THE GROUND BEETLES. 



113 



XXVIII. Diplochila Brulle. 1835. (Gr., "double + lip.") 



Smooth black beetles of small or medium size. Elytra usually 

 with one dorsal puncture near the middle of the third interval, the 

 apex feebly sinuate. They live beneath stones and rubbish, usually 

 in damp places. Three species and two varieties are known from 

 the United States, all of which occur in Indiana, The following 

 table is based on that of Dr. Horn in Bull. Brooklyn Entomological 

 Society, III, 1880, p. 52 : 



KEY TO SPECIES OF DIPLOCHILA. 



a. Hind angles of thorax distinct. 



b. Seventh stria of elytra feeble or almost obsolete; base of thorax 

 broader than apex. 



c. Smaller, 13-15 mm. 176. laticollis. 

 cc. Larger, 18 or more mm. 176a. var. major. 



bb. Seventh stria about as distinct as sixth ; thorax less narrowed in 

 front, base more narrowed, scarcely broader than apex. 



d. Elytral intervals all black. 177. impkessicollis. 

 M. Alternate elytral intervals reddish-purple. 



177a. var. alteknans. 



aa. Hind angles of thorax obtusely rounded; elytral stria? finer, seventh 

 almost obsolete; length 11-12 mm. 178. obtusa. 



*176 (710). Diplochila laticollis Lee. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., IV, 1848, 

 319. 



Black, feebly shining; antennre and tarsi dark brown, the basal joints 

 of both piceous. Thorax one-half wider than long; sides curved to behind 

 middle, thence oblique to base; hind angles rectangular. Elytra finely 

 alutaceous. the stria? shallow, not or very faintly punctured ; intervals flat. 

 Length 13-15 mm. 



Throughout the State ; frequent. February 6-October 9. Some- 

 times attracted by electric lights. 



176a (710a). Diplochila laticollis major Lee, loc. cit., 318. 



In addition to its larger size, this form has the basal impressions of 

 thorax broader and more shallow, the elytral striae finely but distinctly 

 punctate, the seventh fainter, often wholly obsolete. Length 18-20 mm. 



Throughout the State ; common. March 18-October 27. Usually 

 considered a variety of laticollis, but probably distinct. 



177 (711). Diplochila impkessicollis Dej.. Spec. V, 1830, 682. 



Black. Apex of thorax less narrowed than in laticollis. nearly as 

 broad as base. Elytral stria* deeper, rather coarsely punctured; intervals 

 more convex. Length 16-17 mm. 



Lake, Laporte and Vigo counties ; scarce, March 18- July 7. 



