THE BEETLE LATHRIDIUS BIFASCIATUS REITTER IN ESSEX 173
ing the absence of a species from a given area is of limited value,
but evidence from my own collecting shows that L. bifasciatus
is common in some parts of Essex, and suggests that it is rare
or absent from other parts. Localities where it has been found
are indicated in the list of records which follows and by the map
which illustrates the first captures of the species at different
localities. Of negative evidence, I can say that a good deal of
collecting in the Epping Forest area has failed to turn up the
species. Even more intensive collecting throughout the north-
east of Essex has not revealed L. bifasciatus, although C. S. Barham
has taken it at Ipswich, Suffolk.
In the following list my own records are put first, followed by
some from other collectors. Where more than one specimen was
taken, the approximate number of individuals is placed in brackets
following the date. The divisions are into Watsonian vice-counties
as used by Balfour-Browne (1931).
South Essex :
Bradwell-on-Sea: iii.61 (2). Chelmsford: ii.60 (15); vii.60
(2). Danbury: viii.59. Galleywood: viii.60; vii.62;
viii.63 (6). Great Baddow: v.57*; viii.57; iv.58 (3); xi.59
(4); xii.59 (12); ii.60 (3); vii.60 (2); viii.60 (15, 2); ix.60
(2); ix.62 (8, 3); x.62 (10); xii.62; viii.63 (2). Ingatestone:
viii.60. Leigh-on-Sea: ix.61 (50); iv.62 (4). Margaretting:
vi.60 (2). Sandon: ii.60 (4). Steeple: viii.60 (40). Wood-
ham Walter Common: vi.60 (3); vii.60 (2); vii.61 (3);
viii.62 (10); ix.63.
North Essex:
Broomfield: v.58 (12); ix.61. Chrishall: viii.61 (2).
Other records—
South Essex:
Great Baddow: x.59, inside a building (C. S. Barham, in
litt.). Leigh-on-Sea: viii.63 (3) (E. Lewis, in litt.). Stan-
ford-le-Hope: xi.54 (2), from decaying fungus (Side, 1956).
North Essex:
Dodnash Wood: no date, R. G. Thimann (E. Lewis, in
litt.). Great Hallingbury: ix.60, by sweeping vegetation
(E. Lewis, in litt.).
L. bifasciatus is to be found in a variety of habitats, and num-
bers are often taken at a time. I have found it in every month
of the year, and most frequently by beating or sweeping vegeta-
tion. I have also taken it from old Typha stems in the winter
(Sandon, Gt. Baddow, Chelmsford), grass tussocks, moss, fungi,
an old bird's nest, lepidopterists "sugar" at night (Ingatestone),
among dead leaves, under old sacks, etc., on the ground, and
from hayfield refuse.