THE BEETLE LATHRIDIUS BIFASCIATUS REITTER IN ESSEX 175
A description of L. bifasciatus is given by Allen (1951), and it
is readily distinguishable in the field. It closely resembles the
common L, nodifer Westwood, but unlike other British Lathridius
species, is not unicolorous. The yellowish elytra have a black
pattern which typically resembles that of Fig. 2, but the markings
may be weak or the elytra almost entirely black.
Mr. E. Lewis is at present collecting data regarding the
occurrence and spread of this species throughout Britain. I must
thank him for kindly supplying information regarding the general
spread of L. bifasciatus. I am grateful to Mr. W. M. Young of
the Mid-Essex Technical College for the use of his laboratory
facilities.
References
Allen, A. A. (1951). Ent. mon. Mag., 87: 114.
Balfour-Browne, F. (1931). A plea for uniformity in the method of
recording insect captures. Ent. mon. Mag., 67: 183.
Side, K. C. (1956). Ent. mon. Mag., 92 : 130.