# Memoirs on the Coleoptera/Volume 1/New Species of the Staphylinid Tribe Myrmedoniini/Tribe Myrmidoniini/Group Athetæ/Atheta/Atheta

Atheta Thoms.
The species here assigned to typical Atheta, although exhibiting much diversity of structure, agree tolerably well among themselves in the small or very moderate size of the body, in having the abdomen parallel or virtually so, the eyes moderate in size, generally at their own length from the base, the antennæ moderate in length and gradually incrassate, the mesosternal process acute, the metasternal short, the coxæ approximate and the basal joints of the hind tarsi subequal among themselves, although the basal joint is occasionally a little shorter or longer than the second. In the descriptions the infra-lateral carinæ of the head are alluded to simply as carinæ.
* Atheta barbaræ n. sp.—Moderately slender, rather shining, black, the elytra scarcely less so, the legs and antennæ piceous; vestiture not dense and rather long; head transverse, parallel, with sparse shallow umbilicate punctures, the ​carinæ fine but strong, entire; antennæ rather long, incrassate only distally, strongly setose, the outer joints strongly transverse, the last rapidly pointed and as long as the two preceding; prothorax minutely, sparsely punctate, but little wider than long, only slightly wider than the head, parallel, evenly and moderately rounded at the sides, rather convex, not impressed; elytra wider than long, much wider and longer than the prothorax, finely, very distinctly and closely punctate; abdomen narrower than the elytra, very slightly narrowed near the apex, shining, minutely, sparsely punctate; mesosternal process very long and gradually finely aciculate, extending to apical fifth of the coxæ, where it is separated from the angular mestasternum by a very short interval, the coxæ not contiguous; first four joints of the hind tarsi equal. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.65 mm. California (Sta. Barbara).
The type, although a female, is described because of its isolated characters relating to the sterna, cephalic carinæ and general outline.
* Atheta pocahontas n. sp.—Moderately shining, black, the elytra feebly picescent, the antennæ, except toward base, black; legs pale piceous-brown; vestiture very short; head parallel, transverse, the eyes not prominent, at more than their own length from the base; carinæ fine but entire; surface with rather coarse but obsolescent punctures; antennæ rather short, gradually, and moderately incrassate distally, the outer joints transverse; prothorax slightly wider than long and very little wider than the head, with broadly rounded sides which become straighter basally, widest rather before the middle, not impressed, very finely, rather closely punctate; elytra large, slightly transverse, much wider and very much longer than the prothorax, finely but strongly, closely punctate, each deeply sinuate at apex externally; abdomen much narrower than the elytra, parallel basally, feebly and arcuately narrowing apically, shining, minutely, sparsely punctate; mesosternal process extremely long, gradually and finely aciculate, extending fully to apical fifth or sixth of the coxæ, separating the latter, its tip very close to the apex of the acutely angulate and sharply defined metasternal projection; basal joint of the hind tarsi one-half longer than the second, two to four equal. Length 2.6 mm.; width 0.66 mm. Virginia (Norfolk and Fort Monroe).
Readily distinguishable by the sternal and tarsal characters; the types are apparently females.
* Atheta vaticina n. sp.—Similar in all of its structural characters to the preceding but smaller and more parallel, the vestiture longer and more shaggy, the head similarly convex, shining and rather coarsely though feebly punctate, the antennæ notably more slender, much less incrassate distally; prothorax nearly similar; elytra differing in being very nearly as long as wide and paler, rufescent; abdomen rather more strongly and distinctly punctulate; fifth tergite similarly distinctly shorter than the fourth; tarsi similar. Length 2.2 mm.; width 0.55 mm. New York (Willets Point, Long Island).
Closely allied to pocahontas in general structure but differing in the more slender antennæ, much smaller size and more elongate elytra. I have in my collection several specimens taken at Alameda, ​California, which belong not only to the type of the two preceding species but closely resemble them, to such a degree in fact that it is scarcely worth while to describe them at present.
* Atheta iterans n. sp.—Rather dull, the abdomen more shining, not very stout, parallel, only moderately convex, piceous, the head black; elytra and legs more or less pale brownish; abdomen black, paler basally and at the apices of the first three segments; antennæ infuscate; pubescence very short, close, inconspicuous; head convex, not directly punctate, the eyes not prominent; carinæ fine and feeble but entire; antennæ moderate, subparallel, the outer joints distinctly wider than long; prothorax transverse. much wider than the head but only a little narrower than the elytra, widest before the middle, the sides straighter basally; median line finely and feebly impressed; elytra wider than long, distinctly longer than the prothorax, minutely, densely punctulate; abdomen much narrower than the elytra, parallel throughout, minutely, not closely punctulate, the first three tergites strongly impressed at base; mesosternal process triangular, finely aciculate but not much prolonged at apex, extending to beyond the middle of the coxæ, which are contiguescent, its tip far from the apex of the angulate metasternum; first four joints of the hind tarsi equal. Length 2.8 mm.; width 0.6 mm. New York (near the city).
Distinguishable by the abdominal and sternal structure and the fine impressed median line of the pronotum. Sexual characters are not evident in the types. The fifth tergite is slightly longer than the fourth.
* Atheta enitescens n. sp.—Rather slender, moderately convex, strongly shining and minutely, sparsely punctulate, the short stiff vestiture not dense even on the elytra; body piceous-brown the head and abdomen black, the elytra slightly paler than the prothorax, the legs pale, the antennæ blackish; head well developed, the eyes rather prominent, at a little less than their own length from the base; carinæ fine but entire; antennæ rather long, gradually and feebly incrassate, the outer joints but slightly wider than long; prothorax distinctly wider than the head and correspondingly narrower than the elytra, two-fifths wider than long, the sides subparallel, broadly, evenly rounded, the basal angles much rounded; surface finely, feebly impressed along the median line; elytra slightly transverse, much longer than the prothorax, the asperate punctures distinct but not very close-set on the polished ground; abdomen much narrower than the elytra, parallel throughout, minutely, sparsely punctulate, the fifth tergite distinctly longer than the fourth; mesosternal process extending to apical fourth of the coxæ, drawn out but not very finely pointed, its tip separated by a long distance from the metasternum, which is extremely short and very broadly rounded; basal joint of the hind tarsi shorter than the second. Length 2.0 mm.; width 0.5 mm. New York (Ithaca).
The male sexual characters of this small species are remarkably distinct, the sixth tergite being densely micro-reticulate and with ​a few sparse feeble elevations, broadly flattened medially, the flattened part limited at each side by fine feeble parallel ridges, which are nearly straight but curve apically partially around the contour of the apical lobes; the apex of this flattened surface is strongly bilobed, the lobes strongly, evenly rounded and separated by a narrow deep rounded sinus.
* Atheta sibylla n. sp.—Rather stout, moderately convex, black, the elytra blackish-piceous, the legs pale, the antennæ blackish throughout; surface moderately shining, densely micro-reticulate, the abdomen more coarsely though much more feebly so and strongly shining; vestiture short, not very dense, the punctulation very fine, rather loose, closer on the elytra which are less shining, very sparse on the abdomen; head with a central impression, feebly punctulate, rather shining, the eyes at more than their own length from the base, the rounded tempora parallel; antennæ rather long and thick, thought but feebly incrassate, the outer joints only slightly transverse, the second longer than the third; carinæ very fine and feeble, incomplete; prothorax slightly wider than the head and a little narrower than the elytra, parallel, the sixth tergite (♂) broadly, feebly sinuato-truncate, feebly crenulate on the edge except for a moderately wide space at the middle; mesosternal process extending slightly beyond the middle of the coxæ, very finely aciculate at tip and distant from the broadly and feebly parabolic metasternum, the intervening space deeply sunken, the coxæ contiguous; first four joints of the hind tarsi equal. Length 2.6 mm.; width 0.75 mm. Virginia (Fort Monroe).
To be readily known by the sternal structure, feeble carinæ and thick subfiliform antennæ.
* Atheta weedi n. sp.—Stout, rather convex, shining, black, the elytra and legs pale brownish-flavate; antennæ infuscate; head and pronotum sparsely and not distinctly punctulate, the former not impressed, the eyes unusually large, prominent, setose, distant from the base by a little less than their own length; prothorax transverse, relatively rather small, slightly wider than the head but much narrower than the elytra, slightly widest just before the middle, the sides rounded; basal angles obtuse and blunt; surface broadly, feebly flattened medially, becoming gradually slightly impressed basally; elytra large, wider than long, very much longer than the prothorax, very finely, not densely and inconspicuously punctate; abdomen parallel, with slightly arcuate sides, at the middle nearly as wide as the elytra, minutely, sparsely punctate, the fourth and fifth tergites equal, the sixth (♂) with a projecting slender spur having its inner face concave at each side of the broad apex, the edge between very broadly, evenly arcuate and evenly tuberculato-crenulate; mesosternal process extending to the middle of the coxæ, usually broad, nearly as in Stethusa, with its apex rounded and separated from the large angulate metasternal projection by twice its ​subapical width, the coxæ separated; first four joints of the hind tarsi equal. Length 2.5 mm.; width 0.73 mm. Mississippi (Agricultural College),—H. F. Weed.
