Coiitri1)iitions to the Descriptive and Systematic Coleopterology of IVorth America.
PART II.
By Thos. L>Casey, Lieut, of Eng'rs, U. S. A.
This, the concluding part of tlie present work, contains descriptions of new species and genera, and systematic revisions of several genera as represented in the United States ; among the latter are Euplectus and Apocellus.
The descriptions are very minute and full of detail, perhaps some may consider them unnecessarily so, and in several places characters may be given which not only belong to the species described, but to tlie entire genus or group in question ; I have done this in many cases inadvertently, and hope that the descriptions will not thereby be rendered more confusing. It has been my aim not only to describe the species, but to make a separate study of each, not only in order to verify previous observations, but to lind if possible other characters which may serve as bases of classification. If the descriptions be read carefully it will be seen that occasionally characters are given which may prove useful in a systematic treatment of the genus, but which I have not had an opportunity to verify througliout, because of the very limited material at my dis[)0sal ; nothing is definitely stated in such cases respecting the value of the character for the [)urposes above indicated.
In I'elation to minuteness of detail, it may be permitted me to quote an objection advanced by several entomologists, among whom, unfortunately,all those who have had to identify species from descriptions know only too well the late Dr. LeConte must be numbered ; it depends indirectly upon the methods of observation employed, the optical means adopted by the author being tlie binocular microscope, with mechanical universal-jointed stage-clip for holding the pin and insect together, while the latter is under examination ; it is, in sub- Cont. Part II. 1 December, 1884.
62 NORTH AMERICAN' Stance, tliat because tlie majority of entomologists and collector?* make use of tlie liand-leiis only, sncli an array of minute details in tlie descriptions is, from tlieir inability to perceive them, not only unnecessarv, bnt positively detrimental, from its tendency to confuse tliem, or, in otiier words, that we should give only such cliaracters as can be seen by imperfectly equipped or unskillful eyes. I need scarcely say -that the fallacy of such reasoning is obvious, without alluding to the dullness attributed by implication to the intellects of our entomological students. We might as reasonably request an astronomer not to make as refined observations of the planets as liis telesco[)e is capable of, because the majority of astronomers, using smaller instruments, cannot employ very precise measurements to advantage, forgetting that it is only by such careful measurements that the laws of internal action of tlie solar system can be confirmed; or, with equal propriety, ask the physicist not to make his determination of the velocity of light laboriousl}' piecise, because such nicety cannot be appreciated by the majority of physicists working in other channels, little thinking that by this means the earth's distance from the sun may be accurately determined, and the unit thus made known for the survey of the entire visible universe. Scientillc facts are valuable for their own sakes, if for nothing else, and it is only by an accumulation of careful, minute, and conscientious observations that the mode of working of Nature's laws can be revealed, the statement applying with equal truth if not with ecjual force to astronomy, physics, and natural history.
PuiLADELi'iiiA, December 1, 1884.
BEMItII>IO]V latr.
B. Vernilla n. sp. — Dfpn'ssed, black witl\ greenish metallic kistre ; head and jiioiiotum stroiijily ahitaeeons ; elytra less finely and strongly so, more polished ; elytra having at the anterior third, from the fourth stria to the sides, very small short dashes of interstriiil pale brownish-testaceous, which near the sides, become longer, also laterally and apically through nearly the posterior third, a broad irregular margin of still paler tint; epipleiirae pale above throughout the length ; under surface nearly piceousblack, posterior segments paler laterally; legs pale testaceous-brown; antennae and palpi dark fuscous, basal and apical joints respectively paler. Head rather large ; eyes very large and convex ; interocular surface rather broadly swollen along the middle, extending to the epistoma which is very broadly and feebly emarginate anteriorly throughout, and concentric with
COLEOPTERA. 63 the anterior margin of the labrum ; the latter nearly four times as wide as long, angles not at all rounded ; epistoma about twiee as wide as long, suture narrow but distinct ; eyes margined interiorly by a narrow groove ; anterior seta very large, much larger than the posterior, opposite the anterior twofifths of the eye, the latter opposite the posterior fourth ; antennae distinctly longer than the head and prothorax together, slender, second joint threefourths as long as the third, as long as the fifth, very slightly shorter than the fourth ; mentum tooth very robust, triangular, wider than long, very prominent ; dental setae very fine ; gular support of mentum bearing along its basal margin a pair of setae on each side, the outer ones very long and stout, the inner very fine and short, the pairs widely separated. Prothorax widest slightly in advance of the middle, where it is very slightly wider than the head, and one-fourth wider than long ; sides strongly arcuate