0^73 BY \\ jLlylAM STA'J'i'. ESP" ':/■/ ■ KM; sr* iirf PPitlWF!ET,rt VI' I I'.iKR.NA I. .ST.; A \l 1871 w COMSTOCK USr,:: Qizi'S L M Ufocncll Hniueraitg Hibtanj 3tljaca. Nrui ^jotk COMSTOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENTOMOLOGY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF A FUND GIVEN BY THE STUDENTS OF JOHN HENRY COMSTOCK PROFESSOR OF ENTOMOLOGY 1915 /^roVvi lug priVaCT Uhrti'fy' COMSTOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARV FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT Tto? C ON THE NOXIOUS AND OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. BY WILLIAM LeBAEON, M. D., STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. SPRINGFIELD : STATE JOURNAL STEAM PRINT. 1874. QLSll L M t 4 f 1 C.O, 5 ^P. cTno Entered according to act of Congress, in tlie year 1874, by WILLIAM LeBARON, M. D., in the olfico of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. I INTRODUCTION. I Fourth Report.] To His Excellency, John L. Beveridge, Governor of the State of I llinois : Sir— I herewith transmit my fourth annual report upon the injurious and beneficial insects of the State of Illinois. In this report I have carried out the plan proposed in the introduc- tion to my last report, of continuing the work there commenced under the title of Outlines of Entomology, so far as to complete the order of Coleoptera or beetles. As stated in the introduction just referred to, my object in this undertaking is to simplify and facilitate the study of this extensive and difficult science, for the benefit of those who may be in- terested in it, and who, it may be presumed, will comprise a considera- ble number of the young people of the State, under the stimulus recently given to the prosecution of this class of studies by the legislative enact- ment which requires that the study of natural history shall constitute one of the branches of education to be taught in the public schools. The continuation of this work, however, so as to embrace all the orders of insects, would require more time and study than could be de- voted to them consistently with the proper discharge of the more directly practical duties of this office. 1 shall not therefore attempt to continue ~~ it any further, at least for the present. But as the study of the several orders of insects is, to a great extent, independent of each other, the present work, it is hoped, will be found equally useful to the student, so far as it goes, whether the remaining parts ever be completed or not. With the view of making the part now published as complete in itself as possible, I have appended to it a glossary of the scientific terms more commonly used in descriptive entomology, and also a list of the principal authors, in this branch of science, both European and Ameri- can. As the present report is a continuation of the preceding, or third an- nual report, and will undoubtedly fall into the hands of many who will be unable to procure copies of the other, I have reprinted, with some alterations, the concluding portions of the last report, which forms a natural introduction to the present. INTRODUCTION. I may here add that the lateness of the date at which the bill for the appropriation for the purpose of illustrating this report passed the General Assembly, aud the time required for preparing the engravings, have necessarily caused a delay in the publication ot this report of sev- eral months beyond the usual time. I also deem it proper here to put on record, that the preparation of the above mentioned bill, and its passage through the General Assem- bly, were largely due to the interest and exertions of that well known friend of popular education, the Hon. Elmer Baldwin, of LaSalle county. Respectfully submitted. WILLIAM LeBARON, Geneva, September 1, 1874. Mate Entomologist. OUTLINES OF ENTOMOLOGY, PUBLISHED IN CONNECTION WITH THE AUTHOR’S ANNUAL REPORTS UPON INJURIOUS INSECTS. PART FIRST. INCLUDING THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. BY WILLIAM LeBARON, M. D., STATE ENTOMOLOGIST OF ILLINOIS. PREFACE. It is the object of the present work to simplify and facilitate the study of entomology, and especially to aid the inexperienced student in classi- fying the insects which he may from time to time collect. With this end in view 1 have made use, as far as practicable, of obvious and conspicuous characters in preference to those which are more minute and obscure, and consequently of more difficult application. I have therefore made much use of the general characters of size, shape and color, but only so far as could be done consistently with the established classification of insects, founded upon their more permanent organic characters. In treating the Coleoptera, for the purpose of keeping in view the connection between scientific and practical entomology, I have endeav- ored to classify them, as nearly as possible, in accordance with their food habits, it being in the nature of their food and their modes of pro- curing it that insects come into the most direct relation to human inter- ests ; and this arrangement does not materially differ, so far as relates to the larger divisions, from that already established by Latreille and other entomologists, mostly upon structural considerations. This mode of classification is particularly interesting and available'in the order of Coleoptera, on account of their much greater diversity of habits in these respects, than that of any of the other orders of insects. In classifying the Coleoptera I have not included a few small families, and a much larger number of small genera, thinking it best not to con- fuse the mind of the inexperienced student by the description of too many divisions, many of which contain but a few rare species, or else, are so similar to other and previously established genera that their sepa- ration is a matter of questionable utility. Neither have I been able, without greatly extending the size and scope of this work, to take into account many of the new species which have been brought to our know- ledge by the recent explorations of the more western portions of the continent. The reader who wishes to extend his researches to these re- mote States and Territories, is referred more particularly to the various writings of Dr. LcConte, and the revision of the Tenebrionidte of North vra PREFACE. America, and other memoirs, by Dr. Geo. H. Horn. But whenever a general enumeration of the species in any group is given, without quali- fication, it must be understood to embrace all the known North American species. In stating the numbers of species, I bavefollowed, for the most part, the recently published Check List of Mr. G. R. Crotch, (1874). Where two or more closely allied genera or sub-genera are merged in one, all the species are, of course, included under the leading generic title. A precise adjustment of species formed no part of my plan, and my principal object in giving these numbers has been to show the compara- tive numerical importance of the several families and their leading or typical genera. In the definition of genera I have had constant reference to the great work of Lacordaire on the genera of Coleoptera* ; and to Dr. J . L. Le- Conte’s very accurate and scientific classification ot the Coleoptera of North America, prepared for the Smithsonian Institution. (Part 1st, 1 vol., 8 vo., 1861 ; and Part 2d, 1873.) To these elaborate systematic works, and especially the latter, which, for obvious reasons, is most readily available to the American student, the present treatise is only intended to serve as an introduction or stepping stone; and to them the reader is referred for more extensive details, and for the definition of the smaller families and genera not included in the present work. In the families Chrysomelidae, Erotylidae, Endomychidie and Coccin- ellid®, which have not been reached in either of the uncompleted works just referred to, 1 have derived valuable aid from the synopsis of these families by Mr. G. R. Crotch, recently published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and in the Transac- tions of the American Entomological Society. In treating of the internal structure of insects I have necessarily lim- ited myself to the briefest geueral statements. Those who wish to pro- secute further this department of the science, will find much interesting matter in Dr. A. S. Packard’s well known Guide to the study of In- sects. It will be seen that some of the families of Coleoptera are much more fully treated than others. This has been owing, partly, to the greater amount of material at my command, partly to the comparative impor- tance of certain families in a practical or economic point of view, and partly to the irregularity of the intervals at which the work has been prosecuted, which has prevented that uniformity of execution which would have been desirable. In order to make this little work as useful as possible, I have added a glossary of the terms most commonly used in descriptive entomology ; and also, a brief catalogue of authors, especially those whose names ap- Genera des Coleoptera.. Ten vols. 8 vo., Paris, 1854-1872. The author died before the completion of thin work, and the tenth volume has not yet been published. PREFACE. IX pear in connection with the descriptions of North American Coleoptera, or the elucidation of their natural history. Much of the value of a work intended, like the present, for the inex- perienced student, must depend upon accurately executed figures of the insects treated of, and the details of their organization. An appropri- ation for this purpose by the General Assembly has enabled me to illus- trate the present work to a reasonable extent. Most of these figures have been drawn by Mr. G. V. Riley, State Entomologist of Missouri, and engraved under his direction, which is a sufficient guarantee of their accuracy. Many of these have already been published in illustration of his own official reports, but a considerable number of them have been prepared originally for this work. A small proportion of the figures have been obtained from Dr. Packard’s Guide to the study of Insects, from Westwood’s Introduction, and a few from other sources. The straight hair-line frequently placed at the side of a figure, shows the natural length of the insect. SYSTEMATIC INDEX, PAGE INSECTS IN GENERAL 1 Internal structure of insects 2 Circulatory system 3 Respiratory system 3 Digestive system 4 Secretory system 5 Muscular system 5 Organs of the senses 5 Sounds made by insects 7 Metamorphoses of insects 8 Sexes of insects 9 External structure of insects 10 Head and appendages 10 Thorax and appendages 12 Abdomen and appendages 14 Capturing and preserving insects 14 Instinct of insects 17 Insects practically considered 17 General utility of insects 18 Division according to food-habits 19 Treatment of injurious insects 21 Classification and nomenclature 22 Division into orders 24 Table of orders 25 The order of Colkoptkra 26 External anatomy 27 Larvro and pupa) 29 The Coleoptera practically considered 29 Aids in classifying 32 Classification of Coleoptera 35 Section L PENTAMERA : CARABIDiE. page Brachlnides. Calleida 44 Cymindis 44 Casnonia 44 Leptotraclielus 44 Helluomorpha 44 Chlajxiidks 45 Panagams 46 Chheniu8 46 Dicaslus 46 Diplocheila 46 Oodes 46 Badister 46 Harpai.ides 47 An isodactyl us 48 Gynandropus 48 Harpalus 48 Stonolophus 48 Bradycellus 48 Pterostichus 48 Poecilus 48 Arnara 48 Calathus 48 Platynus 48 Patrobus 48 Trechus 48 Geopiuus 48 Agonoderus 48 Bembidiides 49 Tribe IL PREDACEOUS WATER-BEETLES. Synopsis of the Pentaraera Sub-section I. L^ilicorries. Tribe I. PREDACEOUS GROUND-BEETLES. Families : CICINDELI D^E Ciceudela CARAB11LE Cararidrs Carabus Calosoma < Sj ohms Nebria Elaplirus Notionhilus Omopliron SCARITIDRS Paaimachus Scarites Clivina Dyscliirius Braciiinides Galerita Bracliinus Lebia Dromius 36 38 38 39 42 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 44 44 n 44 44 DYTICTD/E Haliplus Cy bister Dytisous Acilius Hydaticus. .. Colymbetes. . Agabus Laccopliilus . Hydroporus. GYRINID/E. Gyzlnna Sub-section II. Clavicornes. Tribe III. WATER SCAVENGER-BEETLES. PARNID2E Parnus Eliuis Hoteroccrus UYDROPHILI1LE Helophorus Hydrophilns Berosus Hydrobius Sphteridium 50 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 52 52 52 52 53 54 54 54 51 54 XTT SYSTEMATIC INDEX, LAND SC AVENGER- BEETLES. 1. Cl avicornes, proper. SILPHIDAS 57 Necrophorus 57 Silpha 57 Catops 57 SCAPHIDIIDiE 58 Scsipliidium 58 HISTERID2E 58 Hololopta 59 Ilister 59 Saprinus 59 NITIDCLIDJE 59 Nitidula 59 Cychraraus 59 Ins 59 Carpoptailns 59 Rhizophagus 59 DERMESTIILE 60 Dermestes 60 Attagenus 60 Authrenns 60 MYCETOPHAGLD,® 61 Mycetophagus 61 CRYPTO P HAG ID/E 62 Crvptophagus 62 BYRRHID® 62 Byrrbus 62 ANISO TOMIDiE 63 Anisotoma 63 Agathidinm 63 PH AX AC RLDH2 63 Phalacrus 63 TRICHOPTERYGIDAL 63 Tryehopteryx 63 SCYDMH3NIILE 64 Scytlmsenus 64 2. Sub-C l avicornes. TROGOSITILLE 64 Trogosita 64 CUCUJTD.'E 65 Cuouius 65 Catogenus 65 Liemophlceus 65 Brontes 65 Silvanus 65 COLYDITD/E 65 Colidium 66 Aulonium 66 Ditmna 66 LATH KID I ID /E 66 STAPH YLINID^E. page Alkocharidbs 72 Eolagria 73 Atemeles 73 Aleochara 73 Tacliyusa 73 Hoinalota 72 Gyrophiena 73 TACHYI'OUIPES 74 Tachinus 74 Tachyporus 74 Conosoma 74 Boletobius 74 Mycetoporns 74 Hypocyptus 74 Omalhdes 75 Lesteva 75 AnthophagU8 75 Olophrum 75 Omalium 75 Anthobium 75 PSEL APHIDS 76 Pselaphus 76 Sub-section IV. IPect.inicorneis, Tribe VI. STAG BEETLES. LUCANIDA3 77 Lacanus 77 Dorcus 77 Platycerus 77 Cerucbus 78 Sinodendron 78 Passalus 78 Sub-section V. Lamellicornes, Tribe VII. LAMELLICORN DUNG-BEETLES. COPRID^B 80 Canthon , 80, 81 Chceridium 81 Copris 81 Ontbopbagus - 81 APHODI1D/E 81 Aphodius 81 GEOTRUPIDAS 81 Geotrupes 82 Bolbocerus 82 TROGID/E 83 Trox 83 Tribe VIII Sub-section III. IVtonilicornew. Tribe V. SHORT- WINGED SC A VENGERS. STA PHY LINUX® 67 S'J Al'HYl.IMHES 68 Oreophilus 69 Leistutrophne 69 Staphyliims 69 Ocypus 69 Philontbus 69 Oxyporus. 69 Xabtliolinus 69 Oxyteliobs 70 Osorius 71 Bledius 71 Oxytelus 71 PRDERIDRB 71 ( .’ryptobium 71 Lathrobium 71 Pa'derus. . 71 Lithoobaris 71 Stilicus 71 Sunius 71 STKNIUES Steuus. LEAF CHAFERS. DYNASTIDHS 84 Dynast es 84 Xyloryctes 84 Ligyrne 84 Cyclocephala 85 MELOLoNTHID.E 86 Liohnanthe 87 Uoplia . 87 Polypliylla 87 Diohelonycha 87 Laclmosternu 87 Macrodactyl us 87 Serica. 87 DipIotoxi8 87 RUTE LILLE 88 Strigoderma 89 Auoraala 89 Cotalpa 89 Pelidnota 89 CETONIID.'E 89 Gynmetis 90 Euryomia. . . 90 Cremastoelieilns 90 flsinodenua 90 Trichius 90 Valgus. ........ 90 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. XIII Sub section VI. Serricornes. Tribe IX. tagr. SAW -HORNED WOOD-BEETLES. BUPRESTIDJ3 Chalcophora Dicerca Buprestis Chiyaobothris Melanophila Anthaxia Acmaeodora Agrilus Brachys Metoniua ELATERIDiE Eucnemides Melasis — Eucnemia Fornax Nematodes Cerophy turn Elaterides Adolocera Alans Cardiophorus Ludius Cryptohypnus Elater MonocrepidiuS Dicrepidius Agriotea Melanotus Athous Limonins Melanactes Corymbetes 94 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 96 98 98 98 98 98 98 98 98 98 98 98 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 Tribe X. ABERRANT WOOD-BEETLES. PTINIDjE Ptinus An obi Ptilinus Bostrichus LYMEXYLONIDiE Lymexylon CUPEStD.® Cupes .101 .10*2 .102 .102 .102 103 . 103 .103 .103 Tribe XI. SOFT-WINGED CARNIVORA. LAMPYRIDiE Lycides Lycus Calopteron Eros Lam py ri dks Lucidota Pliotinus Photoris Phengodes Telerhorides Chauliognathus Telophorua Silis MELYRIDiE Malachius Dasytes CLKKID.fe Elaaiuocerus 'ruins Cymntodera Tnohodea Clerus Ilydnoccra Enoplium Necrobia 104 105 105 105 105 105 106 106 107 106 107 107 107 107 108 108 .108 .108 .109 .109 .109 . 109 .109 . 109 .109 .109 Section II. HETEROMERA : Tribe XII. PARA SITIC-BEETLES. LAGRIID/E 113 Lagria 113 PAGE. MORDELLID^E 113 Anaspis 114 Mordella 114 MELOIDAS 114 Meloo 115 Horia 115 Nemognatlius 115 Lyttft 115 ANTHICIILE 116 Xylopliilus 1 16 Notoxua 116 Anthicus 116 PYROCHROIDiE 116 Dendroides 117 Pyrochroa 117 Pedilus 117 RH1PIPHORID/E 117 Rbipophorus 117 STYLOPID^E 117 Sty lops 118 Xenoa 118 Tribe XIII. HETEROMEROUS BARK-BEETLES. CEDEMERIDvE 118 (Edemora 118 PYTHID.E 119 Pytho 119 Salpingus 119 CISTELI DiE 119 Cistela 119 Allecu’a 119 MELANDRYIDAS 119 Tetratoma 120 Melandrya 120 Serropalpus 120 Syncnroa 120 Orchesia 120 Seraptia 120 Tribe XIV. HKTEROMEROUS GROUND-BEETLES. TENEBRIONEDAS 122 Hltl.OPlDKS 122 II elops 123 Strongylium 12:4 M eracantha 123 Trnkbrionides 123 Zopiierus 123 Asida 123 Pelecypliorus 123 Eleodes 123 Blaps 123 Blapstinus 123 Upis 123 Tenebrio 123 Ul.OMIDKS 123 Uloma 124 Hypophluma 124 Tribe XV. HETEROMEROUS FUNGUS-BEETLES. DI A PE RULE 125 Bolitophagua 125 Diaperis 125 Hoplocepbala 125 Platydema 125 Section III. TETRAMERA : Tribe XVI. SNOUT-BEETLES. BRUCHID2E 128 Brucbus 129 Mvlabria 129 ANTHRIBID2E 129 Tropideres 129 Antnribua 129 Cratoparis 129 Brachytaraua 129 BKENTUlDiE 130 Bren thus 130 XIV SYSTEMATIC INDEX. PAGE. CURCULIONID,® 131 ITH YCERIDKS 136 Ithycerus 136 GlBOMDES 136 Cleonus 136 LBPTOP0IDE8 136 Panscopus 136 Opbryastes 137 Braciiydkrides 137 Epicrorus 137 Pandeleteius 137 Polydrosua 137 Sitones 137 Tanymecus 137 Thylacitea 137 Pachnseus 137 Bary notes 137 Lachnopus J. 137 Platyomus 137 Strophosomus 137 Otiorhynchidbb 137 Otiorh ynohns 137 Agrnnims 137 Tyloderes 137 Cylindrorhikidks 137 Listroderes 137 Llyides 138 Li xua 138 Larinus 138 Otidocephamdeb 138 Otidooephalns 138 Magdaljnides 139 Magdalinas 139 Hyloijiideb 139 Hylobiua 139 Eadociiuns 139 Pissodea 139 Heilipus 139 Lepyrus 139 Erikiiinidkb 139 Erirhinus 140 Endalue 140 Braohy bam ua 140 Bn "mi a 140 Bai.animdes 140 Balaninua 140 Anthonomides 140 Antbouomua 141 Obchbbtides 141 Orehestcs 141 Attelauideb 141 Attolabua 142 Rbynchites 142 Eugnamptus 142 Apiomdbs 142 Apion 142 CON OTR AC HELIDBS 142 Conotracbelua 142 CbYPTORHYNCHIDES 142 Cryptorhynch ua 143 Acalles 143 Pseudomns 143 Analcia 143 Ceutorh ynchidkb 143 Mouonychua 143 Cooliodea 143 Ceutorhynchus 143 Pliytobius 143 Ccelogaster 143 Rhiuoncua 143 Babidudeb 144 Ccntriiius 144 Baridina 144 Madams 144 Cai.an'dridks 144 RbyncopboriiH 144 Spheuophorus 144 Calandra 144 COBSONl UBS 144 Cossouus 145 Rbyneolua 145 Dryoptborua 145 Phkropluigua 145 Tribe XVH. page. SHORT-HORNED WOOD- BORERS. SCOLYTID.® 145 Platypus 146 Hylurgus 146 Hylaatea 146 Hyleainus 146 Tomicua 146 Seolytus 146 Tribe XVIII. LONG-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. CERAMBYCHL2E 150 Prionidbs 151 Parandra 151 Prionu8 151 Dorobracbus 151 Orthosoma 151 Ergatea 151 M alio don i5i 'Iragosoma 151 Sphenostetbus I5i Cerambycidks 15l Criocephalus 153 Tetropium 154 Eburea 154 Chi on 154 Elaphidion 154 Phftsochnemum 154 Batylo 155 Hylotrupes 154 Clytua 154 Stonaspis 155 Callidium 154 LKpru rides 155 Desmocerna 156 Rliagiuin 156 Gaurotes 156 Acnieeops 156 Toxotus 156 Pachyta 156 Encyelops 156 Loptura 156 Strangalia 156 Molorchus 156 Stenopterua 156 Lamiides 156 Monobammua 158 Dorcbaschema 158 Hippopsis 158 Desinophora 158 Spalacopaia 158 Saperda 158 Oncideres 158 Adetus 158 Ataxia 158 Eupogonius 158 Paenocerus 158 Acantboderea 158 Graphisurua,. 158 Leptoatylua 158 Lei op 11 a 158 Tetraopes 158 Tetrops 158 Stenoatola 158 Phytceoia 158 Oborea 158 Anipbionycba 158 Tribe XIX. TETRAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. CHRYSOMELIDiE 161 Donaciideb 163 Donacia 163 CRIOOEBIDBB 164 Orsodacna 165 (bioceria 165 Chrysomelideb 165 Cbrysomela 166 GaBtrophyaa 166 Phoedon 166 Prasocuris 166 Plagiodera 166 Cbrysochus 166 SYSTEMATIC INDEX, XV CHRYSOMELID^E. page. Chrysomelides : Typopborus 166 Paria 166 Colaspia 166 ^ Dorypbora 167 Metacbroiua 166 Heteraapis 166 Fidia 166 Xanthouia 166 CUYPTOCKPHAUDES 168 Anomcea 169 Chlamys 169 Babia 169 Saxinia 169 Coscinoptera ,..169 Chryptocephalua 169 Galrrucides 170 Galeruca 171 - Diabrotica 171 Luperua — 171 Blepharida K 171 GSdionychis 171 Hypolampia 171 Graptodera 171 Disonycba 171 Orokestria 171 Longitaraua 171 Syatena 171 Dibolia 172 Chcetocnema 172 Crepidodcra 172 Paylliodes 172 Hispides 174 Odontota 174 Microrhopala 174 Steniapa 174 CHRYSOMELID^E. page. CA8SIDIDK8 170 Porpbyraapia 176 CbelymoriJha 176 Pbyaonota 176 Caaaida 176 Section IV TR1MERA : Tribe XX. TRIMEROUS FUNGUS-BEETLES. EROTYLIDiE Languria Dacne Iachvrus Triplax ENDOMYCHID2E Endoinycbus Lycoperdina Rbama Rhymaphora Mvcettea Alexia 180 .181 181 181 .181 .181 .182 .182 .182 .182 .182 .182 Tribe XXI. PLANT-LOUSE BEETLES. COCCINELLI DiE 183 Hippodamia 184 Coccinella 184 Chilocorua 184 Hyperaapia 184 Scymnua 184 Payllobora 184 CEneia 184 Catalogue of authors 186 Glossary 191 Alphabetical index 195 I SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIBES OF THE COLEOPTERA. A. Tarsi usually .5-jointed, sometimes 4 or 3-jointed in very small species, slender and sparsely haired, except Tribe XI, and except that the anterior, or anterior and middle tarsi are sometimes dilated and brush-like beneath in the males. B. Elytra covering the whole or nearly the whole of the abdomen. C. Antenna; filiform and simple; outer lobe of maxilla; palpiform, giving the appearance of six palpi. D. Legs long and fitted for running, hind trochanters large, egg-shaped and prominent; tarsi always 5-jointed Tribe If)/ I) 1). Hind legs flattened and fringed for swimming; trochanters not promi- nent; the fourth joint of the anterior and middle tarsi sometimes in- distinct in very small species Tribe II. it Antenna; filiform and usually serrate ; outer lobe of maxillfe not palpiform. Prosternum prolonged 4©;a point behind and received inthemesosternum; body very firm, legs short, tarsi always 5-jointed, joints not dilated and brush-like beneath, but often furnished with membranous lobes on the underside Tribe IX./O E E. Prosternum not prolonged behind. F Body moderately firm ; legs more or less elongated ; tarsi various : J Tribe X/» Body soft, elytra thin and flexible ; tarsi usually somewhat dilated and brush-like beneath, with the fourth joint hilobed ; last joint of palpi sometimes dilated Tribe XI. H‘f Antennae clavate or capitate. G. Palpi usually very long, sometimes longer than the short antenna; ; antennae 6 to 9-jointed, strongly clavate ; middle and hind coxa; — C C. E. F F. C 0 c. dilated - middle and hind tarsi sometimes fringed; habits aquatic. Tribe III. f2 G G H H. Palpi not elongated; antennae 11-jointed, rarely 10 or 9-jointed, coxae not dilated ; habits not aquatic. Club of antennae pectinate ; mandibles usually strongly toothed or even branched ; size large, or medium Tribe VI .?* Club of antennae lamellate ; size often large ; sometimes small, but never very small. Abdomen wholly covered by the elytra (except Copridae) ; hind legs set far back Tribe VII. ^ •II. Tip of abdomen exposed; hind legs not set far back. Tribe VIII H H H. Antennae clavate, but with the club neither pectinate nor lamellate, and nearly or quite filiform in the exceptional group of Sub-clavicornes ; size small or very small, (except Bilphidas) Tribe IV. I. SYNOPSIS OP THE TRIBES. XVII B B. A A. K K. LL. M. AAA. Elytra much shortened, usually covering less than half of the abdomen ■ an tennse more or less moniliform . . . “ . ’ Anterior and middle tarsi 5-jointed, hind ia^ 4jointeci;‘ 'the' joinis slendj' rid y b haU i C -r SP T US ’ SOmetiraos silk y or Pubescent beneath, but never’ dilated brush-like and bilobed as in the remaining sections- except some times the penultimate joint in parts of Tribes XII and XIII I lead as wide as the thorax, and attached to it by a neck • bod v rather o , elytra flexible; antenme filiform, sometimes V ^i^“ ™Zr^2* ad .T tig . a T C01M ^ ^ ^-Sifi’ed; larvae "firm “IT T f th ° raX ’ and him, coloi black or brown; rarely diversified. Antennae filiform; anterior coxae somewhat prominent, and nearly or auiie contiguous; color mostly brown, sometimes black; larvae sub-corticah Auteui sometimes filiform, but usually more or less clavate-'anleHor eoxte small, depressed, and never contiguous. Antenna; usually moderately and gradually enlarged towards the lip but “““““ " d — * » w oblong ; color black or dark metallic ; larvae mostly terrestrial. M M. Antennae usually short and perfoliate; body short, oval or'subjldi ate, color brown, or black with red spots, sometimes metallic- larvae fungivorous . ’ Tarsi apparently 4-jointed, with all the joints, except the 'last,' dilated brusl ' “VSf ' W,Ul *• p " u “"““ **• —Hr . ££ N. Head more or less prolonged into a snout or rostrum ; an ten me usually capitate; larva; fructivorous T-'t ■ yvi N X. Head not prolonged into a snout. O. Antennae clavate or capitate; tarsi not dilated; form sub-cylindrical- size small; color brown or black; larvae lignivorous. . .Tribe XVII ntennae usually filiform or setaceous; sometimes slightly widened towaids the tip; tarsi always dilated and brush-like beneath will, the penultimate joint usually bilobed Form elongated; antennae almost always long, and filiform or seta- ceous; often as long as the body or longer; size and colors va nous; larvae ligmvorous Tribe XVIII Form short, and more or less oval; antenna; filiform, ora little i nckened towards the end, and never much more than half as ong as the body; size below medium or small; colors various- iarvse herbivorous T -'h XT V Tarsi usually apparently 3-jointed, sometVme^'oi-'o.joinuid, Hie" joints deenfVr ^ rMil ‘ llke beneath > with the penultimate joint usually b,lobcd ! aatennse usually strongly clavate, rarely sub-clavate ‘ Q Form oval or oblong; antennas of moderate length; colors red and black usually arranged m large spots or stripes; habits fungivorous . . .Tribe xx’ <-Hl- Iona rounded, or sub. hemispherical; antennas very short; colors mostly i ed and black, arranged in dots ; habits carnivorous . . . Tribe XX i £ i t )!/ 'I v- i a.» n v o o. F. P P. /Vfr A'AAA. >U m- !r A— XVIII SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIBES. names of the tribes in the foregoing table. PAGE. Tribe I. Predaceous ground-beetles. . 37 Tribe II Predaceous water-beetles . . 5U Tribe III. Water scavenger-beetles . . •a Tribe IV. Land scavenger-beetles. . . 54 Tribe V. Short-winged scavengers . . bb Tribe VI Stag-beetles Tribe VII. Lamellicorn dung-beetles 80 Tribe VII L Leaf-chafers ■ • •• Tribe IX. Saw-horned wood-beetles. 93 Tribe X. Aberrant wood-beetles 1U1 Tribe XI. Soft- winged predaceous- t)C©tlCS Tribe XII. Parasitic beetles 111 PAGE. Tribe XIII. Heteromerous bark-bee- tles. 118 Tribe XIV. Heteromerous ground- beetles Tribe XV. Heteromerous fungus-bee- i.A'X Tribe XVI. Snout-beetles. • • • • Tribe XVII. Sliovt-horned wood-boi- Tribe XVIII. Loug-iiorned wood-bor-^ Tribe XIX. Tetramerous planbbeetleslGO Tribe XX. Trimerous fungus-beetleslTO Tribe XXI. Plant-louse beetles lo~' OUTLINES OF ENTOMOLOGY. INSECTS IN GENERAL. Insects constitute the most numerous and diversified class of the second grand division of the animal kingdom, designated by the term Articulata, and so called because their bodies and limbs are com- posed of many pieces, connected together by movable joints or articula- tions. Insects as a class, and in the widest meaning of the word, comprise three divisions, or sub-classes, commonly known as Spidprs, Insects and Millipedes. They may be distinguished by the following characters : 1st. Sub-class : Arachnida, including Spiders, Scorpions and A'cari, or Mites. Body divided into two parts, the head and thorax being united in one ; legs eight in number ; without wings. 2d. Sub-class : Insecta, or Insects proper. Body divided into three parts, the head, the thorax, and the abdomen ; legs six ; furnished with wings, in the perfect or imago state. 3d. Sub-class: Myriapod A, commonly called Millipedes or Centi- pedes. Body divided into many parts or segments, varying from ten to two hundred ; legs numerous ; usually either one or two pairs of legs to each segment of the body ; never have wings. The exceptions to these characters are very few. In the Arachnida, some of the most minute Acari have but six legs. Insects proper are always six-legged in their last or perfect state, and they also generally have six true legs in their larva state ; but somo larvae have no legs, and the larvae of the Lepidoptera, commonly called caterpillars, have, in addition to their six true legs, several pairs of false legs, or pro-legs, which assist in locomotion. There are a few exceptional cases in which insects are destitute of wings. The Fleas (Pulices), the Lice (Pediculi), and the little family of insects known as Spring-tails (Thysauoura), never have wings. In some rare instances the females are wingless, whilst the males have wings. This is the case with some species of the Lightning-beetles (Lampyridifc), and with the Canker-worm moth, and the Tussock-moth, and a few other species amongst the Lepidoptera. Similarly excep- tional cases are also found in other orders of insects. The present work will treat only of Insects proper. 2 INSECTS IN GENERAL. INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF INSECTS. TIIE NERVOUS SYSTEM. fFis- 1.1 Tlie nervous system of in- sects consists of a double cord extending the length of the body, and lying upon the inferior or ventral side of the internal cavity. The two threads which compose this cord do not lie side by side, but one above the other. The lower thread swells at intervals into lit- tle knots of nervous matter, called ganglia. In insects of an elongated form, such as some of the Neuroptera (e. g. Corydalis), and the larvae of the Lepidoptera, there is a ganglion at each segment of the body, ma- king thirteen in all ; but in most mature insects the ganglia become more or less consolidated. In the But- Nervous system ol insects, explained in the text. terlly (Papilio), there are ten ganglia, counting the brain as one; in the Bee (Apis), there are eight; in the May-beetle (Melolontha), there are five, and in the Cicada there are but two. The upper of the two ner- vous threads runs nearly in contact with the lower, but is destitute of ganglia. These two threads seem to represent the double and more compact cord which constitutes the spinal marrow of the higher or ver- tebrated animals. The upper simple thread is supposed to furnish the nerves of motion, and the lower and ganglionic thread, the nerves of sensation. The fibres which compose these cords separate at the ante- rior extremity of the body, so as to embrace the oesophagus or gullet, above which they again unite to form the cerebral ganglion or brain, which is somewhat larger than the other ganglia. From the nervous cords, and chiefly from the ganglia, fine lateral threads are emitted, which are distributed to the adjacent parts. The nerves thus far described represent what, in the higher animals, is called the cerebro-spinal system of nerves, and are sometimes called TIIE CIRCULATORY AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS. 3 the nerves of relation, because they control the sensations and motions which associate the animal with the world around it. But in addition to these, there have been discovered a number of very fine nervous filaments proceeding from the brain, and extending down into the body, and furnished with minute ganglia of their own, which are supposed to represent the sympathetic system of nerves which preside over the in- ternal functions, such as those of digestion and secretion. The foregoing cut represents the nervous System of a butterfly, (Pa- jtilio brassiccv — after Herold), A exhibiting that of the larva, B that of the pupa, and C that of the perfect insect ; and showing how the nerv- ous system becomes shortened and consolidated in changing from the lower to the higher stages. Fig. D. shows the more concentrated nerv- ous system of a Coleopterous insect, as exhibited in the common English Cockchafer or door-beetle, Melolontlia vulgaris, (copied from Straus.) THE CIRCULATORY, OR SANGUIFEROUS SYSTEM. The blood of insects is a colorless fluid, which does not circulate in closed vessels or tubes, like that of the higher animals, but permeates the tissues of the body. The only vessel that can be discovered is an oblong, membraneous, pulsating sack, situated in the upper or dorsal part of the body, and which evidently represents the heart. This is divided into several compartments by cross-valves, which are so ar- ranged as to permit the blood to pass only in a forward direction. The heart is prolonged anteriorly into a narrower tube analogous to the aorta. Through this the blood flows first towards the head, and thence through the body, returning to the heart, which it enters through open- ings at its sides. As compared with that of the warm-blooded animals, the blood of insects is not only colorless, but small in quantity, and must circulate very slowly, as is proved by the fact that when their bodies are wounded no blood escapes. THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. Most of the organs of insects, aud their functions, have an obvious analogy to those of the higher animals, but their breathing apparatus is constructed upon an entirely different plan. In all the vertebrated animals the blood is carried in vessels to a particular part or organ of the body, for the purpose of being exposed to the life-giving influence of the air. This part iu terrestrial animals, is the lungs, and in aquatic animals the gills. But in insects the process is reversed, aud the air is carried to the blood by being distributed to every part of the body in very delicate pearl-white tubes or vessels, which present a beautiful ap- pearance under the microscope. They are called tracheae, or air tubes. They admit the air through little openings along the sides of the iu- 4 INSECTS IN GENERAL. sect’s body, called spiracles. The spiracles or breathing pores can be easily seen along the sides of all caterpillars which are not too densely covered with 'hairs. In the perfect or winged state of insects the branches of the air tubes are dilated into a great number of little ves- sicles or air bladders, which render their bodies lighter, and thus facili- tate their flight. In some aquatic larva; the trachea) project from the body in the form of little tufts, analogous to the gills of fishes. The aquatic beetles are under the necessity of rising to the surface, at intervals, for air, in a manner similar to that of the aquatic mammalia, the whales and the dolphins. THE DIGESTIVE OR NUTRITIVE SYSTEM. The digestive apparatus of insects, like that of other animals, consists of an elongated tube called the aliment- ary canal, extending through the body, and having a number of enlargements in its course, and in many insects pre- sents a particular resemblance to the digestive apparatus of birds. First, there is a short, straight oesophagus or gullet; this expands into a much larger cavity, resembling the crop; then follows a smaller muscular part, analogous to the gizzard ; and next, a much larger and longer cavity, which is the true digestive stomach; this be- comes contracted into the intestinal canal, which sometimes runs nearly straight through the body, and in other cases is more or less convolu- ted ; the intestine enlarges again before it reaches the end of the body into what is known as the large intestine or colon. As in other ani- mals, the alimentary canal is much longer and more capacious in the herbivorous than in the carnivorous kinds. As a general rule the canal is much more capacious in the larva than in the imago state. In Fig. 2, G, represents the digestive organs of one of the carnivo- rous beetles, Cicindela campestris; a the commencement of the oesopha- gus or gullet; c the crop ; d the gizzard ; e the stomach or principal di- gestive cavity'; / the commencement of the small intestine; h the large intestine; both of these parts are unusually short in this tribe of in- sects; m rn the convoluted vessels which are supposed to represent the liver of the higher animals. fFitt. 2.| Digestive organs of insects, explained in the text. THE SECRETORY AND MUSCULAR SYSTEMS. 5 THE SECRETORY SYSTEM. The secretory apparatus of iusects, though analogous in function, is very different in appearance from that of the higher animals. Instead of solid glands, like the liver or kidney, it has the form of masses of convoluted tubes, as represented at m in the preceding figure. The sal- ivary glands, the liver, the kidneys, and the testacies are found repre- sented in iusects. The gastric and pancreatic fluids are secreted by little cells or follicles in the coats of the stomach. THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM. The muscles of insects, like those of other animals, consist of con- tractile fibres, but in their situation and attachments, as compared with those of the vertebrate animals, they are reversed ; that is to say, in the latter, the muscles are situated outside of, and upon the bones, which constitute the supporting part of the body, whereas in insects, the supporting part is the external crust, and the muscles are attached to its internal surface. The muscles are of a pale yellowish color, and are usually presented in the form of thin layers, and sometimes of iso- lated fibres, and are never united into the rouuded compact form which they have in the higher animals. By counting the separate fibres, a very great number of muscles have been enumerated. Lyonet counted nearly four thousand in the larva of Gossus ligniperda, and Newport found an equal number in the larva of Sphinx ligustri. The muscles of insects possess a wonderful contractile power in proportion to then- size. A Ilea can leap two hundred times its own length, and some beetles can raise more than three hundred times their own weight. This remarkable strength may probably be attributed to the abundant sup- ply of oxygen by means of the myriad ramifications of the air tubes. THE ORGANS OF THE SENSES. Insects are evidently endowed with the ordinary senses which other animals possess, but no special organs of sense, except those of sight, have been discovered with certainty. Sight . — The eyes of insects are of two kinds, simple and compound. The simple or single eyes are called ocelli, and may be compared in ap- pearance to minute glass beads. They are usually black, but sometimes red, and are generally three in number, and situated in a triangle on the top of the head. In iusects with a complete metamorphosis, these are the only kind of eyes possessed by them in their larva state, and in these they are usually arranged, in a curved line, five or six in number, on each side of the head. We have noticed that in some insects which undergo only a partial metamorphosis, as for example the common 6 INSECTS IN GENERAL. 8quash-bug ( Coreus tristis J, the ocelli are wanting in the larva and pupa states, but become developed in the last or perfect stage. The compound eyes of insects present one of the most complex and beautiful mechanisms in the organic world. They are two in number, but proportionately very large, occupying in many insects nearly the whole of the sides of the head, and, in the dipterous order especially, often present across their disks, bands of the richest tints of green, brown and purple. These eyes are found to be composed of a great number of lesser eyes or eyelets, in the form of elongated cones so closely compacted as to form apparently a single organ. The larger ends of these cones point outwards, and by their union form the visible eye. Their smaller extremities point inwards, toward the brain, to which they afre connected by means of a large optic nerve. When one of these eyes is examined through a strong magnifying glass, it is seen to be composed of a very great number of little facets, sometimes square, but usually six sided, each one of which represents the outer and larger extremity of one of the component parts. These facets vary greatly in number in the eyes of different kinds of insects. In the ants there are about fifty in each eye ; in the Sphinx moths, about 1,300 ; in the house fly, 4,000 ; in the butterfly, upwards of 17,000 ; and in some of the small beetles of the genus Mordella, it is said that more than 25,000 facets have been enumerated in one compound eye ; so that if we sup- pose that each of these component parts possesses the power of separate vision, one of these insects must have more than 50,000 eyes. How vi- sion is effected, or how a unity of impression can be produced by so complex an oi’gan, we are unable to couceive. Hearing . — Insects are evidently affected by loud noises, and moreover, as many insects have the power of producing voluntary sounds, it is reasonable to suppose that they possess the sense of hearing. No or- gan, however, which has been generally admitted to be an organ of hearing, has been discovered. It is the most common opinion of ento- mologists that the an ten me are instrumental in receiving the impres- sions of sound, and that the sense of hearing is located at or near their place of attachment to the head, and this view is much strengthened by the fact that in some of the larger crustaceans, such as the lobster and crab, a distinct organ of hearing is found located at the base of the an- tennae. Smelling . — That insects are endowed with the sense of smell, is proved by the fact that the carrion-fly, and other insects which feed upon, or deposit their eggs upon, putrescent matter, detect such substances at a distance, however completely they may be hidden from the sight. The bee also discovers honey under similar circumstances, and it is therefore fair to presume that insects are conducted to flowers, in hidden situa- SOUNDS MADE BY INSECTS. 7 tions, more by their odor than by their visible characters. But no organ ot smelling has been discovered, and this sense is supposed, from anal- ogy, to be located in the lining membranes of the spiracles. T( iste and Touch .— It is impossible to determine, but there is no reason to doubt, that' insects, like other animals, taste and enjoy the food of which they partake ; and the manner in which they frequently touch their iood, and the surfaces over which they walk, with the tips of their palpi, which, indeed, have received the common name of feelers, renders it probable that these organs are endowed with a special sense of touch. SOUNDS PRODUCED BY INSECTS. The songs of birds, and the noises made by other animals, are pro- duced by the forcible passage of air through the glottis, which is the narrow opening at the top of the wind pipe, aided by the vibration of ' certain muscular folds near the outlet, called the vocal chords. But we have seen that insects never breathe through their mouths, and there- fore they never make any oral sounds. But the humming of bees and Hies is produced in an analogous manner, by the expulsion of air through the thoracic spiracles, and the vibration of a delicate valve-like ford just within the opening. But besides this, insects make a variety of noises, which are produced in different ways. The singing of the Cicada, which is the loudest noise made by any insect, is produced by the expulsion of air from the first abdominal spiracle, striking upon a large transparent drum-like appa- ratus, situated at the base of the abdomen. The chirping of crickets is produced by rubbing together their parcliment-like wing covers. The well-known noise of the katy-did is produced in the same way, but here the sound is intensified by a thin talc-like plate set into the base of each wing-cover. The stridulation of grasshoppers is caused by the friction ot their spined shanks across the edge of their wing-covers. The fainter, squeaking sounds, made by mauy insects when captured are produced simply by the rapid friction of one part of their bodies upon another; in certain Hemiptera, by the friction of the head upon the pro- thorax ; in the Capricorn beetles, by the friction of the pro-thorax upon the meso-thorax; and in some of the Lamellicoru beetles, by the friction of the abdomen against the wing covers. The more complex and special apparatuses of insects for the produc- tion of sounds, are possessed exclusively by the males, and are supposed to be exercised by them as calls to the opposite sex; but the simpler squeaking sounds are emitted by both sexes, and appear to bo mere notes of alarm. 8 INSECTS IN GENERAL. THE METAMORPHOSES OF INSECTS. Nothing in the history of insects is more remarkable than the striking changes of form which many of them undergo, in the course of their development. Whilst other animals progress from infancy to maturity, simply by a process of growth, aud by such gradual and imperceptible changes only as their growth necessitates, many iuseets assume totally different forms in the course of their development, so that they could never be recognized as the same individuals, if this development had not been actually traced from one stage to another, these changes aie called the metamorphoses or transformations of insects. All insects, in their growth, pass through four stages, designated as the egg state ; the larva , or caterpillar state ; the pupa, or chrysalis state ; and the imago, or perfect and winged state. The metamorphoses of insects are of two principal kinds, complete and incomplete. In the complete metamorphosis the larva bears no resemblance to the imago, aud the insect, in the intermediate or pupa state, is motionless, and°takes no food. This kind of metamorphosis presents two principal varieties. In some (Lepidoptera and many Diptera), the legs aud wings are completely inclosed iu the pupa case. In others (Ooleoptera, Hy- menoptera, aud some others), the legs of the pupa, though useless, are free, and the rudimental wings lie loosely upon the sides. Moreover, iu some (the noctural Lepidoptera, and many Hymenoptera), the pupa is inclosed in a separate covering or cocoon, whereas the majority of in- sects have no such covering. Pupae thus inclosed are called folliculate. The term chrysalis, from a Greek word meaning golden, is sometimes ap- plied to the pupae of the diurnal Lepidoptera, because the pupae of some butterflies are ornamented with golden spots. Most insects, in changing from the larva to the pupa state, cast off the larval skin, but in many of the two winged flies, (Muscidse, Syriphidae, etc.) the larval skin becomes contracted and hardened, assumes "an oval form and a brown color, and thus forms a compact and closely-fitting case, in which the pupa proper is inclosed, but distinct. I’up® thus in- closed are called coarctate, aud their cases are analogous to the cocoons of the Lepidoptera. In the incomplete metamorphosis, the insect presents essentially the same form, aud is active in all its stages, after leaving the egg. I he pupa is distinguished from the larva by the presence of short rudimental wings at the base of the abdomen, and the imago or adult state is dis- tinguished by the fully grown wings and wing covers. It is only in this last stage that insects are capable of propagation. All the Homiptera, or bugs proper, and all the Orthoptera, or crickets, grasshoppers and cockroaches, exhibit this imperfect kind of metamorphosis. THE SEXES OP INSECTS. 9 in ti eating oi the development of insects it is necessary to refer to the periodical casting of the larval skin. All the growth of insects takes place in the larva state. Consequently no insect increases in size after it has acquired wings. The larval skin seems to be an imperfectly or- ganized membrane, which does not -correspond in its growth to that of the body, but yields to this growth, to a certain extent, by virtue of its elasticity. A time comes therefore when it can yield no farther. The insect then evidently becomes oppressed, ceases to eat, usually retires to some secluded spot, and, if gregarious, huddles together with its com- panions, and there remains a day or two, almost motionless and with- out food, and in an apparently torpid and sickly condition. After a time the distended skin bursts open, and the insect throws it off, and ap- pears in a new, bright, and elastic skin, which, in its turn, is capable of a certain degree of distension. This process, which is called moulting, takes place three or four times in the course of the larval growth, and in a few larvae which continue more than one year in this state, the moul- ting is said to occur from live to eight times. In insects of very rapid de- velopment, on the other hand, such as the maggots, or larvae of the Muscidae, no moulting takes place, and it is the larvae of this kind which form coarctate pupae. THE SEXES OP INSECTS. As a general rule insects of different sexes resemble each other so closely as to leave no doubt of their specific identity, and in many the sexes can scarcely be distinguished. But this rule is subject to many exceptions, and the naming of insects has been greatly confused by the sexes of the same insect having been described and named as distinct species. The sexual organs, especially those of the males, are usually conceal- ed so as to be nearly or quite invisible; but the female, especially in the order of Hymenoptera, often have an exserted ovipositor of greater 01 less length, which readily distinguishes them from the opposite sex. An analogous structure exists in many wood-boring beetles which de- posit their eggs in deep crevices in the bark of trees ; and more rarely in insects ot the other orders. In the Coleoptora the males are sometimes distinguished by one or two horns, either upon the head or thorax, and many of the predaceous beetles, both terrestrial and aquatic, have the anterior feet much widened, and furnished beneath with a cushion of hairs or bristles. The antennae usually differ in length but little, if at all, in the two sexes ; but in the long-homed beetles (Oerambyehhc) the antennae of the males are generally considerably longer than those of the females. —2 10 INSECTS IN GENERAL. Iu those moths which have bi-pectiuate antennae, these parts are almost always wider iu the males. Many insects in the order ot Diptera are remarkable for the great size and beauty of their eyes, and these organs are almost always larger in the males than in the females. . q In describing insects it is customary, for the sake of brevity, (V" -V to distinguish the sexes by signs, as shown iu the margin. inale. female. EXTERNAL STRUCTURE OF INSECTS. The classification of insects depends chiefly upon the structure of the external and visible parts. It is necessary therefore that the student should have a thorough knowledge of these parts and of the names by which they are designated. But as these parts are very greatly modified m the different orders of insects, we shall reserve a minute description of them till we come to treat of them in connection with the several orders respectively, and shall here give only a general enu- meration of them. The student will be much aided in understanding the following description by comparing it with the figure of Harpalm caliginosus on a subsequent page. THE HEAD AND ITS APPENDAGES. It often becomes necessary to refer to different parts of an insect’s head, and they are therefore designated by particular names indicative of their situation. These are — The Hind-head, [Occiput). The Crown, (Vertex). The Forehead (From). The Face, ( Facies ). The Cheeks, (Gernv). The appendages of the head are the Horns, (Antenna;) ; the Eyes, (Oculi) ; and the parts of the Mouth, (Trophi, or oral organs.) The Antennw. — All insects have two more or less elongated and usually mauy-jointed antenna; situated one on each side of the head, and varying greatly, iu different kinds ot insects, in length and in the form of their component joints. Insects have very short antennae in their larva state, and in some perfect insects, such as the water-beetles, (Gyrini and Hydrophili), the antennae are not longer than the head, whilst in others, such as some of the longicorn beetles, they are more than twice as long as the whole body, and in some of the small moths of the genus Adela , they are five or six times as long. The uses of the antenna; are not known, but, as we have stated above, when treating ot the senses of insects, they are supposed to be instrumental in the sense of hearing. The most common variations in the forms of the antenna; are expressed by the following terms. Figures of most of these forms are given on a subsequent page, in treating of the Coleoptera. Filiform, or thread-like ; long aud slender, and ot the same, or ueaily the same width throughout. TIIE HEAD AND ITS APPENDAGES. 