220 
G. J. Snowball. 
There is an indefinite number of pjonerations per year, as larvae and pupae 
occiu- in numbers at Crawley for most of the year except for a marked pause 
in June and July, when only occasional ones are found. Owing to the com- 
paratively short diiration of stages suitable to Cercyon larvae, a second genera- 
tion never develo])s in any one dung cake. 
Cercyon nigriceps, Marsh. 
This small species is associated with C. haemorrhoidalis at Crawley and 
Katanning, though always in small numbers. Its life history and habits are 
similar to those of its larger relation. 
? Paracymus, sp. 
A number of small beetles taken in cow dung at Crawley in April, 1941, 
probably belong to this genus. Their rarity indicates that they are of little 
importance in the dung community. 
F. 3. STAPHYLINIDAE. 
Creophilus erythrocephalus. Fab. 
On warm days at most times of tlie year specimens of this beetle gather 
on fresh dung cakes to catch Sepsids and llorborids attracted to it. Usually 
they remain on the outside of the cake, but may retreat into cracks if dis- 
turbed, or oven hollow out cavities on its lower surface. According to Fuller 
(1934) they attack immature stages of sheep blowflies breeding in carrion, 
without appearing in sufficient numbers to have much effect on the maggot 
population of a carcass. This is also true of the dung cake, as rarely more 
than six specimens will be found on the one pad, which means that only a 
small percentage of the myriads of flies whicli foregather are destroyed. C, 
erythrocephalus rarely remains after tlie decline in number of flies consequent 
on the formation of a superficial crust on the cake. Because of this it is not 
known whether it will attack dung-inhabiting larvae. 
Philonthus, sp. 
An unidentified species of tliis genus is occasionally found in small 
numbers, usually in second or third stage cow dung. It is more numerous 
in decaying grass. Fuller (1934) states that P. Folitus, Linn, eats eggs and 
young larval blowflies in carrion. The genus is common in England, where 
four species are recorded by Stephens (1939), mostly in dung, and it is repre- 
sented in New Zealand (Broun, 1880). 
Leptacinus socius, Fauv, 
This species, which is presumably predaceous on small Dipterous larvae, 
is present in numbers less than the Cercyons throughout the year in cow dung 
of all stages, mainly in the first and third. It was not seen at Katanning 
in August, 1941. Although Staphylinid eggs and larvae arc common in fourth 
stage dung, attempts to obtain adults failed. The larvae of Leptacinus socius 
may leave the dung to pupate because in September, 1941, pupae were found 
in the sand under an 81 day old dung kept in the laboratory since dropping. 
Dung from Armadale collected in March, 1941, contained a pupa (PI, 1, Fig. 
3) of this beetle actually in the dung itself. 
The pupal period under laboratory conditions was found to be in the 
region of 26 days at an average temperature of 13-9° C. in September, 1941. 