anteriorly, strongly convergent toward the base and extremely feebly sinuate .just before the basal angles ; the latter obtuse and scarcely rounded ; apex broadly and very feebly emarginate throughout ; apical angles rather narrowly rounded, slightly obtuse, base broadly and very feebly arcuate, four-fifths as long as the apex ; anterior lateral seta at two-fifths the length from the apical angles; disk rather feebly convex; median line very fine, distinct, disappearingnear the base ; sides narrowly but strongly reflexed ; longitudinal carina at the basal angles short ; longitudinal canalicular impressions near them very strongly marked, short. Elytra widest at the middle, where they are one-half wider than the pionotum ; sides parallel for four-fifths the length from the broadly rounded humeral angles, and feebly arcuate ; disk rather obtusely rounded behind, somewhat depressed, two-thirds longer than wide, one-half longer than the head and prothorax together, strongly punctatostriate, intervals flat ; striae becoming obsolete near the apex, except the seventh and eighth, the latter continuous at apex with the first: punctures round, moderate in size, deeply impressed, much closer in the two sutural striae ; scntellar stria short, containing abont ten or eleven punctures ; each elytron with a discal puncture at the anterior and posterior third, between the second and third striae, slightly nearer the latter, and a long lateral seta at one-sixth the length from the base. Legs long and slender ; posterior femora with three or four discal setae, and two much longer ones along the lower edge ; corresponding tibia having about five terminal spines, the longest less than one-half as long as the first joint of the tarsus', the latter as long as the next three together, and one-third longer than the last : posterior coxae bearing two erect setae in the middle of the disk arranged longitudinally. Length 4.8 mm.
Cape May, New Jersey, 1.
The alutaceous appearance produced by tlie minute but very distinct and even granulation of the head and pronotum is very strongly marked, and forms a beautiful object with suitable optical power. B. acticola n. sp. — Depressed ; color black with piceo-aeneous lustre ; elytra without trace of paler tint anteriorly except between the se\-^^nth and eighth striae, externally and apically very narrowly paler in tint, with a
04 NORTH AMERICAN small spot very near and usually detached at one-fourth the lengtli from the apex ; epipleurae pale throughout ; beneath piceous-black, paler and fuscous toward the tip of the abdomen ; coxae very dark fuscous ; legs pale flavotestaceous ; antennae very dark blackish-piceous, two basal joints and third and fourth except their tips, pale testaceous ; palpi very dark, terminal joint paler ; head and pronotum strongly and finely alutaceous ; elytra more strongly polished, finely reticulated. Head rather large, as wide as long ; eyes large and very prominent, margined by a narrow groove interiorly ; interocular surface with two very feeble lateral longitudinal channels ; intermediatesurfaceverybroadlyandfeeblyconvex;epistomaslightlymorethan twice as wide as long, suture rather distinct, broadly and feebly emarginate anterioily ; labrum about two and one-half times as wide as long, very feebly sinuate anteriorly, angles very slightly rounded ; antennae slightly longer than the head and prothorax together, slender, second joint three-fourths as long as the third, much shorter than the fifth, joints fou# to six equal and very slightly shorter than the third ; mentum tooth very much wider than long, triangular, rounded at tip, very prominent, and scarcely visibly shorter than the depth of the mental emargination. Prothorax widest very slightly in advance of the middle, where it is distinctly wider than the head and scarcely one-fourth wider than long ; sides strongly arcuate anteriorly, moderately convergent and sinuate toward the basal angles, which are slightly obtuse, not rounded ; base broadly arcuate, about five-sixths as long as the apex, which is broadly and feebly emarginate throughout ; apical angles right, narrowly rounded ; disk modeiately convex, edges narrowly and strongly reflexed ; lateral setae, depression, and ridge near the basal angles nearly as in rerniihi, except that the latter is longer and bent outwardly anteriorly. Elytra feebly convex above; sides parallel and feebly arcuate ; humeral angles broadly rounded ; disk rather acutely rounded behind ; fourfifths longer than wide, nearly one-half wider than the pronotum, punctatostriate, intervals nearly fiat ; striae becoming obsolete very near the apices, except the first, seventh, and eighth which are mutually continuous about the tips, and the second which is feebly continued to the tip ; punctures rouncl, rather small, very close in the rows, and very deeply impressed, scutellar stria short, consisting of about seven punctures ; each elytron has a discal puncture at the anterior three-tenths, and another at three-fifths from the base between the second and third striae, much nearer the latter, and also several small setae along the exterior edge. Scntellum small, semicircularly rounded behind. Legs long and slender; posterior femora with a stout inclined seta on the upper edge near the tip, and two erect slender and moderately short S(*tae along the lower edge almost evenly trisecting it ; lorresponding tibia very slender, longest terminal spine one-half as long as the first tarsal joint, the latter somewhat longer than the next three together. Length 4.4-4.6 mm.