Distinguishable easily by its stout form, sternal and sexual characters. The sternum, in connection with the larger eyes, might indicate close affinity with Stethusa, but the form of the body and smaller prothorax give a very different facies and the sexual characters are of a different order.
* Atheta arizonica n. sp.—Moderately stout and convex, somewhat alutaceous, the abdomen shining; piceous-black, the elytra and legs pale brownish-flavate, the antennæ blackish throughout; head as usual transverse, parallel, with rounded basal angles, finely, rather closely and asperulately punctate, the eyes convex and at barely their own length from the base, the carinæ fine but entire; antennæ rather slender and but feebly incrassate, the outer joints slightly wider than long, the second and third equal; prothorax much wider than the head and slightly narrower than the elytra, moderately transverse, the sides parallel and evenly arcuate, the basal angles obtuse and blunt, the surface finely, closely and asperulately punctate, feebly impressed before the basal margin at the middle; elytra much wider than long, the suture distinctly longer than the prothorax, similarly punctate; abdomen parallel, with broadly arcuate sides, narrower than the elytra, finely and plentifully though not densely punctate, the fifth tergite slightly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) with two tuberculiform teeth separated by a feeble sinus at the middle of the apex and mutually a little more distant than either from the slender, internally concave lateral projection; mesosternal process becoming moderately narrow but not aciculate, its strongly rounded apex extending to apical third of the separated coxæ and considerably distant from the very short and broadly rounded metasternum; basal joint of the hind tarsi shorter than the second, two to four equal. Length 2.3-2.6 mm.; width 0.63-0.7 mm. Arizona (Tuçson).
Somewhat allied to weedi but differing in the sterna, cephalic carinæ and sexual characters; the mesosternal process is not so wide but is to aciculate, as it generally is in typical Atheta.
* Atheta umbonalis n. sp.—Rather stout, moderately convex, black, the elytra dark rufo-piceous, the legs pale; antennæ blackish, the two basal joints pale; body not very shining, strongly micro-reticulate, the abdomen more coarsely but feebly so and shining; punctures asperulate and rather close-set, sparser on the head, very fine and spare on the abdomen; head moderate, the eyes at barely their own length from the base, the carinæ wholly wanting; antennæ thick but only feebly incrassate, the outer joints distinctly transverse, the eleventh rather longer than the two preceding, the second and third equal; prothorax convex, rather strongly transverse, much wider than the head and distinctly narrower than the elytra, the sides parallel, subevenly rounded, the basal angles distinct and only slightly blunt; surface unimpressed; elytra parallel, much wider than long, much longer ​than the prothorax; abdomen perfectly parallel, much narrower than the elytra, the first three tergites strongly impressed, the sixth (♂) broadly lobed at apex, the lobe arcuato-truncate, with a faint median projection, the apex at each side of the base of the lobe feebly concave; mesosternal process rather broad and truncate at apex, extending to the middle of the separated coxæ and considerably distant from the apex of the elongate metasternal projection, which has its apex rounded; hind tarsi rather short, the first four joints equal. Length 2.2 mm.; width 0.6 mm. Ohio (Cincinnati),—Dury.
This remarkable species can be known at once by the elytra of the male, each having a distinct umboniform tubercle just before the middle and at inner third; the absence of cephalic carinæ and rather wide truncate mesosternal process are also conspicuous distinctive characters.
* Atheta nevadensis n. sp.—Elongate, very moderately convex, polished throughout, the micro-reticulation obsolescent; color piceo-testaceous, the head and abdomen blackish; legs pale, the antennæ dark brown throughout; vestiture rather short and not at all dense; head orbicular, the eyes at rather more than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine and not extending before the middle; antennæ gradually thick and very strongly incrassate, the outer joints slightly transverse; the eleventh rather longer than the two preceding, the second and third equal; prothorax moderately transverse, much wider than the head and correspondingly narrower than the elytra, parallel and strongly rounded at the sides, very finely, sparsely punctulate, the basal impression somewhat rounded, very feeble; elytra but slightly transverse, very much longer as well as wider than the prothorax, minutely, not densely punctulate; abdomen parallel, slightly narrower than the elytra, sparsely, very finely punctulate, the fifth tergite very slightly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) truncate and very finely and feebly crenulate at tip; mesosternal process extending beyond the middle of the slightly separated coxæ, the apex attenuate and very finely aciculate, separated from the very short and broadly rounded metasternum by a long depressed smooth ridge; posterior tarsi rather long, the first four joints equal. Length 3.2 mm.; width 0.73 mm. Nevada (Reno).
The elongate form, shining integuments, rather small and transversely oval prothorax, feeble male sexual characters, thick and incrassate antennæ and sternal structure will render the identification of this species comparatively easy.
The following thirteen species are small forms, apparently inhabiting fungi, having pale elytra and legs, the abdomen more of less evidently paler basally, the antennæ moderately stout and subparallel except basally, or, at most, very moderately incrassate, and with the sixth tergite of the male auriculate at the sides of the apex, with the intervening edge in no case crenulate. These are ​only a small proportion of the very confusing host of such species inhabiting various species of fungi:
* Atheta rhodeana n. sp.—Moderately slender and convex, slightly, the abdomen strongly, shining, finely, closely subgranularly punctate, the abdomen minutely and sparsely; vestiture short; color piceous-black, the elytra and legs pale brownish-flavate, the abdomen at top and broadly toward base rufescent; antennæ fuscous, paler basally; head as usual, transverse, parallel, with broadly rounded angles, the eyes at about their own length from the base; carinæ very fine and feeble but entire; antennæ well developed, the outer joints slightly wider than long, the second slightly shorter than the third; prothorax moderately transverse, parallel, evenly rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and evidently narrower than the elytra, scarcely modified medially; elytra large, but slightly transverse, parallel, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen distinctly narrower than the elytra, parallel, the fifth tergite very little longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) sinuato-truncate at apex, with the large auricular sides more rounded and reflexed externally, sterna nearly similar, the hind tarsi with the first joint very much shorter than the second. Length 2.5 mm.; width 0.65 mm. Rhode Island (Boston Neck).
The auriculæ of the sixth male tergite are rather better developed in this species than in any of the following:
* Atheta capella n. sp.—Much stouter than the preceding and paler in color, the darker parts not black but dark piceous-brown, the punctuation rather less dense and finer, the pubescence less abundant and longer; head smaller, the eyes larger, at barely two-thirds their length from the base, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ rather long, the outer joints slightly wider than long, the second much shorter than the third; prothorax much larger, fully as wide as the elytra, nearly one-half wider than the head, the sides rounded, notably arcuato-convergent anteriorly, nearly one-half wider than long; elytra moderately transverse, the suture not greatly though distinctly longer than the prothorax; abdomen much narrower than the elytra, parallel though narrowing slightly apically, the fifth tergite slightly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) sinuato-truncate at apex, with the large auricular sides more rounded and reflexed externally; sterna nearly similar, the hind tarsi with the first joint very much shorter than the second. Length 2.5 mm.; width 0.65 mm. Rhode Island (Boston Neck).
Very distinct from the last in its larger and more anteriorly narrowed prothorax, larger eyes and less parallel abdomen.
* Atheta comitata n. sp.—Much smaller, more slender and parallel, rather strongly shining, nearly similar in coloration and sculpture, the vestiture shorter especially on the abdomen, nearly as in rhodeana; head relatively larger, the eyes somewhat prominent, very well developed, at much less ​than their own length from the base, the carinæ very fine, subentire, antennæ shorter, the outer joints more strongly transverse, the second and third subequal; prothorax strongly transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, very nearly as wide as the elytra, much wider than the head; elytra moderately transverse, much longer than the prothorax, abdomen evidently narrower than the elytra, parallel though, as frequently the case, apparently narrowing a little toward apex because of the narrowing of the side margins; sixth tergite (♂) more broadly truncate than in the two preceding, feebly sinuate toward the middle, the lateral auriculæ much reduced, narrow, parallel externally; sterna similar; basal joint of the hind tarsi but little shorter than the second. Length 2.2 mm.; width 0.56 mm. Rhode Island (Boston Neck).
* Atheta ducens n. sp.—Elongate, parallel; coloration nearly as in rhodeana, alutaceous, the fine subgranular punctuation close, the abdomen more minutely, very sparsely punctulate and shining; head small, the eyes prominent, at much less than their own length from the base, the sides behind the arcuate and rapidly converging, the carinæ fine, subentire; antennæ moderate, the outer joints distinctly transverse, the second much shorter than the third; prothorax only about a third wider than long, much wider than the head and slightly though evidently narrower than the elytra, the parallel sides much more feebly arcuate than in any of the preceding; elytra slightly transverse, distinctly longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, much narrower than the elytra, the sixth tergite (♂) trapezoidal, formed nearly as in rhodeana, the truncate apex feebly sinuate, the edge even, the adjoining surface feebly and broadly corrugated, the auriculæ slightly more posterior than the median part, short, rounded, inclined upward externally and rather thick; sterna as in the preceding species. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.6 mm. New York. (Catskill Mts.).