11 Setiform , or setaceous ; bristle-like ; long and slender, but tapering to- wards the tip. Moniliform, or bead-like; when the joints are about the same size, and round, so as to resemble a string of beads. Serrate , or saw-toothed ; when each joint is somewhat triangular, and a little prominent and pointed on the inner side. Pectinate , or comb-toothed ; when the inner angles of the joints are con- siderably prolonged. Bi-pectinate, or double comb-toothed ; pectinate on both sides. Glavate, or club-shaped ; gradually enlarging towards the tip. Capitate, or knobbed ; when a few of the terminal joints are abrubtly enlarged. Lamellate ; when the joints which compose the knob are prolonged on their inner side, in the form of plates. 'Hie Eyes. — We have briefly described the mechanism of the eyes when treating of the sense of sight. They are uniformly of a round or oval shape, and sometimes notched on their inner side, to give place for the iusertion of the antennas. In a few instances they are placed at the end of foot stalks made by a lateral prolongation of the head. The Trophi, or parts ot the mouth. — The mouths of insects present two strongly marked variations, one of which is fitted for gnawing solid substances, and is called the mandibulate, or gnawing mouth ; and the other is fitted for sucking fluid nutriment, and is called the hamtellate, or suctorial mouth. Ihe mandibulate mouth is composed of six pieces, more or less dis- tinct, and their appendages. First, the labrum, or upper lip : a horny, usually somewhat semi-circular plate, attached to the anterior and infe- rior edge of the head, and serving to close and protect the mouth in front. Then v the Mandibles, or upper jaws; a pair of very hard, horny pieces, more or less hooked at the point, and often toothed on their in- ner sides, which work together laterally, somewhat like the blades of a pair of scissors. These are the true biting, gnawing, or masticating or- gans. Next are the Maxilla}, or lower jaws; a pair of organs, working lat- erally like the mandibles, but sotter and more pliable in their texture, generally divided into two lobes at their extremity, which are furnished moie or less with hairs. Ike maxilke undoubtedly' assist in the opera- tion ot eating, but the precise part which they perform is not well un- derstood. Behind the maxilke is a single piece which partially closes the mouth behind, and which may therefore be considered as the counterpart of the labrum or upper lip, and is accordingly called the labium, or lower lip, In the (Joleoptera this piece is usually attached at its base to the an- terior face of an elevated ridge upon the under side of the head, which 12 INSECTS IN GENERAL forms a kind of wall behind the mouth, usually deeply notched iu the middle, and which is called the mentum, or chin. When the labium forms a narrow elongated piece, distinct from the mentum, as in most of the Goleoptera, it is now generally called the tongue, lingua or ligula. The Palpi , or appendages of the mouth. — Near the base of each max- illa, on its outer side, is attached a movable appendage, usually com- posed of four or five joints, and never more than six, called the maxil- lary palpus ; and near the base of the labium is attached a similar pair of organs, but with a less number of joints, distinguished as the labial palpi. These appendages are subject to considerable variation espe- cially iu the shape of their terminal joints, and are made much use of in determining the families and genera of insects. The liaustellate or suctorial mouth consists of a more or less elongated proboscis or sucker, which is sometimes short and fleshy, as in the flies, (Muscidw;) sometimes more elongate, horny and pointed, as in the bugs, (Hcmiptera ;) and sometimes very long and slender, and rolled up, when not iu use, in a spiral coil, as in the butterflies and moths, (Lepidoptera.) It is evident that all insects with a suctorial mouth must live exclu- sively upon liquid food, or the juices of animals and plants. The haustellum or sucker is not a single organ, as it appears, but has upon its upper side a deep groove, in which are contained usually either two or four, but in some of the carnivorous species (mosquitoes and horse-flies) six needle-shaped pieces, which iu these last make a compli- cated weapon with which they pierce the skins of animals upon whose blood they subsist. From a comparison of the liaustellate with the mandibulate mouth, in different kinds of insects, it has been concluded that the apparent sucker, which, as we have just seen, forms a sheath for the smaller needle- shaped pieces, corresponds to the labium, and that the contained pieces must represent the mandibles and maxillae, and, where six pieces are present, also the labrum and lingua. In accordance with the propor- tionately great development of the labium, we find that its appendages, that is, the labial palpi, are also very prominent, whilst the maxillary palpi are very small or rudimental. This is the case in two of the suc- torial orders, the Lepidoptera and Diptera; but the other order (ilemip- tera) is exceptional in this respect, having neither maxillary nor labial palpi developed. THE THORAX AND ITS APPENDAGES. The thorax is the second, or middle division of the bodies of insects. Though apparently single, it is really composed of three pieces soldered THE THORAX AND ITS APPENDAGES. 13 together. These pieces are more distinct in some insects than in others, but they can always be distinguished by impressed lines upon the sur- face called sutures. The three pieces of the thorax are distinguished as the tore-thorax, the middle-thorax, and the hind thorax; or, in scientific language, the pro-thorax, the meso-th -rax, and the meta-thorax. In the Coleoptera the pro-thorax is very large, and forms the large upper part, or shield, to which we usually give the general name of thorax. In this order of insects, the meta-thorax is invisible above, and the only part of the meso-thorax seen from above is the triangular piece between the bases of the elytra, called the scutellum. In many insects ( Hymenoptera and Eepidoptera) the pro-thorax is much reduced in size, and forms only a narrow rim, which is usually called the collar. The under side of the thorax is called the sternum or breast plate. Each of the three divisions of the thorax has its sternum, designated respectively as the pro-, meso- and meta-sternum. In many insects, and especially the Coleoptera, each section of the sternum is divided by sutures into a middle piece or sternum proper, and a side piece, called the cpisternum. These parts will be described more particularly in treating of the Coleoptera. The appendages of the thorax are the organs of potion, namely, the wings and the legs. The Wings . — The great majority of insects have four wings. The anterior pair are attached to the upper part of the meso-thorax, and the posterior pair to the meta-thorax. The wings are thin, membraneous, transparent organs, in some cases folded when at rest, and supported by ribs or veins running across them. These veins are found to correspond in their number and complexity to the rank of the insect in the scale, and from the ease with which they can be seen, they furnish admirable characters for the purposes of class- ification. In some insects, such as the grass-hoppers, the fore- wings are thicker and less transparent than the hinder pair, and have nearly the consistency of parchment ; and in one large order of insects, the Cole- optera or beetles, the fore-wings become converted into the hard opaque pieces, known as the elytra or wing-cases. The elytra take no part in flight, but serve only to cover and protect the hinder or true wings, which are folded under them when at rest. In one large order, the insects have but two wings, and are named from this character Dipteru , or two-winged insects. In these insects the place of the hind-wings is supplied by a pair of little knobbed append- ages called halteres or poisers. There are a few exceptional cases of two-winged insects in some of the other orders — for example, some of the smaller Day-flies (Ephemera;) in the order of Neuroptera, and the males of the Bark-lice (Coccidw) in the order of llomoptera. 14 INSECTS IN GENERAL. The Legs . — Insects have six legs, attached in pairs to the under side of each of the three segments of the thorax. The leg consists of four principal parts ; the hip (coxa), a short piece by which the leg is at- tached to the body ; then an elongated piece called the thigh (femur, plural femora ); then another elongated piece called the shank (tibia ) ; and lastly the foot (or tarsus), which is composed of a number of smaller pieces or joints ; of which five is the largest and most common number. The feet of insects terminate, almost invariably, in a pair of sharp horny claws (ungues ) ; and between these, at their base, is often one or two little pads ( plantula •) by means of which flies and many other in- sects adhere to glass, or any other surface which is too smooth and hard for the claws to catch upon. The Lepidoptera have but one plantula, and the Diptera have two. Besides the parts of the leg here enumera- ted, there is a small piece attached to the hind part of the hip, called the trochanter. This is usually small and inconspicuous, but in the hind legs of the ground-beetles (Carabida) it forms a large egg-shaped appendage, which is one of the most characteristic features of this family of insects. THE ABDOMEN, AND ITS APPENDAGES. The abdomen is the hindermost of the three divisions of an insect’s body. It is sometimes attached to the thorax by the whole width of its base, in which case it is called sessile. But it is often attached by a slender petiole or foot-stalk, when it is said to be p etiolated . The abdo- men is composed of a number of rings, one behind another, each ring usually lapping a little upon the one following it. The normal number of rings or segments of the abdomen is considered to be nine, and this number is actually present in the Earwig ( Forficula ) and a few other insects; but in the great majority of insects, several of the terminal seg- ments are abortive, and only from five to seven can usually be counted. In the females of many kinds of insects the abdomen terminates in a tubular, tail-like process, through which the eggs are conducted to their place of deposit, and which is therefore called the ovipositor. In some insects the ovipositor is simple, short, straight and still', as in some of the Capricorn beetles ; but in others, as the Ichneumon flies, it is long, slender and flexible, and composed of three thread-like pieces, which when not in use, are separated from each other, giving these insects the appearance of being three-tailed. Capturing and Preserving Insects. Insects which do not readily fly, such as the beetles and the bugs proper ( Hemiptera ), can be captured with the lingers, and are easily CAPTURING AND PRESERVING INSECTS. 15 killed and also preserved, for the time being, by dropping them into alcohol. For this purpose every collector should have in his pocket one or more small, strong, wide-mouthed bottles, securely corked, and filled about two-thirds full with alcohol. The common morphine bottles an- swer this purpose very well. The quinine bottle can be used when a larger bottle is required. The insects can be left in the alcohol till the collector has leisure to pin them. They can be taken from the bottle with a pair of foreceps, or the alcohol can be turned off into another bottle, and the insects shaken out on to a newspaper, or what is better, a sheet of blotting paper, which readily absorbs the moisture. Insects which readily take flight, must be captured in a net, which is made like a small dip-net for fishes, by making a hoop of stout wire about ten inches in diameter, with the ends of the wire turned out so as to form a short handle three or four inches long, and this can be length- ened by inserting the ends of the wire into a wooden handle about two feet long. The net is made of lace or tarletou muslin, and should be twenty inches or more in depth. Many species which would otherwise escape notice, can be obtained by beating the branches of trees, especially forest trees, and catching the insects as they fall. A common umbrella, inverted under the tree, answers this purpose very well. This is in many ways a very useful implement to the collector. It will serve to protect him from the direct rays of the sun, or from a casual shower ; and the hook at the end of the handle will enable him to draw down branches so that they can be satisfactorily examined. The umbrella would be improved by being covered with white cloth, upon which small insects would be more easily detected. Most insects except those above mentioned are injured by being im- mersed in alcohol, and butterflies and moths would be ruined by it. These insects can be killed by wetting them with benzine or chloroform. The benzine is the cheaper, and the only objection to it is its disagreea- ble odor. Large insects require to be. saturated with chloroform several times to destroy life. A very neat way to kill the smaller moths is to put them under a wine-glass and put in with them a tuft of wool sat- urated with chloroform. The moths are killed by the fumes, without being wet or handled. Some use for this purpose a poisonous prepara- tion called cyanide of potassium. In mounting beetles the pin should be passed through the right wing- cover ; other insects are pinned through the thorax. The pin should be inserted so far that half of it will project below the body of the insect. The value of a collection of insects is greatly enhanced by having the legs and wings of the specimens displayed in a life-like attitude. For this purpose they must be set out with pins, and held so a day or two till they have become fixed. For spreading the wings of butterflies and 1G INSECTS IN GENERAL. moths it is indispensable to have a simple apparatus called the stretcher. It consists of two strips of nicely dressed soft pine wood, 18 or 20 inches long, two inches wide, and about three-eighths of an inch thick, placed side by side, half an inch apart at one end and a quarter of an inch at the other, so as to accommodate insects of different sizes, and held so by a cleet across each end. The space between the strips must be closed ’on the underside by pieces of sheet cork tacked to the board. The space between the strips is to receive the body of the insect, the pin being passed through the cork so as to bring the wings on a level with the upper side of the stretcher. The wings are spread by catching them just behind the stout front rib with a pin, or, what is better, a needle set into a little handle, and carrying them forward, till the hind margin of the fore-wings are on a straight line with each other. They can be held in this position either by strips of card laid across them and fas- tened with pins, or by inserting a single small pin through the wing, be- hind the rib, and into the side pieces of the stretcher, which on this ac- count should be made of the softest kind of wood. For very small moths the stretcher must bo constructed upon a smaller scale. Insects must be allowed to dry thoroughly before inclosing them in the cabinet. Beetles which have been permitted to dry with their limbs contracted, can be relaxed by putting them into hot water. Boxes for the permanent preservation of insects may be 17 or 18 inches square, two and a half inches deep, outside measurement, and one inch and a half or a trifle more in the clear, made of perfectly seasoned wood, halved together in the middle, so as to have an upper and lower part, the former serving as the cover. The lower part must be lined on the bottom with sheet cork or thin strips of corn-stalk, and the whole cov- ered with soft white paper. The paste with which the paper is attached should have a portion of arsenic stirred in with it, to guard against de- structive vermin. The upper part, or cover, should be cut in around the top, like a window sash, so as to receive a plate of glass, which is to be secured in the usual way with putty. Every insect drawer should have a lump of gum camphor rolled in a piece of muslin and pinned into one corner, to keep out destructive ver- min. The presence of vermin is detected by little heaps of the dust- like gnawings under the infested specimens. Such specimens should bo at once removed, and if the drawer is much infested, a teaspoonful or two of benzine should be poured upon the bottom, and the drawer or box immediately closed, so as to retain the fumes. MAGNIFYING GLASSES. A magnifying glass consisting of one, or, what is better, two lenses, so arranged that they can bo used either singly or combined, is abso- lutely indispensable in studying insects. This simple instrument, the THE INSTINCT OF INSECTS. 17 usual cost of which is one dollar per lens, is all that is usually required. Jt is a common mistake to suppose that insects cannot be studied and classified without the use of a complex and costly microscope. Such instruments are useful only to examine excessively minute or transpa- rent objects, and though sometimes indispensable to the professional entomologist, they are rarely used in the ordinary study of insects. THE INSTINCT OF INSECTS. Instinct is that faculty by which animals are enabled to discover their food, construct their nests, and provide for their young, and to perform these operations without having had any previous education or experi- ence. Many of the manifestations of this faculty are truly wonderful and unaccountable. Such are the mathematically accurate construction of the cells of the honey comb ; the curious economy of the ants and bees ; and the provisions which many kinds of insects make for the fu- ture subsistence of their young, even in advance of their existence. Instinct is often spoken of as an imperfect or partially developed rea- son, but its relation to that faculty can be, at most, only that of a very remote analogy. It differs from reason in its invariableness and its al- most absolute infallibility, but most essentially in its independency of previous knowledge and experience. Reason acts only by virtue of what is already known, and man, who vastly excells all other animals in his reasoning powers, approaches perfection in any complex work only by long study and practice ; the honey-bee, on the contrary, constructs its first cell with such mathematical accuracy that it cannot be improved by any subsequent experience. Some of the higher animals, such as the horse and the dog, give proof of the possession of a reasoning faculty similar to our own, and inferior only in degree. But whilst the manifestations of reason are fainter as we descend in the animal scale, instinct becomes more remarkable, and in insects especially, in which reason is almost if not absolutely wanting, instinct is exhibited in its highest perfection, far surpassing, in many instances, in accuracy and prescience, the reason of man himself. Of the nature of the instinct of animals, as of that of the human mind, we know absolutely nothing; and we can only confess our igno- rance by referring its wonderful manifestations to the direct agency of the Creator. INSECTS FROM A PRACTICAL OR ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW. In regarding insects from this poiut of view, we have to consider them in both their beneficial and their injurious relations. The directly beneficial insects are almost limited to the three well-kuown species : the honey-bee, the silk- worm and the cochineal-insect ; whereas, those —3 18 INSECTS IN GENERAL. species which are injurious to mankind, chietly by depredating upon valuable cultivated crops, are much more numerous, although consti- tuting but a very small proportion of the whole insect world. It is im- portant to bear in mind that in these destructive operations insects oc- cupy an exceptional or abnormal position, and that we ourselves have been the means of bringing about this state of things, by the excessive cultivation of certain plants, whereby a corresponding increase of cer- tain species of the insects which feed upon them has been induced. It is very rarely that any such loss of balance between the insect and the vegetable worlds takes place iu the state of nature ; and yet, such oc- currences are not wholly unknown. This has happened most remark- ably in the case of wood -eating insects, there being instances on record in which extensive tracts of forest trees have been destroyed by the larv® of some of the more minute wood-boring beetles. But, as just stated, it is in their depredations upon some one or other of the more valuable cultivated crops that insects have come into the most direct and serious contlict with human interest. These depre- dations, as is well known, have often been of a most extensive and ruin- ous character, causing the annual loss of crops to the value of many millions of dollars, and in some seasons and localities, necessitating the total abandonment of some of the most valuable and staple produc- tions, such as wheat, barley and potatoes, and also some of our choicest fruits, such as the plum and the peach ; and sometimes threatening the destruction even of the most valuable fruit of all — the hardy and widely distributed apple. Theso destructive operations of insects have neces- sarily attracted to them the most earnest attention of both practical and scientific men, and many valuable treatises and reports have been written which have been devoted chiefly to the practical treatment of the subject. It is our present intention to treat of insects from a more general and comprehensive point of view. GENERAL UTILITY OF INSECTS. From what has just been said, it is evident that it is in the nature of their food and their food-taking habits, that insects hold the closest relationship to human interests ; and this is true not only in the direct manner above described, but also indirectly, by means of the important parts which they fulfill in the economy of nature. Indeed, the opera- tions of insects in this last respect are of such vast importance, that it would be safe to say that if theso should cease, the earth would soon be- come uninhabitable by mankind. These operations consist chiefly, first, in the destruction of other insects by the predaceous and parasitic kinds, whereby the excessive increase of the former is held in check ; secondly, UTILITY OF INSECTS. 19 in the instrumentality of a large proportion of insects in their character of scavengers, whereby the decomposition of decayed and offensive matters, both animal and vegetable, is effected and accelerated ; and thirdly, in the agency of insects in causing the fertilization of plants, especially those with very deep corrollas, and those which have the bar- ren and productive flowers upon different plants, by carrying upon their legs, in their search for honey, the fertilizing pollen from one llower to another. A long chapter might be written upon each of these topics, but we have space here barely to enumerate them. DIVISION OF INSECTS ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF THEIR FOOD. From this point of view all insects may be divided into two classes — the carnivorous insects, or those which eat animal food, (Sarcophaga ) ; and the herbivorous insects, or those which subsist upon vegetable sub- stances, (Phytophaga). Each of these classes is again divisible according- ly as the insects which compose it take their food in a fresh and living state, or in a state of decay. The former are called predaceous insects ( Adephaga ), when they live upon animal prey ; and the latter are desig- nated by the name of scavengers ( Tigpophnga ). Those insects which eat living animal food, are still further divisible into predaceous insects proper, which seize and devour their prey, and parasite insects, which live within the bodies of their victims and feed upon their substance. Those insects which feed upon decaying animal matter present three divisions : first, general scavengers, which devour particles of putrescent matter wherever they may be found ; second, those which live exclu- sively in or upon the bodies of dead animals, ( Necrophaga ) ; and thirdly, those which are found exclusively in animal excrement, ( Coprophaga ). The herbivorous insects may be divided in a similar manner into those which eat fresh vegetable food. ( Thalerophaga), and those which subsist upon vegetable matters in a state of decay, (Saprophagu). They can also be usefully classified according to the particular parts of tho plant which they devour, into lignivorous or wood-eating insects, ( Xylophaga ); the folivorous, or leaf-eating insects, (Phyllophaga) ; and the fructivor- ous, or fruit-eating insects, (Garpophaga). The above Greek terms in parenthesis have been used chiefly in con- nection with the insects of the Coleopterous order, in which these diver- sities of food-habits exist to a much greater extent than in any of the other orders, but the terms themselves are of general signification, and being very concise and comprehensive, they might, not improperly, bo used in Speaking of insects in all the orders, so far as they aie appli- cable. 20 INSECTS IN GENERAL. DIFFERENCE OF FOOD OF THE LARVA AND THE PERFECT INSECT. Iu attempting to classify insects according to the nature of their food ■we meet with a peculiar difficulty, owing to the remarkable change which some species undergo in this respect, in passing from the larva to the perfect state. Most caterpillars, for example, feed upon leaves, whilst the butterflies and moths which they produce subsist upon the honey of flowers, or other liquid substances. Some two-winged Hies (Asilidce) feed upon the roots of plants in their larva state, but become eminently predaceous in their winged state. Another remarkable ex- ample is furnished by certain coleopterous insects (Meloidw), which are parasitic in their larva state, but subsist upon foliage after they have assumed the beetle form. The question therefore arises, to which stage of the insect’s existence shall the precedence be given in this respect ? At first view it would seem that the perfect state ought to govern, but when we take into account that insects are comparatively short lived in this state; that having arrived at maturity they require but little, food ; and that some insects take no food at all at this stage of their lives; whereas all the growth of an insect takes place whilst it is in the larva state, and consequently it is in this state that they feed so voraciously : when we consider this, it seems more reasonable that in classifying in- sects upon this basis, the food-habits of the larva should take the pre- cedence. v • In the following work. I have not thought it best to adopt any inflexi- ble rule in this matter, but have been governed by one or the other view accordingly as its importance might seem to preponderate in each particular case. DISTINCTION BETWEEN NOXIOUS AND INJURIOUS INSECTS. The terms noxious and injurious are often used indiscriminately, but strictly speaking, noxious insects are those which are endowed with some poisonous or otherwise hurtful quality ; and these are divisible in- to two classes accordingly as they are hurtful to mankind directly, such as the mosquito, flea, and bed-bug; or are hurtful to the domestica- ted animals, as the horse-fly, the bot-fly, and the various kinds ol ani- mal lice. The insects which attack man directly are annoying rather than seriously hurtf ul, and this is usually the case also with those which molest the domesticated animals; but these sometimes multiply so as to seriously impoverish the animals which they infest. The term injurious , as distinguished from noxious , is properly applied to all those insects which damage mankind indirectly, but often to a most serious extent, by depredating upon those crops upon which we de- pend for subsistence and profit. PRACTICAL TREATMENT — SCIENTIFIC TERMS. 21 NUMBER MORE IMPORTANT THAN SIZE. It is worthy of remark that by far the greater proportion of the damage caused by injurious insects is effected by species of very small size, whilst the large species are generally harmless. The two most serious fruit insects, the Codling-moth and the Plum-curculio, are both below the medium size, and the Apple bark-louse, the Apple-aphis, the Hessian-fly, and the Wheat-midge, are so minute that they woidd not be noticeable were it not for the wide destruction which they cause to some of our most valuable crops, in consequence of their excessive mul- tiplication. TREATMENT OF INJURIOUS INSECTS. For the details of treatment the reader is referred to the practical treatises and reports which have been published upon this subject. We can give here only an abstract of the methods to be pursued. First, hand-picking and destruction by machinery, as in the case of the Colorado potato-beetle ; second, poisoning by such substances as Paris-green, hellebore, and carbolic acid, as in the cases of the Potato- beetle, and the Currant saw-fly ; third, rendering their food distasteful and repugnant to them by the application of such substances as ashes, lime, and whale-oil soap, which are applicable to all foliage-eating in- sects ; fourth, anticipating their attacks by planting at such times as will cause the crops to sprout or to mature too early or too late for them, both of which plans are exemplified by winter wheat, in its relation to the Chinch-bug and the Hessian-fly ; and fifth, when all other means fail, preventing their ravages by abstaining for a year or two from rais- ing the damaged crops. To these may be added, in certain favorable instances, the transportation and colonization of friendly parasites. An experiment of this kind has been performed by the author by the transportation from the central to the northern parts of the State of Illinois, ot the minute Clialcis-fly, which is parasitic upon the Oyster- shell Park-louse. The above list exhibits the most common methods of contending with injurious insects, and these methods admit of almost indefinite modifi- cation. Put they can be most usefully described in connection with the particular species of insect to which they are respectively applicable. USE OF LEARNED AND SCIENTIFIC TERMS. With regard to the use of scientific terras, derived mostly from the Oreek and Latin languages, it is to be remarked that though they may appear difficult and forbidding, at first sight, the student soon becomes familiarized with them, and finds them to be almost indispensable by enabling him often to express in one or two words what would require a 22 INSECTS IN GENERAL. whole sentence in English. It is also an important consideration that in learning the elements of any science or art, an indispensable part of such education is to acquire a knowledge of the more common techni- cal terms which properly belong to it, and which constitute its peculiar phraseology, and which the student will continually meet with in all writings upon the subject. In a work intended, like the present, for the common student, all unnecessary use of such , words should, of course, be avoided, and whenever we have found it necessary to use them, we have taken care, as a general rule, to explain their meaning, either directly or by the nature of the context. The student must not expect that any science can be so simplified as to remove all difficulties ; and especially true is this of so extensive and complex a science as entomology. Nor is it desirable that this should be done. One of the principal advantages to bo expected from the study of this science is the admirable mental discipline which it affords. The forms with which it has to deal are so numerous and diversified, and often, at the same time, so closely allied, that their classification constantly demands a minute and careful examination, and a discrimi- native analysis, which, regarded purely as an exercise of the mind, are scarcely inferior to those required by the abstract mathematics, whilst they possess the additional interest which naturally attaches to the study of living beings. CLASSIFICATION AND NOMENCLATURE. Classification in natural history has two objects in view — first, to show the relationship which exists between organized beings, by put- ting them in groups in accordance with the similarity of their charac- ters; and secondly, to facilitate the study of them by enabling the stu- dent to comprehend a great number of different but allied forms under a comparatively small number of general heads, and thus to afford an important aid to the memory. By nomenclature is meant the giving to these groups and the species which compose them distinctive names. This is necessary to enable us either to receive or to communicate knowledge ; and without it natural history could not be raised to the dignity of a science. In a department so extensive as that of insects a very great number of names, not only of species, but of the groups in which these are comprehended, must be necessarily introduced. It is therefore import- ant that the science shall not be encumbered by the creation of unneces- sary genera, or such as are founded upon slight and unimportant char- acters. It is, indeed, often difficult to determine precisely what charac- ters or combination of characters necessitate or justify the formation of a new genus, or the subdivision of an old one. No definition of the term genua which is universally applicable ever has been, or perhaps CLASSIFICATION AND NOMT.NLLATtTilK. 23 ever cau be given, inasmuch as the characters which constitute it often possess very different values in the different genera and families, not only of insects, but of animals generally, and therefore the formation of genera must necessarily be left to the judgment of the author. It is the natural tendency of the specialist to attach undue value to the minor subdivisions of his particular department, whilst he whose studies take a wider range sees more forcibly the necessity of condensa- tion and simplification. Much can be said upon both sides of this ques- tion, but perhaps the argument may be condensed into a single sentence by saying that, on the one hand, the minute subdivision of a natural group tends to give definiteness and precision to our investigations, whilst, on the other hand, the multiplication of genera or sub-genera, upon trivial characters, unnecessarily encumbers our nomenclature, and diminishes the interest and importance which ought to attach to the generic distinction. In writing the names of insects— and the same rule applies to all other departments of natural history— it is the established custom to write first the name of the genus, usually without the author’s name attached, and immediately following it the specific name, with the name of the original describer, or an abbreviation of it, appended. As no one can carry all the modern genera of insects in his memory, it is an excellent practice, when space permits, to prefix the name of the older and more comprehensive genus to which such species was formerly re- ferred, and with which most entomologists may be presumed to bet fa- miliar. In this case the modern genus is included in a parenthesis, and usually with the author’s name attached. To illustrate by examples : The common rose-slug is the larva of a little wasp-like insect, known scientifically as the Selandria rosw of Harris. This species was first described by Dr. Harris, who gave to it the specific name rosw, meaning of the rose. It belongs to the modern genus Selandria, which was founded by Dr. Leach, an English ento- mologist. This genus is a subdivision of the old genus Tenthredo, of Linnaeus. The name written in full, therefore, will stand : Tenthredo ( Selandria , Leach ) rosw, 11 arris. Our fine large Polyphemus moth was originally described by Linnaeus under the name of Attacus Polyphemus. It belongs to the modern genus Telea, made by the German lepidopterist, Hiibner. Its name, there- fore, expressed in the simplest manner, is Telea Polyphemus, Linn.; or written in full — Attacus (Telea, Hiibner J Polyphemus, Linnaeus. This is ordinarily all that is essential to be known, and any additional synonyms or references should be placed in a subordinate position. 24 INSECTS IN GENERAL. It will be observed that all the family names of insects end in idiv. This is a Greek termination, meaning like or similar, and implies that all the species in any such group have a family resemblance to those of the leading genus to which it is affixed — thus: Cicindelidai means Cicin- dela-like insects. In pronouncing these words the accent is placed upon the syllable preceding this termination, thus: Cicindel-idw, Car ah - idiv , etc. It is often the case that families, especially those which contain many species, admit of division into a number of natural groups of a higher rank than genera, which are designated as sub-families, and distin- guished by tin; termination ides. Thus the family Caribidse is divided into a number of sub-families, such as the Brachinides, the Bcuritides, etc. DIVISION OF INSECTS INTO ORDERS. The class of insects is divided into a number of primary groups called orders. Between these larger divisions are certain smaller ones, which serve as connecting links between them, and which some authors have merged in one or the other of the adjoining larger groups, whilst others hav e considered them of sufficient importance to be raised to the same rank with the larger ones. From this it has resulted that the number of orders into which the class of insects lias been divided has varied, even in the works of standard authors, from seven to twelve, and the number will be still increased if we regard as distinct orders certain apterous form, such as the lice ( Pediculi,) and the springtails (Thy- sanura.) But as in this elementary treatise it is the intention to simplify the classification of insects as much as possible, we have adopted the smaller number of orders, with the single exception of recognizing the division of the Uemiptera into Homoptera and lieteroptera as of ordi- nal value. 'The orders of insects are founded primarily upon the number and structure of the wings. This mode of division was first suggested by Aristotle, who gave the names which they now bear to two of the or- ders, namely, the Ooleoptera and the Diptera. It was afterwards al- most. perfected by I dunams, but has been somewhat modified by more recent authors. The orders, at the present time, are usually arranged in two sections, with four orders in each, based upon the form and structure of the mouth. ORDERS OF INSECTS. 25 A A. TABLE OF THE ORDERS OF INSECTS. Section 1st. Mnndibulata, or Gnawing Insects . — Mouth composed of jaws and mandibles. A. Upper wings of a horny or leathery consistency; under wings membraneous. H. Upper wings horny, and usually indexible ; under wings folded both lengthwise and crosswise ; inactive in the pupa state : COLEOPTKRA. B B, Upper wings coriaceous, or like parchment; under wings folded lengthwise only; active in all their stages : Orthoptera. All four wings membraneous and transparent. U. Wings with many branching veins, and usually many cross- veins; abdomen without an ovipositor. .. .Neuroptera. - U C. Wings with comparatively few veins; abdomen of the fe- males terminating in an ovipositor or a sting: ilYMENOPTERA* Section 2d. Haustellata , or Suolcing Insects.— The mouth consolidated into a proboscis or sucker. A. Wings four. H. Wings covered with bran-like scales Lepidoptera. B B. Wings naked. C. Upper wings of the same texture throughout, not lapping- over each other, dedexed or roof-shaped when at rest : . Homoptera. (j 0. Upper wings coriaceous at base, membraneous at tip, lap- ping one over the other at the tip, and lying flat upon the abdomen when at rest IIetkroptera. A a. Wings two, membraneous Diptera! r) 20 ORDER OR COLEOPTERA. Order of COLEOPTEEA. The Coleoptera, (a term composed of two Greek words, x»Aeoc a sheath , and Trrepa wings,) commonly called beetles, are the most numerous divi- sion of the mandibulate or gnawing insects. They are distinguished from all other insects by the hard texture of their bodies, and by their horny wing-covers, called elytra, which represent the upper pair of wings of other insects. The elytra are not moved in flight, but only raised so as to permit the free motion of the lower or true wings, and a few ol the chafers ( Getonice ) do not even raise them during flight. They are gen- erally hard, horny and inflexible, but in the lightning-beetles ( Lam VV - ridce ) and a few others, they are comparatively thin and flexible, but never membraneous like the lower wings. The inferior or true wings differ from those of almost all other insects in being folded crosswise, as well as lengthwise, when at rest under their cases. The Bupresfnhe and a few others form exceptions to this rule. A few kinds which live under stones and in other dark places, and which have no occasion to fly, have no wings under their elytra. Owing to the perfect development and the hard texture of the crust or integument of the Coleoptera, and also to the circumstance that it is not usoallv much obscured by hair, this part is made more use of ... classification than it is in any of the other orders. The upper sale ex- hibits the three divisions of the insect’s body : the head, the thorax, and the abdomen, covered by the elytra. Between the elytra, at their base, or where they join the thorax, is almost always a small triangular piece called the scutelhim. On the under side, each of the principal purls is seen to be composed of a considerable number of pieces usually, soldered together, anil distinguished only by fine impressed lines called sutures. These subdivisions and tlieir names will be sufficiently understood, with- out the necessity of a detailed description, by the annexed figure ol one of the ground-beetles (1 larpalus caliginosusj and the accompanying ex- planation, taken in connection with the general description in the lie- ginning of the work. EXPLANATION OF THE FOLLOWING FIGURE. The oblong narrow piece in the middle of the mouth, marked L, is the ligula or tongue. At the extremity of the ligula are two little w ings or side pieces marked pp; these are the paraglossw.' The other parts ol the mouth are named in the figure, and have been described m t ie in- troductory part of this work. The under side of the head, behind the mentum or chin, is called the gulu or throat. The under side of the thorax is divided into a considerable number of pieces more or less distinct, and separated from each other by im- pressed lines called sutures. The middle portion is called the sternum EXTERNAL ANATOMY. 27 or breast-plate, and is divided into three parts, the prosternum or fore breastplate; the mesosternum or middle breast-plate ; and the metaster- num or bind breast plate. Each of these parts has a side piece, called the episterwum ; so that there is an episternum of the prothorax ; an episternum of the mesothorax ; and an episternum of the metathorax; all of which are labeled in the figure. Birectly behind each episternum is a smaller piece called the epimeron. These are indicated in the figure by stars ; three stars marking the epimeron of the prothorax ; two stars the epimeron of the mesothorax ; and one star the epimeron of the meta- 28 ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. thorax. The epimeron of the mesothorax is very narrow in Harpalus, and scarcely distinguishable without the aid of a lens; but in a part of the long-horned beetles fSaperda, etc.) and in some others, it is consider- ably wider, and affords valuable characters in classification. The tro- chanters , or little joints at the base of the thighs, are marked T R in the figure, except the large hind trochanters, where the name is printed in full. Behind the metasternum, and extending outwardly from the hind coxrn is a narrow piece marked cx. p. This is the hind coxal ‘plate. This is a very narrow piece in Harpalus, but in some of the serricorn beetles (Buprestidce and E later idee), it is much wider, and furnishes im- portant generic characters, and in Haliplus, a genus of water beetles, it is excessively dilated. The other parts are sufficiently named in the figure. The antenna; of the Coleoptera are usually eleven jointed and of mod- erate length, but they are subject to much variation both in length and form, as will appear in the descriptions of the different families. The subjoined figures show their most common variations, and the names by which they are designated. These forms have been more particularly described on a former page, when treating of insects in general. il'ig- 4.] Antknnje of Colkoftkka. — 1, filiform or thread-shaped ; 2 ami 3, serrate or eaw-foothed ; 4, pectinate or comb-toothed ; 5, capitate or knobbed ; C, 7, 8, ciavate or club-shaped ; » and 10, lamellate or plated, —after Leconte. The palpi, or little jointed appendages to the mouth, also sometimes furnish important characters in classification. They vary chiefly in the shape of the terminal joint, which is sometimes much narrower than the others, when it is called acieular or needle-shaped, and sometimes much widened, so as to be in the form of a triangle or of a half-moon, or hatchet. As the terms large , small and medium-sized are often used in speaking of insects, and as these words vary considerably in force, when used in different relations, we give below their average meaning when applied to the Coleoptera: An inch or more in length, - \ery large. Three-quarters of an inch, Large. Half an inch, Medium. Quarter of an inch, Small. One-eighth of an inch or less, - Very small. The intermediate sizes are expressed by such phrases as rather large, rather small, or a little above, or a little below the medium, etc. This THE COLEOPTERA FROM A PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW. L'9 standard applies only when speaking of any one group of beetles as compared with the Coleoptera generally. The same expressions will necessarily vary in force when applied to the species of a particular group as compared with each other, accordingly as the species of that group are large, or small as compared with the rest of the order; that is to say, a small species of a group of generally large-sized insects may be larger than a large species of a small-sized group. LARV-Ai AND PUPAE. The larval of the Coleoptera are usually soft whitish grubs; naked, or with a few scattered hairs ; with a mandibulate mouth not very unlike that of the perfect insects; usually furnished with six short feet and a single terminal proleg, but sometimes wholly footless. They live in se- cluded situations, sometimes in the ground, but ofteuer in the wood oj under the bark of decaying trees, or in putrescent animal substances, and not unfrequently in nuts and seeds, and in the pulp of fruits. They aie larely found exposed to the light of day, and therefore they never exhibit the beauty of coloration, nor the variety of clothing which gives so much interest to the study of the caterpillars, which are the larv;e of the moths and butterflies. The larvae of most of the families of Coleoptera are now pretty well known, but owing to the circum- stances just mentioned, they have generally received but little atten- tion from entomologists compared with that which has been bestowed upon the perfect insects. The larvae of the several families will be more particularly described in their proper connections. The pupal arc rarely inclosed in cocoons, but the larvae, before chang- ing, simply form cells by turning themselves round and round in the earth or rotten wood, in which they usually undergo their metamor- phoses. But some larvae, especially in the families of Curculionidm and Chrysomelidae, construct regular cocoons of web, not very unlike those of the nocturnal Lepidoptera, which they attach to the plants upon which they feed. The legs of the pupae are always free, but they are not used, the insects being dormant and motionless during this stage of their existence. THE COLEOPTERA FROM A PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW. In order to show more clearly the connection between scientific and practical entomology, in classifying the Coleoptera we have taken the food-habits of the several species as the basis of classification, it being- in the nature of their food, and their methods of obtaining it, that in- sects come into the most important relationship to mankind, whether of an injurious or a beneficial character. We refer to the Coleoptera particularly, because they exhibit a much greater diversity of food- 30 ORDER OR COLEOi’TERA. habits than any of the other orders of insects. Indeed this principle of classification is of value just in proportion as such diversity exists; and where it is very limited, as especially in the great order of Lepi- doptera, it ceases to be available, liven in classifying the Coleoptera upon this basis, and at the same time paying the necessary respect to structural considerations, we are sometimes compelled to place insects of similar food-habits in several different, and sometimes remote, tribes. The wood-boring beetles, for example, constitute three distinct tribes, designated as the saw-horned borers ( Buprcxtidw) ; the long-horned borers ( GerambycidccJ, and the short-horned borers fSooly tidal. J There are likewise four distinct families of fungus-beetles, found respectively in each of the four tarsal sections. But notwithstanding such instances as these, the Coleoptera admit of a very interesting, useful, and, in the main natural classification in accordance with the nature ot their food. As compared with the other orders of insects the Coleoptera are sur- passed only by the Lepidoptera in the extent of their injuries to culti- vated crops; and indeed they are so nearly equal to the latter in this respect, that there may be a doubt which takes the precedence; and it is true of either of these two orders, that, with the exception of the other, it includes a greater number of injurious species than all the other orders of insects combined. The great destructiveness ol the Lepidoptera is readily explained by the nature of their food, nearly all their larva-, commonly known as caterpillars, subsisting upon plant- food, and mostly in a fresh and growing state. The Coleoptera, on the contrary, embrace, in addition to the plant-eating species, extensive tribes of predacious and scavenger beetles, which are indirectly ol in- calculable benefit to mankind. In studying the bearing of scientific upon practical entomology , noth- ing perhaps is more important than to trace the connection ot the ex- ternal structure of insects with their habits, and especially with the nature of their food; since we are thus enabled, to a certain extent, to determine the habits of an insect by simply observing the form and structure of its Visible parts. We are able to lay down some general rules of this kind with respect to the Coleoptera, though most of them are subject to important exceptions. In order not to give too much space to this part of the subject, we will limit our observations to two of the most important and prominent organs— the antenna;, and the feet, or tarsi. All predaceous beetles have filiform antennae except the lady birds or ( loccinellidae. All the scavenger beetles have strongly clavate or knobbed antenna;, except the short-winged scavengers or Staphylinid®, and these are only partial exceptions, as mauy ot them are known to be predaceous. THE COLEOrTERA FROM A PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW. * 31 All the leaf-eating beetles have Aliform or nearly Aliform antennae, except the herbivorous Lamellicorns (Rutelidce and Melolonthidw.) All fungus-eating beetles have the antennae more or less strongly clavate. The feet of the Coleoptera are of two principal kinds; Arst, simple feet, in which the joints are slender, and of about the same width throughout, and clothed oidy with somewhat scattered bristles ; and secondly bi-lohed feet, in which the joints are somewhat widened amide- pressed, with the last joint but one usually a little wider than the others, and divided into two lobes, between which the last joint is inserted, and all of them clothed beneath with densely crowded short stiff hairs, of the same length, so as to resemble a brush ; sometimes also compared to a piece of sponge. As a general rule, beetles with simple feet reside upon the ground, or under the bark of dead trees, or in other decomposing matter, and are either carnivorous or rypophagous (filth eating) in their habits; and those which have bi-lobed and spongy feet live upon the foliage of trees and other plants, this structure of the feet seeming to be especially adapted to enabling them to adhere to the surface of leaves ; and ac- cordingly most of these insects are herbivorous. this general statement is subject to important exceptions. Some of the lamellicorn beetles ( Melolonthidw, Rutelidw, etc.j have simple feet and yet feed upon the foliage of trees; but these insects do not run over the leaves, but simply cling to them with their sharp claws, whilst feeding. So, also, some carnivorous beetles ( Tclephorida: and CoceinellidccJ, which pursue their prey over the foliage of trees, have their feet bi-lobed and spongy. It is an interesting-circumstance that those insects ('Melolonthidw, otc.j which only cling to the foliage by their claws, do not breed upon the trees, but pass their larval period under ground, subsisting upon roots or other subterranean matters, and only visit the trees for the sake of feeding; whereas the true Phytophaga, with spongy feet {Ghrysomdidw and their allies) live upon the plants upon which they feed, through all the active stages of their existence. It is also a curious coincidence that the insects first mentioned, which only visit the trees occasionally for the purpose of feeding, do so only by night; whilst the genuine Phytophaga (plant eaters) are diurnal in their habits. There is another partial but important exception to the rule above laid down, as respects the males of many carnivorous beetles, which have some of the joints of their anterior feet much widened and brushed underneath ; but here the last joint but one is not bi-lobed, and the brush 32 ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. is usually confined to the anterior pair of feet, rarely extending to the middle pair, and never to the hind ones; besides being limited exclu- sively to the males. Whilst some of the other orders ot insects excel the Coleoptera in the perfection of their instincts, no other order can be compared with them in the diversity of their food, and their corresponding habits and organ- ization. Indeed the Coleoptera combine, to a great, extent, the food- habits of all the other orders. The herbivorous habits of the Orthop- tera, the carnivorous habits of the Hemiptera, the aquatic habits of the Neuroptera, the honey-eating and the parasitic habits of the Mymenop- tera, the leaf-eating habits of the larvae of the Lepidoptera, and the putrivorous habits of the Diptera — all find their parallel in the ranks of the omnivorous Coleoptera. CLASSIFICATION OF TIIE COLEOPTERA. The Coleoptera are usually divided into four sections founded upon the number of joints in their tarsi, or feet. These sections may bo tabulated as follows: Sec. 1. Five joints in dll the tarsi - Pcntamcra. 