358 CORAL AND ATOLLS 



Clavicornia. 



(2) Dermestes felinus, Fabr. 



A common species, found mostly in the dead bodies of 

 rats. Universal distribution, and common on Christmas 

 Island. 



(3) Coccinella transversalis, Fabr. 



A very abundant insect ; not present on Christmas Island. 



(4) Trochoideus desjardinsi, Guer. 

 Not present on Christmas Island. 



Lamellicornia. 



(5) Onthophagus, sp. 



Genus not represented on Christmas Island. 



(6) Anomala, sp. 



An abundant species that lives on the iron- wood {Cordia 

 subcordata). Freely attracted to light and most commonly 

 found in the lamps of the Telegraph Station. Not found on 

 Christmas Island, 



(7) POTATIA ACUMINATA. 



The largest beetle found on the atoll. It is by no means 

 common, and not more than a dozen specimens were taken in 

 fifteen months. Not present on Christmas Island. 



Malacodermata. 



(8) Corynetes rufipes, De Geer. 

 Native name, Kutit copra. 



The most important insect of the atoll, from an economical 

 point of view. Called by Europeans the " Copra beetle." 

 Exists in myriads near to the sheds where the copra is stored. 

 It will swarm to anything oily, and was killed in thousands 

 on the refrigerator engines. It is very active, it flics by day, 