Distinguishable by its less transverse prothorax, with the parallel sides very feebly arcuate.
* Atheta gnoma n. sp.—Moderately stout, parallel; coloration as usual, the dark parts blackish-piceous; surface rather strongly shining, the minute granuliform punctures moderately close-set; head well developed, larger than usual, the eyes at less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine but entire; antennæ moderately stout, the outer joints distinctly transverse, the second and third shorter than usual, equal in length, the former cylindric, the latter obconic; prothorax short, very transverse, distinctly wider than the head but only just visibly narrower than the elytra, subparallel, with moderately rounded sides, the median line very feebly impressed; elytra distinctly transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen as usual, the sixth tergite (♂) trapezoidal, truncate, the truncature gradually evenly though feebly sinuate in median half, the adjoining surface even, with a transverse series of asperate punctures, the auriculæ parallel, rather narrow, nearly straight and abruptly reflexed externally, narrowly rounded at apex but not posteriorly prominent; sterna as usual, the short basal joint of the hind tarsi not as long as the second. Length 2.2-2.5 mm.; width 0.48-0.58 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
* Atheta elota n. sp.—Small, barely convex, somewhat shining, the abdomen strongly so, pale piceo-rufous, the elytra albido-flavate, the abdomen clouded subapically; antennæ brown, testaceous basally; punctuation very fine, close, scarcely at all rough; head transversely orbicular, the eyes well developed, at much less than their own length from the base, the carinæ distinct, entire; antennæ notably short, stout, slender basally, joints five to ten strongly transverse, second and third as in gnoma; prothorax rather flat, strongly transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, not much wider than the head and only slightly narrower than the elytra, not impressed; elytra moderately transverse, much longer then the prothorax; abdomen parallel, narrower than the elytra, the fifth tergite very distinctly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) truncate, the truncature feebly sinuate medially, the edge thin and even, the adjoining surface transversely even to the lateral carinæ, which are straight and fine, with no appearance of auriculiform process; sterna as usual in this group, the hind tarsi with the first four joints equal, the first not evidently shorter then the second. Length 2.2 mm.; width 0.55 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
Distinguishable by its small size, rather flat surface, pale coloration, short antennæ with strongly transverse joints and by the male sexual characters.
* Atheta insidiosa n. sp.—Parallel, rather depressed above, moderately shining, except the abdomen which, as usual, is strongly shining and minutely, sparsely punctulate, the punctures elsewhere very fine, rather close but not strongly asperate; vestiture very short, not conspicuous; coloration as in the preceding species, the dark areas piceous and not black; head well developed, transverse, the eyes rather prominent, at much less than their own length from the base, the carinæ entire; antennæ as in elota, the second and third joints similar though a little longer, five to ten distinctly though not quite so strongly transverse; prothorax similar; elytra a little more transverse, more evidently wider and very much longer than the prothorax; abdomen nearly similar, except that the sixth tergite (♂) is broadly sinuato-truncate, the short straight fine carinæ limiting the apical surface laterally a little stronger and gradually sensibly reflexed, and the edge has, medially, two very feeble rounded subtumid lobes, mutually separated by one-half more than either from the rounded side angles of the apex; sterna as usual in this group, except that the mesosternal process is less acutely acicular. Length 2.6 mm.; width 0.63 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
Closely allied to elota but larger, stouter, with slightly less abbreviated antennæ, more prominent tempora and differently de​veloped sexual characters of the sixth tergite, though these are evidently of the same order.
* Atheta dama n. sp.—Rather more slender and convex, piceous-black, the abdomen only paler basally in apical half of the first three segments; antennæ dark, the basal joint pale; elytra dark piceo-testaceous, the legs pale; integuments feebly shining, finely, asperulately and closely punctate, the abdomen polished; head moderate, the eyes at a little less than their own length from the base, the tempora rather prominent; carinæ fine but entire; antennæ moderately long and stout, the second and third joints equal, each as long as the fourth and fifth combined, the outer joints only moderately transverse; prothorax but slightly transverse, barely a third wider than long, much wider than the head and rather evidently narrower than the elytra, parallel, the sides only moderately rounded; elytra wider than long, much narrower then the elytra, the sixth tergite (♂) truncate broadly at apex and wholly unmodified, except a very small rounded angulation at each side; sterna as usual in this group, the metasternum a little shorter and more broadly angulate; basal joint of the hind tarsi shorter than the second. Length 2.3 mm.; width 0.5 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
Readily distinguishable from either of the preceding by its narrower and much less transverse prothorax, longer antennæ and still more feeble sexual characters.
* Atheta temperans n. sp.—Coloration, sculpture and lustre nearly as in the preceding but very much larger and stouter, the elytra and legs pale brownish-testaceous; vestiture rather longer and coarser; head nearly as in dama, the carinæ very fine and feeble but entire, the antennæ still longer, rather stout, the second and third joints much elongated and feebly obconical, the second slightly the shorter, the tenth but just visibly wider than long; prothorax larger, parallel and more strongly rounded at the sides, two-fifths wider than long, very much wider than the head but only very little narrower than the elytra, the latter less abbreviated though distinctly wider than long, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen thicker, parallel, slightly narrower than the elytra, the fifth tergite less evidently or scarcely longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) broadly truncate and perfectly even at apex, limited at each side by a very minute right angle having its external side just visibly cariniform; basal joint of the hind tarsi much shorter than the second. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.66 mm. District of Columbia.
In this species the male sexual characters are also very feeble, but it may not be known at once from dama by its much stouter form, larger and more transverse prothorax and longer antennæ.
* Atheta tractabilis n. sp.—Rather stout, moderately convex, rufo-piceous, the elytra and legs more flavate, the abdomen paler basally, the basal antennal joints also pale; lustre rather shining, the punctures minute, not dense, larger and slightly asperulate in the elytra; head transversely orbicular, the eyes at much less than their own length from the base, the car​inæ very fine and feeble and not entire; antennæ well developed, strongly incrassate distally, the outer joints strongly transverse, the second evidently longer than the third; prothorax strongly transverse, nearly as wide as the elytra, very much wider than the head, parallel and strongly rounded at the sides; elytra moderately transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen much narrower than the elytra, parallel, the sixth tergite (♂) differing much from any of the nine preceding, being rapidly trapezoidal, with the apex rather narrow, transversely truncate medially between the sides, which are slightly produced posteriorly in relatively wide, flat, lobiform extensions, obliquely rounded at the sides but not carinate or thickened; sterna as in the preceding species, except that the metasternal angle is rounded at tip; basal joint of the hind tarsi evidently shorter than the second. Length 2.25 mm.; width 0.62 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
The sexual characters of the male, abbreviated cephalic carinæ and antennal characters will distinguish this species at once among its fellows. In the type the head between the eyes has a large rounded concavity, rather abruptly limited, and so regular that it may be a normal character, especially as the specimen is mature and with hard integuments.
The three following species have male sexual characters very much as in tractabilis and also apparently somewhat as in truncativentris and occidentalis, of Bernhauer.
* Atheta ordinata n. sp.—Slender, moderately convex, dark piceous, the head blackish, the elytra pale castaneous-brown, the legs pale flavate; abdomen black, feebly rufescent basally, moderately shining, strongly micro-reticulate throughout, the punctures minute, rather sparse, close and asperulate on the elytra; head small, but little wider than long, the eyes at nearly their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, feeble, extending only slightly beyond the middle; antennæ blackish, pale basally, moderately short, gradually and rather strongly incrassate, the outer joints strongly transverse, the last rapidly, obtusely pointed, as long as the two preceding, the second moderately elongate and subcylindric, the third a little shorter, constricted basally; prothorax but slightly transverse, parallel, evenly and strongly arcuate at the sides, feebly and finely impressed along the median line basally and with a feeble transverse basal impression, much wider than the head and very little narrower than the elytra, the fourth and fifth tergites equal, the sixth (♂) rather narrow apically and broadly sinuate between the rounded flattened lateral lobes, the outer sides of which are extended anteriorly for a short distance, the surface very strongly reticulate; mesosternal process extending to apical third of the coxæ, becoming gradually finely aciculate, moderately separated from the acutely angulate projecting metasternum, the intervening space much depressed; hidn tarsi rather long and slender, the basal joint shorter than the second. Length 2.3 mm.; width 0.45 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
* Atheta civica n. sp.—Rather stout, dark piceous, the abdomen deep black, the elytra rather pale piceous-brown, the legs pale, the antennæ dark, pale basally; surface slightly shining but with the punctures fine, close and asperulate, sparse and simple as usual on the abdomen; vestiture abundant but very short; head transverse, well developed, the eyes large, prominent, at but a little more than half their length from the base, the carinæ fine and not quite entire; antennæ moderately stout and incrassate, the outer joints rather strongly transverse, the second and third elongate, obconic and equal in length, the eleventh longer than the two preceding; prothorax strongly transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, distinctly wider than the head and evidently narrower than the elytra, the latter large, wider than long, very much longer than the prothorax; abdomen narrower than the elytra, parallel, the border diminishing apically, the fourth and fifth tergites equal, the sixth (♂) moderately narrowed and flattened apically, having at each side a large flat, posteriorly projecting lobe, the outside of which is broadly angulate; between the lobes the edge is transverse, with a minute median tooth, the surface not much modified; sterna as in tractabilis and other preceding species but with the mesosternal process becoming parallel and narrow though not aciculate; basal joint of the hind tarsi much shorter than the second. Length 2.5 mm.; width 0.72 mm. California (Monterey).
