A new Meloe Linnaeus (Coleoptera : Meloidae, Meloinae) from southern California chaparral: A rare and endangered blister beetle or simply secretive?

Meloe ajax, a new species of Melee Linnaeus in the subgenus Treiodous Duges from southern California chaparral, is described. It is closest to M, barb arus LeConte, another western species. The fact that this relatively large meloine blister beetle escaped attention until now may be due to extreme ra rity. secretive habits, or both. Melee is primarily a continental and monta ne genus in North America; its occurrence at the Limits of its range in sou thern California is briefly summarized.