92 
Psyche 
[June 
NOTES ON THE PUFFBALL BEETLE, CMNOCARA 
OCULATA (SAY) 
By Harry B. Weiss, New Brunswick, N. J. 
This member of the family A nob i idee was described by Say 
in 1824 (App. vol. II, Keating’s Exp. to source of St. Peters 
Riv. under Maj. Long, Phila., 1824, p. 273) and has long been 
known to collectors as being associated with the fungi commonly 
called puffballs. Blatchley (Col. Ind., 1910, p. 884) records it 
from Indiana as occurring throughout the state on low vegetation 
in damp localities and also in small puffballs (Lycoperdon). 
Smith (Ins. N. J., p. 307) records it as common throughout the 
state but docs not mention any host. 
For the past two years it has been noted at Monmouth 
Junction, N. J., breeding in a species of puffball known as 
Scleroderma vulgare and undoubtedly occurs in many localities 
where its host grows. Lcng (Check List Col. Amer. N. of Mex. 
p. 244) indicates its wide distribution by the following localities — 
Ct., Fla., New Eng., Ariz., Ind. 
Fungi belonging to the genus Lycoperdon are small puffballs 
with somewhat thickened bases or stalks. When young the 
interior is soft, white and firm; later it becomes yellowish and 
finally forms a purplish brown, dusty mass consisting of spores 
and threadlike filaments. Species of this genus appear in the 
summer and autumn and are common on the ground or on old 
stumps, usually in clusters. In the genus Scleroderma , the 
plants are sessile or nearly so. The pcridium is thick and leathery 
and sometimes becomes cracked and ruptured at the apex. 
Scleroderma vulgare in which Cocnocara oculata was found breeding 
is about 5 cm., in diameter, subglobular, with a thick, yellowish 
or pale brown scaly or warty, leathery pcridium. The spore mass 
is purplish black. This species is quite common and occurs in 
dry places and on hard ground. At Monmouth Junction, N. J., 
the fructifications were found in the dry parts of a large wooded 
area. 