A rather stout species with distinct structural characters and sexual modifications of the male; it is probably allied to truncativentris Bernh.
* Atheta nexa n. sp.—Moderately stout, rufo-piceous, the head darker, the elytra paler; abdomen testaceous, with a large blackish cloud not extending to the tip; antennal base and legs pale; surface slightly shining, the punctures fine, close and asperate, strongly so on the elytra; head well developed, only moderately transverse, the eyes prominent and at nearly their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ moderately incrassate, not very short, the outer joints moderately transverse, the second and third elongate and equal; prothorax only moderately transverse, distinctly wider than the head and correspondingly narrower than the elytra, parallel, with the sides moderately arcuate, the ante-scutellar impression rather diffuse; elytra moderately transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, narrower than the elytra, the fifth tergite (♂) not quite so long as the fourth and with well separated irregular longitudinal carinules throughout and a feebly convex median rounded spot before the apex, the sixth rather narrowed apically, flat, with fine longitudinal rugulose folds, the apex broadly sinuate between the slightly projecting lateral lobes, which are bounded externally by thickened and posteriorly diverging margins; at the middle of the apical sinus there is a very small and feeble projection; sterna as usual, the process aciculate, the basal joint of the hind tarsi shorter ​than the second. Length 2.0 mm.; width 0.53 mm. Pennsylvania (Philadelphia).
Readily distinguishable by the male sexual characters, strongly asperate sculpture and well marked coloration.
The following nine species can be recognized by individual peculiarities of sculpture, coloration or male sexual characters; they all belong to typical Atheta, but in no case is the sixth tergite clearly crenulate at apex in the male, so far as known.
* Atheta strigulosa n. sp.—Large, rather stout, moderately convex, feebly shining, the abdomen polished as usual but with extremely fine, feeble and extremely close transverse strigulation; punctures fine, close and asperate; color brownish-piceous, the head and abdomen nearly black, the elytra and legs pale brown; antennæ pale basally; head rather small, the eyes at evidently less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ moderately long, only feebly incrassate, the second and third joints long and equal, the tenth but slightly transverse; prothorax rather transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, not large, much wider than the head but also very distinctly narrower than the elytra, with a small deep basal impression; elytra large, rather transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, much narrower than the elytra, the fourth and fifth tergites equal in length; sterna as usual, the mesosternum prolonged and finely aciculate, the metasternum projecting and angulate; basal joint of the hind tarsi scarcely more than half as long as the second. Length 3.5 mm.; width 0.8 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
I have described this species from the female because of its very distinct abdominal sculpture, distinguishing it from any other species of true Atheta here made known; also because of its large size and other striking characters. The male is unknown.
* Atheta remulsa n. sp.—Moderately convex, subparallel, slightly shining, minutely, asperulately punctate, loosely on the head and pronotum, closely on the elytra; color dark piceous, the head darker, the abdomen black, the elytra and legs pale; head moderate, with a small central fovea, the eyes moderately prominent, at about their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ rather short, gradually distinctly incrassate, the second and third joints equal in length, cylindric and obconic respectively, the outer joints rather strongly transverse; prothorax transverse, parallel, rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and distinctly narrower than the elytra, feebly and finely impressed along the median line; elytra distinctly wider than long, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, distinctly narrower than the elytra, the fourth and fifth tergites equal in length, the sixth (♂) with an acute and nearly flat tooth projecting posteriorly at each side, the apex broadly sinuate medially between two feeble projections, each of which is separated from the lateral teeth by a deep and narrow sinus, the edges even; sterna as usual, the mesosternum not very acutely ​aciculate, the metasternum rather broad, angulate; first four joints of the hind tarsi equal. Length 2.0 mm.; width 0.45 mm. British Columbia (Glenora),—Wickham.
Distinct in its male sexual characters but otherwise of ordinary appearance and small size.
* Atheta dunni n. sp.—Moderately stout and convex, strongly shining throughout, the punctures minute, sparse, not asperulate, slightly closer but scarcely at all asperulate on the elytra; color black, the elytra dark piceo-testaceous, the legs dark piceous, the antennæ blackish throughout; head small, orbicular, even, the punctures becoming granose on the flanks, the eyes moderate, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ rather slender, moderately incrassate, the outer joints distinctly transverse, the second distinctly shorter than the third; prothorax rather small, transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and much narrower than the elytra, not deep black in color; elytra rather transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen very distinctly narrower than the elytra, parallel, very slightly narrowed apically, the fifth tergite longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) broadly truncate and nearly even at apex, the truncate part separated from a very small acute process at each side, not projecting posteriorly further than the truncature, by a small deep sinus; mesosternal process obtuse and subtruncate at tip, moderately wide, not drawn out and aciculate, the metasternal broad but acutely angulate, the intervening space much depressed; basal joint of the hind tarsi apparently longer than the second. Length 2.85 mm.; width 0.65 mm. Southern California (probably near Julian),—Dunn.
Easily identifiable by the sternal structure, which is somewhat aberrant for true Atheta and by the seemingly somewhat elongate basal joint of the hind tarsi.
* Atheta claricella n. sp.—Rather stout, moderately convex, shining, very minutely and not distinctly punctulate, the abdomen finely, feebly and transversely strigilate but not very closely; color pale rufo-testaceous throughout, the abdomen with a more or less small blackish subapical cloud, the antennæ pale brown, testaceous basally; head moderate, the eyes rather prominent, at nearly their own length from the base, the carinæ extremely fine and feeble, far from entire; antennæ moderate in length, very stout and incrassate distally, the second joint somewhat shorter than the third, the outer joints transverse and nearly parallel-sided; prothorax transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and evidently narrower than the elytra, the latter large, moderately transverse, the sides diverging from base to apex, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen rather wide but narrower than the elytra, the fifth tergite longer than the fourth; mesosternal process rather obtuse, truncate and not aciculate at tip, the metasternal moderately projecting and angulate, the intermediate space broadly convex and scarcely at all depressed. Length 2.25 mm.; width 0.72 mm. California (San Diego).
* Atheta brumalis n. sp.—Stout, not parallel, moderately convex, somewhat shining, the abdomen polished, the punctures fine, asperate and close-set; color black or blackish, the elytra dark piceo-luteous, the legs pale, the antennæ black, piceous basally; head moderately small, the eyes at nearly their own length from the base, the carinæ very fine, not quite entire; antennæ long, rather stout but subparallel, the outer joints moderately transverse, the second a little shorter than the third; prothorax rather small, transverse, parallel but only very moderately rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and correspondingly markedly narrower than the elytra, the latter larger, only moderately transverse, very much longer as well as wider than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, slightly narrowing apically, much narrower than the elytra, the fifth tergite barely as long as the fourth, the sixth (♂) with a small and narrow, internally concave auricula at each side, projecting behind very slightly, the apex between them broadly, evenly and very feebly sinuate throughout the width and scarcely at all modified; mesosternal process projecting rather unusually far between the coxæ and drawn out but not very finely aiculate at tip, approaching the triangular metasternal projection rather closely. Length 2.8 mm.; width 0.77 mm. British Columbia (Metlakatla),—J. H. Keen.
The sexual characters seem to distinguish this species from the very inadequately described metlakatlana, of Bernhauer.
* Atheta carlottae n. sp.—Resembles the last very closely but with a larger prothorax and tapering abdomen, stout, subfusoid, similar in coloration, the fine speculate sculpture denser, the lustre duller; head moderate, the eyes at evidently less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine but virtually entire; antennæ a little longer, moderately stout, the second joint distinctly shorter than the third, which is notably larger than in brumalis, the outer joints but slightly transverse; prothorax moderately transverse, parallel, more rounded at the sides, much wider than the head but only a little narrower than the base of the elytra, the latter larger, moderately transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen gradually feebly tapering and with nearly straight sides from base to apex, at base much narrower than the elytra, the fourth and fifth tergites equal in length, the sixth (♂) with a small narrow auricle at each side of the apex, scarcely at all projecting posteriorly, the apex broadly and feebly emarginate from side to side in an even and very obtuse angle, the edge nearly even but the adjoining surface feebly and briefly fluted, giving a slight appearance of crenulation; sterna nearly as in brumalis but with the metasternum rather shorter and more obtusely angulate; basal joint of the hind tarsi a little shorter than the second. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.8 mm. Queen Charlotte Islands (Massett),—Keen.