3$** Sec. 2. Five joints in the anterior and middle tarsi, and four joints in the hind tarsi JJeteromera. i/o Sec. 3. Four joints in all the tarsi Tetramera. / 3LL Sec. 4. Throe joints in all the tarsi Tnmcra. /7 7 These terms, except the second, are composed of the Greek nume- rals meaning respectively, /ire, four, and three, prefixed to a word ineauing parts or pieces. The prefix lietero, in the second section, means different. , As a general rule insects have five joints in their tarsi, and never more than five. This may, therefore, be regarded as the normal or typi- cal number, and a smaller number must be taken as an indication of in- feriority or degradation, using this word in its scientific sense. In ac- cordance with this view, the most perfect and highly organized beetles are found in the peutamerous section; and in those which have less than five joints, there is usually a little swelling at the base of the last joint, which is supposed to be a vestige of the missing joint. This cir- cumstance has led some authors to give more complex names to these sections, expressive of this character, but with the explanation here given we have preferred to retain the simpler nomenclature of Geotfroy and Latreille. SUGGESTIONS TO All) IN CLASSIFYING THE COLEOPTERA. The student will perceive that thej'primary division of Coleopterous insects is based upon the number of joints in their feet, or tarsi. This character, though apparently of trivial importance, is found to furnish an index to a more natural classification than can be established upon AIDS IN CLASSIFICATION. 33 any other single character. In almost all beetles of considerable size, that is, more than a quarter of an inch in length, this character is very uniform, or, in other words, the number of tarsal joints in the insects of any one section or family, is remarkably unexceptional. It also has the advantage, in insects of this size, of being easily determined, if not by the naked eye, at least by the aid of a simple lens. But the insects which are necessarily the most difficult to examine and classify are the very small ones, and here the character founded upon the number of tarsal joints not only becomes more difficult to de- termine, but more exceptional, and therefore of less value. We there- fore give the following suggestions to aid the inexperienced student in cases of this kind. The principal difficulty occurs with respect to numerous families con- taining very small species in the first or pentamerous section ; and these are mostly limited to what are known as scavenger beetles, both 1 the club-horned tribe, (Clavicornes,) and the short-winged tribe, (Brachelytra.) In the minute species of both of these tribes the number of tarsal joints is very irregular, one of them being often indistinct or wanting, especially in the posterior feet ; and in three families at least, the Lathridiidse, Tricliopterygidse and Pselaphidse, two joints are want- ing in all the feet, making them apparently but three-jointed. The student will naturally inquire, why place these insects in the pentamerous section? The answer is, that they harmonize more closely with the insects of this section in their other characters, whilst they do not affiliate with the insects of the other sections which agree with them in the number of tarsal joints. An examination of their other charac- ters will usually enable the student, after a little experience, to refer these insects to their true position ; though cases sometimes occur which puzzle the most astute entomologist. They can hardly be confounded with the Heteromera, because these are, for the most part, much larger insects, and the exceptionally small species belong mostly to the tribe of Trachelides, which are distinguished from these and most other beetles by having the head attached to the thorax by a narrow neck. They differ from the Tetramera in the form of the tarsi and also that of the antenme. Almost all these small species with deficient tarsal joints have these parts slender and simple, whilst all the genuine Tetramera have the tarsal joints somewhat widened and covered beneath with a dense brush of short hair, and the last joint but one is wider than the others, and divided into two lobes, between which the last joint is in- serted. The only pentamerous beetles which have some of their tarsal joints obsolete, and at the same time have the last joint but one bilobed, are a part of the serricorn family of Clerhhe. Some of the short-winged scavengers (Staphylinidw), with an irregular number of tarsal joints, t 34: THE ORDER OP COLEOPTEKA. have a part of these joints widened but not bilobed in the males, but here it is a sexual distinction, and is confined to the anterior feet. These small Pentamera, with variable tarsi, almost always have strongly davate antennae, except the Staphylinidae, and these are dis- tinguished at once by their short wing-covers. The true Tetramera, on the contrary, have the antenna; filiform, or at most slightly and gradu- ally enlarged toward the tip, except the snout-beetles ( Curcutionidie ), and these are readily known by their elongated rostrum. If, then, the student have in hand a small beetle whose place in the system he cannot determine with certainty, from the number of tarsal joints, let him first observe whether these joints are slender and sim- ple or dilated and brush-like beneath, with the last joint but one deeply notched or bilobed ; and then let him examine the antenna;, and observe whether they are slender and filiform, or whether they are decidedly enlarged at the end, either gradually ( clavatc ), or abruptly {capitate). 1. If the tarsi arc simple and the antenna} filiform , the species may belong to some one of a number of diverse families ( Carahidie , Elater - ■idee, Mordellidce , Mclanilryida ', Cistclida >, and a few smaller families) ; but the beetles with this combination of characters are rarely of very small size, and they are, therefore, the more easily determined by their other characters. 2. If the tarsi are simple and thf antenna: clavate or capitate , the in- sect rnafr be referred, with very few exceptions, to some one of the fami- lies of scavenger beetles in the pentamerous section. This rule embra- ces a large proportion of very small sized beetles, and will, therefore, be found of great use to the student in narrowing the field of his inquiry. A few apparent exceptions exist in the licteromerous families of Diaperidas and Tenebrionidse, but the former can be usually distin- guished by their perfoliate antenna;, and the an ten me of the Tenebrio- nida; are usually so slightly enlarged toward the tip as scarcely to bo entitled to the name of clavate. Other partial exceptions are found in the family of Scolytkhe, or short horned wood-borers, all of which have strongly clavate antenna;, and some of which have simple tarsi ; but many of them have the last joint but one slightly bilobed. 3. If the tarsi are dilated and bilobed. and the antennae filiform, the in- sect belongs to the family of long-horned borers ( Cerambycidw ), or to that of the plant-beetles proper ( Ghrysomelidce , etc.) The tarsi thus formed are almost always spongy on the under side. Only a few par- tial exceptions to this rule are found, and these are in the heteromerous families of CEdemeridffi, Antliieidae, and a few others; but in these the tarsi are usually but slightly dilated, and but little, or not at all, spongy beneath. SECTION OP PENTAME1IA. 35 4. If the tarsi are dilated and bilobed and the antenna clavate, tlie spe- cies belongs to the tribe of snout-beetles (Curculionidce), in the tetrame- rous section, or the family of Erotylidae, or that of Coccinellidae, in the triinerous section. 5. Beetles with distinctly serrate antenna belong almost exclusively to the families of Serricornes proper, iu the pehtamerous section ; but this rule also has a few exceptions. The pea and bean weevils (Bruchida), iu the tetramerous section, usually have the antennae decidedly serrate; and a few small families of the division of Trachelides, in the hetero- merous section (Rhipiphorida and Pyrochroida), usually have the an- tenna; serrate in the females, and flabellate or branched in the males. C. All beetles with lamellate antenna belong to the division of Lamel- licornes proper, iu the pentamerons section. Only in very rare in- stances the branches of a pectinate or tlabellate antennae are somewhat flattened so as to resemble the true lamellate. An example of this is found in the little beetles of the genus Phlceotribus in the family of Scolytidae. Section 1. PEXTAMERA. Usually five joints in all the tarsi , one or two of them being sometimes' deficient in very small species; all the joints usually slender and simple, except that the anterior, or anterior and middle tarsi arc some- times dilated and brush-like beneath, as a sexual distinction of the males. It is seen by this formula that the pentamerous section is distin- guished not only by the number, but also by the form and structure of the tarsal joints, the tarsi in this, and also in the succeeding or hetero- merous section being, with but few exceptions, slender aud simple, and clothed only with scattered hairs or bristles, whilst iu the third and fourth sections the tarsi are widened and covered beneath with a dense brush of short hairs, or hair-like papillae, and the penultimate, or last joint but one, is almost always bilobed. It is important to bear this two-fold distinction in mind, inasmuch as the form and structure of the tarsi often give the clue to the classification of small species in which the number of the joints is deficient or difficult to be determined. This has been already more fully explained in the general remarks on pages 30 to 34. The ambiguity arising from the dilation of some of the tarsal joints in the males of certain species, can always be avoided by directing the examination to the hindermost tarsi, which are never so dilated. This is the most numerous section, and comprises, as a general rule, the largest and most highly organized species iu this order of insects, though it also contains many small species. They can be divided into six sub-sections, founded upon their habits and the nature of their food, and distinguished primarily by the struc- 36 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. ture of their an ten me ; and these sub-sections are again naturally divi- sible into a number of subordinate divisions or tribes. The following , table gives a synopsis of the sub-sections, tribes, and families of the pentamerous beetles. The names given to these sub-sections are gen- erally recognized, and in common use, except the first and the third. The term filicornes , though sufficiently characteristic of the predaceous beetles as compared with others of the pentamerous section, does not sharply distinguish them from some of the beetles of the other sections ; and the term monilicornes , applied to the third sub-section — which is composed chiefly of the family of Staphylinidae, though tolerably char- acteristic, especially of the larger and typical species — is not ordinarily applied to them, for the reason that the beetles of this division are more readily and strongly distinguished by another character, namely, the remarkable shortness of their wing-covers, expressed by the Greek term bracheh/tra, by which they are generally designated, or the correspond- ing Latin word brevipennes, which is sometimes, but less commonly used. SYNOPSIS OF THE PENTAMEROUS COLEOPTERA. Sub-sec. I. Filicornes. Attenn* filiform, Habits predaceous. Tribe 1. Predaceous ground beetles. ( Carnivora terrestria.) Geodephaga, MacLeay. Families: Oicindelidas ; Carabidae. Tribe 2. Predaceous water beetles. ( Carnivora aquatica.) Hy- dradephaga, MacLeay. Families: Dytiscidas; Gyrinidie. Sub-sec. II. Glavicornes. Antennas club-shaped. Habits mostly putrivorous. Tribe 3. Water scavanger-beetles. ( Putrivora aquatica .) Philhydrida, MacLeay. Families: Parnidas; Hydrophilidas. Tribe 4. Land scavenger-beetles. ( Putrivora terrestria.) Necrophaga partly, Latreille. Families: Silphidm; Scaphidiidas ; Histerkhe; hTitudilidso; Dermestkhe; Mycetophagidae ; Oryptophagidae ; Byrrhidse; Anisotoinidie ; Phalacridas; Trichopterygkhe ; Scydmeuidas; Trogositidae ; Cucujidaj; Colydikke ; Lathridiidas. Sub-sec. III. Monilicornes. Autenme more or less mouiliform or bead-like; wing covers very short. Habits mostly pu- trivorous. Tribe 5. Short-winged scavengers. ( Putrivora brevipennata.) Brachelytra, Latreille. Families : Staphylinkku ; Pselaphidie. PREDACEOUS GROUND-BEETLES. 37 Sub-sec. IY. Peptinicornes. Antennae pectinate or comb-toothed Tribe 6. Stag beetles. Family : Lucanidae. Sub-sec. V. Lamellicornes. Antennae lamellate. Food-habits different in the two tribes. Tribe 7. Lamellicorn dung-beetles. ( Excrementivora lamellioor- nia.) Sapkophaga, MacLeay. Families: Copridae; Aphodiidae ; Geotrupidse; Trogidm. Tribe 8. Lamellicorn leaf-beetles. ( Herbivora lamellicornia.) Thalerophaga, MacLeay. Families : Dynastidae ; Rutelidae ; Melolonthidm ; Cetoniidm. Sub-sec. YI. Ser r iconics . Autennae usually more or less ser- rate or saw-toothed. Food-habits various. Tribe 9. Saw-horned wood-beetles. ( Lignivora serricornia.) Sternoxi, Latreille. Families: Buprestidae; Elateridae; Cebrionidte. Tribe 10. Aberrant wood-beetles. ( Lignivora aberrantia.) Families: Ptinidae; Cupesida?; Lymexylonidae. Tribe 11 . Soft-winged predaceous beetles. (Carnivora mollipen- nata.) Malacoderhi, Latreille. Families: Lampyridie; Melyridae; Cleridae. Fiiet Sub-soction, FILICORNES. Aq*e»mu filiform ; palpi apparently six ■, habits preilaeeons. Tuihe I. PREDAOEOUS GROUND BEETLES. Carnivora terrestria. Geodephaga,* MacLeay. This extensive tribe of beetles is distinguished by their slender and filiform, or slightly tapering antennae, in connection with their five- jointed tarsi or feet, all the joints always being distinct even in the smallest species ; by having apparently six palpi ; and by the promi- nence of their large egg-shaped posterior trochanters, which furnish a very distinctive and easily recognized character, and which no other coleopterous insects possess so conspicuously developed. (See Fig. 3, on page 27.) No insects have strictly more than four palpi, and the appar- ent additional pair which is peculiar to this and the following tribe, are really the outer lobes of the maxillae which are here palpiform. They are almost exclusively carnivorous in their diet, and pre-eminently pre- daceous in their habits, both in the larva and the perfect states. They ♦ From the Greek yij the earth, and a drj(fdyo<; ravenous. THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 38 subsist chiefly upon the larvae of other insects, and are therefore useful in helping to maintain a proper balance of insect life. As their name implies, they are found mostly on the ground. They run with great ra- pidity, and never attempt to seek safety by feigning death, as is the habit with many of the leaf and fruit-eating beetles. The tribe contains two families, distinguished as follows : A. Head large and vertical, wider than the thorax ;* antennae inserted on the front; eyes large and prominent; mandibles strongly toothed ; wing covers usually marked with yellow : OlCINDELIDiE. A A. Head horizontal or a little inclined, usually narrower than the thorax; antennae inserted under the sides of the front; eyes moderate; mandibles simple or slightly toothed; color usually black; sometimes blue, green or brown; very rarely spotted : Carabidao. Family I. CICINDELirEE, (Tiger-beotles.) The Oicindelidoe are readily distinguished from all other pentamerous beetles, by their large vertical heads ; that is, their heads are so set rFig.5.) upon the thorax that when viewed from above, only the vertex or crown is distinctly seen, the face looking directly forwards. In a few large species which vary from the family type the head is not quite vertical, but yet strongly inclined downwards. The common English name of Tiger-beetles express- es very well the character of these insects, and they may be said to represent in the insect tribes the tiger amongst quadrupeds, and the hawk and eagle amongst ard’a Guide. birds. They are the most highly organized and per- fect of all coleopterous insects, and run and fly with equal facility. They are often seen running in hot dusty roads. W hen pursued they fly quickly, but usually alight again a rod or two in advance. About sev- enty species have been described as inhabiting the United btates, in- cluding those found on the Pacific side ol the continent. ♦That part of the body of a beetle wliicli, when viewed from above, lies between the head and the base of the elytra, commonly called the thorax, is found upon dissection to ho only the anterior section or pro-thorax, which is here greatly developed; all of the meso-thorax, except the little triangular piece called the scutellmn, and the whole of the meta-thorax, being concoalod under the basal portion of the elytra Many recent writers have, therefore, adopted for this part the name at pro-thorax, which thus has (he advantage of greater anatomical precision. The term thorax, on the other hand, has the claim of brevity and of long established usage, aud this brief explanation will relieve it of any amhi- guity that might otherwise be attached to it. PREDACEOUS GROUND-BEETLES. 30 Then- larvae dig holes in the sand, often a foot or more in depth, at the mouth of which they lie in wait for their prey, dragging it, when [ FlB ' 6 ' ] captured, to the bottom of their burrows. The name of the princi- pal genus, Cicinclela , is derived from the Latin, Candela, a candle or taper, and was applied by the ancients to the glow-worm. The laree siVo • species are all of medium or rather - “* Oicmdela sexguttata of Pabricius, of a brilliant metallic green color with Z?,! ° f Pabricius > one at the end of each witm- ’ ■ ° Je °" 1101:8 at tlie side, and it is often seen running Z™; “ T °*' ° Ur ’ 1,0st bea «tiful belles, doubt, for wood-eating larvm. g§ “ tLe f ° reSt ’ iu searcb > uo I amity n. CARABIDiE, (Ground-beetles.) b “" gi r “• (Pig. 7.j f he y are readily distinguished - Lorn the Cicindelidse by the position of the head, it being directed forwards instead of downwards, so that the face and parts of the ^ mouth are fully seen when viewed from This is one of the most numerous families iiT the mXi'of eleven hundred distinct snecies i, 9 v i„„ i dcr ol Col eoptera, habiting North America alone. Tliev are'' nTuallTl , eat ra i mllt ^ Some in the first warm days of spring andT f 5 consi(leial >le numbers about our lights i„ summer °‘' 0 SOmeti “ es s ““ «f'»e b»«i r ac r "“ biis ° f '"to a very important^ taSSd' T* "«<• plication of other insects. There are f almost universally carnivorous h.bi« tftta wIT”“ “ genera Omophron and Zabrus have been tnowu'l , f'b bl "' c ' es of tU6 jurionh extent, upon the soft grata 0 f "^g » » <» liS — ' «• I— W sSXatl^' 40 THE ORDER OF OOLEOPTERA. subsist mostly upon succulent roots, and upon the pith and steins of grasses. . . The larva} are active grubs, of an elongated form, with sharp, project- ing mandibles, and usually furnished at the hind extremity with a pair of conical, bristly appendages. They live in the same obscure situations as the parent insects, but are still more retiring, and are seldom seen. They are very intolerant of confinement, and however well cared for, they rarely live long enough to complete their transformations. The Carabid® constitute a very difficult study, on account of their great numbers and the general uniformity of their coloring ; and what adds much to this difficulty is, that some of the most valuable charac- ters used in their classification are peculiar to the male sex, and there- fore afford us no aid, if the specimen in hand happens to be a female. Nothing but the familiarity which is the result of long experience m the study of these insects, can enable the student to recognize the slight modifications of form by which the minor divisions are characterized. Authors have differed much in the principal divisions which they have made in this family, accordingly as they have assumed one or another class of characters to be of primary importance. Linmeus united all the species which he knew in the single genus Cardbus. Fabricius, and others of the earlier authors, established many new genera, and Latreille combined and systematized them in the Genera Crustaceorum ct Insccto- rum, and subsequently in the Begne Animal This author divides the Carabid® into seven sections, based upon the forms of the elytra, tee and palpi. Lacordaire, in his great work upon the Genera des Coleopteres, following the method of Erichson, divides the family primarily into two legions, founded upon the peculiarities of the tibite and of the epimera of the metathorax; and these legions he subsequently divides into ten sections, corresponding, in the main, with the sections of Latreille, with three additional ones, to receive certain anomalous forms. Dr. J. L. Le- Conte, the learned Coleopterist of our own country, originally divided these insects, in his Notes upon the classification of the Carabid®, pub- lished in the tenth volume of the Transactions ot the American 1 hilo- sophical Society, 1853, intb three sub-families, fouuded upon the number of abdominal segments and the form of the epimera of the mesothorax. In his later work upon the classification of the Coleoptera of N. America, (1800,) he abandons the number of abdominal segments as ot primary value, and divides the family into three sub-families, based upon the form of the epimera of the mesothorax, and the relative position ot the intermediate cox®. Selecting from all these sources the characters which seem to be bes adapted to our purpose, we will divide the Carabid® into six subfamilies, as follows : PREDACEOUS GROUND-BEETLES. 41 A. Epimera of the mesothorax wide and reaching the middle coxae; cpimera of the metathorax indistinct. B. Anterior tibiae quite or almost without notch on their inner side, and never toothed on the outer side, both of their spurs at or near the extremity : . Carabides. B B. Anterior tibia} with a notch on the inner side, near the end, and toothed on the outer side ; one of the spurs at the end and the other above the notch ; abdomen pedunculated ; size extremely various ; color black : Scarfmdes. A A. Epimera of the mesothorax narrow, and not reaching the middle coxa; ; epim- era of the metathorax distinct; anterior tibiae always notched, with one spur at the apex and the other above the notch ; abdomen sessile. C. Elytra truncated at the extremity, leaving the tip of the abdomen exposed ; thorax more or less heart-shaped, and much narrower than the abdomen ; tarsi not at all or but slightly dilated; claws often pectinate; color usually blue, green, or variegated, rarely brown or blackish, never pure Brachinides. C C. Elytra entire, covering the whole of the abdomen ; anterior tarsi of the ' males generally dilated; claws very rarely pectinate ; colors various, mostly black. D. Last joint of the palpi as wide, at least, as the others; size various, often small, but rarely very small. E. Anterior tarsi of the males with the three first joints much widened, and covered beneath with a dense brush of hair-like papilla;; body often hairy or pubescent; colors usually green or blue-black, some- times, but rarely, pure black Chi^sniides. E E. Anterior and frequently also the middle tarsi, with the four or three, or rarely two first joints dilated, and usually furnished beneath with two rows of scale-like papillae, or more rarely with a brush of hairs; body usually smooth and shining; colors mostly black or metallic Harpaliues. D D. Last joint of palpi very small ; anterior tarsi of males usually with the first joint much dilated, and the second much less so, and scaly beneath; size small, usually very small Bembidiides. The parts called epimera , made use of in the above table, will be un- derstood by referring to Fig. 3, on page 27, where they are indicated by stars, as explained in the text. In section A, the epimerou of the mesothorax (indicated by two stars in the figure) is wide and somewhat triangular, and its inner extremity reaches the middle coxa, or rather forms a part of the wall or outline of the coxal cavity. But in section A A, (to which the species represented in the figure belongs) this epiin- eron is very narrow, and its inner extremity does not reach the coxal cavity, but impinges upon the anterior angle of the metasternum.* It is not necessary, however, that the reader shall study out these parts. The several sub-families are sufficiently characterized without * This is best, represented, but still imperfectly, on the right hand side of the figure. The inner ex- tremity of the epimeron should have been represented as touohiug the motusteruiuu, not nt its apex, but a little behind it. —6 42 THE ORDER OF OOLEOPTERA. them. They are introduced, here as probably indicating the natural re- lationship of the sub-families, and also because they form the basis of Dr. LeConte’s classification of this family. Sub-family OARABIDES. This sub-family contains nearly all the large species in the family, the [Fig. 8.] principal exception being the genus Pasi- [Fig. 9.] machus, in the family of Scaritides. These large species, constituting the Oarabides pro- per, are distinguished from all the rest of the family by the absence of the characteristic notch on the inner side of the anterior tibiae, near the extremity, and by having the two tibial spurs situated at the apex. All the other Carabidse have a conspicuous notch in Caiosojia this part, and one of the spurs is inserted ««»- above the notch. The anterior tarsi of the R^y- males are usually dilated, and spongy beneath. The palpi terminate in a large triangular joint, and this sub-family was therelore called, by Latreille, Grmdipalpi.- This division of the sub-family embraces the genera Carabus, Calosoma and Cychrus. The Calosoma calidum , a large black beetle, an inch in length, with three rows of golden dots upon each wing-cover, is one of the most common of the larger Oarabides. This is the species illustrated at figs. 8 and 9. But besides these large insects, a number of genera, composed of small and very different species, are usually included in this sub-family, in order to avoid a large number of primary divisions. This section con- tains the genera Elaplirus, botiophilus and Omophron, all of which are usually found in wet situations. Elaplirus ruscanus, resembling a small Cicindela of an ashen bronze color, and with round pits upon the wing- covers, is often found in abundance running upon the wet sand along the margins of water-courses. Notiophilus is composed ot small bionze- black species, not exceeding a quarter of an inch in length, and distin- guished from the small species in the other sub-families by their large prominent eyes, giving to the head a width greater than that of the tho- rax. Omophron is an extremely anomalous genus, resembling a Cocci- nclla or a Cassida much more than a Carabus. The species are rare in the northern States, but Omophron labiatum is common at the South, where its larvae are said to depart from the ordinary carnivorous habits of the family, by feeding upon the grains of growing corn. The most prominent characters of the leading N. A. genera are exhi- bited in the following table: PREDACEOUS GROUND-BEETLES. 43 A. Body of the usual oblong form r meso-sternum and seutelluin distinct. B. Thorax with a sharp lateral margin ; tibhe without notch ; last joint of palpi large and tri- angular ; eyes moderate, size usually large. C. Size large; elytra with numerous striae. D. Head of ordinary form ; cpiple.ura narrow. * E. Third j’oint of the antennae cylindrical ; color mostly black Carabus, 11. >> E E. Third joint of antenmo flattened ; body with rich metallic tints CALOsORfA, 21. D D. Head narrow ; epipleurte very wide Cychrus, 25. C C. Size medium or below ; ely tral striae not exceeding nine ; color black Nbbiua, 18. B B. Thorax without a sharp lateral margin ; tibiaj with a small notch and with one of the spurs at a distance from the apex ; last joint of palpi moderate ; eyes very large ; size small. F. Thorax almost cylindrical, without salient margin, and much narrower than the ab- domen ; elytra with round shallow pits Elapurus, 10. F F. Thorax depressed with an obtuse margin, nearly as wide as abdomen; color bronze-black Notjopiiilus, 8. A A. Body almost orbicular ; mesosternum covered by the prosternum; scutellum wanting; colors variegated Oriopiiron, 9. Sub-family SCARITIDES. The most conspicuous character of this sub-family is the peduncu- lated abdomen, producing a separation between it and the thorax, [Fig. io.| whence this section was called Bipartiti by Latreille But A. j, />. the most essential and unexceptional character is the form | w of the anterior tibm, which are widened and flattened, and toothed on the outer side, and with the outer angle JjL S, prolonged into a long point. This structure enables these /J i Iml nsects to dig in the earth, a habit expressed by the name ^ f \ lifrV -'f the typical genus Scaritcs of Fabricius, meaning a A ’tjpr 1 watcher. The sub-family is also remarkable for the ex- soahites (Asi'im- treme disparity in the size of its species, Pasimachus ShTudoir-ilftitiioybeiiig usually an inch or more in length, and Dyschirius less than an eighth. The anterior tarsi of the males are very rarely, and then but slightly dilated. A. First joint of antennm elongated. Size comparatively largo. B. Thorax with the hind angles prominent. Size large, or very large. Elytra usually with a blue border Faslmachub, 14 B B. Thorax rounded behind. Size medium, or above Scarites, 3 A A. First joint of antennae moderate. Size small, or very small. C. Thorax somewhat square-shapod ; abdomen elongate and depressed Clivina, 35 CO. Thorax sub-globose ; abdomen ovoid Dyschirius, 38 Pasimachus is an exclusively North American genus. The P. margi- natus of Bonelli, and the P. elongatus, LeConte, are common insects, usually found under stones or old logs. Dr. LeConte has given some interesting details of the habits of the larva of P. elongatus, which digs a deep hole in the ground, resting with its head at the entrance, and springing upon any prey that may come within its reach, thus re- sembling in its habits the larvae of Cicindela. * Tlio epipleura is tho margin of the wing-cover which is bent abruptly downwards, and covers the side of the abdomen. 44 THE ORDER OF CCI.EOPTERA. Sub family BRACH1MIDES. This sub-family corresponds to the section of Truncatipennes of La- treille. The elytra aro cut off at the extremity, either straight across, or obliquely, leaving the tip of the abdomen exposed. One of the most iFi g . n.j conspicuous general characters is the marked difference iu size, and often also in color, between the thorax and the ab- XfiCf domen, the thorax being usually scarcely wider than the head. The beautiful pectinate claws at the end of the tarsi, so common in this sub family, are not found outside of it in \ any of our Carabidae, except the genus Calathus, in the sub- lkuia GitAMiis, f aill i]y of Harpalides. Other characters have been given in Kii©y. the tabular view of sub-families. Most of the species are extremely active. Some are found under stones, but those with pecti- nate claws are often seen upon plants and flowers, this structure of their feet probably enabling them to adhere to the hairs or down, or other inequalities upon the surface of the foliage. The typical genus Bracliiuus (from the Greek Bpa-/IogistS to tile fore feet taraua ol female ■ d, front tarsus of male, showing the nf tl, „ ,*• Widened ami rounded or imtellifovm joints ; r, underside of 01 Ct etlCS, DCCAUse 1 ilCJ UT6 01- ® am % showing the brush-like surface— after Riley : it, lar- .,,,,1 ,, i -,- ta oi ciiLdixius — alter chapuis and caudiize. tt n constiui lt d and used dif- ferently from the others. But 40 TIIE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. apart from this sexual, and therefore often unavailable character, the Chkeniides can usually be distinguished from the Carabides proper by the presence of the tibial notch, and by their smaller size and more varied colors ; from the Scaritides by the absence of the gap between the thorax and the elytra; from the Brachinides by the thorax and ab- domen never being of contrasted colors, and by their simple claws ; and from the Harpalides by their usually lighter colors and silken surface. But a considerable number of species which are black and hairless, like the Harpalides, are included with the Chkeniides proper on account of the structure of their feet. But these we shall explain more particularly in our references to particular genera. In a strictly scientific point of view, the Chkeniides can scarcely be regarded as forming a sub family distinct from the Harpalides, but it is a matter of convenience, in practice, to subdivide very extensive groups. If we regarded structural considerations alone, a large proportion ot the Carabid® would have to be united in one great division, whilst certain anomalous genera such as Omophron , Ozccna, Morio, and a few others, would really constitute the types of distinct sub-families. A. Body hirsute ; head 'attached by a 'short neck ; abdomen pedunculated ; size below medium ; colors varied with fulvous and black PaxagasUs, .1 sp. A A. Body finely pubescent; bead without neck; abdomen sessile; thorax narrower than abdo- men; size about medium ; colors mostly green or blue-black Cm .emus, :15. AAA. Body glabrous ; thorax nearly or quite as wide as abdomen ; size medium or above ; color black. B. Body elongated or elliptical ; anterior angles of the thorax advanced ; elytra oarlnatcd near tho margin ; color black, usually with rich violet or metallic tints Dicalus. 21. BB. Bo ly oval; thorax and elytra, ordinary color black. C Head broad and obtuse; thorax a little narrower at base than elytra; montum without tooth....' DU'LOCIIIIIT.A, 3. C C. Head small and pointed; thorax as wide at base as elytra ; montum toothed Oopks, h. A A A A. Body glabrous ; thorax small ; size small ; color light red with black spots. .Bapisiek, 8. Panagieus contains two N. A. species, the crucigerus and fasciatus of Say, both of which are rare. The generic name means holy, in allusion to the arrangement of the spots on the elytra, in the typical species, somewhat in the form of a cross. Chlainius contains many species, one of the largest, most beautiful, and commonest of which is the Ghlwnius sericcus of Forst. (fig. 12), a fine green insect, with yellow legs, and clothed, like the rest of the species, with a microscopically fine silken down, or pubescence, which can scarcely be seen directly from above, but which is quite distinct when viewed side-ways, with the aid ot a lens. Dicuilus (two-pitted, in allusion to the hollows on the thorax) contains a number of rather rare beetles, some of which are pure black, but most ot them are very richly tinted. They can be distinguished from the black Har- palides by their more elongated form, and more particularly by tho shape of their thorax, which is almost square, with its anterior angles advanced, and considerably turned up at the sides. PREDAOEOITS GROUND-BEETLES. 47 The next two genera resemble still more closely some of the Harpali- des, but the structure ot the tore-feet of the males places them in the present sub-family. They are easily distinguished, however, from the great majority ot the Harpalides, by having the thorax nearly or quite as wide at base as the elytra. The meaning of the generic name Oochs. is, resembling the letter 0, the species being of a regular oval form, and the thorax and elytra being of precisely the same width and closely applied to each other. lu this re- spect they resemble the genus Amara among the Harpalides. The genus hadister , meaning a feist walker , is composed of a small number of pretty little glossy reddish beetles, spotted with black, a style of coloration in strong contrast with the usually dark colors of the Carabidie. iHi Sub-family HAKCAI.inKS. The Harpalides, as here defined, embrace a very extensive group of beetles, not much inferior in numbers to all the other sub-families com- f s (Fig ' 13 ] biued; and as they are most- >f f\ « - e , ly of black or dark metallic colors, and as their size is for _ the most part limited in its I J . r=^ -rr^rii .rrsm range from a quarter of an _ . ^ inch to a little more than half Supposed larva of Haiu’alus (in the act. of devouring a Curculio larva) : — B, headseen from beneath : j, i, It, marks ail ilicll iu length, aU(l when on under side of abdominal segments, becoming fewer to- wards the tip-after Walsh. we add to this that their most distinctive characters are restricted to the male sex, some idea can be formed of the difficulty of classifying them, or of referring any par- [Flu. i4.] . tieular species to its proper location. Their distinctive character lies in the structure of the tarsi of the males, which often have both the anterior and middle tarsi dilated, and instead of having a uniform brush upon the under side, they are furnished with two rows of little J_ transverse plates, or scale-like papilhe, and the hairs which border the sides of the tarsi are usually coarser, or more bristly than they are Geer: — The side figure exhibits^ tll6 ChliLlliideS | D. Hind tarsi with two claws. K. Claws equal, or nearly so; size largo, or very large Dytibcus, 11. E E. Claws unequal. F. Body oval, depressed; size about medium Aciliub, 6. F F. Body elliptical ; convex ; size below the medium Hydaticus, !). C C. Anterior tarsi of males widened, with the joints oblong and with cups of about equal size, size usually below medium. G. Scutollmu distinct ; length between a quarter and a half of an inch. H. Hiud claws unequal ; formless convex Colymbrtes, 25. PI H. Hind claws equal; form moro convex Agabfs, 47. G G. Sc ut el wanting; hind legs stout, compressed : length quarter of an inch or less : « LACCOPH1LU8, 9. B B. Tarsi apparently 4-jointed; third joint bilobed; scutellum wanting; size very small: HYDBorORUH, 91. Family IV. GYRIN1D.E. Founded upon the genus Gyrinus, a name derived from a Greek word meaning a circle, and given to these insects on account of their habit of swimming round in little circles upon the surface of the water. The antennae are very short and peculiar, and of the form called auriculatc. The second joint is large and ear shaped, and the following ones form a short spindle-shaped mass. They are inserted in a little cavity in front of the eyes. The middle and hind legs are very short, scarcely reaching beyond the sides of the body, and very broad and flat like little plates. These insects are of a medium or small size, i»>oi,ie ; of a shining blue-black color, and are often seen in dense flocks playing and gyrating upon the surface of still water. Number of N. A. species, thirty-seveu. Oykinuh: — I ", larva — after Packard. 52 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. Second Sub-section, CLAVIOORNES. Antenme club-shaped. Subsist mostly upon decaying animal or vegetable substances. Tribe III. WATER SCAVENGER-BEETLES. Putrivora aquatica, Philhydrida,* MacLeay. I This tribe commences the series of beetles with clubbed antennae, a character which at once distinguishes the insects of this tribe from the predaceous water-beetles, with which they might otherwise be confounded on account of their aquatic habits and similarity of form. This tribe is composed of two very distinct sub-tribes. Sub-tribe 1. Macrodactyla, Latreille. Legs not fitted for swimming. Last joint of the tarsi very long, often as long as all the others united, and for this reason called Macrodactyla, which means long toed. Palpi of ordinary length. Antenna?, moderately clavate. Body clothed with silken hairs. Family, Parnidae. Sub-tribe 2. Paltpicornes, Latreille. Legs fitted for swimming (except the Sphaeridiidse). Palpi very long, usually longer than the antennas. Autenme strongly clavate. Body glabrous. These insects feed upon decomposing matter in water, and are one of the agencies which prevent water from becoming offensive in a state of nature. But some of them have been observed to be carnivorous in the larva state. The first sub-tribe are semi-aquatic, being found in mud, or adhering to stones under water by means of their stout claws. The second sub- tribe (except the Splueridihhe) are purely aquatic, but less rapid in their motions than the predaceous Water-beetles. Each of the sub-tribes is represented by one principal family, the Parnidae representing the first division and the Hydrophilidae the second. Family V. PARNIDrE. These are small sub-aquatic insects which have been sufficiently charac- terized above. The family is composed of three leading genera. Panins, Fab., having the antenme enlarged at base and at tip, and the hind coxa', dilated into a plate for the protection of the thighs; Plmis, Latr., with the antenme almost filiform, and the hind coxa? not dilated ; and Hete- rocerus, Fab., with the antenme much like Paruus, but the mouth organs are more strongly developed, and the anterior and middle tibia? are widened and armed with spines on the outer edge, by which they are enabled to burrow in the wet sand which they and their larva; inhabit. • , I‘ , i , oni the Greek philcv — to love ; mid hudor — water. WATER SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 53 The last genus is regarded by many as constituting the type of a small family distinct from the Parnid®. Most of these imperfectly aquatic insects are clothed with fine silken hairs which seem to have the property of shedding the water, and of enabling the insect to sur- round its body with a globule of air whilst clinging to the stones be- neath the surface; whereas the purely aquatic beetles, the Dytiscid®, the Gyrinid® and the Hydropbilid®, which have the faculty of swim- ming and of rising to the surface of the water whenever they need a fresh supply of air, have no such clothing. Forty-eight N. A. species are known. A synopsis of the Parnid® of the United States is given by Dr. Geo. H. Horn in the 3d. vol. of the Tran. Am. Ent. Society. Family VI. HYDROPHILIILF. | Fig. 17.1 Hydro PIULU8 ft, larva of U. piccus, Linn.; y the Greeks to some kind of foetid beetle, and appropriated by Lin- naius to the leading genus of the present family. These insects are (Fig. 18.] SlU’ii A IN7EQUALI8, Fab : — a, larva; d, same, natural size ; /, g, h, mandible, labium, and maxilla of lar- va; i,j, anal process and antenna* of same ; m, one of the lateral processes more highly magnified ; b, P u Pa- ; e, same, natural size ; l, anal process’ of same; c, beetle; k, anterior tarsus of same— af tor Itiley. most readily distinguished from the other Neerophaga by their large size. The species of Silpha are usually half an inch and up- wards in length, whilst some of the burying beetles, composing the genus Necropliorus, are an inch and a half. The other lead- ing characters are the orbicular or rounded thorax, very thin all around at the margin, and slightly overlapping the base of the ely- tra. The club of the autenme is perfoliate and 4 or 5-jointed. The hind trochanters are also prom- inent, especially in Necrophorus ; but they are uot swolen or sub-globu- lar, as they are in the laud predaceous beetles. The Silphie, in com- pany with their larvae, are found on dead and putrid animals.* The Necrophori have the curious instinct to deposit their eggs in small dead animals or fragments of putrid flesh, and then bury them in the ground several inches, and sometimes nearly a foot in depth. The lame hatch- ing from these eggs teed upon the decayed flesh, and, it is said, devour even the bones of small animals. there is a small group of dusky or blackish beetles belonging to the genera Catops and Colon, which are less than a quarter of an inch in length, which are usually classed with the Silphidae, and consequently form an exception to the majority of the family with respect to size. Fifty-five North American species have been described. the three leading or typical genera may be thus described : A. Antennas aapitato ; hoad large ami freo. Large thick bodied insects ; oulor black, olytra spotted with reddish-yellow Nbcrophorus. i A. Antenmc clavato and perfoliate; bead small; size medium; body broad and llatteued ; color black; thorax iu many margined with yellow. Sili-iia. A A A. Anteumn sub-clnvato; bead partly immersed iu the thorax; size small; form ovate - color black or .brown Catoi-s. A remarkable exception to the usual habits of this family, occurs in the case of a small European species, ( Silpha opaoa, Linn.) the larvte of which have been known to feed, to an injurious extent, upon the leaves of the beet and the mangel-wurzel. Curtis’ Farm Insects, p. 388. — S 58 THE ORDER OF OOLEOPTERA. [Fig. 19. J The Necrophorus Americanus is nearly an inch and a half in length. The other species do not exceed an inch, and a few of the smaller spe- cies scarcely exceed half an inch in length. Silpha Americana has the thorax broadly margined with ; ? __ yellow ; & marginata has the thorax margined with red; 8. inequalis [Fig. 18] is wholly black; 8. caudata has adull bronze thorax, and black elytra, with many - /(Q small tubercles. The Necrodes surinamensis is black, N iw HIT t il A Atlf! nf Afl.A.ll p 1 vtmTl n.iwl with a reddish spot near the end of each elytron, and the elytra strongly carinated or ridged. Necrodes necrophori's:—i, anten- differs from Silpha in having a more elongated “mm 'i>i-m'ath— 'after form, and the antennae with a greater number of ■\Yoatwood. „ . . . ... perfoliate joints. Family VIII. SCAPHIDIID^E. From the genus Scaphidium of Olivier, a name meaning a little slciff or boat, and given to these insects on account of their fancied resem- blance to a boat, being thickest and arched in the middle, and narrowed towards each end, the head being very small, and the tip of the abdo- men being conical and pointed, and projecting beyond the end of the wing-cases. The first abdominal segment is unusually long. These are small, shining-black insects found in fungi and rotten wood. They move rapidly, but with an uneven or skipping gait. They constitute a very small family, only seventeen N. A. species having been described at the present time. Family IX. HISTBRID.E. Founded upon the genus Hister of Linnaeus, a term borrowed from the Latin hister, or histrio, meaning a stage actor or mimic ,• and applied [Fig. 20. j to these insects on account of their habit of persistently feigning death when captured ; a habit, however, which 2 they have in common with many other Goleoptera. They are mostly small, short, rounded or somewhat square- shaped beetles, of a very hard consistency, and a glossy black color, very rarely marked with a few red spots. They H ue l ' R ™tura°i are further distinguished by their small heads, which can tm- : of “same be retracted into the thorax, so as to be nearly or quite in- ter v^twlod! visible ; and also, by their truncated or shortened wing- cases, leaving the two last abdominal segments exposed. They live in the excrement of animals, and other decomposing substances, mostly animal, but sometimes vegetable. Number of described N. A. species, one hundred and eighty-four. LAND SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 59 The following are the three typical genera : A. llead perfected ; mandibles as long as the head ; body very flat ; size comparatively large— IlOLOLEPTA. A A. Hoad retracted ; mandibles short ; body usually convex, (flattened in sub-genus Paromalus.) B. Prosternum advanced so that the head is invisible from beneath Hjstek. B B. Prosternum not advanced Sai'IUNUS. Ulster is divided by Dr. LeOonte into ten lesser genera, which De Marseul has still further subdivided so as to form four additional ones. These divisions are made in accordance with slight organic variations, which however are sometimes accompanied by differences in size, or by perceptible modifications of the general form. More recently, Dr. Geo. H. Horn has contributed to the American Philosophical Society (June, 1873,) a valuable synopsis of the Histerkhe of the United States, in which all our species are carefully reviewed and described. Family X. NITIDULIDiE. The typical insects of this family constitute the genus Nitidula of Fabricius, a word literally meaning shining, or elegant, but which is sin- [Eig. 21 .] gularly inapplicable to the insects of this family, as now constituted, most of which are clothed with a line pube- v w scence, which is incompatible with a shining surface. They are small, somewhat flattened beetles, the thorax having a .wide, thin margin, and the wing-cases more or less cut off nitidui.a i. behind, so as to leave the end of the abdomen exposed. In susTs’aiiten- the sub-family .of Carpophilides, the elytra are so short as Westwood. 