Notes on the structure and life history of Hexatricha pulverulenta Westwood

Abstract

Hexatricha pulverulenta was first described by Westwood in "Arcana Entomologica" Vol.II. 1843 under the name of Lamia pulverulenta. White in "Zoology of the Voyage of the Erebus and Terror" 1846 copies Westwood's description, but used Hexatricha as an alternative generic name. In 1869 it was placed in the genus Hexatricha (Lacordaire). In his "Manual of New Zealand Coleoptera" 1880-1893 Broun gives a short description of H. pulverulenta. Tillyard in his "Insects of Australia and New Zealand" mentions it, and Hudson in "New Zealand Beetles and their Larvae" 1934 gives a short description. The beetle is found in certain parts throughout New Zealand; at Tairua, North Auckland (Broun (3)), at Ohakune (A. Castle), in Waipoua Forest (A. C. Forbes), at Rotorua, on Pinus radiata. (L. J. Dumbleton), on the Moonshine, Hutt Valley (O'Connor), at Port Nicholson by Mr. Earl (White (31)), in Westland (vide C. E. Palmer), on the Moutere Hills, Nelson, (L. J. Dumbleton). From the last named place I collected my specimens. C. M. Wakefield mentioned it in his article on the Canterbury Coleoptera (30), but he states that the specimens were probably from the North Island. The first description of the animal was from Waikowaiti, Otago (White (31)). From this it would appear that H. pulverulenta is fairly well distributed throughout New Zealand. The colours of the insects from the various parts differ slightly, from yellowish brown to dark brown or black, but the Markings are always characteristic. It is found on Pinus radiata and Nothofagus; the latter is evidently its native host or one of its native hosts.