Distinguishable from brumalis, to which it is rather closely allied, by the more elongate antennæ, larger and more laterally rounded prothorax, tapering abdomen and sexual, and, to some extent, the sternal characters.
* Atheta blandita n. sp.—Moderately stout and convex, not parallel, shining, ​piceous, the elytra slightly paler, the head and abdomen black; legs very pale, the antennæ fuscous, but slightly paler basally; punctures small but distinct, well separated dense on the elytra; head but slightly transverse, the eyes at about their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, only present in basal half; antenæ rather long, gradually somewhat strongly incrassate distally, the outer joints but little wider than long, the eleventh small, pointed, not quite as long as the two preceding, the second and third much elongated; prothorax rather small, only moderately transverse, distinctly wider than the head and correspondingly narrower than the elytra, the sides broadly rounded, straighter basally, unimpressed; elytra moderately transverse, the sides diverging slightly, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, slightly narrower than the elytra, the fifth tergite but little longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) broadly, rectilinearly truncate at apex, the edge flat but with small punctures dividing it into short sections, somewhat resembling crenulation; mesosternum extending to the middle of the coxæ, where it is acutely angulate but not aciculate, very widely separated by a depressed and narrowly convex ridge from the extremely short and broadly rounded metasternum; first four joints of the hind tarsi decreasing gradually in length. Length 2.8 mm.; width 0.66 mm. California (found flying near Stockton).
The sternal and tarsal characters will distinguish this species very readily.
* Atheta aperta n. sp.—Rather stout, very moderately convex, not very shining, the punctures asperulate and close black, the pronotum dark piceous, the elytra paler, piceous-brown, faintly clouded at the external apical angles; legs pale, the antennæ blackish; head rather transverse, the eyes large, convex, at much less than their own length from the base, the carinæ very fine and feeble but entire; antennæ moderately long, feebly incrassate, the outer joints distinctly wider than long, the second distinctly shorter than the third; prothorax transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and distinctly narrower than the elytra, parallel, very feebly narrowed apically, the fourth and fifth tergites equal in length, the sixth (♂) feebly sinuato-truncate at apex, the edge subeven, limited at each side by a small thick carlike process, only very slightly projecting posteriorly; mesosternal process aciculate, the metasternal large, angulate; basal joint of the hind tarsi shorter than the second. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.7 mm. California (Arcata, Humboldt Co.).
This species is of an ordinary type but may be identified probably by the above characters.
* Atheta discipula n. sp.—Nearly parallel, only slightly convex, dark blackish-piceous, the prothorax paler, the elytra still paler, the abdominal segments each paler apically, the legs very pale; antennæ dark brown; punctures very fine and close-set; head moderate, the eyes convex and prominent, at much less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine and not quite entire; antennæ well developed, rather slender, only just visibly incrassate ​distally, the outer joints rather transverse, the eleventh long, obtuse at tip, longer than the two preceding, the second longer than the third, which is obconic and only slightly elongate; prothorax evidently though not very greatly wider than the head and correspondingly a little narrower than the elytra, moderately transverse, parallel, moderately rounded at the sides anteriorly, a little less so basally, feebly impressed along the median line; elytra distinctly transverse though much longer than the prothorax; abdomen perfectly parallel and straight at the sides throughout, narrower than the elytra, the fifth tergite much longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) broadly, subangularly sinuate at apex, the edge even, the adjacent surface however with a series of small elevations separated by small punctures, the sides obliquely cariniform and elevated, the carina not posteriorly prominent though acute-angled; surface evenly and transversely convex from side to side, strongly reticulate; mesosternal process long and rather broad, truncate at tip and separated by but little more than its own apical width from the metasternal projection, which is nearly as long as wide, with the apex rounded; basal joint of the hind tarsi but little shorter than the second. Length 2.3 mm.; width 0.48 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
The broad sterna and the structure of the antennæ, as well as the male sexual characters, show that this small species is not closely allied to any other here described.
The following six species are distinguished in each instance by some remarkable peculiarity of the male sexual characters, which will be readily recognized.
* Atheta marinica n. sp.—Small, rather slender, moderately convex, black, the prothorax blackish, the elytra pale piceous-brown, clouded apico-externally; legs very pale, the antennæ brown, pale basally; surface finely punctate, the punctures sparse and simple on the head, close and strongly asperate on the pronotum and elytra; head but little wider than long, the eyes convex, at less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine and far from entire; antennæ rather short, rapidly and strongly incrassate, the outer joints strongly transverse, the second and third equal, moderately elongate and obconical; prothorax moderately transverse, only slightly wider than long, very much longer as well as wider than the prothorax; abdomen polished, minutely, sparsely punctulate, much narrower than the elytra, parallel, the border rapidly thinner behind, the fourth and fifth tergites equal, the sixth (♂) transversely truncate at tip, the truncature bearing four short stout teeth of equal length, the two median, rounded and tuberculiform, separated by nearly twice the more concave interval between either and the lateral, the latter more angulate but not more prominent; mesosternal process moderate in length and acuteness, separated from the long and sharply angulate metasternum by a short though very deep interval; hind tarsi with the first joint subcylindric and slightly shorter than the second, two to four equal and obconic. Length 2.4 mm.; width 0.5 mm. California (Mill Valley, Marin Co.).
* Atheta reposita n. sp.—Stout, fusoid, very moderately convex, feebly shining, the abdomen strongly so and strongly and transversely though not very closely strigulate; punctures throughout anteriorly fine, asperulate and close-set; color dark piceous, the head and abdomen black, the elytra paler; legs pale, the antennæ dark; head transverse, the eyes rather convex, at a little less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine but distinct and entire; antennæ moderately long, slender, feebly and gradually incrassate, the outer joints but little wider than long, the second and third long and equal; prothorax relatively rather small, very moderately transverse, parallel, evenly and strongly arcuate at all sides, much wider than the head and correspondingly much narrower than the elytra, finely, feebly impressed along the median line; elytra large, with somewhat diverging straight sides, rather transverse, very much longer as well as wider than the prothorax; abdomen gradually tapering with straight sides from base to apex, much narrower than the elytra, unusually closely but very finely punctulate, the fifth tergite scarcely longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) with a slender porrect process at each side of the apex, and, at the middle, two more obtuse and subtuberculiform shorter teeth, separated by a gentle sinus and mutually slightly more distant than either from the lateral processes, their apices in the same transverse line as the latter; mesosternal process extending to apical fourth of the coxæ, gradually prolonged but rather wide apically, its apex narrowly rounded or subacute, rather well separated from the very short and broadly, obtusely angulate metasternum; hind tarsi long, the basal joint shorter than the second. Length 2.6 mm.; width 0.75 mm. Utah (southwestern),—Weidt.
The general form of this species is not unlike carlottæ, but with very different male sexual characters and conformation of the sterna.
* Atheta ostenta n. sp.—Allied to the last but less stout and rather less shining, the similarly asperulate punctures even denser, the abdomen nearly similar in sculpture and punctuation; color black, the elytra pale, the legs still paler but with piceous femora, the antennæ dark; head similar, the eyes slightly smaller, at about their own length from the base, the carinæ distinct and entire; antennæ nearly similar but with the equal second and third joints rather shorter and the outer joints more transverse; prothorax similar but relatively larger, the elytra smaller, the former moderately transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, much wider than the head, not impressed on the median line but feebly before the scutellum; elytra moderately transverse, more parallel, much wider as well as longer than the prothorax; abdomen much narrower than the elytra, parallel, narrowing slightly apically, the fifth tergite slightly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) with a smaller, correct and acutely aciculate process at each side of the apex and two very short obtuse median projections, the disposition of the four ​teeth nearly as in reposita but differing in character, the two lateral being smaller and more slender and all the projections flat, not tuberculiform; mesosternal process aciculate, not so long as in the preceding, separated from the more angulate metasternum by a longer distance; tarsi similar. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.62 mm. Arizona (Tuçson).
Resembles reposita a good deal, but more slender and with differences as noted in the description. It is probable that all the species of this type are stercoraceous in habits.
* Atheta querula n. sp.—Allied to the two preceding, stouter than in ostenta, moderately convex, similar in coloration, rather dull, densely, finely and asperulately punctate, the abdomen shining, similarly strigulate; head similar, the eyes convex, at about their own length from the base, the carinæ fine but distinct, similarly virtually entire though not actually joining the margin of the buccal cavity; antennæ similar, blackish throughout, rather thick, moderately incrassate, the second and third joints equal, moderately elongate, the outer joints distinctly transverse; prothorax large, rather strongly transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, obsoletely impressed medially at base, much wider than the head but only slightly narrower than the elytra, which are wider than long, nearly parallel and much longer than the prothorax; abdomen but little narrower than the elytra, parallel basally, gradually narrowing slightly behind the middle, the fourth and fifth tergites equal in length, the sixth (♂) with a slender and well developed process at each side of the apex, and, at the middle, two small, somewhat reflexed and strongly tuberculiform teeth, separated by about the same interval as either from the lateral processes; sterna and tarsi almost exactly as in reposita. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.75 mm. California (Calaveras Co.).