8 ‘ to leave two or three of the' abdominal segments uncovered, but in the Nitidulides only the tip of the abdomen is exposed. The fourth tarsal joint is very small, and wholly wanting in the hind tarsi of the males of some species. Their colors are usually brown or black- ish, with or without dull yellow spots. The insects of this family vary much in their habits. Some are found on carrion and others on flowers ; several of the most common species are often met with on apples and other fruit in a state of decay. The larvae of the genera Ips Carpophilus and Rliiozopliagus, have been shown by the observations of a French author, M. Ed. Perris, to be car- nivorous, subsisting upon soft, sub-cortical larvae. Ninety N. A. species have been described, under the following prin- cipal genera : A. Antenme 11 -jointed, club 3-jointed ; body oval. B. Only the tip of the abdomen exposed. C. Surface pubescent ; colors dull ; upper lip exposed. D. Body depressed ; thorax not overlapping the elytra ; color brown, usually with obscure yel- low spots Nitidula. D D. Body convex; thorax slightly overlapping the base of elytra. Color brown, usually shaded with black •. Cychkamus. 0 C. Surface smooth and shining; color black, spotted with yellow or reddish ; htf>rum concealed : Ira. B B. Two or threo last segments of abdomen uncovered by elytra Carpophilus. A A. Autennaj 10-joiuted; club solid; body elongated Ruizophagus. CO THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. [Fig. 23.) jp S fasciatus, a shining black species, quarter of an inch long, with two conspicuous, interrupted reddish bands across the elytra. Nitidula bqmstulata, a black- ish brown insect, with a yellow dot on the middle of ^ each elytron, one-sixtli of an inch long; and Omosita colon, a little species one-tenth of an inch in length, brown, the elytra pale at the tips with two minute dots, Il'S FASCIATUS Lar- 1 * va ana beetle— af- like a colon — are the three most common species. ter Packard. Family XI. DERMESTIDiE. This family is founded upon the genus Bermcstes, of Linnavus, a name [Fig. 23 .) derived from the Greek derma — a olein, and cstliio — to devour , and applied to these insects because some of the species are destructive to skins and furs, and other dried animal substances. They differ from the three preceding families in hav- ing the abdomen completely covered by the wing- cases; but they are more particularly d is tin - guished by having the sternum or breast-plate ad- vanced under the mouth like a chin-cloth; by their short and contractile legs and antennas, and by their coloration, which consists of light-colored "-Oarva ; '(i! one of spots on a darker ground, the spots being pro- Tbccti c g a ftor y Rnt ^ nifled ’ duced by minute scales which can be rubbed off. The larvae are rather hard, brown, active grubs, more or less clothed with stiff hairs, which usually form a long brush at the end of the body. Forty-nine N. American species have been described. A. No ocellus nr eye-liko spot on tho front. Size from quarter to half an inch in length : Debmestes. A A. Frontal ocellus distinct; less than quarter of an inch in length. B. Middle coxte not widely separated Attagenus. B B. Middle coxic widely separated ; size very small Anthuenus. The Bermcstes lardarius, Linn., so called because it is usually found upon refuse lard and bacon, is our most common species. It is an ob- long oval, black beetle, one-third of an inch in length, with a broad, brownish-yellow band across the middle of its body, and in the middle of this baud a transverse row of black dots. Another species often found in houses, is the Attagenus pellio, which, like the former, was originally an European insect, but which has now become distributed over the civilized world. It is two-tenths of an inch long, black with a white dot on the middle of each wing-cover, which is wanting in some specimens, having probably been rubbed off. The larva; destroy dried skius, furs and woolens, and are said even to gnaw LAND SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 01 linen and cotton fabrics. They are sometimes quite injurious to carpets whilst lying upon the floor. We have known them to select a particu- lar stripe, especially one of red flannel, in the domestic fabric known as rag-carpet, and follow it out into the middle of the room, gnawing it off at intervals. They have to be treated upon general principles, no specific remedy, we believe, having been discovered. Some very small species, belonging to the genus Anthrenus, are very destructive to cab- inets of natural history. Other small species are found on flowers. Family XII. MYCETOPHAGIDiE. lEig. 34.) 1113 Founded upon the genus Mycetophagns, a word which means a mush- room-eater, and therefore indicates the habits of the family. They are small, or very small, oval, moderately convex, pubescent, and usually prettily marked in- sects. This is one of the families of small Coleopterous insects in which the number of tarsal joints is very variable, not unfrequently differing in the sexes of the same species. The only preceding family with which it is liable to be confounded, is that of the Nitidu- first, in the antennae, which are knobbed in Nitidu- lidae, and usually gradually clavate in the Mycetophagidae ; second, in the elytra, which cover the whole abdomen in the latter, and are almost always truncated, though often but very slightly in the former ; and thirdly, in the character of the pubescence or down upon the surface, which is scarcely perceptible or wanting in the former, whereas the Mycetophagidai are densely clothed with prostrate hairs. They are also more uniformly and conspicuously spotted than the Mtidulkhc, the elytra usually exhibiting yellow spots or bauds on a brown or blackish ground. Mvcetoi’Iiagus:— 1, beetle; tenua; 3, anterior tar male (?) ; 4, same of female (?) 5. posterior tarsus— after West- wood. lid® ; but it differs Our largest species is the M. punctatns , Say, upwards of two-teutlis of an inch in length, blackish ; elytra reddish-yellow, with a large black spot including the scutellum, another at the side, and another near but not including the tip. M. flexuosus, Say, is three-twentieths of an inch in length, blackish; elytra redish- yellow ; a large transverse black spot on the region of the scutellum ; a small rounded one on the shoulder; a large irregular one on the side, sometimes extending to the suture, and a large black spot on the tip, enclosing a small fulvous spot. About twenty N. A. species are known. 62 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. Family XIII. CRYPTOPIIAGID/E. TLis family name means essentially tlie same as the preceding one, and implies that the insects which compose it feed upon Cryptogamous plants, which include the mushrooms and fungi. They are very small insects, usually less than one-tenth of an inch in length, of a light-yel- lowish brown color, and usually having a silken lustre, produced by a microscopically tine pubescence. They are distinguished from the Mycetophagidie by their usually smaller size, their finer pubescence, the absence of spots, and in the typical and most numerous genus by little saw-like teeth along the sides of the thorax. The C. cellaris and G. crinitus are often found in cellars. Upwards of thirty N. A. species have been described. Family XIV. BYURIIIDAt The Byrrhidm are distinguished from all other pentamerous clavicorns by their short and very strongly arched or convex bodies, taken in cou- [Fig. 25 .] section with the hairs or minute scales by which the surface of their bodies is more or less clothed and ornamented. The family includes moderately large and very small species — some of the species of the typical genus Byrrhus* being from one-quarter to one-half of an inch in length. All the other beetles of this tribe, which have very strongly convex or sub- beetie" s: hTmi e'°'- )u ' ar bodies, are distinguished from the Byrrhidte by being fofieS^an'd s,na ^ or very small insects, with a shining or polished surface. sera from The Byrrhidse are further distinguished by the extreme con- Westwood, tractility of their members — the joints of their legs being ca- pable of being shut so closely upon each other and upon the body, that they are scarcely distinguishable, except upon close inspection. This, together with their sub-globular form, suggested toLiumeus the specific name of pilula, for a European species, from its resemblance to a pill or little ball of inanimate matter. These insects are found upon the ground, often in sandy situations, also at the roots of trees and grass. Some species are known to feed upon the mosses. Thirty-two N. A. species are known. * This name, which is supposed to have been derived from the Greek bursa — a hide , from some fan- cied resemblance in texture, was originally given to these insects by Linmeus, in the twelfth edition of the Systcraa Natures , in 17CG. Mr. Crotch, in his recent Check List of N. A. Coleoptera, suppresses this name and adopts the name of Cistola, previously given to this genus by Geofflroy, but since ap- plied to a genus of heteromcrous beetles, liut we prefer to retain the name given by Liunams, and established by universal usage for more thau a century. LAND SCAVENGER-BEELES. 63 Family XV. ANISOTOMID^E. This family of minute Coleoptera is composed chiefly of the genera Anlsotoma- and Agatlddium, of Illiger. The first term signifies unequal division, and has reference probably to the structure of the antennal club, which, in the sub- family Anisotomides, consists of five joints, the second of which is the smallest. Mr. Westwood regards the second genus as the type of the family, which accordingly lie denominates Agathi- DiiDiE. But the other term is adopted by the most recent writers. These insects are remarkable for their very small size and their sub- globular bodies, those of the sub-family Agathidiides having the power to contract the head and thorax upon the abdomen so as to form a little ball. The thorax is orbicular with thiu edges, like that of the compara- tively gigantic Silphidae, with which, indeed, they are united as a sub- family by the principal modern authorities, such as Erichson, Lacor- daire and LeConte. These minute insects are found mostly in fungi and rotten wood, and can frequently be carught flying in the evening. Number of described N. A. species, thirty-five. Family XVI. PIIALACRIDA!. A small family of very small, convex, shining black insects, some- times two-spotted or tipt with red ; formerly confounded with the pre- ceding family, but separated from it by a Swedish naturalist, Paykull, under the generic name of Phalacrus, a word meaning bald-headed, and suggested probably by the rounded, shining aspect of these beetles. They differ from Anisotoma in having but three joints in the club of the antennae, and from Agatliidium in not being contractile, nor in having the hind margin of the thorax overlay the base of the elytra. They dif- fer also in their habits from the foregoing family, being usually found upon flowers. Twenty N. A. species have been described. Family XVII. TRICII OPTERY G I DAZ. This family surpasses the two former in the minuteness of its species —the largest not exceeding small pin-heads in size, and the smallest not being one-quarter as large — the species varying from about oue- twentietli to one-seventieth of an inch in length. Nevertheless, it is one of the wonders of nature that within the almost mfinitissimal compass of'their minute beings are contained all the divisions, the limbs and or- gaus of the most gigantic species. The family is founded upon the genus Trichopteryx, of Kirby — a term meaning hairy-winged, in reference to the peculiar construction of the inferior or true wings, which are com- THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. <4 posed of a little lamella or plate, supported at the end of a slender foot- stalk, and ornamented with a fringe of long hairs. In some the wings are wanting. The elytra are sometimes truncated. The club of the antennae is usually four, rarely two jointed. The tarsi are only three jointed, with a club-tipt bristle between the claws. The surface is often pubescent. Some live in rotten wood and others in manure; a few have been found in ants’ nests. Thirty-eight N. American species have been described. Family XVIII. SCYDMjENIDxE. This is another family of very small insects, found under stones or in waste matter, and in ants’ nests. They are of a brown color, and are clothed with erect hairs. They are frequently seen flying in twilight. They are very easily distinguished from the small beetles of the three preceding families, by their more oblong ovate form, by the head sepa rated from the pro- thorax by a distinct neck, and by their large abdo- mens, much wider than the somewhat egg-shaped -thorax. They bear the closest relationship to the more extensive family of Pselaphid®, treated of below, from which, however, they are strongly separated by their five jointed tarsi, and their elytra covering the whole abdomen. Thirty-eight N. A. species already described. Family XIX. TROGOSITID/E. Founded upon the genus Trogosita, of Olivier, a name composed of the Greek words trogo — to eat , and sitos — grain, and originally applied to the most notorious species, the Trogosita mauritanica , ( Tenebrio mauritani- [Kg. 20.] cus , Linn.) because it is often found iu great numbers in worm-infested granaries. But observations recently made up- on the carnivorous habits of other species of the genus, ren- der it probable that the larva; of the T. mauritanica live upon the larvic of the Calandrse and tuogosita couticams, Meiah.:— a, larva : c. ita niandi- Tiniie, which are the real au- bl<- ; d. antenna; e. under side of licad ; /, tlri two-horned . anal plate : b, the beetle ; ft, its antenna ; i, inaudible ; g, tliors Ol tile damage. IhlS View labium and its palpi ; j, one of tie maxilla) and its palpus . ... , —after luiey. is confirmed by our own obser- tions upon the larva of a common American species, the Trogosita corticalis, of Melslieimer, which we have seen preying upon the larva of the Codling-moth (C 'arpocapsa pomonella). The Trogositidffl are oblong, somewhat depressed or flattened beetles, of a black or reddish black LAND SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 05 color, usually fouud under the bark of decaying trees. Their antennae are short, but reaching back, at most, beyond the middle of the thorax. The club consists of three somewhat moniliform joints, not conspicuously larger than the preceding ones. The tarsi are apparently four jointed, the first joint being so short that it cannot be seen from above; the last joint is very long, often as long as all the others united. In Trogosita proper, the thorax is separated from the abdomen by a short neck or strangulation. The larva of Trogosita is a whitish flattened grub, with a pair of black spots on the top of the three first segments. The tail terminates in two horny points. Number of N. A. species, forty. fFig. 27. Family XX. CUCUJIDaE. The insects of this family are most conspicuously distinguished by their very flat bodies and by their projecting mandibles. Antennae usually longer than the head and thorax, filiform, and generally grauose or moniliform. In the small sub- ^ family of Silvanides, the three last joints are moderately enlarged. The tarsi, like those of the preceding family, are apparently four jointed, the first joint being very small. Both Cucujus cla virus. Fabr.:— a, larva; f ... , _ c, e, enlarged back and side views of 01 tlieSC iaillllies ar<3 Classed DV Latreillc With its anal joint; d, of its head ; b, beetle. . i m T . . —after Riley. tlie aetramera. Most of these insects are brown, but some of the Cucuji proper are of a bright red color. They are fouud under the bark of trees, but the larvae, so far as they have been observed, are found to be carnivorous. M. Perris discovered the larvm of Brontes planatus feeding upon Podurse, acari, and the lame of the wood-boring beetles of the genus Tomicus. And in England, Mr. C. 0. Babington and Mr. Westwood saw the Cucujus testaceus in abund- ance in granaries, from which, in connection with the similarity of the lame, we may conclude that they have the same useful habit as the in- sects of the preceding family in counteracting the ravages of the de- structive grain worms. Number of described N. A. species, forty- two. The following is a table of the principal genera : A. Antrim;!' moniliform, not thickened at tho tip, half us long as the body, or loss ; sizo, moro than one-quarter of an inch in length. 11. Posterior angles of the head rounded and proiuinont ; color, scarlet Cucujus. 11 11. Posterior angles ol tho head not prominent i color, brown Catogknus. A A. Antenna) sub-moniliforin, more than half as long as tho body, usually a littlo thickoued at tho tip; size, very small Lajmoi’iu.ucus. A A A. Antenna) long and filiform, first joint elongated ; size, small Bbontes.* A A A A. Antenna) with the last three joints forming a loose club ; sizo, very small Silvanus. * rIli * ““i given to this genus by Fabricius, is discarded in Mr. Crotch's Check List as having been prcuecupiod, and Uliota. Lutreille, substituted. — 9 6G THE ORDER OE OOLEOPTERA. Cucvgus, Fill)., contains but one N. A. species, the G. clmipes, Fab. ; Catogenus, Westw., one, the G. rufus, Fab. ; Lamophlam, Lap., ten spe- cies ; Brontes, Fab., three species ; and Silvanus, Latr., nine species. ^ The word Gucvjus comes from the Brazil ian Gucuyo and Spanish On- cujo, a name given by the natives to the luminous snapping-beetle ( E later noctilucus, Linn.) of South America. Family XXI. COLYDIIDiE. This family includes two principal types. In one, forming the sub- family Colydiides, the species are elongate and cylindrical, with ribbed or striate elytra, and in the other, or the sub-family of Syuchitides, the species are simply oval or oblong, somewhat flattened, and remarkable for their rough or spinous bodies. The antenme are either moderately and gradually clavate, or terminate in a small club, which usually in- cludes but two joints. The tarsi are all strictly four-jointed. These insects have the same carnivorous habits which seem to be common to most of the species included in our division ot sub-clavicornes. the larvae of Ditoma, of Aulonium, and of Gerylon, have all been seen depre- dating upon the larvae of Tomicus and other small wood-boring beetles, and one species, at least, the Gerylon histeroides, is equally predaceous in its perfect state. Forty-four N. A. species have been described. Family XXII. LATIIlilDIID-dS. Very small and not very common insects, sometimes found under stones and sometimes caught flying. They are of an oblong form, the abdomen being wider than the thorax. The antennae terminate in a small club of one, two, or three joints. The tarsi are three-jointed, the last joint being at least as long as the other two. The thorax has a raised border, and the elytra are puncto-striate, and ribbed between the striae. About fifty N. A. species have been described. Third Sub-Bection, MONILICORNES. Antennae often moniliform or bend-like ; subsist moetly upon decaying vegetable substances. TttIBE V. SHORT WINGED SCAVENGER-BEETLES. Putrivora brevvpennata. Braohelytra, Latieille. This tribe embraces an extensive series of beetles, corresponding, for the most part, to the Linuiuan genus iSlaphylhim, sometimes called in English Rove-beetles, and readily distinguished from all other Ooleoptera SHORT-WINGED SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 67 by their very short wing-cases, which usually cover less thau half of the abdomen. The insects of some other families, as we have seen, have their elytra shortened or truncated at the end, but in these they always cover more than half of the abdomen, and usually leave only the tip exposed. The Staphylini have narrow, elongated and somewhat flat- tened bodies. The an ten me are rather short, sometimes of equal thick- ness throughout, but usually a little larger at the end, and composed of short, roundish or lenticular joints. The mandibles are long, sharp and sickle-shaped, and usually cross each other at the tip when at rest. The abdomen often terminates in two little finger-like bristly processes, between which is a third and shorter one. The anterior tarsi of the males are often dilated. They are also distinguished by the great length of the coxre or basal joints of their anterior legs. They usually turn up the end of their long flexible abdomen whilst running, and also use it in packing their wings under their short wing-covers. These in- sects are generally found on the ground, under stones and amongst rubbish. They usually subsist upon decomposing matter, both animal and vegetable, but mostly the latter. They constitute an extensive army of useful scavengers, second in number only to the Necropliaga or club-horned scavengers, of which we have just been treating. But some of the larger species are known to be eminently predaceous, especially in the larva state, voraciously seizing whatever insects come in their way, not even sparing their own species, and some of the small species found on flowers have been observed to have similarly carnivorous tastes. Indeed, their long, sharp, sickle-shaped mandibles, and the large protuberant eyes of a portion of them, would seem to indicate a more generally carnivorous habit than has generally been attributed to them. Others have been found in ants’ nests, and are supposed to be parasitic ; and a species of Aleochara is an internal parasite, having- been reared from the pupae of Anthomyia braesicw. (Am. Ent. 11, 370.) The larvae, with the exception of the absence of wings, bear a general resemblance to the perfect insects, both in structure and habits, and arc found in the same situations. The tribe is composed of two families, the long bodied species or Staphylinidse, and the minute short bodied species, which constitute the family of Pselapkidse. Family XXIII. STAPHYLINIDiE. The original meaning and application of the generic term Staphylinus are not now known with certainty, but it was applied by Linnaeus to the tribe of short-winged Coleoptera. The leading characters of this family have been given in treating of the tribe to which it belongs, and of which it constitutes much the larger part. We will here define the 68 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. principal sections or sab-families into which it has been divided. Mod- ern authors divide the family into eleven sub-families, but seven of these contain all but a few rare or exotic species. The following table exhibits the most conspicuous of their distinctive characters : A. Body narrow and elongated. Elytra (except in the Tachyporides) covering less than half of the abdomen. No ocelli. B. Head as wide, at least, as the thorax, and usually attached to it by a short neck. C. Labrum bilobed. Antenna: inserted upon the anterior edge of the front. Size often large Staphyi.intdes. C C. Labrum usually entire. Antennie inserted at the sides of the front. Size moderate or small. D. Maxillary palpi short. Posterior coxa; wide. Tib® usually spinous on the outer edge. Tarsi usually three-jointed. Abdomen parallel. OXYTELIDES. D I). Maxillary palpi long and clavate. Posterior cox® much longer than wide. Tarsi usually flve t sometimes four-jointed. Abdomen more or less tapering. E. Anterior cox® large. Eyes not prominent Pedekides. E E. Anterior cox® small. Eyes large and prominent St ex ides. B B. Head narrower than the thorax, and more or less inserted in it, often imper- fectly visible from above. F. Body depressed, of equal width and obtuse. Elytra usually covering a third or less of the abdomen Aleocu ahides . F F. Body convex, conical and pointed behind. Elytra sometimes cov- ering half or more than half of the abdomen Tacuypohides. A A. Body broad and depressed. Elytra usually covering half or more than half of the abdomen. Two ocelli on the vertex. Size small Omaludes. [Fig. 29.] * Sub-family STAPYLINIDES. This group stands at the head of the family containing all the largo species, sometimes exceeding an inch in length, though some of the (Fig. 28.] genera also contain small species. Its two most 'frjf distinctive characters are those given in the table. The antenna; are inserted upon the epistoma, which is the ridge which borders the face below, just above the mouth. In the other groups of this family the antenna; are inserted above the episto - 1 ma, at the sides of the face, and are usually cov- ered at the base by a little prominence. The spe- piiruawHus am- Larva of cies are usually found amongst rubbish, or under t£r alley?* oubs:” dead leaves or stones. They have been supposed to be mostly Weatwoofl. rypophagous, but some of them are known to be eminently predaceous. More than a hundred N. A. species have been described. SHOUT-WINGED SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 69 A. Antenm© inserted wide apart, at the extremities of the opistoma. B. Palpi not enlarged at tip. C. Size large, from half an inch to an inch or more in length. Surface pubescent, (except ocypus ) P. Head of males large, wider than thorax ; middle coxae wide apart. E. Antennae sub-clavato ; abdomen as wide as elytra Cueophylus. E E. Antennae filiform ; abdomen narrower than elytra Leistotbophus. I) D. Head of males not enlarged ; middle coxa? approximate. E. Form slightly tapering; brown or dull black Staphylinus. F F. Form elongate, parallel ; shining black Ocypus. C C. Sizo small, usually le6s than half an inch in length ; shining black, sometimes^ tinted with red Philonthus. B B. Labial palpi terminated with a largo semilunar joint ; head of males enlarged ; middle coxa) very wide apart. Sizo below medium ; glabrous OxYl’Ouus. A A. Antomue approximate, inserted on the middle of the opistoma; head oblong, sub-quadrate. Length usually a quarter of an inch or less, elytra often reddish Xantholinus. Greopliilus, Stephens, contains two N. A. species, one of which, the C. villosus, Grav., is not uncommon. It is a robust species, about seven- tenths of an inch long, black, with a broad ash-colored band across the elytra, and another across the abdomen, composed of short hairs. The specific name villosus — hairy , is expressive of this character. The gen- eric name means a lover of flesh. Leistotrophus, Perty, a name expres- sive of the ferocious character of the species, contains hut one if. A. species, L. cingulatus, Grav. It is of about the same size as the prece- ding, of a gravish-brown color, indistinctly spotted with black. The end of the abdomen has a golden luster. Twenty-one species of Staph y- linus proper are enumerated in Dr. LeConte’s catalogue of 18G3. Oue of the largest and most common species is the S. maculosus, Grav., eight or nine-tenths of an inch long, of a dark cinnamon-brown color, with a black scutellum, and a row of obscure square blackish spots along the middle of the abdomen. A somewhat similar but rarer and more ele- gant species is the S. vulpinus or fox-colored Staphy linns of Nerd man. In this the colors are brighter, and the abdomen is black, tipped with fulvous, with golden incissions, and two cinereous pubesceut spots at the base of each segment. The S. cinnamopterus , Grav., is also cinna- mon-colored, with the abdomen nearly black ; but it is a smaller species, being but half an inch, or a little more, in length. S ■ tomentosus, Grav., is six-teutlis of an inch long, and of a deep, dull black color. S. viola- ceous is of about the same size, also black, but with the thorax and elytra of a rich violet hue. The abdomen is varied, along the margin with a silken ash-colored pubescence. Ocypus , Kirby, meaning swift-footed, contains but one species, the 0. ater, Erichs., seven-tenths of an inch long. Philonthus, Curtis, mean- ing a lover of dung, contains many species, a few of which exceed half an inch in length ; but most of them range from two to three-tenths of an inch. A considerable number of our species are arranged under the genus Quedius, of Stephens, which is closely allied to Philonthus, but differs in having the thorax with a sharp simple margin, and a fe 70 THE ORDER OF COLEOFTERA. large scattered punctures, whilst in Philonthus the thorax is finely grooved along the edge, and the punctures, also large and few, are ar- ranged in longitudinal rows. The genus Oxyporus, Fab., occupies an intermediate position between this sub-family and the Oxytelides, aud is placed in the latter by some authors ; but Lacordaire retains it iu the present sub-family, the essential characters of which it possesses. The species are not large, but they are unusually broad and robust, and are most readily distinguished by their stout mandibles, which project di- rectly forward, aud are crossed at the tip when at rest. The species vary from a quarter to nearly a half an inch iu length. They are found in fungi upon trees. 0. rujvpennis , Lee., varies from less than three to more than four-tenths of an inch in length, glossy black, with light red- dish-yellow elytra, slightly tipped with black at their outer angles. 0. femoralis, Gray., between three and four-tenths of an inch ; black or brown, with pale dull flaxen-yellow elytra, more broadly tipped with black at the outer angles. 0. vittatus , Gray., very much like the last, but smaller. 0 . 5-maoulatus (Melsh.) Lee., between three aud four- tenths of an inch ; bright tawny-yellow, with black spots, as follows : one on the vertex, one on each side of the thorax, one covering the outer angle of each elytron, and one on the top of each abdominal segment, the two posterior of which are widened into bands. The females are almost wholly yellow, but the outer angles of the elytra are always black. 0. stygicus, Say, three-tenths of an inch, body wholly black, labrum, base of antennas, and tarsi reddish. Two other species, the major and the lateralis, Grav., I have not seen. Xantholinus, Serv., the name indicating the reddish-yellow color of most of the species, contains a moderate number of species, which do not vary much from a quarter of an inch iu length In color and general aspect they are liable to be confounded with some of the species of Oryptobium aud Lathrobium, iu the sub-family of iPederides ; but we shall point out the distinctions when we come to speak of those genera. Sub-family OXYTELIDES. A small group founded upon the genus O.vytelus, Grav. Their most distinctive character is the row of spines on the outer edge of the ante- rior, and sometimes also the middle tibiae. Their antennae are slightly thickened toward the tip, and the abdomen is parallel aud usually ob- tuse or rounded at the end, but with the terminal segment abruptly narrowed, forming a small point, to which the name Oxytelus , meaning a pointed end, probably refers. These two characters also serve to dis- tinguish them from most of the Stapliyliuidse, except the Aleocharides, aud from these they are distinguished by their free heads, which are as wide as the thorax. But their most abnormal character is their usually % SHORT AVINGED SC AATSN GER- BEETLES. 71 three-jointed tarsi, the last joint being as long as the others united. The species are all small, rarely exceeediug a quarter of an inch in length, and sometimes being less than a tenth. The spiues or teeth on their anterior tibia} indicate their fossorial habits, and accordingly they are usually found burrowing into manure or under the bark of decayed trees. Mr. Westwood refers to a species of Bledius which is sometimes found in great profusion, burrowing into the sand on the sea shore be- low high water mark, and where consequently they must often be sub- merged by the tide. Most of our species, upwards of forty in number, are included in the three following genera; the first of which, however, contains but a sin- gle species : A. Abdomen without a margin ; tarsi five jointed. Size rather large Osomous. A A. Abdomen margined ; tarsi three jointed ; size small. 33. Anterior tibifB with two rows of spines ; body cylindrical Bi.f.dius. B B. Anterior tibice with ono row of spines ; body depressed Oxytklus. Sub-family BEDE RIDES. The species of this group are distinguished by their long clavate palpi, the last joint but one being larger than the others, but the last joint of all being small and contracted. As a general rule the species are more elongated and slender than in the other sub-families, and their colors are more various. Their length varies from a half to less than a quarter of an inch. They are found mostly in wet places, and are very rapid in their motions. Upwards of sixty N. A. species have been described. The following are the principal genera : A. A ntenim; strongly geniculate, and bristly; size rather large; color black, often strongly tinted with red Cuyttobium. A A. Antenmc not geniculate. B. Head attached to thorax by a nock of ordinary width ; size moderate. 0. Tarsi simple; color black, sometimes slightly tinted with red Lathrobium. C C. Penultimate joint of tarsi slightly bilobed ; orange red, with head and tip of abdomen black ; elytra blue PiKDRuus. B B. Head attached by a very narrow nock, (except Pahuuinus) ; sizo small, length less than a quarter of an inch. # D. Body of ordinary form, color blackish. E. Head square behind - LlTHOCHABIfi. E E. Head narrowed behind Stilicub. D D. Body very elongate and slender ; color wholly or partly yellow. F. Heiid oblong, obtuse, horizontal, pedunculate Sunius. F F. Head short, transverse, sessile Palaminus. The names Cryptobium and Lathrobium are expressive of the concealed modes of life of these insects under stones or dead leaves, or similar situations. The species of the former genus are usually more, and those of the latter less, than a third of an inch in length; but this rule has a few exceptions. The G. pusillum , Lee.* is but two-tenths of an inch long, and on the other hand the L. grande is four-tenths. 72 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. Gryptobium, Mann., is most readily recognized by its strongly genicu- late or elbowed antennae, the first joint being nearly as long as the three following ODes united. This character, together with their oblong heads, and reddish coloration, give them a resemblance, as we have above re- marked, to Xautholiuus, in a former section; and this affinity is in- creased by the bilobed labrum which occurs exceptionally in this and the following genus. But in Cryptobium the species are usually larger, and the antennae longer and more strongly elbowed, in addition to the clavate palpi. Pcederus, Grav., is at once recognized by the variegated colors as stated in the table. The species are few in number, but oue of them, the P. littorarius, Grav., is common and widely distributed, being usually found under stones in wet places. The other genera have but three or four known species each. Milieus, Latr., is distinguished by its head narrowed behind, and the ovoid thorax narrowed in front, so that the two parts are united by a mere point, giving to them the aspect of small ants. Palaminus testaceus, Erichs., not quite two-tenths of an inch in length, and of a pale yellow color, is not uncommon. They attract attention by their very sleuder shape and their vermicular or suake-like motions. Sub family STEXIDES. This sub-family is composed almost wholly of the genus Stenus of La- treille, a word meaning narrow, and expressive of their slender form. The species are less than a quarter of an inch in length, of a grayish- black color, and are at once distinguished from all other Staphylinidai by their large portuberant eyes, which cause the head to be considerably wider than the thorax. The antenna; are small and widened at the tips ; the maxillary palpi long and club-shaped, with their first joint unusually elongated ; and the ligula or tongue is capable of being remarkably ex- tended. The species are usually found running on mud, or in other wet situations. About two dozen species are enumerated in Dr. Leconte’s catalogue — closely resembling each other and distinguished chiefly by the sculpture of tlifl surface. The 8. colon, Say, is distinguished by a yellow semilunar spot on the middle of each elytrou. Sub-family ALEOCHARIEES. This sub family contains a numerous assemblage of small, or very small species, rarely attaining a quarter of an inch in length, and often being less than half that length, and ordinarily of obscure black or brownish colors. Their distinguishing characters are sufficiently stated in the table under the letters B B and F. The antennae are short, rather robust, usually a little thickened at the end, and are inserted upon the front at the inner margin of the eyes. Their habits are various, some being found under stones or fallen leaves, some iu the fungi ou trees, SHORT -WINGED SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 73 and a remarkably large proportion of them in ants’ nests. The habit of raising the end of the abdomen whilst running, which is sometimes practiced by the larger Stapliylini, is almost universal in this sub-family. A compilation of the descriptions of all the known North American spe- cies of this group, amounting to eighty-one in number, is published by Mr. James H. B. Bland, in the fourth volume of the Proc. of the Eut. Soc. ot Philadelphia. They are arranged in seventeen genera, many of which contain but one, two, or three species. The following six genera contain a very large proportion of them : .Falagria. A. Hoad as wide as the thorax and attached to it by a distinct neck. A A. Head narrower than thorax and partly immersed in it. 15. Thorax widely hollowed in front for the reception of the head. Antennae filiform and longor than to the end of the elytra Atemeles B B. Thorax not hollowed in front. Antenna) not nearly reaching the end of the elytra. C. All the tarsi five jointed; labial palpi four jointed; length an eighth of an inch or more : . Aleochara. L U Anterior tarsi four jointed, the others five jointed ; length an eighth of an inch or less. 1). Labial palpi throe jointed; eye brown. depressed, finely granulated. Color black, or black and E. Anteuiuc slender ; abdomen narrowed in front . E E. Antenna) robust ; abdomen not narrowed . . . 1) D. Labial palpi two jointed; eyes large, convex, yellow Tachyusa. Homalota. coarsely granulated ; color black ami light GyROPHaENA. The anomalous little genus Falagria, Mann, is placed in this sub-fam- ily by systematists on account of the position of the antenme, and the exposed protkoracic spiracle, though it departs widely from it by its large pedunculated head. They are only about a tenth of an inch long, and ot a reddish black color. Atemeles, Stephens, is of much larger size and still more anomalous, and indeed bears no resemblance to the fam- ily of Staphylinidas except in its shortened wing covers. One North American and three European species are all that are known. They inhabit ants’ nests. Our species the A. cava, Lee., is nearly a quarter of an inch long, and one-third part as broad, and wholly of a rust-red color. Aleochara, Grav., contains a few comparatively large species, being usually nearly or quite two-tenths of an inch in length and of a broad oval form. Homalota, Maun, contains a great number of small obscure species, being mostly black, with the elytra often tinted with i eddish brown. The little genus Gyrophcoia, Maun, contains six de- sciibed N. A. species, none of which exceed one liue or one-twelfth of an inch in length. The most common species are light yellow, with the head, a part of the elytra, and the tip of the abdomen black ; but some minute species are black varied with reddish-brown. The name Gyroph- ana comes from the Greek guros — a circle, and phaino — to appear or resem- ble, and alludes to the habits of these little insects of carrying their abdomens forwards on their backs, and at the same time bending their heads under their breasts, so as to resemble a little ball. —10 74 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. Sub-family TACHYPOKEDES. In addition to the characters given in the table, we may add that the tibia) are strongly beset with spines, which distinguishes them not only from the Aleocharides but from nearly all the species in the other sub- families except the Oxytelides. The abdomen also is often bordered and terminated with divergent spines. The an ten me are inserted under the sides of the face, behind the mandibles, and are generally slightly thickened towards the tip. They are considerably numerous, fifty-seven hi. A. species having been described. A few of them are of medium size, but the great majority are considerably 7 less than a quarter of an inch in length. They are usually shining black, with the elytra often tinted with dark red, rarely inclining to yellow, but this is a style of coloration which is very prevalent in the whole family of Staphylinidm. It has been observed that the species of this sub-family never turn their abdomens upwards, as is so generally done by the Aleocharides and some other Stapliylinidse. They inhabit fungi, boleti, dung and other decayed matter. Some are found under dead bark. The following table exhibits the principal genera into which this group has been di- vided : A. Antennas eleven jointed ; tarsi five jointed ; si/e various. JB. Elytra longer than the thorax, minutely and irregularly punctured. C. Abdomen with a narrow margin ; surface glabrous. D. Bodj" oblong, somewhat depressed, moderately tapering, maxillary palpi filiform ; length from one-eighth to moro than a quarter of an inch Taciiinub. D D. Body short, convex, abruptly tapering; maxillary palpi sometimes swollen, subulate or pointed at the end; length less than an eighth of an inch TACHYronus. C C. Abdomen without a margin ; surface finely pubescent, form conical, si/e small . ..Conosoma. B B. Elytra about as long as thorax ; smooth or with three rows of punctures. E. Maxillary palpi filiform ; length from an eighth to more than a third of an inch : Bolbtohiub. E E. Maxillary palpi swollen, subulate at tip, size small MYCF/roroiiUB. A A. Antenme ten jointed ; tarsi four jointed ; size extremely small HYrocYi’TUb Tacliinus, Grav., meauiug sivift, and Bolctobius, Leach, meaning liv- ing in boleti, contain, as 'seen by the table, all the larger species, but they vary much in size. Conosoma, Kraatz, contains but three species, about a tenth of an inch or a little more in length. They resemble Tacbyporus in the convex conical shape of the body, but they are finely pubescent or silky on the surface, and the abdomen is rounded at the sides, without the narrow sharp margin which is common to all the other genera. Mycetoporus, Mann, is very closely allied to Boletobius, but the species are usually smaller, and more linear in their form. The names of the two genera mean essentially the same thing, Hypocyptus, Schup., contains the smallest species in the family of Staphylinidse, and some of the smallest in the order of Coleoptera, or in the class of insects, being about the twenty -fifth of an inch in length, and some of them not more than a fiftieth. The generic name is derived from the Greek lmpo— SHORT -WINGED SCAVENGER-BEETLES. 75 under, and lcuptos—hent, in allusion to their habit of bending the head under the body, which, together with their convex form, gives them the appearance ot little globes or balls, much like the genus Agathidium referred to above in the family Auisotomidm, and also like Gyroplnena in the preceding sub-family of Aleocharides, but in the last the effect is produced in a different manner. The genus Coproporus, Kraatz, does not seem to be sufficiently distinct from Tacliyporus, nor Byroporus from Boletobius, to render the formation of these genera necessary. Sub-family OMALIIDES. Founded upon the genus OmaUum, Grav., from the Greek omalos— level, on account of the comparatively broad and depressed torm of most ot the species. Their most essential character is the presence of two ocelli, resembling minute glass beads, on the back part of their heads— a chaiacter peculiar to this sub-family, with but two or three known ex- ceptions. But their most conspicuous character is the comparatively greater length of the elytra, which also has a few exceptions. The large depiessed elytra give to some of these insects an obvious resemblance to the Nitiduhe, in the preceding tribe ; but in these only the tip of the abdomen is usually exposed, and their knobbed antenme at once distin- guish them from any of the Staphylinidae. The species of the present sub-family are of obscure brown or yellowish colors, and small size, nei ei attaining a quarter of an inch in length, and often being less than an eighth, i heir habits are various, some being found in wet places, under stones, or under decayed bark, whilst others are found on plants and llowers, and Mr. Walsh bred some of them from fungi. Upwards of fifty X. A. species have been described, most of which are contained in the following genera : A. Mandibles toothed ; bead entirely free ; thorax heart-shaped, narrow bohind. B. Last joint of palpi throe times as long ns the preceding Lf.steva. B B. Lost joint of palpi not elongated . . . . ’ .Anthoehaqus. A A. Mandibles simple; head partly inserted ; thorax not narrowed behind. C. Hind tarsi moderately elongated ; elytra covering the greater part of the abdomen ; tibar not spinous... OLoi-HRua. C C. Hind tarsi short, tlio four first joints combined not longer than the fifth. n. Tibiro finally spinous ; elytra covering about half of abdomen OMAUUM. D D. Tibife not spinous ; elytra almost or quite covering abdomen Asmioimm. Anthophagus , Grav., scarcely differs generically from Lesteva, Latr. ; but their habits are different — the former being found on flowers, and the latter amongst wet herbage, near the water. They are easily dis- tinguished from all other Staphylinidae by the heart-shaped thorax, xvliich, together with the free head and prominent eyes, gives them a remarkable resemblance to some of the smaller Carabid®. There is a small yellowish species in the Walsh cabinet, labeled “ AntlioUum pro- tection, LeO., from Mass.,” in which the abdomen is completely covered by the elytra. 7G THE ORDER OP OOLEOPTERA. Family XXIV. PSELAPIIIDJE. This is a family of minute beetles, generally less than a tenth of an inch in length, and is founded upon the genus Pselaphus, of Ilerbst, a term derived from the G reek pselaphus — to feel , in allusion to the greatly [Fig. 30.] developed palpi or feelers. They are found in the same situations as the Staphyliuidse, and resemble them in tlio shortness of the elytra, which usually cover only about half of the abdomen. In their form, however, they are wholly ' different, being short thick-bodied beetles, with the abdo- men mitch larger than the thorax. The antenna: are clavate or capitate, and the maxillary palpi are very long and cla- vate, often equalling the antennae in length. The tarsi are .1, apparently two-jointed, but really three-jointed, the first ry'piimis "X tar- joint being very small. Like some of the larger Staphy- nutefeafuon 1 : linidae, these very small insects are predaceous in their ed^after W^tw! habits, subsisting upon acari and other minute animals. Some of them are found in ants’ nests. A synopsis of the Pselaphidae of the United States is given by Ur. E. Brendel, in the sixth volume of the Proceedings of the Ent. Soc. of Philadelphia, where eighty species are briefly described. Pselaphus Fourth Sub ’Section. PECTINICORNES. Antennas pectinate or comb-toothed ; subsist mostly upon tho sap of trees. Tribe VI. STAG-BEETLES. This sub-division and tribe are composed of the single family of Lu- canidae or Stag-beetles, distinguished by their pectinate or comb r toothed an ten me, which are also strongly geniculate or elbowed ; by the project- ing mandibles, which, in the males, are often enormously developed and branched, from which these insects have received their common name of Stag-beetles ; and by their size, which is never below the medium, and is generally large or very large, some species being upwards of two inches in length, including the mandibles. These insects are closely allied to the Lamellicorn beetles which fol- low, and are considered by many authors as holding the rank of only a sub division or family of the latter. Most modern authors, however, treat them separately. The principal differences may be expressed as follows : Pectinicornes. Antenme elbowed, the club composed of fixed trans- verse teeth. Mandibles of the males often greatly developed. The ner- vous ganglia distributed through tho abdomen as well as the thorax. Larva: without transverse wrinkles upon the segments ; anal opening lengthwise. STAG-BEETLES. 77 Lamellicornes. Antennas not elbowed, tbe club composed of moveable plates. Mandibles of the males not remarkably developed. Nervous ganglia consolidated in tbe thorax. Larvae with transverse wrinkles upon the segments. Anal opening crosswise, except in the sub family of Passalides. We have the more readily adopted this separate classification of these insects as it enables us to discard the discordant element of Lucan id;e from the otherwise comparatively homogeneous group of lamellicorn beetles, with neither of the two great tribes of which can they be made to harmonize. Family XXV. LUCANIDzE. [Fig. 31. | (Fig. 32.] lucanus dama, Kate. after Packard, recognition. Notwithstanding their conspicuous size, but little is known of the habits of the perfect insects. The tew observations on record go to show that their ordinary food con- sists of honey dew, or the exudations of the leaves and bark of trees, which last they arc said to pierce with their pincer-like mandibles, but the force with which these orgaus are brought together does not seem to be sufficient for this purpose. They have been known to feed readily, in con- finement, upon moistened sugar. The larvae are found in rotton wood, and some of them have been known to bore into the solid roots of trees. But in this country they have never been known to be seriously injurious. A. Ligula elongated and attached to the anterior face of the mentum ; antenna usually elbowed; first joiut nearly or quite as long as all the others united ; abdomen moderately pedunculated; scutellum normal and distinct. B. Body moderately convex ; head unarmed, and in the males nearly or quite as wide as the thorax; club of antonme 4-jointed with the first joint small. C. Antennas geniculate or elbowed ; anterior coxa: approximate. D. Mandibles pointed ; eyes notched by the margin of the head. E. Elytra smooth, slightly curved at the sides; size very large. . .Lucanus. E E. Elytra striate and punctate; sides parallel; size above medium. Doitcus. D D. Mandibles thickened, obtuse, and many toothed at the end ; eyes scarcely notched; size medium Platyckhus . 