the Agesttata luconica, is of a fine 

 brilliant metallic-green, and found in the Philippine Islands. These the 

 ladies of Manilla keep as pets in small bamboo cages, and carry them 

 wheresoever they may go.— .ffa/rrf'j Cyclop. Nat. Sci., London, 1858. 