Atlantic City and Cape ]May, New Jersey, o; Delaware, 1.
Tliis species resembles the last, but may he distinguished by its less transverse prothorax, more piceons and much less brilliant lustre, and structure of the antennae and head. Tiie surfaces are very strongly alutaceous as in vernula.
COLKOPTKUA. G.^ B. inilitare n. sp. — Rath«r depressed, robust ; black, elytra somewhat piceous posteriorly, not maculate, reflection very dark metallic blackishgreen, elytra more alutaceous : head and prothorax very highly polished, without trace of reticulation or granulation : legs rather dark rufo-testaceous ; palpi and antennae same, the latter very slightly darker toward tij) ; under surface dark rufo-piceous, coxae not paler. Head moderate in size, as wide as long ; eyes rather large, moderately prominent ; anterior seta opposite the middle of the eye, second opposite the posterior limit of the eye ; interocular surface having two longitudinal irregular and slightly convergent channels, beginning slightly behind the middle of the eyes and at a short distance from them ; intermediate surface ratlier strongly convex, continuing with same curvature along the occiput ; labrum over four times as wide as long, angles not rounded, apex broadly and feebly emarginate throughout, concentric with the apical margin of the epistoma ; antennae very long and slender, one-third longer than the head and prothoi-ax together, basal joint moderately robust, cylindrical, equal in length to the third, second threefourths as long as the third, joints three to six almost exactly equal in length, very slightly thinner toward base. Prothorax widest at one-third its length from the apex, where it is distinctly wider than the head and two-fifths wider than long; sides very strongly arcuate, convergent toward the base, just before the basal angles distinctly sinuate ; basal angles slightly obtuse, but not rounded, apical strongly obtuse and slightly rounded ; base feebly arcuate, except near the basal angle, where it is straight, five-sixths as long as the apex, which is very broadly and feebly emarginate throughout, almost straight ; disk moderately convex, edges narrowly reflexed ; setae as in vernula; median line narrow, distinct, continuous throughout the length; basal depressions broadly, strongly, and irregularly impressed; cariuae very short, not attaining the basal angles. Elytra widest at the middle, where they are two-fifths wider than the pronotum ; sides strongly arcuate ; humeri very broadly rounded, continuous in curvature with the sides ; disk very moderately convex, two-thirds longer than wide, one-half longer than the head and prothorax together, rather abruptly rounded behind, but somewhatacute at the immediate apex ; striae impressed and strongly punctate, becoming obsolete near the tip, except the sutural and exterior with a short auxiliary apical stria; intervals rather convex; punctures round, small, very deeply impressed, rather distant in the series, except in those next to the suture, where they are slightly snialler and closer ; scutellar stria very short, having four or five punctures ; each elytron has at the anterior third a discal puncture in the thii'd striae, and scarcely distinguishable from the others, except that it is setigerous and behind a slightly longer interval, and another at three-fourths the length from the base, very near the third stria ; epipleurae dark rufo-piceous. Legs long and slender ; first joint of the posterior tarsi slightly longer than the next three together, and three times as long as the longest tibial spine. Length 5.5 mm.
Willets Point, Long Island, 1.
Distinguisliable from rnpestre by the much more arcuate sides of the elytra, especially at the humeral angles, and in the total lack of elytral maculation.