78 THE ORDER OF COLEORTERA. C C. Antenna; not geniculate; anterior cox® contiguous; size medium. Ceiujciius. B B. Bodj r cylindrical; head much narrower than the thorax, and prolonged into a horn in the male, and tubercled in the female; size medium. SlNODENBRON. A A. Ligula broad, and filling the quadrangular notch of the mentum; antenna; not elbowed, first joint moderate; scutellum broad but indistinct, situated on the peduncle ; elytra parallel and deeply furrowed. Size very large. Pass ai.us. Lucanus contains three N. American species ; the L. elaphus , a South- ern species, the male varying in length from one and a half to more [Fig- 33.] than two inches, with large branching mandibles, larger than the head and thorax ; L. damn, our common pinching beetle, of a mahogany-brown color, and from an inch to an inch and a half long ; and the L. placidus, an inch long, al- most black, with the tooth of the mandibles bifid at the tip. Dorcus has but one generally Passalus coxniitus: — a, larva; b, pupa; c, beetle; rf, known Species, the pUTdllel'llS , underside of .thoracic joints, showing atrophied hind leg , ;„i. of larva ; e, same enlarged — after liiley. 01 DrOWlIlSll*DlclGli.j <111(1 eight or nine-tenths of an inch in length. The Platycerus quercus , four- tenths of an inch long, of a brownish-black color, is a widely distributed, but nowhere a common species. Ceruclius piceus, dark brown, and halt an inch long, is occasionally found in considerable numbers in rotten w'ood. Sinodendron is not known east of the Rocky Mountains. Pas- salus cornu tun, a large, oblong, depressed beetle, an inch and a quarter long, of a shining black color, sometimes with a dark-reddish tint, and with a short horn bent forwards, on the top of the head, is not an un- common insect about the roots of decayed stumps and other similar situations. The genus Passalus contains many species, most of which inhabit S. America, but the P. cornutus is the only species found in the United States. Meaning of generic terms : Lucanus— Ike stag, alluding to the large branching mandibles of some of the males. Dorcus— the antelope. The males of some foreign species have large toothed mandibles. Platycerus — having wide antenna. Ceruclius — bearing a horn. Sinodendron — injuring trees. Passalus — a post or peg, referring to the horn on the head of some species. STAG-BEETLES. 7!) Fifth Subsection, LAMELLICORNES. Autenmo lamellate. Habits of the two tribes different. This is the extensive and natural group of Coleopterous insects, gen- erally known by their scientific name of Lamellicornes, or Lamellicorn- beetles, and so called from the peculiar construction of their antennae, which terminate in a club formed of moveable plates or leaves, which, with a few exceptions, are three in number. In some of the insects of the Clavicorn division, the club of the antenna is also composed of thin fiat joints, constituting what is known as the perfoliate antenna, but here the axis of the antenna passes through the plates, which are im- movable ; but in the lamellate antenna, the plates are attached to the axis by only one of their sides, which leaves them free to open and shut like the leaves of a book. These plates are sometimes thin and similar; sometimes the first is thick and hollowed out to receive the other two, and sometimes the two outer ones are thickened and enclose the inter- mediate one. In the dead specimen these plates are generally closed together. One of the most conspicuous and invariable characters of the family is the form of the anterior tibiae which are constructed for dig- ging in the ground, being broad and compressed, and strongly toothed and scalloped on their outer edge. The larvae are white, six-footed grubs, some of which are found in manure and others in rotten wood. A few of the larger species have been seriously injurious, both in Europe and in this country, by feeding upon the roots of grasses and other plants. They are usually seen lying upon one side in a curved position. They are gross feeders, and the hinder part of their bodies is usually filled with black excrementitiotis matter, which is partially visible through the semi-transparent walls of the abdomen. The common white grub, which is the larva of the May-beetle, is a familiar example of these larvae. With respect to their food habits these insects are divided into two large, somewhat equal, and well marked tribes. They were all included by Linnaeus in his genus Scarabaeus. Tribe 1st (or 7th of the whole series), Excremcntivora. Elytra (except in the first family), covering the whole of the abdomen. Legs stout, the hind legs set far back, behind the middle of the hind-body. Live upon putrescent or decomposing matters, chiefly the excrement of animals. Families : Copridae, Apliodiidae, Geotrupidae and Trogidae. Tribe 2d (or 8th), Herbivora. Tip of the abdomen always exposed. Legs (except in the Dynastnhe) rather slender, and with the hind legs attached at or before the middle of the hind body. Live upon fresh vegetable food, either leaves or flowers. Families : Dynastidae, ltutelid;e, Melolontlikhe and Cetoniidae. so THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. tkiue vn. LAMELLICORN DUNG-BEETLES, j Excrementivora lamellicornia. Saprophaga, MacLeay. These beetles, as their name implies, are found almost exclusively in the dung of animals, mostly that of horses and cows, upon which they feed, and the decomposition of which they hasten, and thus constitute an important wing of the great army of useful insect scavengers. The tribe is composed of the four following families : A. End of the abdomen exposed. Middle legs wider apart than the others; hind tibise with a single spur; antenna; 8 or 9- jointed; size various Commas. A A. Abdomen wholly covered by elytra. Middle legs not wider apart than the others; hind tibia; with two spurs; antenna; 9 to 11-jointed. B. Abdomen with six ventral segments. Anterior thighs not dilated. C. Antenna; 9-jointed. Body almost cylindrical ; size small Awtodiid/E. C C. Antenna; 11-jointed. Mandibles robust and exposed; body oval or roun. ded; size various GEOTiturm-E. B B. Abdomen with five ventral segments. Anterior thighs greatly dilated ; body rough; size small to medium Tiiogidus. Sub-family XXVI. COPRIDB3. (Fig. 34.] This family contains the lar- gest species in this tribe of Lamellicorns, the G opr is Caro- lina being upwards of an inch in length, two-thirds of an inch in width, and half an inch in thickness. But it also con- tains small species. The Chw- ridium capistratum, a shining, mahogany-brown insect, is scarcely a quarter of an inch in length, and some of the Onthophagi are still smaller. Many of the males have a horn or tubercle on the top of the head. In this division is the common tumble-dung beetle, Copius Caboi.ina, Linn.: — a, larva]; b, a section of the ( Cant lion IcwiSj Dl'Ul'y. ) A hollow excrementitious ball in which the insect undergoes . ,. ,, ■ its transformations ; c, pupa of C. mahgixatuh (from Do- pail 01 lliese insects IS Olteit haan) ;d, fen, ale beetle : e, the spiracle, or bieathingpore of : n ,,,,,1 larva;/, the mandible; ,/. the antenna; It, tin, labium, SeCU WOIklllg 111 COUCeib, UnU with the rudimentary labial palpi ; f, the maxilla and |,. 1 1 ,,p maxillary palpus ; j, tho swelling on the under side ot the 1 0111 Ilg cl Odil 01 ill <111 111 O ill anal segment— alter Itiley. search of some suitable place LAMEIAICORN DtTNG-REETLES. 81 in which to bury it. Mr. Riley informs me that the common notion that the egg is rolled up in the center of this ball is an erroneous one, and that the egg is in reality deposited in a cavity at one side, made for the purpose after the ball is sunk. The young feed upon the half decomposed matter of which the ball is composed. The species are generally black, but some have rich metallic hues. The Copris (Pha- nwus) carnifex, with its tints of burnished copper and green, is one of our richest insects. A. Middle and hind tibia? slender. Size medium ; color black Canthon, 17 sp. A A. Middle and hind tibia? enlarged at the end. B. Labial palpi 3-jointcd. C. Anterior coxa? strongly tranverse and depressed. Size small ; color brown Chceridium, 3. C G. Anterior coxa? large, conical and prominent. Size lfirge or medium ; color black or metallic: Copris, 10. B B. Labial palpi 2-jointed. Anterior coxa? large and conical ; size small ; color black: Onthophaous, 10. Family XXVII. APHODIIDiE. These are small beetles found in great abundance in the fresh ma- nure of horses and cows, into which they burrow almost as soon as dropped from the animals. They never much exceed a quarter of an inch in length, and are usually black, but sometimes with red or brown elytra. Nearly a hundred N. A. species have been described, and divi- ded into a number of sub-genera, but they may all be included in the genus Aphodius of Uliger. [Fig. 35 . j The following are among our most common species : The A. fimetarius , Fab., nearly three-tenths of an inch long; head and thorax shining black, and elytra red ; the A. oblongus, Say, is equally long, rather more slender, and wholly black; the A. terminalis is less than two-tentlis of an inch long, black with the tip of the elytra and legs reddish ; the A. serval, Say, is of the same size, black, with the elytra dirty white, with three sub-quadrate black spots and a lateral double or Athomub:~1, 7 1 . , ii»etie ; s, an- triple irregular interrupted black stripe on each. Westwood. Family XXVTII. GEOTRUPID.E. These are distinguished from the two preceding families by their ro- bust horny mandibles which project visibly beyond the upper lip. Their average size is above medium, but the liolboceri fall considerably below it. The (ieotrupes (more correctly spelled Geotrypes) are very common insects, found under cow-dung in pastures, often burrowing into the ground beneath. —II 82 THE ORDER OF OOLEOl'TERA. The following are the two principal genera : A. Club of antenna) small with tlio plates of equal thickness ; size medium or above ; color dark me- tallic green or purple, sometimes black Gbotuypks, 7. A A. Club of antenna) large and compact with the platos of unequal thickness ; size below medium ; color brown Bolboceuus, 3. [Fig. 36. The G. splendidus, Fab., is our most common species, usually about seven-tenths of an inch long, but varying considerably in size, and varying also in color from dark metallic green to purple. G. excrementi , Say, is a little more than five-tenths of an inch in length, and of a bronze-black color. G. opacus, Hald., is of a deep black color, and varies in length from a little below to a little above half an inch ; it is much rarer than the other two species. The elytra are not furrowed like the others, but only marked with lines of minute punctures. The Bolbo- GROTEUTES:— 1, „ _ , . , . beotio; 2 , maudi ■ cerus farctus, Panzer, is halt an inch long, brownish-yel bles ; 3, antenna, , , . . , , , showing the hirp low, with the hind margin oi the thorax, the sutural bo.TJn ii 8 ".iii d line, and the broad tips of the elytra black. B. Lazarus, joint i» eucased in Panzer, is four-tenths of an inch long, and wholly of a after ^Tostwook mahogany-brown color. B. filicornis , Say, three-tenths of an inch long, of the same color as the last, and distinguished by a slender horn on the top of the head of the males, whilst the others have only tubercles. The last species has been separated from the others under the generic name of OdonUeus. It is also distinguished by having the eyes completely divided by the lateral margins of the head. Family XXIX. TROtUfME. These insects are readily distinguished by their coarsely pitted thorax and ridged elytra. The other characters given in the foregoing table I Fig. 37. ) are also very distinctive. They vary in size from more than a half to less than a quarter of an inch in length, and are of a uniform slate-black, or brownish-black color. Their habits are but little known, but they are usu- ally found in sandy situations, and Tuox pustulatim, LeC .:— a i.u va • b, pupa; c, sometimes upon the carcasses of dead beetle ; d, e , /, log, cervical plate, and maxilla, 1 with palpi of larva onlargcil-after Kiley. animals.' Mr. Riley breeds TfOX pUS- tulatus (Fig. 37.) from dead chickens. They are comparatively rare in- sects. They are somewhat numerous in species, but are all included in the genus Trox of Fabrieius. LEAF-CHAFERS. 83 The following three species may be taken as representatives of the genus: Trox porcatus, Say, nearly half an inch long, the elytra with elevated, interrupted lines, and numerous transverse punctures on the interstitial spaces; T. terrestris , not quite quarter of an inch in length, the elytra with raised obtuse lines on which are little fascicles of short hairs ; and T. striatulm , only three-twentieths of an inch in length, with regular grooves between the ridges on the elytra. Tribe Yin. LEAF-CHAFERS. Herbivora lamellicornia. Thalerophaga, MacLeay. The Chafers, or leaf-eating lamellicorns, are easily distinguished from the Dung-beetles, by the tips of their abdomens being always uncovered by the wing-cases, by their usually more slender legs, and by their lighter and often variegated colors. As we have seen above that the Cicindelidie represent the lion and tiger amongst the higher animals, so the present tribe may be regarded as representatives of the rumina- ting quadrupeds, being, as a general rule, the most bulky of coleopte- rous insects, and exclusively vegetable feeders. They generally feed, when in the beetle state, upon the leaves of trees, but many of the smaller species devour the petals and pollen of flowers. The Anomahe are particularly destructive to the foliage of the grape- vine. The larva} are found partly in rotten wood and partly in the earth, where they feed upon the roots of grasses and other plants. The com- mon white grub furnishes a familiar example. Like the preceding tribe, they comprise four families, which can usu- ally be distinguished by their general aspect and coloration, but which exhibit but few distinctive organic characters. They may bo tabulated thus : A. Head or thorax, or both, almost always armed with one or two horns or tubercles ; upper lip concealed beneath the elypous, which is not separated from the front by a suture. Size gen- erally large, or very large ; color often black or blackish : Dynastid^e. A A. Head and thorax unarmed; labrum often partially visible in front of the clypeus, which is separated from the front by a transverse suture, (except (Jetonikbe.) Size various; color never black, (except in a few Cetoniidie.) 84 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. B. Tarsal claws bilid, (except Hoplia) ; color usually uniformly brown, sometimes varied with patches of whitish hairs or scales ; the rows of abdominal spiracles nearly parallel : Melolonthio.e. B B. Tarsal claws simple ; abdominal spiracles stronglyNivergent a posteriorly ; colors usually beautiful and often variegated. C. Tarsal claws unequal ; anterior coxsc transversal and usually depressed ; scutellum usually rounded behind : RUTELIDA3. C C. Tarsal claws equal ; anterior coxa} conical and prominent; scutellum usually triangular and pointed. . .Cetoniid/E. Family XXX. DYNASTIDdS. This name has the same origin as the English word dynasty, which means sovereignty, and it has been given to these beetles on account of [Fig. 38.) their generally large size and im- posing aspect. The family con- tains the largest insects in (he order of Coleoptera, some of the tropical species being more than two inches and a half long, and more than an inch in thickness. We have one species in the Southern States, the Dynastes Ti tyus, Linn. (Fig. 38), which is two inches long, of a greenish -gray color, with scattered black spots; there is a long horn on the head and another on the thorax, with a smaller one each side of it ; the female has only a tubercle on the head. Another species, dynastkh tityus, Linn. after Riiey. the Ayloryctes satyr us, Fab., an inch or more in length and of a black color, and with an upright horn on the head of the male, is not uncommon in the Northern and Middle States. Its larvae are sometimes injurious to ash trees by feeding upon their roots. Iu the genus Ligyrus, Burm., the head has two very small tubercles, and the general aspect is much like the common chafers, but they are distinguished at once by their black color. The L. relictus, Say, is a very common species. It is three-quarters of an inch long ; its larva LAMELLICORN DUNG-BEETLES. 85 is one of the lohite grubs, and is often found in old rotted manure. Gi/clo- cephala, Latr., forms a connecting link between this family and the Ku- telidse, all the species being of medium size, of a light-yellowish color, and with tbe head and thorax wholly unarmed. In its general aspect, therefore, it resembles the latter; but it wants the inequality of the tarsal claws, which is the most distinctive character of the Eutelidas, whilst the clypeus is almost consolidated with the front, and the labrum is hidden beneath it as in the Eyuastidie. Fnmily XXXI. MELOLONTiriDA). This is much the most numerous family of Lamellicorns in the North American fauna. They can be easily distinguished, for the most part, [Fig. 39.J by their oblong, somewhat cylindrical form, their uni- formly brown color, and by the hooks of the tarsi, which are of equal length, and bifid or forked at the extremity. The genus Melolontha proper, (Polyphylla, Harris,) differs from all our other Lamelli- corns in having seven leafets in the club of the antennae of the males, and five in those of the females, whilst almost all Lamellicorns have but three r ii vi. i. oi*n ag a (Lachkostkhna) vcsca, Froiii ; q rEiu iNA, in both sexes. They also dif- Kn.: — 1, pupa in its earthen cell ; 2. larva; 3, 4, beetle, /» _ <» « r , sido and back view — after Riley. troill t Ii 0 majority Ot Mold- lonthides in being ornamented with spots or stripes which are produced by prostrate white hairs. The species of the genus Hoplia are also variegated with patches of minute white scales; and Macrodaetylus, with scales of an oohreous color. The bifid tips of the hooks at the end of the tarsi can be easily seen with a simple lens, and furnish one of the most distinctive characters of this sub family. The tarsal hooks of Hoplia, however, are anomalous. The hind feet have but a single hook which is generally entire ; in the four anterior feet the hooks are double as usual, but unequal, the outer one being larger and bifid at the tips. This genus is also peculiar in having but one spur at the end of the tibhe. The remarkable genus Lichnanthe is regarded by some as forming the type of a distinct sub-family. 8G THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. The, following table shows the principal N. American genera of Melo- lonthides, east of the Rocky Mountains : A. Elytra narrowed and sometimes separate at their tips ; tarsal claws equal and simple; whole body, except elytra, covered with long dense hairs LiCHNANTHB, 4. A A. Elytra not dehiscent; some or all of the tarsal claws bifid ; body not conspicuously hairy. 15. Tibi® with one spur, and hind tarsi with a single entire claw Hoplia, 11. 15 15. Tibia? with two spurs ; all the tarsi with two bifid claws. C. Club of antenna* with seven loafets in the male and six In the female; body spotted or stri- ped with short, prostrate, whitish hairs PoLYl'HYLLA, 7. C 0. Club of antonme with 3 leafets ; color generally uniform. D. Claws chelate or capable of being folded down upon the last tarsal joint, minutely cleft at the end, the teeth lying side by side; body parallel and depressed.. .D ichelon yci i a, 14. T) 1). Claws not chelate, strongly bifid, one tooth above the other; body convex. E. Anterior coxa* not prominent ; ventral segments soldered together with their sutures indistinct ; medium or large insects, usually moro than hall an inch in length : PHYLJXJPHAGA, fit). EE. A nterior coxa? elongated and prominent; ventral segments distinct; small species; less than half an inch in length. F. Body densely clothed with ochreous scales; tarsi vory long Macuodactylub, 3. F F. Body usually clothed with a fine silken puhevseense; ventral segments six ; hind coxa? very broad SEBICA, 16. F F F. Body naked; glabrous; ventral segments live; hind coxa- normal : Dir LOT AXIS, 3‘J. Lichnantlie vulpina, Ilentz, is a little more than half an inch long, and is at ouco distinguished by its elytra being narrowed and separated at their ends, and by the body being densely clothed with long rust- yellow hairs. It is quite a rare insect. The L. lupina, LeConte, found on the Atlantic coast, is much smaller than the above, and less densely clothed with cinereous hairs. The ely- tra in this species do not separate at the tip. The Hoplia trifasciata , Say, is about a third of an inch long, reddish brown, and more or less covered with whitish scales, which are so ar- ranged on the elytra as to form three imperfect transverse bauds. H. modesta, Haiti., is smaller and paler, and the clothing ot the elytra resembles hairs more than scales. The other species are more rare, and several of them inhabit California. Two species of Polyphylla are found in the Eastern States : P. occidentalism Linn., in the Southern At- lantic States — often more than an picli in length, with the white down on the elytra arranged in regular stripes; and, P. variolosa, Ilentz, found in the Middle States, and as far North as Massachusetts less than an inch in length, and having the elytra irregularly spotted in- stead of striped. The club of the antennae is much longer in the males than in the females, a character not peculiar, however, to this genus. JHchclmyclia, Kirby, is composed of a considerable number ot small, elongated, depressed species, usually having the elytra more or less tinted with brassy-green, and often requiring a close examination to distinguish one species from another. Our two common species are the elongata , Fab., and the linearis of Gyllenhal. They diiier slightly in LEAF-CHAFERS. 87 coloi and in the form ot tlie thorax ; but as these characters are varia- ble in both species, it would, perhaps, be more correct to regard them only as varieties. llie genus Phyllophaga , Harris, ( Lachnosterna , Hope,) is very numer- ous in species, many ot which, however, bear a close resemblance to each other. It is emphatically, but not exclusively, a North American genus, GO of the 11G known species being found in this country. They may be divided into five groups, according to the clothing of the body. In the first and most numerous group, of which the common May-beetle, P. fusca, may be taken as the type, the* upper side is smooth and shin- ing. The second group contains but one species, the 1\ lanccolata, Say, found mostly west of the Mississippi river, and remarkable for having the body clothed with small lance-shaped cinereous scales. In the third group the body is more or less clothed above with soft erect hairs. Two species of this group are common in some localities, the P. hirticula, Knoch, and the L. Georgicanct, of Gyllenhal. In the former the hairs on the elytra are arranged mostly in three rows, whilst in the latter they are equally distributed. The fourth group contains a small num- ber ol large species, in which the whole upper surface is densely clothed with short prostrate hairs or down. The P. iliois, Knoch, is the type of this group. The fifth group is composed of comparatively small spe- cies, about half an inch in length, of a pale color, partly smooth above, but with the thorax and base of the elytra densely clothed with long hairs. The P. tristis, Fab., the same as the P. pilosicollis, Knoch, the type of this group, is not uncommon. One other species is found in Texas. There is also a number of small pale species, half an inch or less in length, with the body glabrous, which might constitute a sixth gioup. the P. longitarsis , Say, is the type of this group, remarkable, as its name implies, for the length of the tarsi. It must be remarked that all the species of this genus are densely hairy on the under side of the breast, as indicated by the generic term Lachnosterna, of Hope. The common Rose-bug, (M. snbspinosus, Fab.) is the type of the genus Macrodactylus, Latr., a word meaning long tarsus. The Rose-bug is be- tween three and a half and four-tenths of an inch in length, covered all over with minute ochre-yellow scale-like hairs, which are not distinctly ' isible without the aid of a magnifier. The thorax is also somewhat densely clothed with short upright hairs. A specimen from Georgia, with the hairs more conspicuous, has been described by Dr. LeOonte under the name setulosus. Another species, the mgustatus, Pal. do Hoauv., found in the Southern States, is distinguished by its longer thorax, and the absence of the erect hairs. The genus is exclusively 88 THE ORDER OF COLEOFTEUA. American, but most of the species are found south of the Gulf of Mexico. The genus Serica is distinguished by the soft silkcu pubescence with which the body is covered, and which is beautifully iridescent, that is, reflecting the colors of the rainbow. Where this character is deficient, as it is in a few species, they can be readily determined by the remark- able widening of the hind cox;e, which form a broad plate covering the base of the abdomen, and which are at least as wide as any two ab- dominal segments. The ground color is dark reddisli-brown, or almost black. We have three rather common species: the 8. sericea, llliger, between three and four tenths of an inch in length, of a dark purple tint; the S. tricolor, Say, scarcely three-tenths of an inch long, almost black, and distinguished by the erect hairs with which the thorax is clothed ; and the 8. vespertine, Soli., of the same size as the sericea, but destitute of the iridescent pubescence. Diplotuxis, Kirby, contains a large number of small species, from three to five-tenths of an inch long, and of a reddish brown or black color, and often closely resembling each other. They resemble the genus serial in general appearance, but are distinguished by the hind cox® not being unusually dilated, and the want of pubescence ; one species, however, the sordida, Say, forms a connecting link, in this le- spect, by being clothed with erect hairs. Family XXXII. RUTELID/E. The most distinctive charac- ters of the Rutelides are their unequal tarsal claws, and their usually fine or brilliant colors. But our most common species, the Anomalie, though glabrous, are not brilliant, and might be mistaken for Melolonthse ; but the unequal and uncleft poste- rior claws readily distingniy them. Most of the insects of this sub-family are tropical. Nine- teen N. A. species are known, more than half of which belong [Fig. 40. | PKI.IDXOTA punctata, Linn..— a, larva ; e, its antenna ; x +i, e o-<>nus Aliomala. This f. log : d, tip of abdomen ; 0, pupa, iupts coll , the walls of wnlcb are composed of particles of wood andexcre- nub-family. like the preceding jueut ; c, beetle— after Kiley. J ’ LEAP-CHAFERS. .89 one, contains a number of species which are seriously injurious to the horticulturist by devouring the leaves of both ornamental and fruit trees, and especially those of the grape vine. The table of genera is as follows : A. Elytra with a very narrow membraneous margin. One of the anterior and middle claws cleft. Size below medium. B. Elytra strongly furrowed, with a small notch at base. Thorax impressed, and hairy : STIilGODEHMA, 2 B B. Elytra puncto-striatfe, and without notch. Thorax plain, and nearly or quite hairless : Axomala, 10 A A. Elytra without membrane. Claws all simple. Size above medium. C. Clypeus separated from the front by a distinct suture Cotalpa, 5 C C. Clypeus not distinct from the front Pelidxota, 2 The Strigoderma arboricola, Fab., is four-tenths of an inch long ; head, disk of thorax, and tip of abdomen blackish ; elytra and broad margin of thorax yellowish-brown. We have two common species of Anomala, the varians and the luci- cola, of Fabricius, which have been much confounded by authors. Ac- cording to the diagnosis of Burmeister, probably founded, as Dr. Le- Conte suggests, upon the Fabrician types, the species so common on grape vines at the West, having the elytra faintly striate, and spotted with black so as to form two imperfect bands, and with theiuesosteruuui only slightly carinate, is the true varians of Fabricius, whilst the lucicola has deeply striate elytra without bauds, and the mesosternum strongly protuberant. But the lucicola usually has the vertex and disc of the thorax black, and individuals of both species sometimes occur which are wholly black. The type of the genus Cotalpa is the common goldsmith beetle, Co- talpa lanigera, of Limiseus. The Pelidnota punctata , Linn., (Fig. 40) is also a large and common species, found feeding upon the leaves of the grape vine. It is nearly an inch long, of a bay color, with three black spots on each wing-cover. Its larva, as Mr. Riley has ascertained, feeds on the decaying roots and stumps of various trees. Family XXXIII. CETONIIDAI. [Fig. 41.) Uymnkti.s (Ai.loiihina) nitida, Linn.: — a, larva; b , pupa ; c. male beetle; d, e t /, g, mandible, an- touna, leg and maxillary palpus of larva — after Riley. — 12 00 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. Iu addition to the characters given in the table of families, the Ceto- niidie are distinguished by being somewhat flattened, or nearly level on the back, whilst the Lamellicorns generally are regularly convex ; the elytra are a little narrower at the tip than at the base, and in the Cetoniides proper the side pieces of the mesothorax are continued up- wards, so as to form a little piece which is easily seen at the shoulders, between the thorax and the elytra. The scutellum is longer than it is broad, and almost always triangular and pointed, whilst in both the Melolonthides and It u tel ides it is as broad as it is long, and rounded behind. The Cetoniides proper are one of the most splendid groups of Coleopterous insects, and some of the tropical species vie in magnitude with the Dynastides. Indeed the GoUathus giganteus , of Lamark, from the west coast of Africa, is probably the largest Coleopterous insect known, being upwards of four inches in length, and two inches in breadth. The Cetonia; do not raise their elytra in flying like other bee- tles, but spread their wings out laterally from beneath them, the elytra being a little hollowed behind the shoulders, to facilitate the operation. These are pre-eminently flower-beetles, and the mouth organs are fur- nished with a brush of hairs with which they collect the pollen. Many of the Cetoniae differ in their habits from the majority of herbivorous Lamellicorns, by being actively diurnal, being often seen feeding upon pollen, and flying from flower to flower, in the heat of the day. We have in N. America eighteen species of Cetoniides proper, and twenty species belonging to the aberrant genera. Our species of Cetoniides form six genera, which are very unlike iu color and general appearance. A. Side pieces of the mesothorax visiblo above; thorax somewhat triangular or trapezoid.nl, ami nearly as wide at base as the elytra. Cetoniides proper. B. Thorax with a lobe behind representing and covering the scutellum Gymnktis, 2 B B. Scutellum distinct Euryomia, 14 A A. Side pieces scarcely or not visible above ; thorax roundish or square, and decidedly narrower than the elytra. C. Body almost naked ; color black. D. Thorax square, with prominent angles. Clypeus turned up in front. Size medium : ClUiMASTOClIILUS, 13 D D. Thorax roundish, with obtuse anglos. Clypeus plane. Size very large : OSMODIiltMA, 3 C C. Body densely clothed with hairs or scales; colors various. E. Hind coxai contiguous. Body hairy; colors variegated Tuicmus, 5 E E. Hind coxa3 wide apart. Body covered with minute scales ; ground color dark brown : Valgus, 3 The Gymnetis nitida, Linn., (Fig. 41) is a beautiful velvetty-greeu bee- tle, three-quarters of an inch long, the bodies margined all around with orange-yellow, found throughout the Eastern States. Its larva has been found by Mr. Riley feeding on strawberry roots, and when out of the ground crawls with ease on its back. The Euryomia fulgida , Fab., is a glossy green species, two thirds of an inch long ; the elytra tinted with LEAP-CHAFERS. 91 pale bronze, and with an irregular number of minute white points, and four large white spots on the tip of the abdomen. It is found on flowering shrubs, and is not uncommon at the west. The Mir. Inda, Linn., is our most common species of Cetonia. It varies in length from half to two- thirds of an inch; it is of a yellowish-brown color, the elytra sprinkled all over with small irregular black spots. It is sometimes troublesome by burrowing into ripe fruit, and also by feeding upon sweet corn in the milk. The larvae, probably, like those of other known species, live in rotten wood, as the perfect insects are often seen flying over chip-yards, probably in search of a convenient nidus for their eggs. The E. melan- cholica is a much smaller species, almost black, with irregular transverse white lines on the elytra. Crcmastochilus , Knoch, contains a considerable number of rather rare species, half an inch or a little less in length, of a deep black color, sometimes with a few small white marks on the elytra. The mouth is peculiarly constructed. The clypeus or anterior margin of the head is thickened, and turned up, and thementuin is much enlarged, project- ing forward so as to almost close the oral cavity, and its sides hang- down like two curtains, which suggested the generic name, w hich means hanging lip. They have been found under stones beneath which were ants’ nests ; but their natural history is imperfectly know r u. Osmoderma contains three American and one European species. The (). eremicola , Knoch, is upwards of an inch in length, black, with a faint chestnut tint, and with a smooth shining surface. The 0. soabra, P. do B., is an inch long, black, the elytra being rough, with irregular, coarsely punctured strim. Triehius, Fab., is composed of a number of closely allied species or varieties, the type of which is the T. lunula tun, Fab., a very common and pretty insect, often seen upon flowers in our gardens, basking in the hot sunshine, but readily taking to flight. It is a little less than four-tenths of an inch in length ; the thorax dark brassy-green, the elytra more or less reddish on the disc, widely bor- dered with black, and with two transverse white marks on the side of each elytron. The under side is densely hairy. Valgus contains three small brown species, densely covered with mi- nute whitish scales. They are easily distinguished by their distant pos- terior coxa 1 , and their much shortened elytra. Sixth Sub-sectiou, SERRICORNES. Antcnme serrate or saw-toothed. Food-liabits various. This sub-section of beetles with five-jointed feet is primarily distin- guished, as its name implies, by the serrate or saw-toothed character of the antennae. The serrate antenna is similar to the filiform in being- slender, and usually of the same width throughout; but differs from it in 92 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. having each joint project more or less inwards, that is, towards the anten- na; of the opposite side, so as to give it a saw-toothed appearance; and this projection sometimes extends so far as to form what is called the pectinate or comb-toothed antenna; and when these processes are nearly as long as the antenna itself, they form what is called th eflabellate, or branched antenna. But in many of the insects which are naturally classed in this sub-section this character of the antenna; is either wholly wanting, or so slightly developed that it can be scarcely distinguished from the fili- form, and therefore it cannot be relied upon by the student without the aid of other characters. The only other insects of the pentamerous section, however, with which they could be confounded are the Filicorues proper of the first subsection, comprising the predaceous Ground beetles, Cicindelidse and Carabidae, and the predaceous Water-beetles or Dytis- cidae. From the latter they are distinguished, not only by the want of any general resemblance, but more definitely by their legs not being fitted for swimming. And the ground beetles are distinguished by hav- ing apparently six palpi, and more conspicuously by their large egg- shaped posterior trochanters. The Serricornes, as a whole, do not constitute a natural division, being composed of two very dissimilar tribes, viz ; the saw horned wood-beetles, comprising the families Buprestida; and Elateridse, and the soft-winged carnivorous beetles, Lampyridse, Telephoridee, etc.; and in addition to these a number of small groups (Ptinidse, Lymexylouidae, lihipiceridae and Cupesidae,) which do not strictly belong to either of the leading tribes, but which are usually classed with one or the other to avoid the creation of a great number of primary groups.* In accord- ance with our plan of classifying insects, as nearly as possible, accord- ing to their habits and the nature of their food, and at the same time leaving the two large and natural tribes just referred to undisturbed by discordant elements, we have adopted the expedient of throwing to- gether a number of these small and heterogeneous families, under the title of Aberrant Wood-beetles. Thus arranged the Serricorn Coleoptera will form three tribes, which may be designated as follows: 1st Tribe. Saw horned icood-beetles. Sternoxi, Latreille. Head in- serted in the thorax as far as the eyes. Antenna; serrate or filiform. Pro-sternum advanced in front, and also prolonged behind into a point which is received into a cavity of the ineso-sternum. Body elongate, or elliptical, moderately convex, and of a very hard consistency. Legs short and retractile. Anterior and middle coxae small and globulus. Families : Buprestkhe, Elateridae and Cebrionidse. ' “ The creation of new families is a measure which should not bo resortod to except at the last ex- tremity.”— Lacoudaikb, Genera dee Col., IV, 258. SAW-HORNED WOOD BEETLES. 93 2d Tribe. Aberrant wood-beetles. Xylotrogi partly, Latreille. Body short, with the head bent under the thorax, or elongate, with the head tree. Antennae various. Families : PtinidaB, Lymexylonidae, Rhipice- ridse and Cupesidae. 3d Tribe. Soft-winged predaceous beetles. Malacodekjii, Latreille. Head free, but often partly or wholly covered by the thin anterior mar- gin of the thorax. Antennae serrate or filiform. Body more or less elongated, and depressed, soft, and with flexible elytra. Anterior coxae conical and prominent, with large trochantins.* Families : Lampyridae, Telephoridae, Melyridae, Cleridae, Dascyllidae. TmiiB IX. SAW-HORNED WOOD BEETLES. Lignivora serricornia. Stkrnoxi, Latreille. The term Sternoxi, meaning sharp-breasted , given to these insects by Latreille, refers to their most distinctive character, namely, the exten- sion of the pro-sternuin or front breast-plate, backwards in the form of a sharp point, which is received into a corresponding notch or cavity in the meso-sternum. The sternum is also much advanced in front, and the fore legs are set remarkably far back from its anterior edge. The anterior coxtc or hip-pieces are almost globular, but not prominent. The antenna) are rather short, sometimes distinctly serrate, and some- times simply filiform. The legs are short and capable of being con- tracted closely upon the body. They are of an oblong form, and usually of a very hard consistency. The larvae will be described under their respective families. They are vegetable feeders, and are generally found in wood in a state of partial decay. The two first families are numerous in species, but the Cebrionidae are few and rare, and no species has been found in the Northern States. They comprise the three following families : A. Body very firm ; prosternal point elongated; abdomen with five segments. B. Prosternal point immovable; antenna! finely serrate ; anterior and middle legs with trochantins; colors metallic Bupkestimc. B B. Prosternal point movable; antenna! often filiform; legs without trochantins; colors generally brown or black, and with the surface usually finely pu- bescent Elatkiud.® . A A. Body moderately firm ; prosternal point short; abdomen with six segments: Cebrionidae. 1 The troohantin is nn additional or supernumerary joint between the coxa- and the thigh, giving the hitter the appearance of being composed of two pieces. 94 THE ORDER OF COEEOFTERA. Family XXXIV. BUPRESTIIbE. [Fig 42. The name Buprestis was given by the ancients to some kind of noxi- ous insects which cannot now be determined; but it was subsequently given by Linmeus to the insects of the present family. They might properly be called, in Eng- lish, metallic beetles, in reference to their very hard and indexible bodies, and their metallic col- oring. They are further distinguished by their short, slender and finely but distinctly serrate antennas and the presence of troeliantins in the anterior and middle legs. They are usually of an oblong elliptical form, and somewhat depressed or flattened, but some of the smaller species are either elongate, slender, and almost cylindrical, The scutellum is very small apple tree, ami of tim soft n,a. am i sometimes wanting. The Buprestidie are pie; a, larva; c, head of larva, w ^ 1 £Sy i,P “ pai . Elytra tapering to a point anil slightly separated at their tips j 1st joint of hind tarsi scarcely longer than S!d Dicekca, 24 sp. 1) I). Elytra moderately nan-owed behind. 1st tarsal joint elongated BunmsTIs, SI sp. B B. Epimora of tlio motasternum partly covered by an auteriur prolongation of the margin of Iho abdomen. Prosternum acutely angulated behind. E. Front with a pit or doprossiou for tho insertion of the antounm. Size moderate: CUKVSOHOTIIIUB, 43 sp. E. Front without pit. Size small. F. Thorax waving at its junction with the elytra Mei.anoi'H 1 i.a, 10 sp. F F. Thorax cut straight across behind Anthaxia n A A. Hind coxal plates hut little widened at their inner extremities. Sizo never above medium ; usually small or very small. G. Front without pits for the insertion of the anteume. Thorax straight behind. Scu- toUuin none. Body clothed with shor^ erect hairs. Colors often variegated : ACMAIODEUA, 23 sp GG. Front pitted for antenna). Thorax angulated behind. Scutcllum distinct. Body not H. Body elongated, narrow, almost cylindrical. Prostemum without grooves for the reception of the anteume A0IU106, 40 sp. H H. Body short and broad. Prosteruum with grooves for the autennai. Tarsi very short. I. Body ovate; sculelluin small; tibia; slender Brachys, 8sp. I I. Body sub-triangular ; scutel large; tibia; dilated Metokius, 2 sp! The largest N. A. species of Buprestis is the Chalcophora virginumis of Drury, nearly or quite an inch in length, of a dark coppery or black- ish color, and a very uneven surface, caused by elevated lines and de- pressed square-shaped spots. The larva inhabits the trunks of different kinds of pine trees, and the perfect insects are to be found, therefore, only in pine growing regions. The Dicerca divaricata, Say, is three- quarters of an inch or more in length, copper colored, with a granulated surface. It is distinguished at once by its tapering elytra, separated at the tips. Its larva bores into the trunks of cherry and peach trees. We have another, smaller and more obscure species, the D. lurida, Fab., the larva of which inhabits the hickory. The Ghrysobothris femorata, (Fig. 4 2) an obscure bronze-black species, rather less than half an inch 111 length, is the parent of the well known flat-headed hover , so injurious to apple trees, and also to the soft maple. The hind coxal plates are the flat and narrow transverse pieces which border the under .side of the , * >lax behind, and are separated by a suture from the luetaatermuu. They are marked C X Jt* iu THE ORDER OF COI.EOPTERA. 06 The genus Acmceodera, Esch., contains a number of small species of a bronzed-brown color, sometimes with purple and green reflections, and the elytra prettily spotted with yellow. The colors are somewhat ob- scured by the surface being clothed with stiff erect hairs. The A. tubu- lus , Fab., and the A. pulchella, Herbst, are the most common species. They are often found in abundance on the flowers of the Coreopsis. The genus Agrilus , Sober, is easily recognized by the elongate, slen- der, and cylindrical form of the species. The raspberry borer, Agrilus rufieolis, Fab., may be taken as the American type of this genus. It is three-tenths of an inch long, black, with a coppery-red thorax. Buprestis, including Anchylochira, Esch., is composed of species mostly between a half and three-quarters of an inch in length, of a brassy- green or a brassy -black color, and often ornamented with yellow spots on the elytra; some also have yellow spots on the sides of the venter. The species of Hlelanophila, Esch., are troni three to fb e-tenths oi an inch in length, black, sometimes with obscure bronze or purple tints. Some species have four yellow dots on each elytron. The species of Anthaxia , Esch., are less than three-tenths of an inch long, brassy-black, and without spots. The head and thorax are sculp- tured with shallow punctures, with the intervening lines forming a fine net-work. We have two common species of Brackys, Sol., the ovata, Weber, and the ccrosa, Melsh., (terminans ? Fab.J ; and several rarer species, some of which may be only varieties or races of the first. The B. ovata is two-tenths of an inch or more in length, ot a bronze color, variegated with spots and imperfect transverse waving bands of whitish and cop- per colored pubesence. The B. terminans is smaller and less distinctly variegated, but most readily distinguished by the pale tips of the elytra. Metonius , Say, (Pachyscelus, Sober,) has two species, about an eighth of au inch in length; the kevigatus , Say, wholly black; and the purpurea , Say, black, with dark-blue elytra. Family XXXV. ELATERlfHE. The term elater applied to these insects by Linnaeus, and the name ship-jacks, sometimes given to them by English authors, have reference i Fi". 44. to their most striking peculiarity, that of having the faculty, CS =<0 when placed on their backs, of righting themselves by a Y„.y spasmodic jerk, by which they are thrown several inches JTY'' \ from the surface upon which they are placed. In thisoper- J\ ation tl,e sharp point which projects backwards bom the ^ ifv ^ pro-sternum is thrbwn violently into the corresponding f \l/ \ socket in the meso-sternum. Elater. SA.WHORNED WOOD-BEETLES. 97 They are distinguished from the allied Buprestidm, not only by this saltatory power, but also by the posterior angles of the thorax being prolonged backwards to a point, so as to f Fi s- <«•] embrace the base of the elytra, and by the bases of the thorax and of the elytra slop- '*** , ^ 1 Larva of. E later. ing downwards towards each other, which, in addition to a slight sepa- ration between them, permits the freedom of motion which these parts have upon each other. The thighs moreover are almost or entirely des- titute of the accessory joint at their base called the trochautin. The elaters are also readily distinguished by their usually dull brown colors, very rarely changing to black or red, and by their surface being almost always clothed with a fine pubescence. The larvae are elongate, slender, of the same width throughout and of a hard and almost horny consistency, and furnished with short legs. The last segment is sometimes forked at the extremity, sometimes 3- toothed, and sometimes entire. They bear a strong resemblance to the meal-worms or larvae of Teuebrio, but differ in the structure of their mouths. These larvae go by the common name of wire-worms. With respect to their food they may be divided into two classes : those which live in rotten wood, being frequently found under the bark of decayed stumps and prostrate logs, and sometimes, but rarely, penetrating into solid wood* * ; and those which feed upon the roots of grasses and of other plants. The natural food of the larvae of the latter division appears to be the roots of grasses, both wild and cultivated, but from these they spread to the roots of almost all kinds of cultivated plants, including Indian corn and the small grains, and various kinds of garden vegeta- bles. In some localities they rank amongst injurious insects of a very serious character. The Elateridae constitute one of the most extensive, and one of the most natural families of Ooleoptera, but their division into minor groups is very difficult, on account of the great numbers and the strong general resemblance of the species. In treating upon this subject, Lacordaire makes the following remark: “The classification of this family presents extreme, and perhaps insurmountable difficulties. If we examine the works ot the most recent authors, Germar and Erichson, we shall see that both of them despair of the classification of these insects. The latter, indeed, has expressed the wish that some new characters may yet *Mr. C. V. Kiley lias shown mo a specimen of llemirhipis f acicularis , Fab., distinguished for its beautifully pectinatod antennas, which was reared by him from a larva which ho found boring through the heart wood of the Pecan Hickory, thus proving that someof the Elateridie are gonuino wood-borers and corroborating the propriety of placing them in the same tribe with the wood-boring Buprestidic. [Siuco the above was written, Mr. Kiley informs mo that he strongly suspects that the Heiuirhipis l.u\, i was preying on that of Clytus pieties which was boring the same tree, and not feeding on tho woud itself.] —13 98 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. be found which will enable us to establish it upon rational bases ; but many months’ assiduous labor compels me to declare that such characters do not exist, and that we shall search for them in vain. We must trust therefore to tradition to supply the inadequacy of science.” They comprise two well marked but very unequal sub-families, as follows : First Sub-family, Eucnemides. Antennae inserted upon the front. Head bent down upon the breast in repose. Second Sub-family, Elaterides. Antenna; inserted under the margin of the front. Head directed forwards. Sub-family EUCNEMIDES. This sub-family is composed of a moderate number of small, compa- ratively rare, black or brown insects, and more or less clothed with minute yellow hairs. They resemble the Elaterides in their elongated slender forms, but are distinguished by their vertical heads, the mouth being inferior, and not anterior as in the Elaters. The auteume also, as a general rule, are more strongly serrate, and in the males often pec- tinate or even flabellate. The palpi are often terminated by a widened or hatchet-shaped joint. Whilst the perfect insects strongly resemble the Elaterides, such of their larva; as are known have a striking resem- blance to those of the preceding family of Buprestidaj, both in form and habits, being abruptly enlarged at their anterior extremity, and being- found in wood in an incipient state of decay. . The following tables exhibit those genera which are most common or most numerous in species : A. Antonme inserted in pits on tbc front, at some distance apart ; claws not serrate. B. Maxillary palpi with the last joint acuto MRLASI8, 4 sp. B B. Maxillary palpi with the last joint dilated. C. Grooves for the antennas Tinder the margin of the thorax. D. Antennas serrate Eucnemis, 3. D D. Antennas filiform Fornax, 14. C C. Antennal grooves wanting Nematodes, 3. A A. Antenme inserted close togothor on the front ; claws serrate CEUQi’HYTUM, 2. Sub family ELATERIDES. A. Sternum with deep grooves for the reception of tho antenna) Adeloceka, 10 sp. AA. Sternal grooves obsolete or wanting. B. Mesosteruum connate with the metasternum ; very large species clothed with whitish scales, and with two eye-like spots ttu the thorax Alaus, 4. B B. Mesosternal suture distinct, and without tho other above mentioned characters. C. Hind coxal plates suddenly dilated inwards, and prolonged into a tooth at the posterior an- gle ; claws never pectinate. I). Prosternal spine truncate ; scutellum heart shaped Caudiopiiouus, 32. X) D. Pro-sternal spine acute ; scutellum oval. E. Anterior margin of the front not olevated ; coxal plates moderately dilated ; large specie* with distinctly serrate antenme ..Ludius, 5. SAW HORNED WOOD-BEETLES. 