Differs from ostenta in its stouter form and, from reposita, in its more parallel form, relatively larger prothorax and less evenly tapering abdomen.
In the two following species the male sexual characters are altogether peculiar:
* Atheta promota n. sp.—Rather stout, subparallel, moderately convex, blackish-piceous, the elytra but little paler, the legs and antennal base pale; surface rather shining, minutely, not very closely and almost simply punctulate, except on the elytra, where the punctures are close-set and strongly asperate; head moderately transverse, the eyes rather large, convex, at evidently less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ rather short, somewhat strongly incrassate distally, the second and third joints elongate, equal and obconic, the outer joints very distinctly transverse; prothorax large, transverse, parallel and well rounded at the sides, much wider than the head but only slightly narrower than the elytra, finely, feebly impressed along the median line and with a feeble ante-scutellar impression; elytra moderately transverse, with straight and rather diverging sides, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, evidently narrower than the elytra, slightly narrowed apically, the tergites equal in length ​the sixth (♂) very broad at apex, sinuate at each side within a slender porrect acute process, the middle between the sinuses projecting posteriorly in a large lobe, parallel basally, which has its angles very broadly rounded, with acute, and slightly reflexed edges and the apex sinuate medially; mesosternum rather broad between the coxæ, extending beyond their middle, with its apex rapidly acute but not aciculate and separated from the metasternal projection, which is nearly twice as wide as long with the apex of its angle rounded, by a moderately long and very deep concavity; first four joints of the hind tarsi equal, only moderately elongate. Length 2.6 mm.; width 0.7 mm. Mississippi (Vicksburg).
A very distinct species in all of its characters, but especially in the sexual modifications of the male.
* Atheta prolata n. sp.—Moderately slender and convex, subparallel, rather dull, minutely, closely, asperulately punctulate, the abdomen shining; color black, the prothorax dark piceous, the elytra paler, the legs still paler, the antennæ blackish, slightly paler basally; head moderately transverse, the eyes large, convex and prominent, at much less than their own length from the base, the carinæ very fine and faint but subentire; antennæ rather short, gradually rather thick distally, the second and third joints moderately elongate, equal in length, the latter much more strongly obconical, the outer joints strongly transverse, the eleventh finely pointed, evidently longer than the two preceding; prothorax moderate in size, rather strongly transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, much narrower than the elytra, the tergites equal in length, the sixth (♂) broad at base but very rapidly trapezoidal, apparently without a trace of lateral processes, the apex comparatively narrow, transversely and gently bisinuate, the lateral angles broadly rounded, the surface not peculiarly modified, flat; mesosternal process extending to apical third of the coxæ, its apex drawn out but only moderately slender, the point blunt, separated from the triangular metasternum by a rather short depressed interval; tarsal joints rather short. Length 2.4 mm.; width 0.6 mm. California (mountains near Claremont),—Baker.
The male sexual characters are unlike anything else that I have observed in the genus.
The following seven species are described in some cases from the female, or perhaps from males without distinguishing abdominal characters, but in every instance there are structural features which will render them easy to identify and they are all widely isolated.
* Atheta mollicula n. sp.—Moderately stout and convex, shining, pale testaceous, the head and a large subapical abdominal cloud black, the elytra blackish extero-posteriorly; antennæ blackish, basally pale, the legs very pale; micro-reticulation unusually coarse but very feeble, the punctures minute and rather sparse; head moderate, the eyes at more than their own length from the base, strongly setose, the carinæ fine but distinct, ​not quite entire; antennæ rather short, strongly incrassate, the outer joints strongly transverse, the second and third equal, cylindric and obconic respectively; prothorax well developed, transverse, parallel and rounded at the sides, very much wider than the head and almost as wide as the elytra, the latter transverse, the suture only a little longer than the prothorax; abdomen parallel, narrowing a little behind, almost as wide as the elytra, the second and third segments equal in length, the sixth tergite (♂) evenly and moderately sinuate at tip, the sixth ventral plate narrow, strongly rounded in the male, both plates broader and broadly rounded in the female; mesosternal process extending nearly to apical fifth of the coxæ, becoming parallel and moderately narrow apically, the tip rounded and not far distant from the broad angulate metasternum; basal joint of the hind tarsi much shorter than the second. Length 2.3 mm.; width 0.55-0.58 mm. British Columbia (Metlakatla),—Keen.
The female has the elytra slightly shorter and still more transverse, with the apical plates of the abdomen very much wider; it is probably a fungivorous species.
* Atheta neutralis n. sp.—Rather stout, moderately convex, black, the elytra and legs castaneous, the femora picescent, the antennæ blackish throughout; surface dullish, finely, closely, asperulately punctate, the abdomen shining, sparsely punctulate and with rather long hairs, the vestiture otherwise short as usual; head rather small, moderately transverse, parallel, the eyes at about their own length from the base, the carinæ distinct, almost entire; antennæ moderately long, gradually and rather feebly incrassate, the outer joints distinctly transverse, the last longer than the two preceding, the second and third long, obconic, the latter slightly the longer; prothorax transverse, parallel but only moderately rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and slightly though evidently narrower than the elytra, scarcely at all impressed; elytra only slightly transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen distinctly narrower than the elytra, parallel, slightly narrowing apically, the fifth tergite slightly shorter than the fourth, the sixth (♂) evenly and moderately sinuate at tip; basal joint of the hind tarsi much shorter than the second; mesosternum gradually narrowed to the acutely angulate but neither aciculate nor prolonged apex, which is at apical fourth of the coxæ and very close to the long angulate metasternal projection, the angle blunt. Length 2.3 mm.; width 0.6 mm. California (Sta. Cruz Mts.).
It is assumed that the three specimens in my collection are males, though the abdominal characters are feeble, as in mollicula.
* Atheta fanatica n. sp.—Moderately stout and subfusoid, feebly shining, the punctures very small, moderately close-set and slightly asperulate; vestiture short, not very dense; black, the elytra piceo-rufous, the legs piceous; head well developed, slightly transverse, parallel, the eyes at their own length from the base, carinæ wholly obsolete, not traceable even basally; antennæ blackish throughout, moderate, gradually and not strongly incrassate, the outer joints evidently transverse, the last short, scarcely so long as the two preceding, second and third elongate, sub​cylindric and strongly obconic respectively; prothorax only moderately transverse, parallel and nearly straight at the sides, rounding apically and basally, the basal angles obtuse, distinctly though not very greatly wider than the head and correspondingly narrower than the elytra, the latter rather large, very moderately transverse, much longer as well as distinctly wider than the prothorax; abdomen evidently narrower than the elytra, parallel throughout, the sides not quite straight, the fifth tergite distinctly longer than the fourth; mesosternal process becoming fine and aciculate apically at about the middle of the coxæ and well separated from the acute apex of the rather long metasternal projection; two basal joints of the hind tarsi short and equal, the third and fourth longer and also equal. Length 2.0 mm.; width 0.52 mm. Queen Charlotte Islands (Massett),—Keen.
Very distinct by reason of the complete absence of the usual infra-lateral carinæ of the head. The sex of the types is not very definite, the sixth tergite being feebly sinuato-truncate medially, with the edge unmodified.
* Atheta luscitiosa n. sp.—Rather stout, convex and fusoid, shining, minutely punctulate, sparsely and simply so except on the elytra, where the punctures are strongly asperate and close; color dark rufo-piceous throughout, the legs and antennæ concolorous, the abdomen blackish; head transversely orbicular, the eyes at about their own length from the base, not at all prominent, the small facets convex but separated anteriorly, becoming flat and diffused posteriorly, the carinæ strong and entire; antennæ rather short and slender, feebly and gradually incrassate, the outer joints but slightly wider than long, the last slender and not as long as the two preceding, the third very moderately, elongate; prothorax convex and only moderately transverse, parallel and very moderately rounded at the sides, distinctly though not very greatly wider than the head and much narrower than the elytra, obsoletely impressed before the scutellum; elytra parallel, larger, only a little wider than long, very much longer than the prothorax; abdomen narrower than the elytra, parallel, gradually narrowing a little behind, the fifth tergite much longer than the fourth, the sixth (♀) rounded apically; mesosternal process finely aciculate apically, extending well behind the middle of the coxæ and separated from the short obtuse metasternum by a rather long depressed space; posterior tarsi long, the basal joint apparently shorter than the second. Length 2.7 mm.; width 0.77 mm. California (Lake Tahoe).
The peculiarly long second antennal joint in comparison with the much shorter third joint, in conjunction with the structure of the eyes and sterna, will render this species very easy to identify.
