

Insects. 2045 



specimen of the cockchaffer (M. vulgaris), on the wing; fortunately it is a very rare 

 insect in this district. — James C. Howden ; Musselburgh, November, 1847. 



Notes on the Coleoptera of Northamptonshire. — I have selected the following Cole- 

 optera from a list of about 500 species that I have taken here during the past year. 

 By far the best locality in the neighbourhood is Harleston Firs, about two miles from 

 Northampton, on the East Haddon Road ; although Whittlebury and Salcey Forests, 

 Plane Woods, close to Roade Station, and many others, will amply repay exam- 

 ination. 



Leistus spinibarbis. A few specimens, under stones and in moss, in the early 

 spring. 



Pterostichus oblongo-punctatus. This local insect is not uncommon, during May 

 and June, in a fir wood near Harleston. I found it running about in the snnshine, 

 together with Thanassimus formicarius. It is one of the most active, as well as most 

 rapacious of the Harpalidae : its principal food seems to be the great red ant, which 

 abounds in the same locality. 



Atomaria dimidiata. Common, with other species of this genus, by sweeping in 

 damp meadows. 



Antherophagus pallens and similis (Curtis). Occasional specimens from flowers, in 

 June and July. 



Rhyzophagus cylindricus and rufus. In fir-stumps, together with Ips ferruginea ; 

 local, although, when found, abundant. These insects are generally to be met with 

 on the inner side of the bark ; while Ips is as often found with Hylobius abietis, feed- 

 ing on the wood itself. 



Attagenus Pellio. Not uncommon on the windows of old houses, in July. 



Byrrhus dorsalis. A single example, with several of the common B. pilula, by 

 sweeping clover, in June. 



Agrilus viridis. A few specimens, from the blossoms of the wild cherry. 



Aplotarsus quercus and rufipes. Abundant in damp meadows, in May and June. 



Scirtes hemisphcerica. Common on water-plants, found together with several spe- 

 cies of Cionus, Baris Atriplicis, Cleopus pulchellus, &c. 



Mecinus circulatus. A single specimen from a sand-pit. 



Cceliodes subrufus. On oak trees, in the beginning of May, rare. 



Nedyus Echii. On the Echium vulgare. The best way of obtaining specimens 

 of this insect is by examining carefully the leaves at the foot of the stalk : it seems to 

 prefer this situation to the leaves or flowers of the stem itself. This is, as far as I am 

 aware, the only insect of the genus that is capable of making a noise when alarmed : 

 the sound, which resembles that of a Necrophorus, is produced by the friction of the 

 abdomen against the base of the elytra. 



Rhinonchus Castor, with Apion Rumicis. Common, by sweeping, in woods. 



Balaninus Brassica. In profusion on an oak tree, in May. 



Sibinia Viscarice. I took eight specimens of this rare insect, by frequently search- 

 ing one spot, in the corner of a clover-field. 



Notaris bimaculatus. Among the roots of grass, in damp localities, together with 

 Dromius agilis and a few specimens of Hypolithus riparius. 



Dorytomus Tremulce (?) In the bark of an old willow tree, not uncommon, where 

 it was taken some years ago by Mr. Greville, who kindly pointed out to me the lo- 

 cality. 



VI N 