99 EE. Anterior margin of fcho front slightly elevated, forming a transverse ridge which separates the front from the upper lip. Size sometimes large, but usually medium or small. F. Frosterual sutures single and convex on the outer side ; tarsi slender ; sizo small : CllYPTOHVl-KUS, 31. F F. Frosternnl sutures double and straight, or concave on the outward side. G. Tarsi simple.. E later, 51. G G. Fourth tarsal joint bilobed MONOCBBI’IDIUS, 15. G G G. Second and third joints lobed Dicuepidius 8. C C. Hind coxal plates gradually and but slightly dilated inwardly and often without a sharp posterior angle ; claws sometimes pectinate. H. Front convex ; mouth inferior Agriotes 12 . H H. Front flattened, and with an elevated margin ; month anterior. !• Claws pectinate Mklaxotus, 47. 1 1. Claws simple. K. Eyes prominent ; 1st joint of hind tarsi as long as the 2d and 3d united : Athous, 25. K K. Eyes small ; 1st joint of hind tarsi less elongated Limonius, 39. H fl H. Front flattened, without elevated margin ; mouth anterior. L. Sizo large; color shining black Melanactbs, 8. L L. Size moderate ; colors various Corymbetes, 93. The Elaterides proper constitute an extensive series of comparatively homogeneous insects, the great majority of which are of a uniformly [Fig. 45.] brown color. length , and varying in between one-quarter and three-quarters of an inch; though there are a few large or very large species. The de- termination of the genera and species of this family requires, therefore, an amount of study and an aptness for observa- tions of this kind, which can scarcely be expected from any but professed entomolo- gists. We will only refer to a few species which are re- markable for their size, or for their exceptionally varied coloring. Our largest and most strik- ing species is the well known Elater (Alans ) occulatus, of Liuuams. It is usually nearly an inch and a-half in length, though individuals are not un frequently seen which scarcely exceed an inch. Its gray color is produced by a dense sprink- ling of small whitish spots and lines upon a black ground. These spots are composed of minute whitish scale-like hairs. But its^nost conspic- Msi anactbs piceus, DeG. — a, sitppnsod larva, as soon by 3 1 "■ S,1IU « as soon by night ; c, beetle ; d, enlarged head “Id parte; e, enlarged leg el' same-after Kiioy. 100 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. uous character is the two large eye-like spots ou the top ot the thorax, which are expressed by the specific name. The larva inhabits partially decayed wood, and is often found in the trunks of old apple trees, ihe jjjlater vubvicollis , Say, is a little more than half an inch long, black, with a light-red thorax, bordered and pointed behind with black. The Elater sanguinipennis , Say, is black, with light-red elytra ; three-tenths of an inch in length. The E. apicatus, Say, is similar, but larger, being nearly half an inch in length, and the elytra are tipt with black. 1 he E. mgricollis, Say, varies from less than half to three-quarters of an inch in length ; black, with whitish elytra. The E. linteus , Say , resem- bles the last, but is distinguished by having the suture and tip of the elytra black. E. scapularis , Say, is a little less than four-tenths of an inch long, greenish-black, with the base of the elytra and the hind points of the thorax, clay-yellow. The tarsal joints are lobed beneath. It is now included in the genus Atlious. The Limonius annus, Say, is also light-red ou the shoulders of the elytra, but the thorax is wholly black, the tarsi are simple, and the length is only a quarter of an inch. Several species of Corymbetes have the elytra brownish-yellow with transverse zig-zag black bands. G. hieroglyphicus, Say, half an inch long, has two bands ; and G. liamatus, rather smaller, has but one band near the tip. The Melanotus fissilis, Say, ( cinereus , Weber 1) and the M. communis , Sell., plain brown species, usually about half an inch in length, but subject to considerable variation in size, are amongst our most common beetles. The two species closely resemble each other, but the latter is a little smaller, and the thorax is proportionally longer and less convex. They are distinguished from other and somewhat similar blaters by their pectinate claws. They are sometimes found under the bark of dead trees, having probably recently emerged from the pupa state. But they are also found upon the leaves of trees, to which their pecti- nate claws enable them to adhere. We have repeatedly seen them at rest in the enclosure formed by the tying together of the leaves of the black walnut, by the larvae of the little moth, Phycita juglwndis, LeB. ; but for what purpose was not apparent. The Melanactes piceus, DeG., (Fig. 45) is a large glossy black species, an inch or more in length. It is not uncommon in the latitude ot south- ern Illinois, where it is sometimes jarred from peach trees upon the curculio-catcher. Mr. Eiley has found and figured its supposed larva, which is one of the most beautiful objects, aud often attracts the atten- tiou of the curious in the southern part of the State, by its luminosity; the ami m al glowing in the dark with a beautiful green light as repre- sented in the figure. ABERRANT WOOD-BEETLES. 101 Tuibe X. ABERRANT WOOD-BEETLES. Lignivora aberrantia. Under the title of aberrant or exceptional Wood-beetles, as stated in the general remarks upon the Serricornes, we have included, for the sake of brevity and convenience, a number of small families, some of which have but a remote relationship to the others, but which cannot naturally be united with any of the larger tribes. This tribe contains two very dissimilar groups. In the first, which is composed of the family of Ptinidae, including the sub-family of Bostri- chides, the body is rather short and thick, or moderately elongated and cylindrical, and the head is bent down and mostly or wholly concealed under the vaulted or hood-like thorax. In the other group, which includes the small families of Lymexylo- nidie, Oupesid® and Lyctidie, the body is much elongated and ofteu depressed, and the head is free and exposed, and sometimes attached to the thorax by a short neck. These three families combined do not contain more than a dozen known American species, most of which are rare, and are found mostly under the bark of decaying trees. Many authors include them in some one or other of the larger families. [Fiff. 40.] Family XXXVI. PTINID/F. This is a. family of moderate extent, composed of small insects, rarely exceeding a quarter of an inch in length, and often only about half that length, and usually of a cinnamon-brown color, sometimes black and some- times oi’uameuted with patches of whitish scales. Their most distinctive character is the vault- ed or hood-like form of the ante- rior part of the thorax, the head being bent under it or partly re- tracted within it, so that it can be scarcely or not at all seen when the insect is viewed from above. The antennae are gener- ally filiform, but in Bostrichus a, Anoiiium panicbum, Fab. : b, ita antenna) ; o, Pi'i- . _ nub BuuNNBus, Dufs.— after Riley. they terminate in three larger joints. The tarsi are simple. The larvae resemble those of the Lamelli- corn beetles, in miniature, being soft and white, and usually lying in a curved or semi circular position. They have six legs, but do not use them in crawling in the usual way, but draw themselves along upon their sides. 102 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. The Ft ini proper subsist upou substances iu a state of incipient decay, and are often found iu cellars and out buildings. The Anobii are usually found in wood more or less decayed; but the BostrioM bore into solid wood, and are often seriously injurious, more especially to forest trees. Indeed, the last mentioned insects bear so striking a. resemblance, both iu their short cylindrical forms and their eminently wood-boring habits, to the short-horned wood-borers ( Scolytidw J, in the tetrainerous section, that one feels strongly tempted to place them in the latter tribe ; but in the details of their organization they are more closely allied to the more highly organized Ptinidse, especially in the more fully developed anten- nal club, labium, and maxillary palpi. The larvae also have six feet, whilst those of the Scolytidse are footless. The following are the principal genera: A. Antenna} filiform, sometimes branched. Tibial spurs very small or wanting ; tarsi distinctly 5-join ted. B. Head ami thorax much narrower than the elytra ; antenna} filiform and simple and inserted upon the front, and about as long as the body Ptinus, 8 sp. BB. Form cylindrical or sub-globular. Antennae usually either branched or with the three hist joints longer than tho others, and inserted before the eyes. C. Antennae simple, but with the three terminal joints elongated Anobium, 22. C C. Antennae branched in the male, serrate in the female Ptilinus, 3. A A. Antennae terminating iu three lairgcr and somewhat serrate joints ; tibial spurs distinct ; tarsi apparently 4-jointed. Thorax asperous. Elytra often truncated and toothed behind : Bostiuchus, IU. The Ptinus fur, Linn., is three-twentieths of an inch long, light brown, with two whitish bands across the elytra, interrupted in the middle. The thorax is uneven, having a tubercle on each side and two on the back. This insect feeds upou almost all kinds of dried animal matter, and is often very injurious iu museums of natural history. It was originally a native of Europe, but has become disseminated over the civilized world. We have a very similar species iu this country, the humei-alis, of Say, which is regarded by some as only a variety of the European species. We have also another common species, often found in company with the others, iu cellars and out-buildings. This is the Ptinus br mucus, and is distinguished at once from the others by being wholly of a light-brown color, and destitute of the bands on the elytra. . Our most common species of Anobium is the A. tcnuestriatum, Say, scarcely three-twentieths of an inch iu length, of a uniform, cinnamon- brown color, with a microscopically tine silken pubescence, and the elytra with fine impressed lines or striae. This species is also injurious to cabinets and herbaria. It may often be caught upon the wing in or about our houses. The genus Bostrichus contains a number of small species, which, in their larva state, are genuine wood-borers, and some of which are se- riously injurious both to fruit and forest trees. The 11. bicaudatus, a ABERRANT WOOD-BEETLES. 103 v fFig. 47.] V C plain, grayish-brown species, three- tenths of an inch, or a little more, in length, with one tooth at the end of each wing-cover, is very common at the West, where it sometimes excites seri- ous apprehensions in the spring, by bo- ring into the twigs of apple trees ; but bostrichus (Sinoxylon) bash.i.auk, say. - injury is of a transient character, larva.- 6, pupa,- c, beetle-after Riley. The R basUaris (pig . 47) ig t WO-tenths of an inch in length, black, with reddish antennae, and each elytron with a large red spot on the base, and three teeth at the end. The larva of this species is usually found in the shag-bark hickory, which it some- times destroys, by riddling the solid trunk with innumerable holes. It also sometimes infests fruit trees, and has been found in the grape vine. Family XXXVII. LYMEXYLONI DzE. A small family of anomalous iusects, founded upon the genus T/ymexy- lon, Fab., a term derived from the Greek lume — a destroyer, and xulon— wood. They are elongated narrow beetles, with free heads, and short serrate art tenure ; the elytra sometimes remarkably shortened, and with the maxillary palpi often furnished with long branching appendages. We have but few N. A. species, all of which are rare. The Lymexylon nivale is notorious for the extensive destruction sometimes produced by its larvae to the ship timber floating in the docks in the northern part of Europe. At the suggestion of Linnaeus the timber was sunk under water at the time of the year when the females deposit their eggs, and was thus preserved from their attacks. Family XXXVIII. CUPESIDiE. This is another small anomalous family, containing but four known species, two of which inhabit N. America, one is found in Chili, and the other in the Phillipine Islands. The form is elongate, - the elytra are strong, sculptured with longitudinal ribs and square depressions be- tween them. The antennae are filiform, and the head is tuberculate be- hind, and attached to the thorax by a distinct neck. The Cupes cinereu, of Say, is widely distributed but of rare occurrence. Mr. Say, however, speaks of it as being sometimes found in considerable numbers about old frame buildings. 104 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. Thibe XI. SOFT- WINGED PREDACEOUS BEETLES. Carnivora mollipennata. Malaoodermi, Latreille. The insects of this tribe are distinguished from most other Coleoptera, and from all others in the pentamerous section, by their soft bodies and their thin and flexible elytra. The antenure are usually more or less serrate; the palpi terminate in a widened triangular or hatchet-shaped joint; the thorax is usually surrounded with a thin projecting margin ; and the fourth-joint of the tarsi is more or less bi-lobed. The term Malaoodermi, meaning soft-skinned, given to these insects by Latreille, expresses their most remarkable character, and is in general scientific use. They are exclusively carnivorous in their diet, both in the perfect and the larva state, feeding upon small worms, larvae and snails, and are therefore one of the agencies for checking the excessive multiplication of other insects. The larvae are elongated, flattened, usually a little tapering toward each end, of a tough or leathery texture, and of a brown or black color, and often clothed with short hairs. They are furnished with slender, sharp and projecting mandibles, with which they sieze their prey. They are sometimes found on trees, but usually on the ground or under the bark of dead trees, in search for small wood-eating larvae. A few are found in ants’ nests. This tribe comprises the three following families : A. Body and wing cases flexible ; thorax almost level, with a thin margin all around. Antennae not enlarged at the tip. B. Autennm inserted upon the front or upon the base of the rostrum; front without membraneous suture; 4tli joint of tarsi more or less bi-lobed; palpi clavate Lampymdas. B B. Antenna; inserted laterally before the eyes; epistoma separated from the front by a membraneous suture; tarsi entire; palpi usually filiform. Meuyiudj®. A A. Body rather firm; thorax convex, without a sharp margin or with a very nar- row one, low down upon the side; antenna; generally widened at the tip; palpi clavate Cleiiid/B. Family XXXIX. LAMPYRID2E. This family contains the well-known lire-liies, or lightning-beetles, and the family name, from a Greek word meaning to shine, was intended to express this quality. This property is possessed both by the larvae and the perfect insects, but only a small number of species are endowed with it. Their principal characters have been given in the foregoing table and in the general description of the tribe. They are usually medium sized, SOFT-WINGED PREDACEOUS-BEETLES. 105 sometimes small, but rarely very small. They are mostly plain insects without brilliant colors ; usually black or browu, and many have the thorax margined with red or yellow. The Lam py rid a; comprise three sub-families, which may be character- ized as follows : A. Elytra reticulated; middle cox® separate; head partially covered by the aule- ripr margin of the thorax Lycides. A A. Elytra not reticulated ; middle cox® contiguous. B. Head nearly or quite covered by the thorax; antemite usually approximate; side pieces of metasternum rather wide Lampyiudeb. B 13. Head wholly uncovered by the thorax ; antenna rather distant; side pieces of metasteruum tapering to a point behind Teljbphoriiies. Sub family LYCIDES. The Lycides are distinguished by their reticulated elytra, produced by elevated lines and cross lines. The genus Lycus, and some others, have the head more or less prolonged in front in the form of a snout. A. Hoad with a distinct beak ; antemiso inserted in front of the eyes ; elytra usually widened behind : A A. Head without distinct beak ; antenna) inserted between the eyes. * ' ( ' ' * 81> * B. Elytra widened behind ; thorax carinate CaloptbRON 7. B B. Elytra parallel ; thorax not carinate Euos 16. Lycus, Fab., including JMctyoptems, Latr., which differs only in hav- ing the rostrum shorter and more robust, contains three known North American species. Galoptcron, Guerin, contains a number of species, two of which at least a.re rather common and conspicuous insects: the G. reticula! urn, Fab., five or six-tenths of an inch in length, yellow, with the middle of the thorax, a broad band across the elytra, and a broad tip of tlie same, black ; and the G. terminate, Say, of the same Size and color, but with- out the middle band on the elytra. A much smaller species, the G. di- midiatum, Fab., (scapulare, Newman,) is blackish, with the margin of the thorax, and the tips of the shoulders, yellow. The antenna: are strongly pectinate, or branched. It is the type of the genus Cwnia, of Newman. Eros, Newman, contains many species, the most conspicuous of which is the E. eoceinatus, Say, four-tenths of an inch long, and of a bright scarlet color. Sub family LAMPVltIDES. . 'The remarks made above upon the present tribe of soft-winged Car- nivora, and upon the family of Lampyrhhe, apply especially to the sub- family of Lampyrides proper, and need not be here repeated. Their —14 106 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. [ Fig. 48. ] most distinctive character is the extension of the thin thoracic 'mf margin, which is narrow in the |1\ other sub-families, but is here ex- \ panded so as, in most cases, to j completely cover the head. It is in this sub-family that we find PuoriNOB rvitAus, Linn.:-common firc-dy; or , more t h 6 species remarkable for their properly, Lightning-beetle l a, larva;/, e, a , head, i- under side of segment, and leg of same ; f>, pupa in its ] um i uous Or phosphorescent pi'O- earthen cell ; c, beetle— alter Riley. x * 1 perty, which is possessed by no other insects except a few of the Elate- rid;e.* This property is located in one or more of the segments on the under side of the abdomen. The luminous power is intermittent, being exhibited by flashes, and is evidently controlled by the will of the insect. It is a vital phenomenon, and consequently ceases after death; but the luminous segments can be distinguished in the dried specimen by their uniformly yellow color. The historic and poetic glow-worm is the wingless female of the Euro- pean Lampyris noctiluca , Linn. But iu most of our species both sexes are furnished with wings. The Lampyrides are nocturnal insects, being sluggish by day, and found sometimes on the ground, and sometimes resting upon the foliage of trees, or upon the palings of fences. But at night they launch out upon the wing, sometimes in immense numbers, especially in low mea- dows, which they illuminate with their multitudinous flashes of phos- phoreseuce. The following are the principal genera: A. Elytra complete, except in some wingless females; head wholly or partially covered by the thorax. B. One or more ventral segments, pale yellow, and luminous in the living insect. C. Antonme dilated and compressed ; the abdominal segments of the males lobed at the sides ; the last segment only luminous Lucidota, 3 sp. C C. Autenmc slender ; the abdominal segments simple ; one to three last segments luminous : Photinub, 26 . A A. Elytra much abbreviated and attenuated ; head exposed ; antenme branched ; phosphoresonco uncertain Piiknciodks, 2. The Lucidota atra, Bab., supposed to be the same as the laticornis of the same author, is a common iusect. It varies from three to four- tenths of an inch in length, and is of a deep black color, with the mar- gin of the thorax pale yellow. The genus Pliotinus , Laporte, contains most of our lightning beetles. The P. pyralis , Linn., (Big. 48,) is half an inch or a little more in length, blackish, thorax with yellow margin and red disk, with a blackish spot in the center ; the elytra have a nar- * We should perhaps also except the Fulgora lanternaria of S. America, and the F. candclaria, and the Bupreetis occllatct of China, and a few other insects which have been reported to possess luminous properties. But the testimony with regard to all of them is very conflicting, oven with respect to tho Hist mentioned, the lumiuousuess of which bus been generally believed. SOFT- WINGED PREDACEOUS-BEETLES. 107 row yellowish border, and suture. Mr. Riley lias shown that it is lumin- ous in the larva and pupa as well as the perfect state. It is common in the latitude of Southern Illinois; but farther north and east its place is to a great extent supplied by a very similar but much smaller species, the P. scintillams , Say. The P. angulatn , Say, is as large as the pyraUs , and is distinguished by its generally paler color, the wider yellow mar- gin of the elytra, and by the extreme margin of the thorax being clouded with black. Certain species which (like the P. pensylvanica, of DeCeer), have the head but partially covered by the thorax, were placed in a separate group by Dejean, to which the name Photuris was subsequently given by LeConte. The genus is retained by Lacordaire, but it is aban- doned by Dr. LeConte himself, iu his work on the Classification of the Coleoptera. The Lampyris plumosa, of Olivier, is the type of the remarkable genus Phengodes , Hoff. The antenme are beautifully plumose, and the elytra are abruptly narrowed to a point, and do not extend more than a third ' the length of the abdomen. It is half an inch long and of a brownish color. Six other species are known which inhabit South America. La- cordaire states that these insects possess luminous properties, but Le- conte questions this, as none of the ventral segments exhibit the usual sulphur-yellow color in the dried specimens. In the specimens in my collection, the ventral segments are black in the middle, and fulvous or tawny-yellow at the sides, with a narrowed portion at the base of each segment of a lighter yellow color, and this may possibly be the seat of the phosphoresence. Sub-family TELErHOREDES. In this sub-family the head is usually wholly uncovered by the thorax, and narrowed behind into a short neck. They are more active than the other Lampyridi®, and are often found upon flowers, or running over the surface of leaves in search for their prey, which seems to consist mostly of the soft larvae of other insects. A. Hoad partially covered by the thorax ; nmxilhe elongated and extensile ; elytra yellow with a large black spot or stripe Cuauliognathus, 9 sp. A A. Head wholly uncovered ; maxilbe normal ; elytra black, sometimes with a narrow yellow border. Ik Head with a distinct neck; size various Tkleimiouus, 7*2. B B. Head without visible nook; si/.o small Silis, 3. The genus Ghauliognathus, I lentz, is remarkable for the extensile maxillm, apparently analogous to the elongated maxillae and labium of bees, with which they lap the honey of flowers. Indeed, the perfect in- sects are usually found upon flowers, especially those of the golden rod, upon which they have been said to feed; in which case they form an exception to the carnivorous habits of the family in which they are placed. The beetles, however, are furnished with sharp curved mandi- bles like other Telepliorides, and the larvae are known to be pre-emi- 108 THE ORDER OF OOLEOFTERA. [ Fig. 49. ] nently carnivorous. We have two common species of the genus : the C. pcnsylvanicus, DeGeer, (Fig. 49,) with a large oval black spot near the end of each elytron ; and the C. marginatus, Fab., with a broad black stripe through the middle of the ely- tron. Telephorus, Schmffer, contains many species, varying from less than a quarter to more than half of an inch in length. They, are black, with the — , showing thorax usually partly or wholly red- antenmc, mandibles, and palpi, rno small .side figures show the same parts still more dish-VellOW. Silis, Meg'erlo, COlltaillS a highly magnified ; t, beetle— alter Kiley. ■’ ’ ° 1 few small species, less than a quarter of an inch in length; and colored like Telephorus, from which they differ in having the head inserted in the thorax, which is two or three times as wide as it is long, and with a notch on the side and near the posterior angle, usually most conspicu- ous in the males. CUAUI.IOGNATHUS PKNSYLVANICU8, DoGeOr: — larva ; 6, head of larva magnified. Family XL MELYltllLE. This is a family of small extent, and is composed mostly of small or very small species. They bear a general resemblance to the preceding family, but are usually smaller and differ in the palpi not being widened at the t ip, and in the fourth joint of the tarsi not being bilobed, in both of which characters they differ from the great majority of the soft- winged beetles. The species of the genus Malaehius have the singular power of protruding from the sides of their bodies a number of soft orange-colored vesicles, the use of which is a matter of conjecture. They are supposed to be instrumental in deterring their enemies. The larviB are carnivorous, like those of the other Malacodermes ; but the perfect insects are generally found upon flowers, and are supposed to feed upon their more tender parts. The two leading genera in' our fauna are Malaehius — which has been divided into a number of sub-genera, all of which possess the extensile vesicles — and JJasytes, in which the vesicles are wanting. Family XLI. CLERIDiE. In this family the labial palpi terminate in a largo hatchet-shaped joint, and the fourth joint of the tarsi is bilobed ; but the body is tole- rably firm, and the antenna; depart from the common serrate character in being more or less widened towards the tip ; but the enlargement differs from the genuine clavate, in being more or less flattened, and sometimes strongly serrate. They also differ from the Malacoderms proper in having usually but five segments in the abdomen, whereas the latter have seven. The Oleridic are usually rather below the me- 1 SOFT-WINGED PREDACEOUS BEETLES. 10!) dium size, often prettily colored with orange and blue, and their surface is usually more or less pubescent or hairy. They are oblong in form, and the thorax is considerably narrower than the elytra. These insects are purely carnivorous. The larva} are sometimes found under the bark of dead trees, in company with the small wood-eating larva}, upon which they subsist. Others are found in the nests of ants, and still others in the dried carcases of dead animals. The genera of Cleridie is as follows : A. Tarsi 5-jointed; thorax rounded at the sides, without a sharp margin. 15. First tarsal .joint of ordinary length ; body much elongated. C. Antenna* 10- jointed, the last very long and Hat Elas.mocerus, 1 sp. (J C. Antenna? ll-.jointed ; serrate biit little enlarged at tip. 1). Eyes finely granulated Tillus, 1. I) D. Eyes coarsely granulated Cymatodera, 17. 15 B. First tarsal joint usually small and concealed beneath the second; body moderately elongated. E. Eyes notched, and of moderate size ; head not wider than thorax. F. All the palpi enlarged at the tip ; body coarsely punctured and very hairy ; antennal club triangular Triciiodes, 6. F F. Only the labial palpi enlarged ; body moderately punctured and hairy ; antennal club long and loose Clerus, 29. E E. Eyes very large and entire ; head much wider than the thorax HYDRO CERA, 22. A A. Tarsi 4 -jointed; thorax with a narrow but distinct lateral margin. G. Antenna? strongly serrate at the end Enocuum, 4. G G. Antenna? terminating in a 3-joiniod flattened club Nkckohia, I>. The genera Clerus and Hydnocera are the most numerous in species, some of which are sufficiently common. Clerus , Geoffrey, with which we include Thanaslmus , Latr., and Thaneroclems, Spin., contains a num- ber of prettily marked species, which are sometimes seen running over prostrate logs in the forest, in search probably of small wood-eating larva}. The Clerus dubius, Fab., is a little more than three-tenths of an inch long, of a steel-blue color, the elytra crossed by three orange bands. The C. nigrifrons, Say, is upwards of two-tentlis, of a tawny yellow color, the elytra cinereous behind, including a broad black band ; there is a black spot on the front, and the venter is black. C. nigripes, Say, is very similar, but the frontal spot is wanting and the venter is red. The G. sanguineus , Say, is of the same size as the last, with the thorax brown and the elytra scarlet. The llydnocer® are small and obscure insects, less than a quarter of an inch in length, hut easily distinguished by their large prominent eyes, which cause the head to be wider than the thorax. They are often beaten from the leaves of forest trees. The genus Trichodcs, llerbst, contains a number of very hairy and prettily banded species, the larva} of which devour the larvae of certain kinds of bees. Some are found in the nests of the masou-bees, and the European T. apiarius has been known to be very destructive to the hive- bee. The Nccrobia violacea, Oliv., a small dark-blue or greeuish beetle, three-twentieths of an inch in length, has been imported from Europe. no THE ORDER OP COLEOrTERA. It is sometimes found in houses, but more commonly on the carcases, aud especially the bones, of dead animals. The have even been found under the wrappings of Egyptian mummies. The N. ( Gorynetes ) rufipes, DeGeer, has also become spread over the whole globe. Section II. IIETETIOMERA. Five joint# in the anterior and middle tarsi , and four joint# in the hind tarsi, the joint s being usually slender and bare, or at most, sparsely haired orspinoits. The Heteromera constitute the second principal division of Coleopte- rous insects, distinguished primarily, as the name implies, by the diverse number of joints in their tarsi, or feet. This character is remarkably uniform, only two or three exceptional cases having been detected in all the known iusects of this section ; and as but few of them are of very small size, the number of tarsal joints is usually easily determined. It is also seen by the above formula that the tarsal joints iu the iusects of this, as of the preceding section, are usually slender and clothed, at most, with scattered hairs or bristles, thus strongly contrasting with the dilated brush-like and bilobed tarsi of the two succeeding sections. This section embraces an extensive series of beetles, though less numerous than the first and third sections. Although most of them are vegetable feeders, at least in the imago state, comparatively few subsist upon growing plants, and but few, even of these, have been known to increase to such an extent as to become injurious to cultivated crops. The principal exceptions to this statement are the common meal- worms belonging to the genus Tenebrio, and the Lyttae or Cautharides, which are sometimes seriously destructive to the foliage of vegetables, especially that of the potato. The Ileteromera comprise two very diverse groups of beetles, which have, indeed, scarcely any characters in common except the number, of tarsal joints. The first division, of which the well known Cautharides may be taken as the leading typo, is distinguished by having the head wider than the anterior part of the thorax aud attached to it by a short neck ; by the elytra being comparatively thin and llexible ; by their frequently diver- sified colors; their active diurnal habits ; and the parasitic character of many of their larvie. The other section, which may be represented by the common black Tenebrio or meal-beetle, is distinguished from the foregoing by having the head partially immersed in the thorax; their hard and inflexible elytra ; their obscure aud mostly black or brown colors ; and by their being vegetable feeders in both the perfect and the larva states. The first of these divisions contains a considerable number of suffi- ciently distinct and well marked families ; but many of the minor groups PARASITIC-BEETLES. Ill of the second division are so intimately connected by intermediate grades, that Laconlaire aud other recent authors have united a large proportion of them in one large family under the name of Tenebrionidce. In accordance with our plan of classifying insects as nearly as possi- ble according to their habits and the nature of their food, we will divide the Ileteromera into four tribes, as follows: A. Head as wide as the thorax, and attached to it by a visible neck. Body rather soft and elytra flexible ; anterior coxa: large, coni- cal and contiguous; colors often diversified. Larva: mostly car- nivorous and many of them parasitic: Tribe 1st (or 12th), Parasitic beetles. A A. Head without a distinct neck, narrower than the the thorax, and more or less inserted in it ; body firm ; coxa; never very prom- inent; colors usually black or brown; habits never carnivorous. B. Anterior coxa: moderately prominent aud nearly or quite contig- uous; antenna} slender aud filiform ; color usually brown, some- times black. Larvae live under bark of decayed trees : Tribe 2d (or 13th.) Bark beetles. B B. Anterior coxa: small, depressed aud separate ; antenna: usually moniliform, or sub-clavate and perfoliate. (J. Antennae usually more or less moniliform, and often a little thickened towards the tip, and as long as the head and tho- rax. Color almost always black ; habits terrestrial : Tribe 3d (or 14th.) Heteromerous ground-beetles. 0 C. Antennae usually shorter than the head and thorax, and strongly clavate and perfoliate ; head of males often with two horns. Colors brown or dark metallic, sometimes black with red spots. Habits fungivorous : Tribe 4th (or 5th.) Heteromerous fungus-beetles. Tamil xn. PA R A SIT I C - BEETLES. Heteromera parasitica,. Trachelides, Latrcille. The name Trachelides, from a Greek word meaning a neck, was given to these insects by Latreille to express their most striking character, that ot having the head attached to the thorax by a visible neck ; where- as in most beetles the head is inserted in the thorax nearly or quite to the eyes. The exceptions to this rule, however, in the Coleopterous order, are not very uncommon, of which the families of Telephoridie, Lopturida*., and portions of the Carabidse, are some of the most conspic- uous examples. But the name was intended to contrast them more par- ticularly with the other beetles of the heteromerous section. 112 THE ORDER OP COLEODTERA. The antenme, in all the Trachelides are of nearly or the same width throughout, sometimes simple or filiform, sometimes serrate, and some- times pectinate or branched, especially in the males. The elongated coxae permit great freedom of motion to the legs ; and their frequently bright or diversified colors show that they live exposed to the light of the sun. Accordingly we find that in their matured state they are active diurnal insects, often frequenting plants and tlowers. We have designated the insects of this tribe as parasitic beetles , a title which preeminently, but not exclusively belongs to them. The term parasite literally means one who sits at the table of another, and lives at his expense, and is now very commonly applied to those insects which either inhabit the nests of other insects and subsist upon the food prepared by them, or which infest the bodies of other insects, feeding upon their substance, and ultimately causing their death. This para- sitism is found to be very extensive in the insect world, and to consti- tute one of the most efficient agencies by which the excessive increase of many kinds of insects is kept in check. The great majority of parasitic insects is found in the order of Ilymenoptera, where they comprise some of the most numerous of the families of insects. In the order of Ooleop- tera the parasitic species are comparatively few, and outside of the pres- ent tribe, are mostly limited to a small number of minute species in the families Staphylinidae, Pselaphkke and Scydimenid®. The parasitic character is therefore the more distinctive of the present tribe, most of. the families of which are parasitic in their larva state; though it ispret ty well determined that a few of them are lignivorous, and the larvae of some of the families are but little known. The Lagriid® aud Anthi- cidse, from certain observations which have been made upon them, are supposed to be carnivorous, andLatreille considered the latter to be par- asitic. The lihipiphorid®, Stylophidse, and Meloidie, including the sub- family of iloriides, are known to be parasitic. The lame of the Pyro- chroidse and Mordellkke are found in wood, upon which, therefore, they are supposed to feed. Mr. Riley has found the Mordella 8-punctata, and its larvae, (Fig. 50) in very rotten oak stumps, and he states there can be no doubt of its lignivorous habits, as he has found the lame in their own burrows, extending through the wood in all directions. He has likewise bred a smaller species from the green stems of ambrosia, and other herbacious plants. In a strict classification according to the habits, therefore, the Pyroehrouhe and Mordellkke would require to be separated from the parasitic families, but there appear to be no organic characters which these two families possess in common, which author- izes us in placing them in a tribe by themselves. It is one of the many remarkable facts in the natural history of insects that the same species often differs greatly in its habits and the nature of its food, in the different stages of its existence. We have had occasion PARASITIC-BEETLES. 113 to refer to some of tlie most common instances of this change in the introductory part of this work, and the same is strikingly illustrated in the history of the present tribe, in which the same species is often parasitic in its larva state, whilst it feeds upon the flowers or foliage of plants in its perfect or imago state. The following is a table of the families of the Trachelides : A. Constriction of the neck gradual and slight; anterior coxal cavities closed behind.* Size medium Lagriim. A A. Neck distinct and abrupt; anterior coxal cavities always open behind. J3. Thorax with a lateral margin ; abdomen usually tapering to a long point ; hind legs long and flat. Size small Mordellid/E. Bll. Thorax rounded at the sides ; abdomen not pointed. C. Tarsal claws deeply cleft. Size large or medium Meloidas. C C. Tarsal claws entire. D. Thorax narrower behind than the elytra, h. Antennae almost always filiform and simple. Size very small. Antiiicid.®. E E. Antenna; usually branched in the male, serrate in the female. Size medium or small Pyrochroii).®. D 1). Thorax as wide behind as the elytra. Size small Kh i prciioui ive. AAA. Without visible neck — structure very abnormal. Size very small. StvlomdJe. Family XLII. LAQRIIDJ3. lliis family is comprised of a small number of medium sized beetles, which furnish a connecting link between the Trachelides and tire Teue- brionidae ; having an imperfect neck, and being rather soft and flexi- ble like the former, but having the anterior coxal cavities closed behind, like the latter. Mr. Westwood states that he has found the larva of the European Lagria hirta on white thorn hedges; and Lyouet mentions having discovered the same under dead leaves upon the ground. There are but five N. A. species of this family. The Lagria (Ar- thromacra) cvnea , Say, is an elongate brassy-black beetle, nearly half an inch in length, and easily recognized by the remarkably elongated ter- minal joint ot the antenme, which is as long as the four preceding joints taken together. Family XLIII. MORDELLIDd?. This family contains a considerable number of small beetles, rarely more, and usually less than a quarter of an inch in length, and distin- guished by their elliptical and arched form, the head being bent down * The state of the anterior coxal cavities as respects their lioing closed or open behind, is a oliarac- tor of considerable importance in classifying the Coleoptera, especially the Hcteromora. The coxal cavities are the hollows in the sternum or breast plate in which the legsare inserted. Tlieantorior cav- ities are sometimes wholly surrounded by the crust of the stornum, when they arc said to bo closed ; in other cases there is a deficiency of tlio sternum directly behind the anterior ooxie, whioh is filled by membrane, and the cavity is then said to bo open. —15 114 THE ORDER OF COLEOFTERA. much below the level of the thorax, and by the abdomen usually termi- nating in a considerably prolonged point. They are, moreover, the only Trachclides which have the upper part of the thorax separated from the lower, on the sides, by a prominent line or margin. The tarsal claws are small, but when strongly magnified they are usually found to be prettily serrated on their lower edge. Their colors are mostly black or slate color, but some of them are slightly variegated with whitish or rufous. The perfect insects are usually found upon flowers, and some of the species are [Fig. 50.] der circumstances which seemed to preclude the supposition of their being otherwise than liguivorous in their diet. It would seem, therefore, that in a natural classification of the Cole- optera according to their food-habits, the Mordellidse should be sepa- rated from the parasitic Trachclides, and united with the heteromerous bark-beetles, which they also resemble in some of their organic charac- ters, such as their proportionally smaller heads, margined thorax, and sombre colors. In this case their location would be adjoining the Ciste- lidie, which they resemble in the peculiar character of their serrated claws. There are upwards of ninety described N. American species of this family, most of which are contained in genera Anaspis and Mordella, the former being distinguished by not having the abdomen prolonged to a point. Family XLIV. MELOIDiE. TV! blob : — 1, inalo beotlo; 2, larva— after Packard. This family contains the well-known Lyttso or Cantharides. They have elongated flexi- ble bodies, with a very distinct neck, and with the claws deeply cleft, the upper portion being often pectinate, or comb-toothed. They are rather large or medium -sized insects. Our most common species are blackish or ash-colored, but some are prettily striped, and others are richly variegated with green and yellow. The larvae, so far as known, arc PARASITIC-BEETLES. 115 parasitic in the bodies or in the nests of bees. Their history -was long involved in obscurity, but the development of the larva; of the genus Meloe has been satisfactorily elucidated by Newport, Siebold and other modern observers. It appears that the parent beetles deposit their eggs in the nests of various kinds of bees, but especially those of the humble-bees. The young larva; are sometimes found in the nests, but usually upon the bodies of the bees, from which they draw their nutri- ment. Infested bees, observed in confinement, have been seen to bo- comeexhausted by these larva;, thus proving them to be genuine parasites. The following are the principal genera : A. Elytra much shorter than the abdomen, separate at their tips, and usually lapping one upon the other at base Meloe, 14 sp. A A. Elytra covering the abdomen. B. Head large, front not prolonged beyond the base of the antenna* ; frontal suture wanting : Hokia, 3. B B. Hoad moderate, front somewhat prolonged, and with a distinct suture. C. Mandibles long and acute ; maxillae greatly elongated Nbmognatuus, 28. C C. Mandibles short and obtuse ; maxilla* norm an Lytta, 1)9. The genus Meloe, Linn., is alluded to by Kirby as apparently forming a connecting link between the Coleoptera and the Orthoptera, having the head vertical, and the elytra lapping at base, but the resemblance is very remote. The inferior or true wings are wanting, and these in- sects are found on the ground, where they feed upon herbaceous plants, mostly those of the genus Ranunculus. The females become so swollen with eggs that they drag their abdomens with difficulty along the ground. When captured they exude a yellow oily fluid from the joints of their legs, whence they have received the popular name of oil-beetles. They vary in length from half an inch to an inch, and are either black or of a dark violet-blue color. Our most common species is the Meloe mgustacollis, Say, of a violaceous color, the female upwards of three- quarters of an inch , in length ; the male is considerably smaller, and has the an tenure remarkably swollen and knotted in the middle. We have two species of the genus Morin, Fab., both of which are ex- tremely rare. They are found in ants’ nests. The H. sanguinipennis, Say, is four-tenths of an inch long, black, with light red elytra. The genus Nemognatlia, llliger, is remarkable for the elongation of the outer lobe of the maxillae into a long setaceous proboscis, very simi- lar in appearance to that of the honey-bees in the hymenopterous order. These insects are found on flowers, tho honey of which they probably extract. Wc have seen a somewhat similar structure to exist in the genus Ohauliognatlius, in the family of Telephoridre; but hero the organ is soft and elastic, and capable of being retracted within the cavity of the mouth. 116 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. (iig. 52.] i'h e genus Lytta, of Fabricius, or Cantharis, of Geoffrey, contains the blistering beetles of the shops, and also the well-known ash-colored, black, and striped potato-beetles. Some entomologists divide them into two groups or sub- genera : Lytta proper, in which the antennae are almost mo- niliform, and a little thicker towards the tip, and Epicauta, in which the antennae are filiform, or a little tapering, with L Fabri'ciu* TA ’ ^ ie joints elongated. The latter group contains all our common species. Family XLV. ANTHICIDA1. This family, founded upon the genus Anthicus, a Greek word, meaning (Fiz. 53.] variegated , is of moderate extent, and is composed of very small, prettily colored beetles, never much exceeding an eighth of an inch in length. They are readily dis- tinguished from most other small beetles by their nar- row necks. Some of them bear a striking resemblance to ants, and others are remarkable for a prominent horn on the top of the thorax. The larvae are unknown, but some observations of Latreille led him to believe that they are parasitic. The perfect insects are found on flowers and leaves. Most of our species are found in the three following genera : % A. Eyes notched, hairy, and coarsely granulated Xylofiiimjs, 6 sp. A A. Eyes oblong and entire. B. Thorax prolonged over the head in the form of a horn . .Notoxus, 15. B B. Thorax without horn Anthicus, 50. Noroxus : — 1, beetle ; 2, front of body seen la- terally ; mandible ; 4, maxillary palpus; 5, G, tarsi— after Westwood. The curious little Notoxus monodon, Fab., is not an uncommon insect. It is of a brownish-yellow color, with a black band across the middle of the elytra, and two spots of the same at the base, and an obscure one at the tip. The horn on the thorax projects forwards so as to cover the head. Another, but less common species, is the N. bicolor, Say. The head and thorax are yellowish, and tire elytra are blue-black. The genus Anthicus is much the most numerous in species. Family XLVI. PYROCHROIDAJ. The species of this family are few in number, and are most conspicu- ous for the usually branched antenna; and their common style of colora- tion, which is that of a red thorax contrasted with the black elytra. They are of medium size, varying from one-third to three-fourths of an inch in length. The name is derived from the genus Vyrochroa of Geof- HETEROMEROUS BARK-BEETLES. 117 [Fig. 54.] Dendroid ks canadensis, Latr. : — a , larva ; b, pu pa; c, beetle (female) ; d, enlarged anal horns; e, enlarged head of larva ; /, antenna of male magni- fied — after lliley. froy, a word which means flame col- ored, and which was obviously sug- gested by the prevalence of red or yellow in their coloration ; some of the foreign ‘species being almost wholly red. An example of the lar- vse is exhibited in the accompanying figure of the larva of Dendroides. These larvae are found under the bark of decayed trees and stumps, and are supposed to be lignivorous. The following are the three principal genera : A. Autenmo tlabellate or pectinate. B. Eyes very large, nearly contiguous Dendroides, 4 sp. B. B. Ej’es moderate and distant Pyrochroa, 2. A. A. Antonme simple Pkdilus, 14. The Pyrochroa flabellata, Fab., is from five to six-tenths of an inch in length, of an elongated and somewhat flattened form with parallel sides. The head and thorax are yellow, and the elytra blue-black. The Denroides canadensis, Latr. (Fig. 54) is somewhat similar but a little smaller and the elytra are of a dull or brownish-black color. Both of these insects are rather common about decayed trees, under the bark of which the larvm reside. The antenme are tlabellate iu the males, and pectinate in the females. The species of Pedilus are mostly between two and three-tentlis of an inch iu length, and usually exhibit the red- dish thorax and black elytra, so characteristic of the family. Family XLVII. R1IIPIPIIORID-E. This is a small family the species of which are distinguished by hav- ing the elytra usually shorter than the abdomen, and somewhat nar- rowed and separated from each other behind, the thorax is narrowed in front, but as wide at base as the elytra, in which they differ from all the other Traclielides except the Mordellidie, with which they are united by some authors. But the different habits of the larvae con- firm the propriety of their separation. The perfect insects are found on flowers. The larvae are parasitic in the nests of wasps, and a foreign species is known to infest the bodies of cockroaches. Twenty-two N. A. species have been described. Family XLVIII. STYLOPIDAl. A family of minute insects of so anomalous a character that it is very difficult to determine their proper location in the natural system. But few species are known, all of which are parasitic in the bodies of bees. Five genera have been described, two of which have boon found iu N. 118 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. America: Stylops, Kirby, with the antennae six-jointed; and Xenon , Eossi, having tire antenna 1 - four-jointed. For a detailed description of these insects the reader is referred to Westwood’s Introduction, Yol. H, page 287 ; or to Packard’s Guide, page 481. Tribe XIII. HBTEEOME ROUS BARK-BEETLES. Heteromera corticicola. Stenelytra partly , Latreille. This tribe includes all the Stenelytra of Latreille except the family of Helopidae, which are now united to the Ground-beetles. The word Sten- elytra means having narrow wing-covers, and was given to these insects on account of their more or less elongated and narrow forms. They are distinguished from the parasitic beetles by the absence of a visible neck and by the head being narrower than the thorax; and from the two following tribes by the usually longer and more slender antennae, by the anterior coxae nearly or quite touching each other, and by their coxal cavaties being open behind, except in Cistelidae where they are slightly closed. The larvae of all these insects are found under the bark or in the decayed wood of trees which have been long dead. The per- fect insects are generally found in the same situations, but some, especi- ally the CistelidaB, are often seen upon leaves or flowers. The following are the families of bark-beetles : A. Thorax rounded at the sides, or without a sharp lateral margin, narrower behind than in front, and narrower at base tjian the elytra. 