Page:VCH Essex 1.djvu/156

 A HISTORY OF ESSEX St. Osyth. The scarce Sphodrus leucophthalmus is occasionally found in cellars and outhouses at Colchester, and the extremely local Avtophorus imperialis frequents marshy places near the mouth of the Colne, and has also been obtained at Ilford and Dagenham. Bracbinus sclopeta has now been relegated to the list of doubtful British species, as it has not been captured for many years ; but it is stated on the authority of Mr. Hope to have been taken at Southend, and there seems to be no reason why it should not turn up again. Hydropbilus piceus, one of the very largest of our British beetles, is found in the Epping district. Spercheus emar- ginatus was taken in some numbers by Mr. Billups near West Ham in 1878, only two or three British examples being previously known. Un- fortunately the locality has since been destroyed. Aleochara ruficornis and Microglossa gentilis have been taken in and near nests of Lasius fuli- ginosus at Colchester, and the extremely rare Myrmedonia bawortbi has once been obtained in the same locality and also at Southend. In the extensive family Homalota a reference to the list will show that many of the better species are found in various parts of the county. Sticboglossa semirufa is at present unique as British, a single specimen having been beaten from oak at Colchester in 1898. Tachinus elongates and Mega- cronus inclinans are also found at Colchester. Velleius dilatatus^ one of the rarest of our native Stapbylinidez, was captured at Wanstead by Mr. Willoughby, and exhibited at a meeting of the Entomological Society on February 5, 1849. A single specimen of Emus fa'rfus, captured at Southend, was shown at the Entomological Society's meeting on October 3, 1859. The extremely rare and handsome Ocypus cyaneus has several times been captured at Colchester, and O. pedator has been obtained at Southend. Phllonthus addendus and P. ebeninus^ var. corruscus, are occasionally found near Colchester. Mr. Waterhouse captured P. fuscus at Southend in September, 1858, and P. punctus has been taken in ditch rubbish at St. Osyth and Southend. The scarce Hister marglnatus has occurred in ants' nests at Colches- ter. Anisotoma cinnamomea was recorded by Curtis from Saffron Walden, and A. grandis has been taken at Colchester. Trichopteryx brevicornis has only been found in Essex, Mr. Billups having taken several specimens in the West Ham marshes on November 29, 1883. T. guerinii has also been found in the same locality, and T. ambigua at Loughton. Single specimens of Gnorimus nobilis were obtained at Colchester in 1899 and 1900, and Mr. West has also taken this fine insect in south Essex. Agriotes sordidus was first discovered as British by Mr. T. V. Wollaston, who took it at Southend. Prionus coriarius is frequently met with on the wing or at rest on trees near Colchester. Hylotrupes bajulus is stated in Fowler's British Coleoptera to have occurred at Epping. Clytus arcuatus was obtained at Loughton by Dr. Power, and has also been reported from Epping and Hainault. Callidium sanguineum, which is now considered doubtfully British, was recorded by Mr. S. Stevens as having been captured in an 118