The atmosphere as a distribution medium for insects has been the subject of extensive investigations, through trapping by kite and by aircraft. It has been found that insects are present at heights in excess of four kilometers, where the temperature is at freezing or below.

The new genera and species described below are based upon material collected largely in the western United States and Canada. The types represented by Canadian material, which was loaned for study through the courtesy of A. R. Brooks, are returned to the National Collection at Ottawa. Unless otherwise specified under the descriptions, the remainder of the type specimens are in my collection.

In 1866, Dr. J. L. LeConte described Podabrus fayi and Podabrus protensus. He compared P. fayi and Podabrus tomentosus (Say) noting the differences but failing to indicate any similarity to P. protensus. P. fayi was cited as having black elytra whereas P. protensus was described as having a long tapering neck and with the elytra blackish with the basal fifth and the outer margin as far as the middle reddish yellow, the two colors shading imperceptibly together.