15. Head gradually narrowed behind, and usually somewhat prolonged in front; last joint but one of tarsi slightly bilobed CEdemerid/E. li B. Head not narrowed behind; sometimes prolonged in front into a snout; tarsi entire Pytiiid/K. A A. Thorax with a lateral margin, not narrowed behind, and usually as wide at base as the elytra. C. Maxillary palpi terminating in a liatchcl-shaped joint; claws serrate: Cisteuixe. C O. Maxillary palpi usually long and pendulous, with all their joints more or less enlarged ; claws simple Melandryid-e. Family XLIX. Q5DEMEKIDA1. A small family of heteromerous beetles, with elongate, narrow bodies, the head and thorax somewhat narrower than the elytra, and rather long filiform antennae. The elytra in some of the foreign species are narrowed and separated behind. Our most conspicuous species is the Nacerdes melanura, which is more than half an inch in length, of a yel- lowish-brown color, with the elytra tipped with black. HETEROMEROUS BARK-BEETLES. 119 Family L. PYTIIID^E. Another small family containing less than a dozen North American species, the most remarkable of which belong to the genus Salpingus, which differs from all other Coleoptera except the Curculionidae, in hav- ing the head prolonged in front in the form of a snout, sometimes of considerable length. The two leading genera are Pytho, Latr., and Salpingus, Illiger. Family LI. CISTBLIDiE. This is a family of considerable extent, and some of the species are amongst our most common insects. They are smooth, oval beetles, of ring. 55.] moderate or rather small size, and are generally clothed with minute hairs, which give a silken gloss to the surface. Their most distinctive character is the pectinate or comb-toothed claws at the end of the tarsi. This, like most other minute characters, can be best seen by holding the insect up against the light of a window and examining it through a lens. This character is very rare in the Coleoptera, and therefore quite distinctive where it occurs. We have already seen it to exist in the genus Lebia and a few other Carabidse, and a modifica- tion of it occurs in the families Meloidic and Mordellidie. ClSTBLA:— 1, beotlo ; 2, tarsus ; 3, tarsal claw — after Westwood. Our most, common species of Cistelid® aro plain, brownish beetles without spots. Thirty-five species have been described, most of which are contained in the genera Cistcla * and Allecula of Fabricius; the former having merely simple tarsi and the latter having the anterior tarsi somewhat dilated, and all of them with the penultimate joint bilobed. fPig. 5fi.| Family LII. MELANDIiYIILE. The insects of this family were called Serropalpi by Latreille, to express their most remarkable char- acter : that of having the joints of the maxillary palpi — which are usually long and pendulous — more or less enlarged in the form of saw-teeth, the last Mklandrya 1, beetle; joint being the largest, and usually hatchet-shaped. 2. liend of Seuhofalpus. t , . /? i . , , J „ snowing large si/.o, anti 1-t IS cl IStlllily 01 lllOUGrcltG GXtGIlt^ COlltcliliing forty - deflexed nature of tho n -vt a • rru , , , three terminal joints of HVO .N . A. SpGClGS. xllOy IlGYGr IUllcll CXCGCtl lltllf ter Westwood. 1 ' 11 ' 1 * 1 u ** an inch in length, and some are less than half that * This name — derived from the Greek kiste — a chest , appears to have been given originally by Geof- frey to the insects of the genus Byrrhus, Linn., to the short and thick bodies of which it was not in- applicable. But Liiiineus having given the namo Byrrhus to this genus, the name Cistela was trans- ferred by Fabricius to the present group of hoteromorous beetlos, whore it has now become established by general acceptance and long usage. 120 THE ORDER OF COLEOFTERA. length. Their colors are black or brown, and some of those of the lat- ter color are ornamented with yellow markings. The following are the principal genera : A. Head without a neck. B. Anteumo with the four last joints abruptly enlarged Tetratoma. B B. Antenna} filiform or slightly and gradually enlarged. C. Anterior cox* contiguous. D. Middle cox* contiguous, with distinct trocliantins MELANDRYA. I)D. Middle cox* separate, without trocliantins SBRROF alpub . C C. Anterior cox* separate. E. Head horizontal Synchro a. E E. Head vertical Eustroriius, Hallombkus, Orchesia. A A. Head with a short nock ; eyes coarsely granulated and deeply notched Scraptia. We have space to refer to only a few of the most noticeable species. We have two species of Tetratoma, which depart from the ordinary habits of the family by being inhabitants of fungi. The Melandrya striata, Say, is six-tenths of an inch long, pure black, the thorax with a middle furrow, and a depression on each side, and the elytra deeply striate and punctate. Serropalpus 4 maculatua, Say, is a third of an inch in length, of a deep brown color, with two angular yellow spots on each elytron. Hypulus trifasciatus, Melsh, is quarter of an inch or less in length, yellow, with three irregular brown bands across the elytron. These, like the other species of the family, are found under the loose bark of trees in an advanced state of decay. One of the most common larva* found in such situations is that of the Synchroa punctata, New in., a plain ligfit-brown species about half an inch in length. This larva is of an elongate cylindrical form, with six short legs, and two horny points at the posterior extremity of the body. The genus Pentlie , of Newman, is placed in this family by LeOonte, but in the sub-family of Helopides by Lacordaire. The palpi are rather long and robust, but not hatchet-shaped at the end like most of the Serropalpi. It contains two rather large, oval, depressed beetles, up- wards of half an inch in length, and of a deep black color : the P. obli- quata, and the P. pimelia, of Fabricius ; the former being distinguished by having the scutellum clothed with rust-red hairs. They are common species, being found under the bark of decayed trees and in rotten stumps. Their sub-cortical habits furnish an argument for retaining them in the present tribe. Trihe XIV. 1 1 ETEROM EROUS GROUND-BEETLES. Ileteromera tcrricola. Melasoma, Latreille. This tribe contains a large and diverse assemblage of beetles, distin- guished chiefly by their heteromerous tarsi, their usually slightly da- HETEROMEROUS GROUND-BEETLES. 121 vate aud moniliforru antennae, and their uniformly dark or black colora- tion. The above name of Latreille, meaning black-bodied , is expressive of this character. As a general rule they are rather large beetles, many of them being above the medium size, aud few much below it. They are found almost exclusively upon the ground, and mostly in sandy situ- ations. Scarcely any observations appear to have been made respect- ing the food-habits of these beetles, with the exception of a few common species which inhabit houses and granaries, the larvae of which are some- times seriously injurious to flour and meal of different kinds. The larvae of a few species have been found in rotten wood. All the known larvae are very similar in form aud structure, aud are well represented by the common meal-worm which is the larva of the Tenebrio molitor, Linn. This is a loug, slender, cylindrical grub, of a wax-yellow color, and a hard consistency. In its motions it seems to drag its body along by means of the six short legs attached to the three anterior segments, its comparative inflexibility incapacitating it for the vermicular motion by which the softer larvae effect their progression. A comparatively small proportion of the insects of this tribe inhabit the northern and eastern sections of this country. Their geographical center is in the tropics, and they constitute a leading feature in the in- sect fauna of California, and other portions of the Pacific slope. The several groups of which this tribe is composed are found to pass so insensibly into each other, when the species from all parts of the world are compared together, that Lacordaire, in his great work on the genera of Coleoptera, unites them all in the one large family of Tene- brionid®, in which he also includes the fungus-beetles ( Diaperidee ). In this course he has been followed by our own distinguished coleopterist, Dr. John L. LeConte, and more recently by Dr. George H. Horn, of Philadelphia, who has published an elaborate monograph of the N. A / species of this family. In speaking of the unusual difficulties which are met with in classify- ing this tribe of insects, M. Lacondaire makes some remarks which are so pertinent to the case, and at the same time so comprehensive, that we here introduce them : “ Our classifications of insects are based, not upon isolated characters, but upon combinations of characters. In order that they may admit of easy application it is necessary that the characters thus combined shall be neither too many nor too few. There are some families, such as the Elaterid®, where the latter is the case ; they aro too homogeneous. Others, even more numerous, as the Cara bid®, for example, hold a just medium in this respect; their species possessing a common basis of or- ganization which is stable, or which varies but little. We here, there- fore, have to deal with a restricted number of organs, which admit of —10 4 122 THE ORDER, OF COLEOPTERA. only a moderate quantity of combinations. From this it results that the groups superior to genera can be characterized in a few words, and their limits are, in general, sufficiently well defined. With the Tenebri- onidte, on the contrary, an instability without limit is the rule ; not a single organ, even the most insignificant, escapes. If, as we ought, we take all of them into account, the number of combinations to which they give rise is so great that it is impossible to bring any of them to the front, and for each group we are obliged to pass in review almost the entire organization. If to this we add the insensible transitions between the forms of organs which are themselves equally unstable, we shall understand how the groups thus constituted absolutely refuse to admit of any precise definition.” Yol. V, p. 289. But, notwithstanding the difficulty of dividing this tribe into minor groups by any sharp lines of demarkation — a difficulty which we are continually encountering, in a greater or less degree, in .all our attempts at generalization in natural history — they may still be arranged in sev- eral divisions which will facilitate the determination of species. Thus regarded, this tribe will constitute the family of Tenebrionidie, which can be divided into several minor groups which will take the rank of sub-families. Family LIII. TENEBRIONIDIE. This family having been already sufficiently described in treating of the tribe which it constitutes, w-e proceed to designate the sub family into which it may be divided : A. Antenna; longer than the head and thorax united, slender and of nearly or quite the same width throughout; front separated from the labrum by a membra- nous clypeus ; body often with a metallic or brassy tint IIkloptdes. A A. Antenna- usually about as long as the head and thorax united; gradually en- larging towards the tip, and with the joints usually more or less round or moniliform; front articulating directly with the labrum ; color black: Tenebkionides. AAA. Antenna; usually shorter than the head and thorax united, with joints wider than they are long, or more or less perfoliate; middle coxa; without tro- chantins; color generally brown I'lomides. Sub-family 11ELOPIDES. The name Helops appears to have been originally given to a harmless species of serpent, but was appropriated by Fabricius to a sub-division of the coleopterous genus Tenebrio, of Linn mus. We use the family name here in a comprehensive way to include a considerable number ot species distinguished from the Teuebriouidse proper by the characters given in the foregoing table. The larvte resemble those ot Tenebrio, HETEROMEROUS GROUND -BEETLES. 123 ami arc found in rotten wood. The perfect insects are sometimes found upon the ground. They are usually of a medium size. The following are the principal genera : A. Lateral and anterior margins of the front continuous ; body oval ; sides of the breast beneath, often striated longitudinally HE LOPS, 24 ap. A A. Lateral margin of the front elevated, oblique, and abbreviated. B. Body elongated Strong YLIUM, 2. BB. Body very convex Heiiacantiia, X. Sub-family TENEBKIONIDES. Darkling beetles. [Fig. 57,| Founded upon the genus Tenebrio, of Linmeus, a name derived from the Latin tenebree, meaning darkness, and given to these insects on account of their universally black color. The family is very extensive, but, as former- ly remarked, the great majority of N. American species inhabit the western slope of the continent, but some species are found in great abundance upon the arid plains which extend eastward from the base of the Rocky mountains. The typical and most common species is the Tenebrio molitor, a plain black -Xv“ 0 j,°pupa; R c S i)e^tb;; beetle, six-tenths of an inch in length, whose hard, /”ubimn lRr ™iormlnai wax-colored larva is often found upon the floor prolcg nt funy ''extended, dU of " T bere grain and meal are stored. Most of these in- same alter Riley. sects are found on the ground, but some live under the bark of fallen and decaying trees principal genera : A. Ventral segments entirely horny ; tarsi spinous beneath. B. Middle coxae without trochantins B B. Middle ooxro with distinct trochantins. The following are some of the .ZOPHERUS. C. Thorax transversal, its hind angles prominent and embracing the base of the elytra Asida. C C. Thorax heart-shaped, its hind angles not prolonged Pelkcyphokus. A. A. Ventral segments 3 and 4 with the hind margin moiubranous. D. Elytra embracing widely the sides of the abdomen ; tarsi bristly beneath. .Blaps. Eleodes. D D. Elytra not embracing widely the sides of the abdomen. E. Eyes divided in two by the margin of the head ; tarsi bristly bonoath Blapstinus. E E. Eyes not divided. E. Tarsi with a silky golden pubescence beneath Upis. F F. Tarsi with coarso pubescence Tenehuio. The general remarks made in describing the present tribe, apply par- ticularly to the uumerous species of this sub-family. Sub-family ULOMIDES. This sub family includes a small number of heteromerous beetles, which are closely allied to the Tenobrionides in their general characters, but differ from them chiefly in their shorter and more or less perfoliate antennas, the absence of trochantins in their middle legs, and their usually reddish-brown color. The anterior tibiae are more or less dila- ted, and sometimes toothed on the outer edge, and the last tarsal joint 124 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. is often as long as all tlie others united. They are mostly found under the bark of dead or decaying trees. The larvae of some foreign species of Uloma have been found in flour and in bake houses, like those of Tenebrio proper. The species of the genus Hypophloeus, as the name implies, live under the bark of trees. These, which are our two most common and typical genera, may be thus distinguished : A. Labrum attached directly to the front ; anterior tab® dilated and toothed on the outer edge ; size about medium - TJloma. A A. Labrum separated from the front by a membranous olypeus ; anterior tib® somewhat widened but without tooth ; sizo small Hytophlceus. Uloma contains five N. American species. The U. impressa, Melsh, is a common insect, found in old logs and stumps in ah advanced stage of decay. It is between four- and five-tenths of an inch in length, and of a deep mahogany-brown color. It was formerly considered identical with the U. culinaris of Europe. The U. imberbis and the U. punctulata , Lee., are similar, but only about three-tenths of an inch long, and of a lighter color. The former is distinguished by having the last joint of the antennae obliquely truncated and pointed. The other two species have not been found east of the Mississippi river. Hypophloeus contains three species. They resemble Uloma in form and color, but are only about three-twentieths of an inch in length. Tuibe XV. HETEEOMEROUS FUNGUS-BEETLES. Heteromera fwngicola. Taxicornes mostly, Latreille. The insects of this small tribe so closely resemble the heteroinerous ground beetles in their organic details, that they are merged by Lacor- daire in his comprehensive family of Tenebrionidse. They are, however, usually easily distinguished by their general form and color, and their short perfoliate antennae, besides the other characters mentioned in the general description of the tribes of the heteroinerous section. But they are especially distinguished by their fungivorous habits. The only other insects in this section which are known to us, in this country, having similar habits, are the two species of Tetratoma, in the family of Me- landryidae. They are usually found, in all their stages, in the fungi which grow upon trees ; but they are sometimes found under decayed bark, where they are supposed to feed upon the small fungi which grow in such sit- uations. They comprise the family Diaperidae. HETEROMEROUS EUNGIJS-BEETLES. 125 Family LIV. DIAPElUDyE. This small family is founded upon the genus Diaperis, of Geoffroy, a term derived from a Greek word meaning to pass through , and suggested probably by the perfoliate charac- ter of the antenme, in which the axis appears to pass through the dilated joints ; or, the name may have had reference to the habits of the larva;, in perforating the fungi upon which they feed. The short and more or less DlAFEllIB HYDNI. T*';ibr. : — a, larva; ,, , . .. &, beetle : c, underside of head of lar* perfoliate character oi the antennae, distlll- va; d , leg of same; e, antenna of . , , . . .. . beetle— after Rtiey. guishes these insects from all the other Heter- ornera except the sub-family of Ulomides. Their other leading charac- ters have been already described in speaking of the tribe which they constitute. The following are the principal genera : A. Body somewhat square-shaped and rough. First .joint of tarsi very short. (Sub-family linlito- phagides) V BolitophaoDS, 4 sp. A A. Body oval and smooth. First joint of tarsi usually longer than tho second. (Sub-family Aim- perides.) B. Antenm© shorter than the thorax, and perfoliate. Last joint of maxillary palpi elongated. C. Head unarmed. 1st joint of hind tarsi as long as tho 2d. Length of body quarter of au inch or upwards. Colors black, with reddish-yellow spots DlAPEiUS, 2. C C. Hoad of the males usually with two boras or tubercles. 1st joint of hind tarsi as long as 2d and 3d united. Length less than £ inch. Color black or bronzed green, without spots. Thorax sometimes red HOPLOCEP Hala, 2. B B. Antenna longer than thorax, almost moniliform. Last joint of maxillary palpi triangular. First joint of tarsi longer than 2d and 3d. Surface often pruinose or mealy ; usually without Spots * I’LATY DBM A, 14. The Bolitophagus cornutus, Panzer, is one of our most remarkable in- sects. It is a thick-bodied beetle of a dark wood-brown color, and a rough or tubereulated surface, and varying from less than four to nearly five-tenths of an inch in length. The male is distinguished by two flat- tened horns on the top of the thorax, which curve forwards, and which are clothed on the under side with an orange pubesceuse. It is often found undef the bark of old stumps and prostrate logs. The genus Di- aperis proper is represented in this country by the I), hydni, Fab., (Fig. 58,) which is common throughout tho Middle and Eastern States. One other species, the 1). rufipes, Horn, is found in Arizona. Hoplocephula , a term meaning armed head, in allusion to the horns on the heads of the males, contains two species: the bicornis, Oliv., wholly of a metallic- green color, and the viridipennis , Fab., similar, but with a red thorax, They are both a tenth of an inch long, or a little more. As the former is described as sometimes having a brownish thorax, it is probable they are only varieties of the same species. Platydema contains fourteen species, as indicated in Dr. Horn’s Revision of N. A. Tenebrionidm, of which the four following are the most common : the americanum and 126 THE ORDER OF COI.EOPTERA. excavatwm are shining black species, the latter being distinguished by two short horns on the head of the male; the flavipes is known by its bluish pruinose surface and yellow legs ; and the elipticum, common in the Southern States, which is readily distinguished by the oblique red spot on the anterior part of each elytron. Section III. TETEAMERA. Apparently four joints in all the tarsi ; the joints dilated and brush-like beneath , with the penultimate usually bi-lobed. The structure of the tarsi in this section is very uniform, being always composed of four distinct joints, with a faint rudiment of the missing joint at the base of the last. We have seen above that in some very small species of the pentamerous section, one or more of the tarsal joints are riulimental or wanting; but it is a curious fact, which may have some important bearing in the classification of these insects, that in the small Peutamera with deficient tarsi, it is usually the first joint which is in a rudimental state, whilst in the genuine Tetramera it is always the fourth joint that is undeveloped. The joints are dilated and cush- ioned beneath with a dense brush of hairs (except the Scolytkhe), and the last joint but one is almost always bi-lobed, with the last joint in- serted betweeu the lobes. But in some of the Chrysomelides proper, the penultimate joint, though dilated as usual, is entire or only slightly notched at the end. The dilated, cushioned and bi-lobed tarsi are pe- culiar to the beetles of this section with a few exceptions, and therefore serve readily to distinguish them, independently of the number of tarsal joints. This structure of the feet, as we have elsewhere remarked, seems to be specially adapted to enabling these insects to adhere to the sur- face of leaves and smooth bark, and accordingly all the numerous spe- cies of this section are vegetable feeders. Many of them feed upon foliage, some bore into the trunks or branches of trees, and others feed upon fruits or seeds. This section, therefore, embraces a greater number of species injurious to the agriculturist, than all the other sections com- bined. The larvic vary considerably in the different tribes, and will be de- scribed in their proper connections. It may be stated generally, that in those which reside in wood or in fruits the feet are usually wanting, or at most are merely rudimental, whilst those which live upon the sur- face of leaves have six small but well developed feet. The beetles with four-jointed feet are divided into four tribes, as fol- lows: Tribe 1st (or 16th of the whole number). Snout-beetles or Weevils. Fructivora roxtrata. Ehyncophoua, Latreille. Head more or less pro- SNOUT-BEETLES OR WEEVILS. 127 longed into a snout. Antennae usually capitate, rarely serrate or fili- form. Larvae mostly fructivorous. Families: Bruchidae, Antliribid®, Brenthidao, Ourculionidae. Tribe 2d (or 17th). Short-horned Wood-borers. Lignivora brevicornia. Xylophaga, Latreille. Head without snout; body short and cylindri- cal; antennae clavate or capitate, but little longer than the head ; larvaj lignivorous. Family : Scolytidae. Tribe 3d (or 18th). Long horned Wood-borers. Lignivora longicornia. Eucerata, Westwood. Body elongated ; antennae long and tapering, usually longer than head and thorax. Larvae lignivorous. Family : Cerambycidae. Tribe 4th (or 19th). Tetramerous Plant-beetles. Herbivora tetramera. Phytophaga, Kirby. Body usually short and rounded; antennae fili- form or slightly and gradually enlarged toward the end. Larvae herbi- vorous. Family: Ohrysomelidae, including the sub-families Criocerides, Galerucides, Eumolpides, Chrysomelides, Cryptocephalides, Hispides and Oassidides. Trios XVI. SNOUT-BEETLES, OR WEEVILS. Fructivora rostrata. Khynchophora, Latreille. This tribe of beetles, most of which are comprised in the family of Curculionidae, is supposed to be the most numerous in species, not only in the class of insects, but in the whole animal kingdom. The only question of the correctness of this estimate would be with respect to some of the families of microscopic animalcula, but here the superiority in number would probaibly be found to be in individuals only, and not in distinct species. The number of species of Curculionidae, specimens of which actuailly exist in the collections of Europe and of this country, does not vairy much from 20,000. The number of North American spe- cies enumerated in Mr. Crotch’s check list of 1873, is 414; and this cata- logue undoubtedly faills far short of the whole number, especially of tho smaller species. The prolongation of the head anteriorly, in the form of a slender snout, generally serves to distinguish the beetles of this tribe from all others. But in a considerable number the snout is so short and broad as not to afford a very distinguishing feature. In caises of doubt, there- fore, tho student must take other characters into account. The most important of these is tho usually rudimeutal state of palpi, and the four- jointed, cushioned, and bilobed tairsi. The antennae, in the great ma- jority, are knobbed at the end, and geniculate or bent like an elbow near the middle. 128 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. The OurculionidfB are generally small beetles, probably not averaging more than a quarter of an inch in length, and a great number being less than half this length. A few of the tropical species, however, are amongst the giants of the beetle tribe, some of them attaining a length of from one to two inches. The larvie are soft, white, footless grubs, and almost always inhabit the substance of plants, more especially the fruit in its various forms of seeds, nuts, and pulpy fruits. The larvae of a few foreign genera, how- ever, (Hypera, Coniatus and Cionus,) live upon tbe surface of leaves, the pulp of which they devour. These, living exposed to the light, pre- sent somewhat variegated colors; and they have two or three simple eyes, or ocelli, on each side of the head. When about to transform, they attach themselves to a leaf or its petiole, and enclose themselves in a thin gauze-like cocoon; a curious anomaly in the Coleopterous order. The larva; of some of the more minute species belong to the class of leaf-miners, and others inhabit the stems of herbaceous plants, causing them to enlarge into the excrescences known as galls, and which bear a certain resemblance to unripe fruits. As a tribe, there- fore, the snout-beetles are pre eminently the occupants and devourers of fruits, and as other tribes of tetramerous beetles are known by the Greek names of Xylophago, or wood-eaters, and Phytophaga, or plant- eaters, the snout-beetles might be properly styled Carpopbaga, or fruit-eaters ; but we have retained the name by which they are generally known, and which is so happily expressive of their most distinctive character, namely : Rhynchopliora, or snout-bearers. This tribe of beetles comprises the four following families : A. Labrum and palpi normally developed; antenna; not elbowed; snout short and thick. B. Antennae saw-toothed; eyes notched Bnucimra?. B B. Antennae clavate; eyes round or slightly sinuate Antiiri ninas. A A. Labrum and palpi obsolete. C. Antennas straight and filiform; proboscis pointing directly forwards ; body elongated Biientuida C C. Antennae clavate and usually elbowed; snout various Cu ecu lion in/E. Family LY. BKUCIIIDzE. This is a small family of small-sized beetles, always less than a quar- ter, and sometimes one-eighth of an inch in length. The only tetramer- ous beetles with which they could be confounded are the Cureulionid® and the Chrysomelidte ; but they differ from the former by having the labrum and palpi of the ordinary form, and the head is but little pro- longed anteriorly; and they differ from the great majority of the latter in their short, serrate antenna;, and in having the tip of the abdomen uncovered by the elytra. But a few aberrant genera of Ohrysoinelidffi, SNOUT-BEETLES OR WEEVILS. 129 [ Fig. 59. ] (Bahia, Saxinis and Goscinoptera,) resemble them in these characters, thus showing the close relationship between the two families. The present family contains the well known pea and bean weevils, which are often very seriously injurious to these crops. The pea- bugs make their appearance and deposit their eggs in the early part of the summer, and as they have but one brood in a sea- BrUCHUS pisi, Liun.: — a, beetle eu- . , . , , , , larged, the small outline showing son, we can obtain sound seed by planting natural size ; b, a pea from which the , , , . ,, , „ T beetle lias escapeu — after Kiley. peas as late as tlie first Ol JllUe* The family contains but a few geuera, and all our injurious species belong to the genus Bruchus, Linn.* The most notorious species are the pea- weevil (Bruchus pisi, Linn.); the bean- weevil (B. obsoletus, Sa.y), and the grain -bruchus (B. granarius, Linn.) The latter is a European species which has been imported in small numbers into this country. Family LVI. ANTHRIBIILE. This and the following'family are really only sub divisions of the great Curculio family, from which it is. distinguished by the presence of an upper lip and palpi, and the straight anteume. The larv® inhabit the seeds and stems of plants, and some have short but well developed feet. The larvae of the genus Bracliytarsus, which is composed of very small species, are found under the scales of bark-lice, and are supposed to be parasitic, thus presenting a remarkable anomaly in this tribe of. beetles. The species are much more numerous than the Bruchidm, but noue of them have proved injurious to cultivated crops. The name is derived from the Greek antlios — a flower, and tribo — to destroy. The following are the four principal genera : A. Thorax with a transverse ridgo in front of the posterior margin Thopideuks, 2 sp. A A. Thorax without transverse ridge. B. Body oblong oval ; rostrum with parallel sides. C. Anterior coxae rather widely separated; eyes small and finely granulated Anthribus, 2 C C. Anterior ooxie but slightly separated ; eyes large and coarsely granulated. . .Cratopaius, 3. B B. Body short ; size small ; rostrum cut obliquely Brachytausus, 5. *ln Mr. Crotch’s Check list the generic name Mylabris, of GeoflVoy, is substituted for Bruchus, Linn. The former term, derived from the Greek mu-le — a grain-mill, was applied by the Greeks to some kind of insect found in mills and baking houses, and supposed by some to have been a species of Blatta, or cockroach, and by others, the common meal-worm or larva of the Tcncbrio molitor „• but was applied by GootTroy to the beetles of the present family. A few years later, Linmnus, having overlooked the name given by GeotlYoy, re-described these insects under the name of Bruchus , also an ancient Greek name of some kind of insect, supposed to have been a species of locust, but which cannot now bo deter- mined with certainty. As these insects feed upon grain and other seeds, the name given by Geoftrov has the claim of appropriateness, as well as of priority, but the term Bruchus has becomo established by universal adoption and long continued usage, so that, like many other words, it may be said to have acquired a meaniug of its own, independent of its origin. 130 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. Family LVII. BRENTHIILE. This, like the preceding family, might he regarded, more properly perhaps, as one of the sub-families of the Curculionidae. It agrees with them in the important characters of the elongated snout, the undevel- oped labrum and palpi, and the spongy and usually bilobed tarsi. It 60 ) differs from the great majority of them in its non-elbowed antenna;, and the uniform absence of the minute terminal joint, which forms a twelfth or super- numerary joint in the antennae of many of the Curculionidae ; and also in the greatly elongated form of the body, especially in some of the foreign spe- cies. The family is considerably nu- merous, upwards of six hundred species being known to exist in cabinets, most male beetle : d, head of male do.; /-f leg and 01 which are found 111 tropical regions. lioad parts of larva; m. end of body of pupa-, T i j i • i • • 1 dorsal view-after Riley. 1 1 Indeed only a single species is known to inhabit the continent of Europe, and but three species are found in North America, north of Mexico, and of these only one inhabits the more northern parts of the United States. This is the species com- monly known as the Northern Brenthian, which is figured in all its stages in the accompanying cuts. Much interest has become attached to this species from its being the only one of the Brenthian family whose lar- val history has been traced, and also from the uncertainty in which this history has been involved. In a Report upon the Insects of Massachu- setts, published in 1838, Dr. T. W. Harris gave a history of the habits of this insect, together with a description of certain larva: found in com- pany with the perfect insects, and communicated to him by the Rev. L. W. Leonard of Dublin, New Hampshire. As these larva} were likewise accompanied by pup® having the charapteristic snout of the Brenthian, bent down between the forelegs, it seemed to be almost demonstrated that the insect in all its stages was here exhibited. But as these larvae departed widely from the Curculionide type, in having well developed legs, and an anal proleg, subsequent authors have generally held the opinion that some mistake must have occurred in the matter. These doubts have recently been cleared up in Mr. Riley’s Sixth Annual Report upon the Insects of Missouri. It therein appears, from specimens communicated to the author by Mr. Win. R. Howard, of Forsyth, Missouri, that the larvae of Brenthus do not differ essentially from other Curculionide larvae. Mr. Riley concludes that the larvae sent to Dr. Harris by Mr. Leonard, must have appertained to some one of the Tenebrionidie; sim- SNOTTT-BEETLES OR WEEVILS. 131 ilar larvae having been found by himself in company with the Brenthi- ans, and which he conjectures to be those of the Strongylivm tenuicolle, Say. The Northern Brentlius is frequently found under the bark of different kinds of oak, in an incipient state of decay, but the larvae are genuine wood-borers penetrating into the heart wood, usually of dead, but some- times of living trees. The beetles vary from one-third to two-thirds of an inch in length. They are of a maliogony-brown color, with the elytra deeply grooved, and marked with linear spots of a tawny-yellow color. The male and female differ remarkably in the shape of the snout, as shown in the accompanying figures. The species was first described by Drury from a small specimen, under the name of Brenthus minutus, and it is now included in the sub-genus Eup8a.Ua of Lacordaire, which the author admits to be scarcely distinct from Arrhenodes , Sch. It has usually been referred to under the appro- priate name of Brenthus ( ArrhenodesJ septentrionis , (or more properly, scptentrionalis) of Herbst, which is equivalent to the common name of the Northern Brenthus. Family LVIII. CURCULIONID^E. This is the extensive family of snout-beetles, properly so called. The statements made in describing the tribe of Ithynchophora, of which they compose by far the larger part, had reference chiefly to the Curcu- lionidie, * and need not beliere repeated. Their bodies are always of an oval form, never being very much elongated or depressed. The snout varies extremely, being sometimes short and broad, and sometimes as long as the body and almost as slender as ahair. Their most important organic character is the negative one ot the absence of the labrum and the rudimental condition of the palpi. Like all the plant-eating Tetra- mera their tarsi are clothed with a dense brush of short stiff hair on the under side, and the last joint but one is strongly bilobed. Another very distinctive character is the bent or elbowed form of the antenna*, which is caused by the first joint being much longer than the others, and form- ing an angle with them. The antenme are almost always knobbed at the end. The larva) are soft and white, slightly narrowed at each ex tremity, and usually lying in a curved position. They are always desti- tute of feet, but in their place we often find little elevations or papillae which are sometimes surmounted by a coronet of fine bristles. They always occupy the substance of plants, and therefore require but little locomotion. Though they are emphatically the occupants of fruits and * Ourculio was tho anciont name of some kind of corn-worm, 132 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. fruit-like galls, yet there is no part of a plant which is not inhabited by the larvas of some one or other of their numerous species. The snout-beetles consequently furnish a greater number of species which are injurious to the agriculturist than any other family of beetles. In depositing their eggs the females first puncture a hole with their snouts, then drop an egg at the aperture, and lastly with the aid of the proboscis push the egg to the bottom of the cavity. In harmony with this mode of egg-deposit is the organic character observed in many spe- cies, of the female having a proboscis considerably longer than that of the male ; of which our Apple-curculio (Anthonomus i-gibbus) furnishes an example. * The classification of the Curculionidae, on account of their great num- bers and the small size of the great majority of them, taken in connec- tion with the rudimental state of some of the organs, namely, the labrum and the palpi, which, in other insects, often furnish valuable generic characters, presents a difficult study which will tax both the patience and the ingenuity of the student. They are divided primarily into two large sections, according to the length of the rostrum or snout, and the point of insertion of the anten- na*, and designated as the Brevirostres or short-snouted Curculios, and the Longirostres or long-snouted Curculios. These sections not being sharply separated from each other in nature, Lacordaire has adopted, as the basis of the primary division of the Curculiouida*, the relative position of certain parts of the mouth ; but these parts are often so minute and obscure that the characters derived from them are very diffi- * In a paper on the systematic value of the Rhynchophora, read before the National Academy of Sciences, at Washington, Jan.,24, 1867, Dr. LeConte adduces this liabit of the Curoulionidro of pushing their ova into the cavities prepared for them by means of the rostrum or beak, as an evidence ot deg- radation or inferiority of type. “ It was reserved,” he says, “for the Rhynchophora to exhibit a degra- dation of type, by which a function, peculiarly appropriate to the posterior extremity of the body, is performed by tbe head : the elongated beak becoming in fact the ovipositor.” Dr. George H. Horn, in an article upon the Curculionidie, contributed to the American Philosophical Society, Sept. 19, 1873, in describing the species of the genus Balaninus, states that tho females have a slender ovipositor, which they are capable of extending to half the length of their bodies, and that ho possesses a specimen with the ovipositor protruded, and an egg seized by its tip. From this ho infers that tho Balaniui, and probably other Curculionidie also, use their beaks only to make the perforation into which the egg is to be deposited, but that the act of inserting the egg is done in the ordinary way by the ovipositor. The fact, however, that many, (if not all) of the Longirostres, or long-snouted Curculios, use tlioir beaks to force their ova to tho bottom of the cavities prepared for them, is too well attestod to admit of question. Several species of Rhynchites and Anthonomus are described as thus ovipositing, in Kol- lar's Treatise, (page 238, et. seq.); and the common Plum-cuiculio, ( Gonolrachelus nenuphar), is known to practice tho same method. (See Practical Entomologist, vol. 2, pago 115.) But the argument above stated to prove the relative inferiority of tho Rhynchophora, appears to me more fanciful than real. The great majority of Coleoptera have neither beak nor ovipositor, and simpl deposit their eggs upon tho surface of the substances upon which, or within which, their larvm are to reside. The additional precautions taken by the Rhynchophora to ensure the preservation of their eggs and the welfare of their offspring, would seem to furnish a moro certain proof of superiority ot instinct, than of any systematic degradation. SNOUT-BEETLES OR WEEVILS. 133 cult of application. We have therefore followed the more popular class- ification of Latreille and Schcenherr, so far as respects this primary division. Section 1. Brevirostres. Rostrum short and broad, never much longer than the head ; scrobes extending to the end of the rostrum, and the an- tenna) inserted at or near their extremities. Anterior coxa) contiguous. Elytra covering the whole of the abdomen. Section 2. Longirostres. Rostrum usually much longer than the head, narrow and cylindrical ; scobes very rarely reaching the end of the rostrum, and the antenna) usually iuserted at a greater or less dis- tance from its extremity, generally near the middle, and sometimes at its base.J Coxa) and elytra various. The Longirostres, which are much the most numerous, are divided by Lacordaire, into two sub-sections accordingly as the anterior coxa) touch each other, or stand more or less apart. The former he names Syntnerides, meaning thighs contiguous ; and the latter Apostasimerides, (which we have contracted to Apomerides ), meaning thighs separate. The word scrobc, used in describing the Curculiouidte, is the name given to the channel on each side of the rostrum for the reception of the antenna). The term occular lobes refers to the form of the anterior and lateral margins of the thorax, which, in this case, curve forwards so as to touch or partly cover the eyes. Scape is the same as pedicel, and is the name of the elongated first joint of the antennae. The rostral canal is the name of the groove in the prosternum of some species for the re- ception of the rostrum when it is bent under the breast in repose. It is necessary to bear in mind that as the CurculionidiB are, for tlie most part, small insects when compared with the Coleoptera in general, the terms large and small, when applied to particular groups or spe- cies, have a modified significance. A curculio half an inch or upwards in length, is comparatively large ; one a quarter of an inch, is medium ; and one an eighth of an inch or less, is small or very small. The following tables exhibit the principal groups or sub-families into which this extensive family has been divided : Section 1. Brevirostres. A. Antenna straight; eyes round ITHYCEltlDES. A A. Antenna) slightly elbowed; eyes oblong, narrowed interiorly. .CLEON IDES. A A A. Antenme strongly elbowed. B. Eyes large, depressed, transverse, pointed at the lower extremity. Prothorax with ocular lobes; scrobes directed inferiorly LEPTOPSIDES. B 11. Eyes round or oval. D. Protliorax without ocular lobes; eyes generally moderate — sometimes round, sometimes oval. 134 THE ORDER OF OOLEOPTERA. E. Mcntum large, concealing the maxill®; sternum not hollowed in front. F. Scrobes linear directed beneath the rostrum; scape rarely extending beyond the posterior border of the eyes, often not reaching it: BRACH YDERIDES . F F. Scrobes often dilated, forming winglets (pterygia) on the sides of the end of the rostrum, never linear and directed beneath ; scape extending beyond the eyes (except in Brachystylus,) : • OTIORHYNCHIDES. E E. Mentum small, not concealing the maxillae ; sternum more or less hol- lowed out in front to receive the rostrum. G. Scrobes deep, linear, reaching the mouth. H. Scrobes reaching the eyes. Rather large insects, either glabrous or pubescent MOLYTIDES. H H. Scrobes various in length ; small insects clothed with hairs or fine scales IIYPERIDES. G G. Scrobes short, curved, sub-basal ATERPIDES. D D. Prothorax with ocular lobes ; eyes generally large, oval and transversal. I. Tarsi hispid, not spongy beneath; third joint not dilated nor bilobed BYRSOPSIDES. I I. Tarsi spongy; third joint bilobed. K. Rostrum widened and hollowed triangularly at the end ; scrobes confluent on the under side of rostrum : PROMFCOPIDES. K K. Rostrum more or less enlarged, but not notched at the end; scrobes shallow and incomplete posteriorly : CYLINDRORHINIDES . Section 2. Longirostres. First Sub-section — Synmerides. Anterior coxa; nearly or quite contiguous; never with a groove between them for the reception of the rostrum. A. Antennae elbowed, first joint much longer than the others. B. Body oblong, cylindrical, covered with a fine powder; tarsal claws soldered to- gether at base Lixides. B B. Body not cylindrical and pulverulent; ungues free. C. All the tibiae terminated with a claw. D. Thorax longer than wide, swollen anteriorly; narrowed behind ; eyes round Otidocephaudes . D 1). Thorax narrowest in front; eyes oval or oblong. E. Body rough; eyes almost or quite contiguous above; abdominal sutures very deep Piuonombiudes. E E. Body smooth, glabrous or pubescent. F. Body elongate, sides parallel, glabrous, punctured; usually black or blueish Magdalinides. F F. Body oval ; usually brownish and pubescent, aud often variegated. G. Tibiae slightly compressed and hollowed on the inner side; rather large insects ; inhabit pine trees IIylouiides. G G. Tibi® round ; small insects ; usually found on low plants : Ehikhinides C C. Tibi® unarmed or simply mucronate at the end. SNOUT-BEETLfiS OR WEEVILS. 135 II. Rostrum very long and slender; prosternum well advanced in flout BALANINtDES. II H. Rostrum not excessively long; prosternum very short in front of anterior coxte. I. Eyes rather small, round; hind thighs not thickened; Anthonomides . I I. Eyes contiguous above ; hind thighs enlarged for jumping : Orchestides. A A. Antenn® straight, first joint not much longer than the following ones; ante- rior coxae elongated. If. Rostrum short or moderate, more or less widened at the end; tip of abdomen exposed Attel abides. K If. Rostrum long and slender; abdomen wholly covered by elytra; body pear-shaped - Apionides. Second Sub-section — Apomerides. Anterior coxae more or less distant from each other, and frequently witli a groove, or rostral canal in the prosternum, between them. A. Capitulum of antennse ordinary, with transverse incisions ; tarsi spongy beneath ; third joint bilobed. B. Anterior cox® exceptional, being nearly or quite contiguous ; rostral canal very short, but distinct; thighs often with a tooth Conotrachelides. B B. Anterior cox® separate. C. Antenn® elbowed. D. Hind margin of the abdominal segments straight. E. Rostral canal wanting ; anterior cox® large, sub-globular and wide apart ; tip of abdomen largely exposed Lemosacides .’ E E. Rostral canal distinct; anterior cox® ordinary; tip of abdomen little or not exposed. ^ * Rostrum thickened at the end (ex. Analcis); abdomen ordinary; eyes large, oval, not contiguous above Cryftorhykchides . E I . Rostrum slender ; venter turned up behind ; eyes contiguous : n n it- • Zygopides. U D. Iiind margin of second and sometimes third and fourth abdominal segments arched or angulated. G. Rostral canal short or wanting; seutellum indistinct or wanting; colors various Ceutorhynchides. G G. Rostrum often thickened and compressed at base ; rostral canal W'anting; scutel distinct; color black or bronze. .Baridjides. L C. Antenn® straight, very short; first joint short and obconic; rostrum short. H. Eyes on the front, sub-contiguous; hind legs very long ; hind cox® very wide apart Tacjuygonides. II H. Eyes lateral ; legs ordinary ; tip of abdomen largely exposed : Pterocolides. A. Capitulum solid, globrous, with a spongy tip; tarsi entire, not, or but slightly, spongy beneath. I. Eyes large; tip of abdomen exposed; size medium or large: Calandrides. I I. Eyes small or wanting; abdomen wholly covered by elytra; small, black or brown, usually glabrous Oossonides. 130 THE ORDER OF COEEOPTERA. We will add a few additional notes upon those sub families which are most common or most numerous in species, and which will therefore be most likely to occur to the student: Section 1st. Brevirostrcs. Sub-family ITHYCERIDES. This sub-family has been formed to .receive a single N. American species, the Ithycerus no'vebora- eensis, or New York weevil, a comparatively large and rather common species which is sometimes con- siderably injurious toapple trees by devouring the buds and bark of young twigs. It differs from all other short-snouted weevils in not having the antennae elbowed. The rostrum is robust, and the scrobes very short and oblique. It is a bulky insect five or six-tenths of an inch long, of a gray color, with a few.'small black spots on the wing-covers. The name is derived from the Greek tOu<; straight, Ithycerus novebobacen- and xepas antenme. 818, Forster : — a, slit’made in oak twig by female for de- positing lier eggs ; b, larvie; c, beetle — after Itiley. Sub-family CLEONTDES. In these the antennas are but slightly elbowed, thus forming a trans- itional group from the Ithycerides to those which follow. The rostrum is rather robust and angular or carinated above, and longer than the head ; the scrobes are linear and deep, directed beneath, but not meet- ing behind. The thorax is almost always furnished with ocular lobes. The tibias terminate in a dagger-like spine. These are large species averaging about half an inch in length ; oblong, cylindrical and pubes- cent. The larvae of some are found in the stems of thistles. Six N. A. species have been described, all belonging to the genus Clconus of Megerle. Sub-family LEPTOPSTDES. The most striking character of this group is the form of the eyes, which are large and placed transversly or crosswise of the head, and more or less narrowed and pointed at their lower extremity, whence, in common with some others, they have been denominated by Lacordaire Oxyopthalmes-, meaning pointed eyes. We have two N. A. genera, Pen- scopus, Sch., and Ophryastes, Sch. ; the former contains but one species, the P. erinaceus, Say, a sordid brown curculio, a little more than quar- SNOUT-BEETLES OK WEEVILS. 