* Atheta innocens n. sp.—Stout, nearly parallel, moderately convex, somewhat shining, black, the prothorax barely picescent, the elytra castaneous, darker towards the scutellum, the legs pale; punctures fine, moderately separated, feebly asperulate; head rather large, transverse, parallel, the eyes well developed, rather convex, setose, at distinctly less than their own ​length from the base, the carinæ distinct, entire; antennæ blackish, paler basally, rather short, rapidly and somewhat strongly incrassate, the outer joints distinctly transverse, almost parallel-sided, the last as long as the two preceding, the second and third much elongated, equal; prothorax rather large and transverse, parallel, the sides only feebly arcuate, the apical and basal angles evident but blunt, evidently though not very greatly wider than the head and correspondingly slightly narrower than the elytra, the basal impression rather larger, transversely oval; elytra relatively moderate in size, transverse, the suture slightly longer than the prothorax; abdomen nearly as wide as the elytra, parallel, with slightly arcuate sides, extremely finely and closely but feebly and transversely strigulate, the fifth tergite shorter than the fourth, the sixth (♀) broadly, feebly arcuate apically; mesosternal process extending nearly to apical fourth of the coxæ, gradually narrowing to the acutely rounded but appreciably broad and not at all aciculate apex, which is rather distant from the short and broadly obtuse metasternum; hind tarsi rather long, the basal joint much shorter than the second, two to four gradually and slightly decreasing. Length 3.0 mm.; width 0.8 mm. Oregon (Lane Co.).
The large size, oblong, subparallel form, antennal and sternal characters are distinctive.
* Atheta nupera n. sp.—Nearly parallel, but slightly convex, slightly shining, black, the elytra castaneous, the legs pale; punctures very fine, rather close, asperulate; vestiture only moderate in length but rather coarse; head moderate, the eyes convex, at nearly their own length from the base, the carinæ extremely fine, feeble and far from entire; antennæ pale brown throughout, well developed, gradually and moderately incrassate, the outer joints slightly wider than long, the last not as long as the two preceding, the second and third moderately elongate, the former the longer; prothorax moderately transverse, distinctly wider than the head and slightly narrower than the elytra, widest at apical third, the sides rounded, straighter basally; surface not definitely impressed; elytra parallel, rather transverse, the suture distinctly longer than the prothorax; abdomen narrower than the elytra, parallel, with the sides straight, shining, the fifth tergite slightly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♀) very broadly and feebly arcuate at apex; mesosternal process extending beyond the middle of the coxæ, drawn out and transversely arcuate metasternum; hind tarsi short. Length 2.65 mm.; width 0.62 mm. New York (Willets Point, Long Island).
This species is not a perfectly typical Atheta, but to isolate it by subgeneric name would not be advisable at present.
* Atheta reticula n. sp.—Stout, moderately convex, only slightly shining, finely, the abdomen more coarsely, micro-reticulate, finely, moderately closely and asperulately punctate, the punctures of the abdomen fine and sparse but also asperulate; color dark rufo-piceous, the abdomen more blackish, the elytra but slightly paler, the legs piceous; vestiture rather coarse but not long; head moderate, the eyes convex, prominent, setose as ​usual, not very finely faceted and at less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine and feeble, extending to the apex but obsolete far before the base; antennæ rather long, slender, scarcely at all incrassate, the outer joints somewhat longer than wide, the last oval, scarcely more than one-half longer than the tenth, the second and third much elongated, equal; prothorax very moderately transverse, evidently though not greatly wider than the head and much narrower than the elytra, parallel and evenly but feebly rounded at the sides, scarcely impressed; elytra rather transverse, the suture evidently longer than the prothorax; abdomen wide, slightly narrower than the elytra, parallel, with feebly arcuate sides and thick margins, the fourth and fifth tergites equal, the sixth (♀) broadly arcuate apically; mesosternal process barely extending to the middle of the coxæ, gradually narrowed to the rather acute but in no way prolonged or aciculate apex, which is at a considerable distance from the large equilatero-triangular metasternal projection. Length 3.0 m.; width 0.83 mm. Virginia (Newport News).
The rather large size, remarkable antennæ and peculiar infralateral carinæ of the head will serve to identify this species very readily.
The following ten species have the sixth tergite of the male very obviously crenulate at apex; they are probably for the most part fungivorous in habits:
* Atheta citata n. sp.—Nearly parallel, rather slender, moderately convex and shining, the micro-reticulation fine, rather feeble except on the pronotum, where it is dense and very strong, giving a dull lustre; abdomen minutely, feebly, transversely strigilate; punctures fine, asperulate, close on the elytra; color pale testaceous, the head dark piceous, the prothorax paler piceous and the abdomen with a large blackish cloud posteriorly; head small, the eyes at nearly their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ pale brown, gradually testaceous basally, moderately short, thick, gradually incrassate, the outer joints moderately transverse, the last gradually pointed and fully as long as the two preceding, the second and third elongate, the latter very slightly the longer; prothorax large, convex, transverse, as wide as the elytra and very much wider than the head, parallel, well rounded at the sides, impressed along the median line, except toward apex, and with a very feeble oblique impression basally at each side of the middle; elytra transverse, only slightly longer than the prothorax; abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra, long, parallel, narrowing very slightly apically, the fifth tergite slightly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) broadly arcuato-truncate, the crenulures rather small and only moderately strong; mesosternal process moderate, separated from the broad but angulate metasternum by a rather long and very deep interval; hind tarsi very slender, the joints elongate, the first a little shorter than the second. Length 2.5 mm.; width 0.52 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
* Atheta nympha n. sp.—Rather slender, moderately convex, shining and somewhat feebly micro-reticulate throughout, the punctures very fine, rather close and asperulate; coloration throughout as in the preceding; head moderate, the eyes not quite their own length from the base, the carinæ all but obsolete and not entire; antennæ nearly as in citata but with the outer joints more transverse, the last larger, pointed and decidedly longer than the two preceding, the second and third moderately elongate, subsimilar; prothorax shorter, strongly transverse, not quite as wide as the elytra and very much wider than the head, shining, parallel and rounded at the sides, not impressed; elytra less transverse, very much longer than the prothorax; abdomen nearly similar, the sixth tergite (♂) broadly, feebly arcuato-truncate and evenly, rather coarsely and strongly crenulate throughout; mesosternal process extending two-thirds the length of the coxæ, rather wide, gradually and sinuously narrowed to the rounded apex, which is separated by a considerable distance from the strongly angulate metasternum, the intervening ridge not much sunken and broadly convex; hind tarsi slender, the first four joints nearly equal, the first scarcely visibly shortet. Length 2.3 mm.; width 0.48 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
Related to citata but abundantly distinct in its larger terminal joint of the antennæ, shorter, shining and unimpressed pronotum and other characters.
* Atheta discreta n. sp.—As in nympha in coloration, lustre and sculpture but a little stouter; head nearly similar but more transverse, the carinæ fine but strong and completely entire; antennæ shorter, stouter, gradually more strongly incrassate, the subapical joints very short and strongly transverse, the last large, gradually pointed, not quite as long as the three preceding combined, the second and third, respectively, rather long and cylindric, and materially shorter and strongly obconic; prothorax well developed, convex, transverse, almost as wide as the elytra and very much wider than the head, parallel and strongly rounded at the sides, with a very obsolete transverse impression before the scutellum; elytra rather large, moderately transverse, much longer than the prothorax, the sides slightly diverging from the base; abdomen very much narrower than the elytra, otherwise nearly as in the preceding, the sixth tergite (♂) rather narrow, broadly arcuate and strongly, coarsely crenulate at apex, the sixth ventral plate rather narrow and strongly, evenly rounded; mesosternal process not distinctly exposed in the single type, but separated from the acute process not distinctly exposed in the single type, but separated from the acute apex of the long and angular metasternum by a considerable space, the intervening ridge more narrowly convex than in nympha and the metasternal projection a little longer, narrower and more acute; tarsi nearly similar. Length 2.0 mm.; width 0.5 mm. New York (Catskill Mts.).
* Atheta disjuncta n. sp.—Rather stout, moderately convex, strongly shining throughout, the micro-reticulation virtually obsolete, the abdomen faintly opalescent from the minute and extremely close but faint micro-strigilation; pubescence rather long, not close; punctures minute, not close-set and feebly asperulate; color piceous-black, the prothorax dark piceous, the elytra and legs very pale; head moderate, the eyes at less than their own diameter from the base, the carinæ fine and virtually entire but not joined to the buccal margin as they are in discreta; antennæ rather long, only feebly incrassate, piceous-black, very gradually testaceous basally, the outer joints very nearly as long as wide, the lasts slender, gradually pointed, longer than the two preceding, the second and third much elongated, the latter the longer; prothorax moderately transverse, much wider than the head, not quite as wide as the elytra, parallel and evenly, rather strongly arcuate at the sides, the ante-scutellar impression small and very feeble; elytra moderately transverse, distinctly longer than the prothorax; abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra, parallel, with very slightly arcuate sides, the first five tergites short, equal in length, the sixth (♂) abruptly truncate, the truncature feebly, angularly sinuate and coarsely, strongly crenulate; mesosternal process extending fully two-thirds of the coxæ, gradually and sinuously narrowed and prolonged but appreciably wide, the apex rather acute, separated from the broadly angulate metasternum by a moderate space, which is slightly depressed and broadly, transversely convex; two basal joints of the hind tarsi short and subequal, the next two a little longer. Length 2.6 mm.; width 0.7 mm. Pennsylvania (Allegheny) and North Carolina (Asheville).
