Johnson and Halbert — A List of the Beetles of Ireland. 587 



B. varium, 01. 



Leinstee. Mtjnstee. 

 Dublin (Portmarnock, common under moss on banks of brackish 

 stream, '00 Ht. 3). — Xildare (banks of tbe Liffey at Celbridge, '53 

 Hn.).— Wicklow (Newcastle Bog, '94 J. 2, coll. C.).— Wexford (slob- 

 lands, "Wexford harbour, Sp.). — Limerick (Fg. MS.). 



B. argenteolum, Ahr. 

 Ulster. 



Armagh (Lough Neagh at Ardmore, J.). 



In June, 1899, Mr. Johnson captui'ed, on the shore of Lough Ifeagh, 

 at Ardmore, several specimens of a Bemhidium which were referred to 

 B. paludosum, Panz., as recorded ('99 J. 2). Examples were sent to 

 the Dublin Museum, and no suspicion of their identity was, at the 

 time, entertained. Quite recently, however, we noticed certain 

 differences in facies between the Lough JS'eagh insect and English 

 specimens oi paludosum, which led to a careful comparison with con- 

 tinental types and descriptions. As a result we find that the Ardmore 

 insect is not B. paludosum, Panz., but an allied species, B. argenteolum, 

 Ahr. "We have, therefore, the pleasure of making an interesting 

 addition to the British list. The two species may by easily dis- 

 tinguished through the following characters. 



B. argenteolum, Ahr. 



B. paludosum, Panz. 



Size larger, and of more robust build, 

 upper surface shining bronze. 



Thorax much broader than long, having 

 the posterior angles sharp and promi- 

 nent. 



Size smaller, very dull bronze. 



Thorax at most slightly broader than 

 long, posterior angles not promi- 

 nent. 



The Lough IN'eagh specimens average from 6 to 6-5 mm in length. 

 They are of a comparatively shining bronze colour, with the bases of 

 the femora, tibiae, and first antennal segments dark red. The apices of 

 the tibiae, and the upper surface of basal segments of the antennae, are 

 more or less tinged witb greenish bronze. "We may add that the Irish 

 examples agree in every detail with specimens in the Dublin Museum 

 collection taken at Hamburg. In life B. argenteolum greatly resembles 

 an Elaplirus, both in its movements and general appearance. This 

 insect is recorded from Scandinavia, northern and central Europe, 

 including the north of Erance, and Siberia. 