6C NORTH AMKKICAN At one of the basal angles ol' tlie {)ronotum there is in the type specimen, a curious morbid growth consisting of two long erect slender club-shaped members growing from the same root; there is anotiier cluster of three shorter and more robust, growing from the elytra near the humeral angle. These growths are probably of a fungoid nature; they are black and of very firm texture. I have also noticed them on various parts of the body and in other genera of Carabidae ; in one case the first tarsal joint was thus infested. Tiie growth may possibly be the result of some obscure disease. B. vividlim n. sp. — Form rather slender, very convex. Color throughout black, witli a dark greenish-black metallic lustre; elytra with a very small spot and a very narrow border, both near the apices and of very slightly paler tint, scarcely noticeable ; under surface very dark rufo-piceous ; legs rather pale, rnfo-testaceous ; basal joint of antennae same, second darker, remainder dark fuscous ; maxillary palpi very dark fuscous, apical joint pale testaceous ; liead and prothorax just perceptibly alutaceous, granulations very fine and feeble, more distinct on the head. Head moderate, slightly longer than wide ; eyes rather large, very convex, in great part visible from above; intei'ocular surface broadly and feebly convex along the middle; lateral snlcations broadly rounded, feeble ; epistomal suture rather distinct ; anterior angles slightly produced, very acute; apical margin very feebly emarginate ; labrum scarcely twice as wide as long, squarely truncate anteriorly,lateral setae three times as long as the intermediate, which are subequal in length ; anterior supra-orbital seta slightly in advance of the middle point of the eye, second opposite the posterior fifth ; emargination of mentum scarcely more than one-third wider than deep, tooth wider than long, about one-third as long as the depth of the notch ; second joint of the maxillary palpi but slightly shorter than the third, glabrous, third coarsely and sparsely setose ; antennae rather short, slightly longer than the head and protliorax together, second joint two-thirds as long as the third, third distinctly longer than the fourth, joints four to seven equal in length. Prothorax widest at two-fifths its length from the apex, where it is but slightly wider than the head and scarcely one-sixth wider than long ; sides moderately arcuate, straight toward the basal angles immediately before which they are sinuate for a very short distance ; the basal angles almost right, slightly prwluceil and not rounded ; base broadly arcuate throughout, about three-fourths as long as tlie apex, which is nearly transverse; apical angles very slightly produced, rounded ; disk rather convex, transversely rugulose near the base ; median line very narrow ; edges extremely narrowly but strongly retlexed ; basal depressions very close to tlie angles, strongly impressed, carinae nearly obsolete. Elytra nearly one-half wider than the pronotum ; sides parallel for two-thirds the length and ratlier feebly arcuate ; humeri broadly rounded ; disk acutely rounded behind, rather strongly convex, about three-fourths longer tlian wide ; striae very feebly impressed, except the sutural, becoming obsolete in the posterior fourth, strongly punctate ; intervals nearly Hat ; punctures round, deeply impressed, much closer
COl.EOPTERA. 67 in the first and second striae ; scutellar striae of about eisht or nine punctures, rather long; each elytron having a discal puncture at the anterioi and posterior third, both between the second and third striae, also a long tn-ect seta at the side near the humeri, and several small ones behind ; epipleurae paler posteriorly. Legs slender ; first joint of the anterior tarsi much shorter than the next three together, the latter nearly equal, also shorter than the last, rather robust ; first joint of the posterior equal in length to the next three together, more than three times as long as the longest apical spine of the tibiae ; posterior femora with two seta along the lower edge. Length 4.5-4.8 mm.
Cape May, New Jersey, 4.
This very tine species is retnarkable for its peculiar proiiotum and convex form, the form of the emargination of the mentiim, and the size of the tooth, and also the nearly glabrous pa]|)i. In Dr. LeConte's cUissification of the Carabidae as given by Lacordaire, this author distinguishes the genus Bembidion by the large size of the tooth, even stating that the mentum is trilobed, the middle lobe being equal in length to the lateral. The present species completely prevents this being used as a distinguishing featuj'e, and in fact in none of those described at this time does the tooth project as far as the lateral lobes. It may be possible, however, that the present species should be placed in Dr. LeConte's genus Ochthedromus.