The abdomen is somewhat as in strigosula, but the species is very different in its shining surface, larger prothorax and other characters.
* Atheta annexa n. sp.—Rather stout and convex, shining, the micro-reticulation somewhat feeble, coarse on the abdomen, the punctures minute, faintly asperulate, not close except on the elytra; color black, the prothorax piceous, the abdomen at tip and the two basal segments, the elytra, legs and antennæ basally, testaceous, the elytra dark at the scutellum and each apical angle; head rather transverse, the eyes moderate, the carinæ fine, not quite entire; antennæ moderately short and stout, feebly incrassate and pale brown distally, the outer joints moderately transverse, the last much longer than the two preceding, the second and third elongate, subequal, the latter slightly the longer; prothorax transverse, about as wide as the elytral base; much wider than the head, parallel and strongly rounded at the sides, scarcely at all impressed; elytra slightly wider and much longer than the prothorax; abdomen much narrower than the elytra, parallel basally, gradually feebly narrowing thence to the tip, the fifth tergite distinctly longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) broadly and rectilinearly truncate and strongly, not very coarsely crenulate, the lateral crenelures a little longer than and dentiform; mesosternal process narrow, subacutely rounded at tip, extending well behind the middle of the coxæ and rather well separated from the angulate, rather narrow and pronounced metasternal projection. Length 2.6 mm.; width 0.65 mm. North Carolina (Asheville).
* Atheta freta n. sp.—Moderately slender and convex, feebly shining, finely micro-reticulate, the head most strongly so (♂), the abdomen faintly and irregularly, the punctures very fine and close, asperulate; color piceous-black, the prothorax but little paler, the elytra and legs moderately pale; head broadly, longitudinally and feebly impressed (♂), the eyes moderate, the carinæ fine and scarcely entire, the antennæ piceous, gradually paler basally, slender, moderate in length, feebly incrassate, the outer joints evidently transverse, the last slightly longer than the two preceding, the second and third equal, feebly and strongly obconic respectively; prothorax moderately transverse, but little narrower than the elytra, much wider than the head, parallel and evenly arcuate at the sides, scarcely impressed; elytra moderately transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen narrower than the elytra, parallel basally, thence feebly narrowing apically, the punctures rather close but feeble, the fifth tergite much longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) broadly, transversely truncate and very finely but distinctly crenulate, the lateral crenelures scarcely larger but more pointed and dentiform. Length 2.5 mm.; width 0.55 mm. North Dakota (Bismarck).
The antennæ and male sexual characters are sufficiently distinctive to identify this species, which is a little smaller than either of the two preceding.
* Atheta evecta n. sp.—General form, coloration and sculpture as in annexa, rather shining, the micro-reticulation moderately developed, the abdomen with not very dense and unevenly wavy transverse strigilation; head moderate, transversely oval, the eyes at less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine but sharp, not entire; antennæ moderately long, gradually somewhat strongly incrassate, blackish, testaceous basally, the outer joints fully one-half wider than long, the eleventh longer than the two preceding, the second and third moderately elongate, subequal; prothorax transverse, nearly as wide as the elytra, much wider than the head, slightly widest and rounded at the sides anteriorly, not definitely impressed; elytra evenly pale, short and transverse, with feebly diverging sides, the suture only slightly longer than the prothorax; abdomen black, piceous at tip, the two basal segments pale testaceous and parallel, thence feebly tapering to the apex, the fifth tergite longer than the fourth, the sixth (♂) rather broadly truncate, moderately, somewhat acutely and not very regularly crenulate, the crenules larger at the sides, the lateral ones more projecting, slender and subspiniform; mesosternal process not extending behind the middle of the coxæ, the apex very finely acute, separated from the rather short and broadly angulate metasternum by a long depressed space, in which the ridge is notably acute; hind tarsi slender, the basal joint shorter than the second. Length 2.5 mm.; width 0.62 mm. Mississippi (Vicksburg).
Resembles annexa somewhat, but differs in the prothorax, which is parallel and evenly rounded at the sides in that species.
* Atheta replicans n. sp.—Moderately stout and convex, piceous, the head and abdomen black, the latter feebly paler basally, the elytra and legs pale; surface shining, the micro-reticulation obsolete, the minute wavy strigilation ​of the abdomen barely traceable; punctures very fine and not close-set, evidently separated and but little larger on the elytra; head, eyes and carinæ as in the preceding, the head not so transverse; antennæ dark piceous-brown, dark testaceous basally, extending well behind the prothorax, the outer joints very moderately transverse, the last longer than the two preceding, the second and third moderately elongate, the latter the longer; prothorax moderately transverse, parallel, evenly and moderately rounded at the sides, much wider than the head and evidently narrower than the elytra, the basal impression small and barely visible; elytra rather large, only moderately transverse, much longer than the prothorax; abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra, parallel, narrowed a little near the apex, the fifth tergite barely as long as the fourth, the sixth (♂) rather broadly truncate, moderately but strongly crenulate, the lateral crenule slightly elongate but thick, dentiform; mesosternal process extending well behind the middle of the coxæ, gradually and sinuously narrowed to the acute but not at all aciculate apex, which is separated from the large, equilatero-triangular metasternal projection by a rather short, sunken, broadly and feebly convex interval; hind tarsi rather slender, the first joint very much shorter than the second. Length 2.65 mm.; width 0.75 mm. Iowa (Cedar Rapids),—Brendel.
Distinguishable from allied species by the rather narrower, less transverse prothorax, sternal and tarsal characters.
* Atheta spadix n. sp.—Coloration, sculpture and shining lustre as in the preceding, the abdomen not paler basally, except narrowly and faintly at the apices of the segments, the elytra and legs uniformly pale, the antennæ similarly dark piceous-brown and but slightly paler basally; head orbicular, but slightly transverse, the eyes rather prominent, at less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, almost entire; antennæ notably long and thick, gradually and very feebly incrassate, the outer joints but very slightly wider than long, the last distinctly longer than the two preceding, the second moderately, the third distinctly, more elongate; prothorax rather smaller in size, transverse, distinctly wider than the head and quite as distinctly narrower than the elytra, parallel, evenly and very moderately rounded at the sides, not definitely impressed; elytra rather large, only moderately transverse, very much longer as well as wider than the prothorax; abdomen narrower than the elytra, parallel, narrowing a little apically, the fourth and fifth tergites equal, the sixth (♂) moderately wide and transversely truncate at apex, the truncature strongly, evenly crenate, the lateral crenule larger, rather long, forming a slender, externally rounded process; mesosternal process extending nearly to apical fourth of the coxæ, gradually narrowed and with the apex very slender and acute but not aciculate, separated from the moderate and angulate metasternal projection by a short depressed interval, which slopes anteriorly under the process; basal joint of the hind tarsi a little shorter and thicker than the second. Length 2.65 mm.; width 0.75 mm. New York (near the city).
* Atheta bucolica n. sp.—Dark piceous, the head black, the abdomen dark testaceous, shaded black subapically, the ventral segments darker toward their bases, the legs very pale, the elytra pale, slightly darker extero-posteriorly and near the scutellum; surface moderately shining, not strongly sculptured; head transversely orbicular, the eyes at less than their own length from the base, the carinæ fine, subentire; antennæ slender and pale through the fourth joint, then gradually and moderately incrassate and black to the tip, rather small in size, the outer joints very moderately transverse, the last gradually and acutely pointed and notably longer than the two preceding, the second and third slender and elongate, the latter slightly the longer; prothorax moderately transverse, parallel and evenly rounded at the sides, distinctly wider than the head and narrower than the elytra, which are rather strongly transverse, though evidently longer than the prothorax; abdomen narrower than the elytra, the sides parallel and feebly arcuate; mesosternal process long, extending to apical fourth of the coxæ, gradually and sinuously narrowing but still rather wide even at the strongly rounded apex, which is not very distant from the broadly and obtusely angulate and blunt metasternum, the depression broadly, transversely convex; first two joints of the hind tarsi short, equal, the next two longer and equal. Length 2.75 mm.; width 0.73 mm. Mississippi (Vicksburg).
Though described from the female, this species is so evidently homologous in its structure with the preceding, that there can be but little doubt that the sixth male tergite is crenate at tip. It is distinct in its antennal and sternal structure and in coloration.