It should also be stated that in all the species of Bembidion which I have examined, the sutural striae are continuous to tlie apex where they are recurved and continue tlience as tlie exterior striae of the elytra, as is the case in Tachys, and I am therefore at a loss to know what is meant by Dr. Horn, who, in his revision of the Carabidae, gives the presence or absence of this character as one of the distinguishingfeaturesofTachysandBembidion.
B. desectlim n. sp. — Form strongly depressed, moderately narrow. Color of the head and pronotum black, with dark metallic greenish reflection, of the elytra rather pale piceous-brown throughout without metallic reflection, polished; under surface pale brownish-rufous throughout, legs and antennae same, the latter not paler at base. Head moderate, as wide as long; eyes large, very strongly convex; interocular surface polished, very feebly alutaceous ; lateral longitudinal impressions short and feeble ; intermediatesurfacenarrowlyandfeeblyconvex;clypeusmuchmorethantwice as wide as long, suture distinct, anterior margin about one-third as long as the width of head, transversely truncate ; labrum slightly more than twice as wide as long, anterior margin broadly and rather feebly arcuate ; antennae slender, much longer than the head and pronotum together, basal joint slightly shorter than the third, robust, sub-cylindrical, slightly swollen toward base, truncate at tip, second three-fourths as long as the third, and very slightly shorter than the fourth, joints four to eight equal; mentum
r>8 NORTH AMKinCAN very large, emargination small, slightly wider than deep, sides nearly straight, tooth nearly as long as wide, broadly rounded at tip, simple, muth less than one-half as long as the depth of the emargination ; terminal joints of the palpi short, thick, truncate at tip ; third joint of the maxillary rather long and slender, somewhat sparsely setose. Prothorax widest very slightly in advance of the middle, where it is distinctly wider than the head, and onefourth wider than long; sides strongly arcuate, convergent toward the basal angles, and excessively feebly and broadly sinuate ; basal angles strongly obtuse, very feebly produced at the immediate apex, not rounded ; apical very obtuse, slightly rounded ; base broadly arcuate throughout, about seveneighths as long as the apex, which is broadly roundly and feebly emarginate throughout; disk moderately convex, polish.'d, and not granulose in the middle, along the sides and base, and especially near the basal angles strongly and finely granulose ; median line narrow and very distinct ; basal depressions strongly impressed, rather distant from the angles, connected by an arcuate feeble impression ; carinae of basal angles rather feeble, sinuate externally, and diverging very slightly from tiie lateral edges, becoming obsolete beyond the basal fourth ; lateral edges and setae as in vernuln. Elytra widest at about the middle, where they are about one-third wider than the pronotum ; sides parallel and rather strongly arcuate for nearly seven-eighths the length from the base ; liumeri not very broadly rounded ; disk four-fifths longer than wide, somewhat acutely rounded behind, fully two-thirds longer than the head and pronotum together, very flat, abruptly declivous at the sides, rather strongly granulose thronghout, narrowly and istinctly striate ; striae punctate, not becoming obsolete posteriorly, sutural very strong throughout, acutely recurved at tip, returning as the second, and, after a short partial interruption, as the eighth ; also, at the point of origin of the eighth, there is a branch which is continued anteriorly as the fifth, and by a very feeble branch as the seventh ; the sixth terminates before reaching this last point of separation at one-sixth the length from the apex ; third and fourth striae mutually recurved and continuous at onetenth the length from the apex ; punctures very small, round, deeply impressed,closelyplacedinthestriae,notcloserinthesuturalrows;scutellar row of about nine punctures ; each elytron has at three- tenths and two-tliirds the length from the base a discal puncture, between the second and third striae, and another just beyond and exterior to the point of junction of the third and fourth striae, and adjoining the strongly oblique portion of the fifth stria, much nearer the margin than the apical angle. Legs slender ; posterior tarsi short, slender, first joint as long as the next three together, and slightly shorter than the last. Length 4.0 mm.
Arizona (Morrison), 3.
A reniarkable species, very depressed ; readily known by its j>ale unieolorous elytra, peculiar sliort basal joint of the antennae wliieii is enlarjied toward base reminding us of the corresponding joint in Tricliopteryx, and by tlie sculpture of the elytra, more particularly toward the apices. It is also ratiier remarkable from the fact that the first joint of the posterior tarsi is sliorter than the last.