137 ter of an inch in length, with a rough surface and clothed with short stiff hairs. We have taken them abundantly in Michigan, under the chips placed as traps for the Plum-curculio. Thirteen species of Ophry- astes have been described, none of which have been found east of the Mississippi river. They are large species covered with cinereous scales. The eyes are partly covered by the prominent ocular lobes. The fam- ily name is derived from Leptops, (meaning narrow eyed) a genus pecu- liar to Australia. Sub-family BRACHYDERIDES. This sub-family comprises an extensive and considerably heterogene- ous assemblage of insects, which, taken in connection with the Otiorhyn- chides which follow, constitute the greater part of the division called, by Lacordaire, Cyclopthalmes, meaning round eyes, and which are distin- guished by the union of the three characters of short snouts, round eyes and the maxill® covered by the mentum. The Brachyderides are for the most part comparatively large species, often clothed with tine scales; most of them are found upon the ground, but some upon herbaceous plants. The sub-family contains the following N. A. genera, with the number of described species in each : Epicterus 7, Pandeleteius 1, Polvdrosus 2, Sitones 8, Tanymecus 5, Thalacites 1, Paclinseus 2, Pary- notus 1, Lachuopus 1, Platyomus 1, Strophosomus 1. Sab-family OTIORHYNCHIDES. This word literally means ear-snouted , and is intended to express the most peculiar character of the sub-family, which cousists in an ear like expansion on each side of the end of the rostrum, but some species are included which have not this character. Another distinctive character is the length of the scape, or first joint of the antenna}, which, except in the genus Brachystylus, always extends backwards beyond the eyes. Many species are found under moss and grass. Such larvae as are known feed upon the roots of plants. N. A. genera : Otiorhynchus 3 species, Agraphus 1, Tyloderes 1. Sub family CYLINDRORHINIDES. Rostrum as long, at least, as the head, rather stout, and more or less enlarged at the end. Scape reaching the eyes. Eyes oblong and transversal. Thorax with ocular lobes, and imperfectly contiguous to the elytra. This sub family contains the genus Listroderes , Sell., of which seventeen N. A. species have been described. This genus forms one of the transitional groups betwien the short-snouted and the long- snouted OurculionidaB, the rostrum being usually nearly twice as long- —18 138 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. as the head. They cau be distinguished from most allied groups by the eyes being partly covered by the ocular lobes, a character possessed by very few K A. Gurculionidse. The species vary from an eighth to a half of an inch in length. Section 2d. Longirostres. Sub-family LIXIDES. With this sub family commences the section of Longirostres, the snout being cylindrical and decidedly narrower and longer than the head, but their transitional position is shown by the antennae being inserted not very far from the end of the rostrum. The Lixides are distinguished by their elongate, almost cylindrical bodies, which are covered with a fine dust, like the bloom on a fresh plum or grape. This bloom is sometimes bluish, sometimes orange, and is very easily rubbed off, so that perfect specimens are rarely obtained; and for this reason it is often difficult to identify the species. They are of rather large size for this family, the species usually ranging from a third to half an inch in length. Some of them inhabit water plants, and some foreign species breed in the stems of thistles. We have two genera : lAxus, Fab., 13 species ; and Larinus, Gerraar, 2 sp. In the latter genus the scrobes, or grooves on the side of the ros- trum, usually meet behind on the under side. Sub -family OTIDOCF.PHALIDES. This name is derived from the Greek otis, a kind of owl, and keplutle , the head ; the swollen anterior part of these insects having some fancied resemblance to the head of an owl. The thorax is swollen before and narrowed behind, a character not found, we believe, in any other Cur- culionidm, and which has caused them to be compared with ants. The autennm are inserted rather near the end of the rostrum. The sternum is concave or hollowed in front. The sub-family is composed of the single genus Otidoeephalus , Chev- rolat. The species are from an eighth to a quarter of an inch in length, and usually of a shining black color. They are exclusively American. Five species have been described which inhabit the United States. SNOUT-BEETLES OR WEEVILS. 139 Sub-family MAGDALENIDES. (Fig. 62.1 Rostrum rather long and cylindrical; scobes linear, commencing near the middle, and reaching the base. Eyes transverse, approximate above. Pro- sternum not excavated. Small spe- cies of an oblong parallel form, glab- rous, usually black or blue, but sometimes reddish. Thorax deeply punctate. Elytra punctate and stri- ate. The larva} depredate upon the pine, boring into the pith of the smaller branches. A foreign species is said to have been reared from a larva found in burrows under the bark of willow trees. The M. armi- collis, Say, inhabits the elm. Nearly all the species belong to the typical genus Magdalis, Gerrnar, of which seven N. A. species have been de- scribed. Mao I)A LIN US OLYNA: Packard. -a, larva; b , pupa — after Sub-family HYLOBHDES. Kostrum twice as long as the head, cylin- drical, sometimes moderately robust ; scrobes deep, linear and oblique. Scape clavate, nearly or quite reaching the eyes. The anterior coxae are somewhat separa- ted. The tibiae usually compressed, often curved, and terminated by a stout curved l Fig. 63. ] Pissodbs stkobi: — a , larva; b, pupa — spine. Tarsal claws elongated. Size llODUUltS Bill rather large. Body oblong and pubescent, after Packard. The lame gnaw galaries under the bark of trees, chiefly the pines, often doing much injury. This habit is expressed by the family name, which means, living in wood. The sub-family contains the following N. A. genera : HyloUus, Ger- mar, 3 species. Eudocimus, Sell., 1. Pissodes, Germ., 5. ffeilipus, Germ., 3. Lepyrus , Germ., 3. Sub-family ERIIUIINIDES. From the Greek piv, pcvoz, the nose or snout, with the intensifying prefix epc. Rostrum long and slender. Scrobes commencing at a distance from the mouth and reaching the eyes. Auteume long and slender. Scape sub-clavate. Tibiie slender, not compressed, and usu- ally with a spine or claw at the end. These are distinguished from the Hylobiides chiefly by the form of the tibiae ; but they embrace a number of groups, each of which has some remarkable peculiarity. 140 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 1 In the group Cryptoplides, containing the genera Endalus , Brachy- baums, and Smicronyx, the fourth joint of the tarsi scarcely extends beyond the lobes of the third. In the group Hydronomides, repre- sented in this country by the genus Bayous, Sell., the tarsi differ from the common type of the Curcnlionidse in being slender, and not spongy beneath, and the third joint not bilobed ; the fourth joint is elongated. The species of this group are found on aquatic plants, and their bodies are covered with minute scales which shed the water. The species of this sub-family are all small, ranging from a quarter to a tenth of an inch in length. The described N. A. species are as fol- lows : j Erirhmus, Sch., 10 species. Endalus , DeCasteln, 4. Brachyba- mus, Sch., 2. Bagous, Sch., 2. Sab-family BALANDODES. (Fig. 64. i From Balavoq, a nut or acorn, in which the larvae reside. f llead globular. Rostrum very long, slender and filiform. Scrobes linear, commencing a little beyond the middle of rostrum and reaching the base. Antennae slender. Eyes large. End of abdomen slightly exposed. Distinguished at once by their long, slender rostrum, almost as fine and glossy as a hair. The larvae inhabit nuts and fruit, and sometimes the galls made by other insects. The female pierces a hole with her rostrum for the deposition of her eggs. They enter the ground to ti'ansform. The species Rye are, for the most part, of medium size, and of a mottled brownish color. The sub family is composed of the genus Balaninus, Gerinar, of which 8 N. A. species have been described. Sub-family ANTHONOHIDES. [Fig. 05.) Dead somewhat conical. Rostrum slen- der and projecting forwards, and varying in length in different species, and some- times in the two sexes of the same. Scrobes linear, commencing near the middle of the rostrum and reaching the base. Eyes ap- proximate above. End of abdomen little or not at all exposed. These are small, somewhat pear-shaped curculio, without anv very strongly marked characters. , ■' J •' . Anthonomus, 4-oibbus, Say:— Apple They are a very important sub-family, m curouiio; a, natural size ; &, c. side ami J : . .. back view, enlarged— after lUley. an economic point of view, many of them SNOUT-BEETLES OR WEEVILS. 141 IFi g . 66.] being injurious to fruits. Kollar has de- scribed the habits of two European spe- cies, the Apple-weevil, A. pomorum , Fab., and the Pear-weevil, A. pyri, Kol- lar, which deposit their eggs in the fruit buds of these trees. The Apple curoulio, A. quadrigibbus , of Say, (Fig. G5) and the Plum-gouger, A. prunitida, of Walsh, are well known American spe- cies. Both of these deposit their eggs in the fruit. The larvae of these insects do not go into the ground to pupate, like the common Plum-curculio and many others, but go through all their stages in the buds or the fruit which they infest. All the N. A. insects of this sub-family belong to the genus Antlionomus, Germ., of which 15 species have been described. Antiionomus, 4-giuhus, Say: larva, enlarged — after Riley. , pupa; b, Sub-family ORCHESTIDES. From opxyiTTTjt;, a dancer or jumper. These resemble the Anthonomides in most of their characters, but differ in having the hind thighs much swollen, with a corresponding muscular development which gives to them the power of jumping. The prosternum is very short, permitting the rostrum to be bent beneath in repose. Eyes large, oval, and nearly meeting above. This little group is very remarkable for the structure and habits of the larva. They are somewhat flattened, and pointed behind, and furnished with six feet, a remarkable departure from the apodal character of other curculiouide larvae. But the most anomalous circumstance is that these larvae are leaf-miners, a habit of which there are but few examples* in the order of Ooleoptera, and exhibiting a curi- ous analogy to the larva; of many of the Micro-Lepidoptera ; and this analogy is carried out by the larva} wheu fully grown and about to change to pup®, enclosing themselves in silken cocoons. Two N. A. species have been described by Mr. Say belonging to the genus Orchestes, Illiger. They are only about a tenth of an inch in length. Sub-family ATTELA HIDES. ltostrum more or less robust and enlarged at the extremity ; scrobes |Fi g . 07.] superior, large and pit-shaped. Antennae straight, or not M elbowed, the first joint being but little longer than the following ones. This character readily distinguishes this and the following sub family from the great majority of A l, > Curculionidse. They are divided into two groups : the J 1 Attelabides proper, with short, thick bodies, tibiae uu- attelaiius. guiculate at the end, and claws soldered together ; and * Otlior examples are found in Ilispa and Ilaltica. 142 THE ORDER OF OOLEOPTERA. the Rhynchitides, more elongate and depressed, with unarmed tibia 1 , and free, usually bifid claws. The females roll up leaves and deposit their eggs singly in the cavi- ties thus made. The larva inhabits this cavity, and, when fully grown, leaves it and goes into the ground to transform. H. A. geuera : Attcla- bus, Linn., 5 species; Rhynchites, Herbst, 8; Rugnamptus, Sch., 2. Sub family APIONIDES. From a7r!«v, a .pear. Rostrum long, curved, cylindric or subulate; scrobes foreiform or pit-shaped. Antennae not elbowed. Size small or very small ; body pear-shaped, usually glabrous, and without wings. Habits of the larvae various. Some live iu seeds, especially those of the legumiuosae. Some form galls on the stems and leaves of plants. Some bore into the pith of certain plants and form a kind of cocoon of the detritus or gnawed particles. Finally, some inhabit knots which they form upon the roots of plants. Twenty-one N. A. species of the genus Apion , Herbst, have been described. I Fig. OS.) Sub-faiuily CONOTRACHELIDES. Meafaing having a cortical thorax. With this sub family we pass to the sub-section of Apomerides (Apostasimerides, Lacordaire,) a term derived from the Greek apo — apart , and meros — the thigh, in allusion to the greater or less separation from each other of the anterior coxa; ; whereas in all the preced- ing sub families these parts stand nearly or quite in contact. The present is a transitional group in this respect, the an- terior coxa; being but slightly separated. The rostrum is various as to length ; the scrobes turn rapidly beneath, and are con- conotbachelus nenuphab, Herbst:— fluent behind, being imperfectly visible on Plum and peacli curculio — a , larva,- b, . . . pupa; c, beetle; d, a plum, showing the the sides* Hie ocular lobes are advanced crescent slit made bv the female after depositing her egg— after Kiiey. so as to nearly or quite cover the eyes when the rostrum is bent down. Thighs usually with a tooth on the under side. Size small, or medium ; colors generally obscure. The sub-family is exclusively American. Fourteen K A. species have been described. The notorious Plum-curculio, Gonotrachclus nonuphar, Herbst (Fig. G8), may be taken as an example of the genus and its larvae. Sub family CRYPTOKHVXCHIDES. Rostrum varying iu length, usually somewhat enlarged both at base and tip (attenuated iu Aualcis.) Scrobes oblique. Antennae far from SNOUT-BEETLES OR WEEVILS. 143 base of rostrum ; scope at most reaching the eyes. Rostral canal ex- tending onto the mesosternum. Eyes large, pointed interiorly. Ocular [Fig. m.] lobes more or less prominent. Thighs sometimes toothed beneath. Tibiae spined at the end. In Cryp- torhynchus proper the tibiae have a band of rigid hairs near the ex- tremity, usually bright yellow, but sometimes black. These are small species found on plants. The body is of various for,n > and is usually of beetle after Eiiey. clothed with scales. The family name signifies having a concealed snout , and has reference to the rostrum being bent under the breast, and lying in the groove called the rostral canal. N. A. species : Gryptorhynckus, Illiger, 11; Acalles, Sch., 3; Pscu- (lomus, Sch., 1 ; ' ' ' “ Analcis, Sell., 4. Sub-family CEUTOK LI YNC II IDES. Rostrum cylindric, not thickened at base; scrobes lying aloug the inferior edge of the rostrum, rarely very oblique. The rostral canal varies in the different groups, as shown below. Scutellum wanting or indistinct. The three intermediate segments of the abdomen strongly arched. Tibife unarmed. The name means the same as that of the preceding sub-family, and implies that the rostrum is more or less con- cealed, but the prosterual groove is here usually less distinct, and some- times wanting. They are chiefly distinguished from the Crypt-orhyn- chides by the absence of scutellum, and of points at the end of the tibia, and by the abdominal segments strongly arched behind. They are small insects, found mostly on low herbage in wet places. The habits of the larvae are various, some inhabiting seeds, and others the stems or roots of plants. The Mononyclii transform on the plant, whilst the Ceutorynchi go into the ground and enclose themselves in cocoons. The species are numerous, and are divided by Lacordaire into three groups, as follows : A. Eyes covered, at least partly, by the thorax. 13. Rostral canal extending onto the mesosternum, and sometimos the iuotastonnnnJL.On'.i.iomnKS. 13 13. Rostral canal not oxtonding beyond the anterior coxa* CiiUToiuiY^riiiDHs proper. A A. Eyes exposed. Rostral canal indistinct or wanting Phytobiidks. In the first group we have one species of the genus Moydmychus , tier- mar, the M. vulpeculus , Fab., found on the flowers of the wild Iris, and five species of Gwliodes, Seh. In the second group, Geutorliynchus , Gennar, 5 species. In the third group, Pliytobius , Seh., 3 species; Ccelogaster, Sch., 1 species ; and Mhinoncus , Sch., 1 species. 144 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. Sub-family BAKIDIIDES. Bostrum various, often compressed and thickened at base ; scrobes commencing near the middle, and turning rapidly beneath. Scutellum distinct. Rostral canal wanting; but in Centrums there is an excava- tion between the coxae, which, in the male, often has a spine on each side. Intermediate segments of the abdomen usually arched or, angu- lated behind. The eyes are finely granulated, and partly covered by the thorax. The tiboe are usually mucronate or pointed at the ex- tremity. Size medium or small ; of elliptical or rhomboidal form ; usually black or brown, sometimes with reddish spots. The larvae live in the stems or roots of plants, and are sometimes very injurious to cul- tivated crops. They undergo their trausformations in the detritus which they have made, and with which they construct a kind of cocoon. N. A. genera: Centrums, Sck., (body short and rhomboidal), 11 spe- cies; Barulins, Sell., (body oblong or oval), 30 species; Madams, Soli., (body oblong rhomboidal), 2 species. Sub-family CALAXDIilDES. Rostrum more or less elongated; scrobes short. Antennae basal; scape usually reaching far onto the thorax; knob without joints, horny [Pig. 70.) am i shining at base, with a spongy extremity. ./ Eyes finely granulated, large, depressed and ap- proximate below. Tip of abdomen exposed. Tarsi T not spongy beneath, 3d joint not bilobed. Size (TIpmYi sometimes small, but usually medium or large; } z OLT A some tropical species very large. Color black or * \ WP reddish. The larvae of the larger species inhabit YTa) the stems of plants, whilst the smaller are usually SFHBNOPHOHU 8 13-puncta- destructive to grain and seeds. When about to : u“whfch fife two transform they construct a coarse kind of cocoon spots ot tiie «mi of each eiyt- f rom |] ie materials in which they live. “e?d t e°view-a!t ! term! > oy. tipi We have three genera: Rhyncophorus, ITerbst, of large size, and distinguished for the excessive development of the side pieces of the metasternuin, 2 species ; Sphenophorus, Sch., of me- dium or rather large size, usually between a quarter and a half of an inch in length, 42 species ; and Galandra, Clairville, ( tiitophilus , Sch.,) less than a quarter of an inch in length, 3 species. Sub family COSSONIDES. Rostrum usually rather long ; scrobes short, commencing at or beyond the middle. Antennae short. Eyes small or wanting. Tip of abdomen not exposed. Tarsi short, filiform, not spongy beneath, 3d joint rarely hi- SHORT -HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 145 lobed. Small insects, of an oblong linear form, with puncto-striate elytra, and usually of a shining black or brown color. Theyjbrm a connecting link between the Curculionidse and the Scolytidse, being mostly sub-cortical and lignivorous in their habits. The live following genera are represented in the N. A. fauna : Cossonus, Clair., 6 species; Rhyneolus, Creutz, 7 species ; Dryopthorus, Schupp, 1 species ; Lymantis, Gyll., 1 species, and Phlceophagm, Sch., 1 species. Tribe XVII. SHORT-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. Lignivora brevicornia. Xylophaga, Latreille. This tribe is composed of small beetles of a short and nearly cylindri- cal form, and of a brown or blackish color. The antennae are very short, often not much longer than the head, slightly elbowed, and always ter- minating in a knob. In many species the abdomen is truncated, or cut off obliquely behind, and terminated with a coronet of short spines. The larvae are scarcely distinguishable from those of the Curculionidse, being soft, white, footless grubs, usually lying in a curyed position. They differ^ however, from the great majority of the larvai of the Cur- culios in their wood-boring habits. Indeed, they are pre-eminently the wood-borers of the whole order of Coleoptera, no other tribe vying with them in this respect except the Long-h'orned borers, to be hereafter de- scribed. Though small in size, rarely exceeding a quarter of an inch in length, and often less than half that length, they are tolerably numer- ous in species, and often excessively abundant in individuals. They in- habit various kinds of trees, but mostly the pines, which they have been known to damage considerably in this country, whilst in some parts of Europe they have destroyed whole forests by their enormous multipli- cation. They are comprised in the single family of Scolytid*. Family L1X. SCOLYT1DA. Named from the genus Scolytus, Geoff., derived from the Greek sko- lupto — to denude or lacerate. —19 146 TflE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. I n s- 71 -J This family is coextensive with the tribe of short-horned borers which we have just de- scribed. They are usually re- garded as closely allied to the Curculionid® ; but, as we have stated above, they differ great- ly from the latter in their food- habits, and also in the details of their organization. In ad- dition to the characters given above, we may add that they differ from the great majority of the tetramerous beetles, in- cluding the Curculionidae, in having simple tarsi, not spongy beneath, and with the last joint but one not at all, or but very slightly, bilobed. In Dr. Le- Conte’s sketch of this family in the 2d Vol. of Trans, of Am. Scolytus 4-8PIN08US, Say: S. CARY.®, Riley 1 shows the .,.><1 burrows of the larvffi between the bark and the wood, OOC16tYj 0110 HUU(lr6Q alltl growing wider as they diverge from the line where the "M" A nrAPiin- egg* are deposited ; 2, another view of the same, showing bliltJO A. opcUco cue tsuu the hole made by the exit of the beetle; 3, beetle, both mOT ,„ i /licfri hntn/1 in Aio h magnified and natural size; 4, larva, the same; 5, pupa merd-ieilj (llSinUUXCu 111 maguiflert— after Kiiey. teen genera or sub-genera. But all the more common species may be included in the six following genera : A. Head free ; 1st joint of the tarsi as long as the others united PLATYPUS. A A. Head deeply inserted in thorax ; first joint of tarsi much shorter than the others united. B. Abdomen of the usual form. C. Head not globular, visible from above; 3d joint of the tarsi slightly bilobed. D. Knob of the antennas sub-globular. E. Six joints in the an ten me before the knob Hylurgus. E E. Seven joints in the antenna; before the knob Hylabteb. D D. Knob of the antenn® ds long as the preceding joints united Hylksinus. C C. Head globular, invisible from above; 3d joint of tarsi not bilobed Tomicus B B. Venter turned up behind Scolytus. The Platypus compositus, Say, may be taken as a type of this genus in this country. It is one-fifth of an inch long, of a reddish-brown color, and each elytron has a three-toothed elongation at its extremity. Dr. Chapuis, in his monograph of this genus, describes nine N. American species, none of which are very common. Hylurgus, Latreille, contains a number of well known species, the largest and most common of which is the H. terebrans, Oliv., of a reddish- brown color, with the thorax deeply punctured, and quarter of an inch in length. This insect is often seriously injurious to pine trees. An SHORT-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 147 account of its habits is given in Dr. Harris’ Treatise. A much smaller species, the H. dentatus, Say, often bores innumerables holes in the red cedar. We have ten described species of Hylesinus , Fab. Whilst the species of Hylurgus and Tomicus are found in evergreens, and especially in the different kinds of pine, the species of Hylesinus and Scolytus inhabit mostly, if not exclusively, the hard-wooded deciduous trees. The most common species is the H. aculeatus , Say. The specific name means prickly, and has reference to minute elevated points on the elytra. It is a tenth of an inch in length, or a little more, of a blackish- brown ground color, but largely varied with ash color, produced by microscopically minute scales. The top of the thorax is bare, leaving a. large elliptical blackish spot. The antennae are reddish. This little insect is often seen in the first warm days of spring sunuing itself upon stumps or fences which run through timbered land. I have found it abundantly in wood which appeared to be that of some species of poplar. In Tomicus , Latr., the tip of the abdomen is cut off obliquely and sur- rounded with a number of short spines. They are all of a reddish or chestnut color. Three of the species are frequently met with in pine forests, all of which were originally described and named by Mr. Say. They are the T. exesus, upwards of two-tenths of an inch in length, with six or eight points at the tip of each elytron ; the T. pini, three-twen- tieths of an iuch long, the tip of each elytron about four-toothed; and the T. xylographus, but little more than a tenth of an inch long, the ely- tra but slightly truncated, puncto-striate, with minute points on the pos- terior declivity, between the punctures. Scolytus, Geoffroy, is distinguished by the singular formation of the abdomen, which is abruptly turned upwards on th^ under or ventral side, beyond the first segment. The Jiead is usually flattened, and either striated or roughly punctured on top, and surrounded with a coronet of incurved hairs. They inhabit, as we have above stated, the hard-wooded trees. European species live in the oak, the elm, the ash, and the plum. The different kinds of hickory, including the shell-bark, the bitter-nut, and the pecan, are extensively damaged by the Scolytus 4-spinosus, Say, so-called on account of four short spines at the tip of the abdomen of the males. The turned up portion of the venter is moreover deeply con- cave in this sex, and divided down the middle by a carina, or ridge. It is nearly two-tenths of an iuch in length, sometimes wholly black, but the elytra are often reddish-brown. The females are about a quarter part smaller, and the venter is but slightly concave, and without either spines or carina. In many groves of timber in Northern Illinois, the bitter-nut hickories have been completely destroyed by the larv® of these little beetles. They work between the bark and the wood, cutting divergent furrows, as shown in the accompanying figure, and finally 148 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. emerging, in the beetle-form, through round holes about large enough to admit a common knitting needle, and giving the tree the appearance, as Mr. Riley aptly remarks, of having been peppered with fine shot.* Tiube xvhl LONG-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. IAgrmora longicornia. Eucerata, Westwood. This large and conspicuous tribe of beetles is usually designated by the Latin word Longicornes, meaning long horns, in reference to their most striking character, namely, the great length of their antennae, which, with a’very few exceptions, are considerably longer than the head and thorax combined, and frequently longer than the whole body. They are sometimes strictly filiform, but usually setaceous, or tapering. Notwithstanding their great length, they very rarely have more than the normal number of joints, which, in the Coleopterous order of insects, is eleven. The genus Prionus, however, furnishes a remarkable excep- tion in this respect, some of the species having as many as thirty joints in their antennae. The tarsi are always four jointed, spongy beneath, and the third joint strongly bilobed, characters which readily distin- guish them from the predaceous ground-beetles which also have the an- tennae slender and considerably elongated. A few of them have the wing-cases either much shorter, or much nar- rower than the abdomen, but in these instances, the wings are not folded up under them, as in the short-winged Staphylinidae, but lie extended and exposed upon the abdomen. They are strong flyers, but do not readily take to flight, and are, therefore, easily captured, though they run with considerable rapidity, their legs being in harmony with the general elongation of their bodies and their antennae. The thighs are very commonly clavate or enlarged at the end, giving room for an un- usual development of the muscles of locomotion. Many of these beetles, when captured, make a squeaking sound, called stridulation, by rapidly moving the prothorax upon the mesothorax. This faculty seems to be possessed by all of the sub-family of Lamiides, and by many of the Cerambycides, but to be absent in the Prionides. Many of these insects are known to be nocturnal in their habits, and are sometimes seen flying about our lamps in the evening; but others, * This inseot baa been described by Mr. Riley under the specific name caryte ; but I can find no suf- ficieut grounds for regarding it as distiuot from tbe 4-sjnnosus, of Say. The only positive difference stated is the absence of dentieulatious at the tip of the elytra, and these, though very minute, arc dis- tinct in the specimens which I have examined, of both sexes. The absence of certain details in Mr. Say’s description can scarcely be adduced in proof of difference of species, since it was evidently Mr. Say’s rule to jjractico the greatest brevity in his descriptions, consistent with what ho deemed a suffi- cient identification of the species. LONG-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 149 especially the Lepturides, are found upon flowers in the day time, and in the full light of the sun. The larvae are oblong, straight, moderately firm, sordid or yellowish- white grubs, chiefly distinguished by the depth of the incisions between the segments of the body, giving to them a strongly crenulated or wrinkled appearance. They are usually a little tapering from before backward, the first or prothoracic segment being larger than the others, but never excessively developed as in some of the wood-boring larvae of the Buprestidae. The head is small and more or less sunken in the prothorax, but the larvae of the Lepturides are exceptional in this respect, their heads being large and flattened and as broad as the pro-thorax. The majority have six very small feet, which, in some, are scarcely more than rudimental, and the larvae of the sub-family of Lamiides are distinguished from nearly all the others by being wholly footless the place of feet being supplied by little callosities. These larvae, together with those of the short-horned tribe last de- scribed, constitute pre-eminently the wood-borers of the Coleopterous order. Though vastly surpassing the former in size and in the number of species, they would seem to be much inferior to them in the number ot individuals, and, therefore, though a iew of them have been very in- jurious to cultivated or ornamental trees, they have never been known to produce such extensive destruction of timber as has been effected by the lame of the diminutive but prolific Scolytidae. A remarkable ex- ception, however, to this statement occurred a number of years ago, in the almost total destruction of the locust tree ( Iiobinin pscudctcuciu ) throughout all the Northern States, by the larva} of the Locust-borer, Clytus robinicv, of Forster. This destruction did not occur in all places at the same time, but was extended mostly over the ten years between 1855 and 18G5. Upwards of 8000 species of longicorn beetles are known to exist in European cabinets. The Smithsonian catalogue of the year 1853 con- tains the names of 431 N. American species. In Dr. LeConte’s New Species of N. A. Coleoptera, published in 1873, eighty-nine additional species are described, and in the intervening twenty years a considerable number of N. A. species had been described by Dr. LeConte and others, both in this country and in Europe. Some of the characters in the following tables may require explana- tion. It will be seen that some of the largest Lamiides are distinguished by a cicatrix or scar at the end of the first joint of the antennae. In these species the pedicel, or stout basal joint, appears as if cut off' ob- liquely at the end, and this sloping part is euclosed by a little ridge or carina, and its surface differs from that of the surrounding parts by be- 150 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. ing covered with little elevated points or granulations. This is the part to which the term cicatrix is applied. Another character, valuable for its permanency, is the openness, or the closure, of the middle cotyloid cavity. The cotyloid cavity is the hollow in which the coxa is situated. In some of the longicornes the posterior angle of the mesosternum is prolonged backwards till it nearly touches the anterior angle of the metasternum, and thus closes the cotyloid cavity on its outer side. In this case the epimeron of the mesothorax is usually narrow, and does not reach the cotyloid cavity. In others, the posterior angle of the mesosternum is but slightly prolonged backwards, leaving the cotyloid cavity open on the outer side. In this case the epimeron of the meso- thorax is larger and extends inwards, so that its inner extremity, which is often somewhat widened, fills the gap between the angles of the meso- and metasterna. This description will be better understood by referring to the figure of Harpalus, on page 27. Family LX. CERAMBYCIDA:. The long-horned wood-borers constitute one large natural family of beetles, named after the genus Cerambyx, an ancient Greek name for some kind of long horned beetle, and applied by Linnaeus to the insects of this family. They are divisible into four sub-families, which may be distinguished as follows : A. Head horizontal or inclined; last joint of palpi not long and pointed ; anterior till® without furrow. Larva- six footed. B. Head inserted in the thorax ; eyes deeply notched or horse-shoe shaped ; ante- rior cox* not prominent. Larva with the head narrower than the body, and retractile. C. Thorax somewhat square-shaped, with a sharp lateral margin, wh ich is usual- ly from one to three-toothed ; anterior cox* strongly transversal. Body generally large and depressed; colors black or brown Fhionides. C C. Thorax rounded at the sides and without salient margin, sometimes with one spine or tubercle on each side. Size various; colors often bright and di versified Cehambycidks. B B. Head attached to the thorax by a neck ; eyes nearly or quite round ; anterior cox* angular and prominent; elytra generally narrowed behind. Lame with the head as wide as the body J.isptuiudes. A A. Head vertical; last joint of palpi cylindrical and pointed; anterior tibi* usually with a furrow on the inner side. Larv* footless Lamiides. LONG HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 151 Sab-family PRIONXDES. ^ The Prionides are generally large, slow-mov- ing insects, flying only in the evening, and usually of uniform black or brown colors. They are distingushed from the other Longicornes chiefly by their sub-quadrate thorax, the sides of which form a sharp margin, which is usually divided iuto two or three teeth. The thighs are never clav^te or suddenly enlarged at the end, as they are in many of the species of the other sub-families. The eyes are usually coarse- ly granulated, and the middle cotyloid cavities are widely open on the outer side. Some of the tropical species are of gigantic size, being five or six inches in length. The larva* are broad and somewhat flattened, aud have six very small but distinct feet. They inhabit the trunks and roots of trees. The sub family is named after the genus Prionus, of (reolfroy, a term derived from a Greek word meaning a saw, and applied to these insects on account of the long saw-toothed antenna* of many of the species, especially of the males. IFig. 73.] Prtoxis I.ATICOMJS, Drury : fe jmale— after Kiley. Larva of Prionus— aftor Riley. Pupa of Prionus — after Kiley. The following are the principal N. American genera : A. Ante nme not longer than the thorax ; thoracic margin without teeth ; tarsi eimplo. . . . Parandra A A. Antenme much longer than the thorax ; tarsi spongy beneath, with the third joint bilobed. h. Eyes coarsely granulated ; oolors uniform. C. Thoracic margin prominent ; side pieces of the metasteruum parallel. D. Eyes not closely approximate ; antennal joints imbricate ; teeth of the thoracic margin ahort and Hat toned. Body robust T . J , - Prionus. D D. Eyes very large, approximate above aud below ; thoracic teeth spine-shaped. Body elon gate. E. Thorax much narrowed behind ; margin three epined, the anterior spine shortest. 3d joint of tho antenna- as long as tho 4th aud 5th united Dkrouraciujs EE. Thorax nearly square j margin 3-spined, the hiudermost spine shortest ; 3d joint of an- tenna but little longer than the 4th OrthoSoma DDD. Eyes very wide apart, but slightly notched ; size very large; thoracic margin usually many toothed. F. First joint of antennaj much shorter than the third Erg axes 152 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. F F. First joint of antennae at least ns long as tlio third Mat.lodon. C C. Thoracic margin almost wanting, with a short spine ; side pieces triangular ; head vorti- CA J Tragosoma. B B. Eyes fiuely granulated ; colors variegated ; thorax rough, without lateral spine SrilENOSTETHUB. Parandra , Latr., contains two species, one of which, the P. brunnea, Fab., is common. It is about seven-tenths of an inch long, and of a glossy mahogany-brown color. The other species, P. polita , Say, is much more rare. It closely resembles the other, but can be distinguished by its head being as wide as the thorax. Prionus, Geoff., contains many species. The two most common are the P. imbricornis of Linnaeus, less than an inch long, of a mahogany- brown color, with long imbricated antenme, the joints lapping one upon another; and the P. brevicornis , or short-horned Prionus, of F ab- ricius ; the antenme of the female are scarcely a third as long as the body, but those of the male are much longer. This species is black, the male an inch and a quarter, and the female an inch and a half or more in length. Derobrachus , Serv., contains one large brownish-yellow species found in the Middle and Southern States. Orthosoma, Serv., contains one common species, the 0. cylindricum, Fab., a long, narrow, brown insect, an inch and a quarter in length. * Ergates, Serv., has but one species, from California, originally de- scribed by Dr. LeConte under the name of Trichocnemis spieulatus. Mallodon , Serv., contains several species, none of which are common. Tragosoma, Serv., contains but one species, the T. Harrisii, Lee. Sphenostethus, Hald., contains but one species, the S. serripennis , Hal- deinan, but previously described by Buquet under the name of Solenop- era Taslei. It is of medium size, of a blackish-brown color, and inhab- its the Middle and Southern States, but is nowhere common. i" / \ 1 0 Sub-family CERAMBYCIDES. Uca-c, /' [Fig. 75.] The Cerambycides are much more numerous and diversified than the Prionides, and are often ornamented with bright and variegated colors. They differ from the Prionides chiefly in having the sides of the thorax rounded, without a salient margin, but sometimes furnished with a single spine or tubercle on each side, and from the Lamiides in having the head sometimes horizontal, but usually more or less in- clined, whereas in the Lamiides it is ver- ticil. It must be remarked however that the lan-^Ttwi? B^pen™howf n } m th6 _ e2: face may assume a vertical position in the “‘Tefe/ haSjoin alls Cerambycides, when the head is bent j.X"5 strongly downwards, but the transition ^d'{uwu A ii7f d C^fwtkXv m ‘ mdible ' from the occiput to the face is here usu- LONG-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 153 ally more gradual and rounded, and in the Lamiides sharper or more abrupt. The face is also rather convex in the Cerambycides, and flat in the Lamiides. This distinction, however, is sometimes unreliable, and the more definite characters stated in the table of sub families, must be resorted to in cases of doubt. But the minor groups can often be distinguished by their style of coloration, as hereafter specified. The Cerambycides are often seen resting upon the trunks of trees in crevices of which the females lay their eggs. Some of the smaller spe- cies are found upon flowers. Many of them possess the stridulating power described in the general remarks upon this family. The larvae resemble those of the Prionides in having six very small legs, but they are more cylindrical in their form, and the incisions between the seg- ments are more deeply impressed. The sub-family of Cerambycides is divided by Lacordaire into two groups, which are primarily distinguished by the difference in thefacets or granulations of the eyes. In the first group the granulations are comparatively coarse and the lines between the facets are deeply im- pressed. In the second group the granulations are much finer, and in many genera the surface of the eyes, unless strongly magnified, appears to be almost plane. But this distinction is only comparative, and can only be appreciated by an actual examination of some of the species in the two divisions. Jn the following table we have first separated the group of Asemini, upon the more definite character of the form of the eyes, and then di- vided the remainder in accordance with the difference in the granula- tions. The following is a table of the groups of Cerambycides : A. Eyes oval, almost entire, or but little hollowed on the inner side (except Tetropium); second Joint of auteume at least halt as long as the third ; form somewhat depressed ; colors obscure : Asemiki. A A . Eyes with a deep notch or sinus ; second joint of antenna; not half as long as the third. B. Eyes coarsely granulated. Form moderately convex ; antenna; usually as long at least as the body, often much longer in the males; thighs usually slender ; colors gray or hrown. w „„„ - , _ ... C'EHAMBYClin. Ey es finely granulated. 1 . 1‘ brm more or less depressed ; thighs usually strongly clubbed ; colors various Cai.lidiim. C C. Form convex ; thighs usually sleuder or moderately and gradually thickened. D. Scutellum rounded; size various; colors usually hlack or brown with transverse yellow or whitish bands C 1 .YTIN 1 . I) D. Scutellum triangular and pointed ; size large or medium ; colors usually black and red : B B. siaxAsrinj. fihe group of Asemini contains two principal geuera, Asemum, Esch., (from the Greek asemos — obscure) containing six species of a size a little above medium, with small, hairy, and finely granulated eyes, and Crio- cetphalus , iM uls., (from A rios — a ram ; and kephale — the head) containing nine species of large size, most of them being about an inch iu length, with large and less finely granulated eyes, and having from two to four large shallow depressions on the disk of the thorax. —20 154 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. Y>'- Tbe Cerambycini comprise many genera and species, but the three principal genera east of the Rocky Mountains are Chion , Newman, and Eburia and Elwphidion, Serville. Chion contains only the einctus, Drury, and the garganicu Fab., which are now regarded as one species. It is nearly an inch long, of a grayish-brown color, with an irregular oblique yellow band across each elytron, and a sharp spine at the side of the thorax. Its larva inhabits the hickory. The name Eburia is derived from the Latin ebur — ivory , in allusion to the ivory-like callosities on the elytra. We have ten species, the most common of which is the E. quad- rigeminata, of Say, an elegant fawn-colored beetle more than three-quar- ters of an inch in length, with two double ivory-like spots on each ely- tron. Its larva lives in the honey-locust ( Oleditschia triacantlios , Linn). Elaphidion, (from elaphus—a stag , on account of its long horns or anten- nae) contains thirty-live plain brownish-gray species, which have been distributed in a number of sub-genera. The larvae are the well known twig-pruuers of the oak, the maple and other trees. The genus is dis- tinguished by having several of the basal joints ol the antennae pro- longed into spines at the tip. The Callidiini are also considerably numerous in species, most of which may be included in the genus Callidium , Fab., a name derived from a Greek word meaning beautiful, many of the species being prettily colored. The genus Eylotrupes, Serv., meaning a icood borer , is distinguished form Callidium by having the antennae less than halt as long as the body, and by having the thorax densely clothed with short whitish hairs. Its type is the H. bajulus , Linn., a dull blackish beetle about two-thirds of an inch in length, which has been imported into this country from Europe. Its larvae are sometimes seriously in- jurious to fir, spruce and hemlock lumber, and they have been known to gnaw through sheets of lead when these come in their way. Two beautiful species, one red and the other purple, and both with ivory- like stripes on the elytra, have been set apart in the genus Physocne- mum, of Haldeman, (Dularias, Thomson). Callidium proper, (includ- ing Phymatodes) contains twenty N. A. species. The Clytini constitute a very numerous group which has been divi- ded into many genera, but most of which might be included in the genus Clytus. This name, usually attributed to Fabricius, is said by M. Mulsaut to have been originated by Laichtiniug, in a work upon Tyrolese insects. It is derived from the Greek lclutos — sonorous , ol noisy — having reference to the squeaking noise made by these insects when captured. The sugar-maple borer ( Clytus speciosus, Say), the locust borer, ( C. raibiniw , Forster), and the ash- tree borer ( C. caprece, Say,) belong to this group, which contains many of our most beautitul species. LONG-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 155 I lie Stenaspini resemble tiie Clytini in their convex form, the tho- rax in both groups being almost globular, but are readily distinguished by their pointed scu tel lura and their style of coloration, being some- times velvety-black, with a few large red spots, and sometimes almost wholly red or purple, but with the legs and an term* black. The group is named from the genus Stenaspis , Serv., a word expressive of the nar- row and pointed form of the scutellum. The species are usually of rather large size ; but one of the most common, the Batyle suturalis, Say, is less than halt of an inch in length, almost wholly red, and clothed with short erect hairs. The group contains about thirty spe- cies, many of which, however, are not found north of Texas. Sub-family LEPTUKIDES. The Lepturides are named after the genus Leptura, of Linnmus, a term derived from the Greek /£-r«c — slender or attenuated, in allusion to the slender and tapering form of most of the species. They are distinguished from the other Longicornes by their round eyes, sometimes eutire, but usually with a small notch or indentation ; by the head narrowed behind the eyes, and the thorax narrowed in front, the union of these two parts giving the appearance of a neck of greater or less length ; and by the anterior cox* being of an angular jFi g .76.j form and projecting below the level of the breast. The base of the elytra is usually more or less elevated above the level of the thorax. The middle cotyloid cavities are always open, and the eyes are almost always finely granulated. Their form is usually some- what tapering behind, and as a general rule they are smaller and more active than the other Longicorus, and many of them fly by day, whereas most of the Lougicorn beetles are crepuscular. Whilst most Lougicorns are found upon the trunks of trees, and often near the roots, many of the Lepturides frequent flowers, especially those of umbellife- rous plants. It is in this sub-family that the species occur, which have very short or very narrow elytra. But in these cases the wings are not folded under them, as they are in the short-winged Staphylinidie, but lie at their full length upon the abdomen. The larva) differ from those of other Lougicorns in having the head as wide as the body. This group is usually placed at the end of the Longicornes, but we retain them here ou account of their close alliance with t lie preceding sub-family of Oerambycides, with which they are united by Lacordaire. Lrptuka After Westwood. 156 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. The following are the genera of Lepturides : A. Wing-cases of ordinary length. B. Antennae knotted, each joint being abruptly enlarged at its extremity ■ .Desmocerus. B B. Antennae uniform. C. Eyes entire. Antennae approximate, and at some distance from the eyes. I). Body oblong, depressed, parallel ; elytra -with elevated lines Rhagium. D D. Body short and broad, mesosternum prominent, elytra blue Gaubotks. DDD. Body oblong and moderately tapering ; thorax without tubercles on the sides : Acmjkops. C C. Eyes with a very shallow notch. E. Hind tibim with a square excavation at the extremity, and with two long spurs at the up- per angle. Shoulders much elevated, elytra tapering Toxotus. E E. Tibial spurs moderate and terminal, or sub-terminal. Thorax with obtuse tubercles on the sides. Body moderately tapering Pachyta. E E E. Body elongate slender, parallel ; color blue Encyci.ops. C C C. Eyes with a distinct notch ; autennm inserted close to the eyes. Thorax bell-shaped and without tubercles on the sides. First joint of hind tarsi without brush beneath. F. Body moderately elongated F. Body much elongated; abdomen much narrowed at its extremity Strangalia. A A. Wing-cases imperfect. (r. Wing-cases very short MULORCHU8. G G. Wing-cases nearly as long as abdomen, but slender and separated at their extremi- ties. .Stenopterus. Desmocerus, Serv., contains two species, found on the blossoms of elder, one of which inhabits the Eastern States, and the other is found on the Pacific slope. The former is the D. palliatus, of Forster, a beau- tiful blue insect, eight or nine-tenths of an inch in length, with the basal third of the elytra a light bufl'-yellow, suggesting the idea of a cloak thrown over the shoulders, and expressed by the specific name palliatus. Acmicops, Lc., contains thirty-two described species ; Toxo- tus, Serv., nine; Pachyta, Serv., eleven; Strangalia, Serv., seven; and Leptura, Linn., seventy-six, besides eleven other species separated by LeConte under the generic name Typocerus. The other genera contain but few species each. The Bliagium lineatum, Oliv., is five or six- tenths of an inch long, and of a grayish color. The larvae burrow between the bark and the wood of the pitch-pine. Garrotes cyampennis, Say, is be- tween four and five-tenths of an inch long. The head and thorax are brownish-black, with an obscure tint of purple ; the elytra are much broader than the thorax, and of a metallic greenish-blue color. The Encydops cceruleus, Say, is a small, narrow, linear species, of a dark- blueish color, with reddish eyes. The eyes, as implied by the generic name, are perfectly round and without notch. Sub family LAAIIIDES. This sub-family is named from the genus Lamia, of Fabricius, a Greek word used to express some kind of bugbear, and suggested as the name of these insects, probably, on account of the menacing aspect of some LONG-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 157 of the larger species. They differ from all the other Longicorn beetles, (with a few rare exceptions,) in having their heads vertical, the front [rig. 77.] 6 o Saperda bivittata, Say ; the Round-headed apple-tree borer a, larva ; b, pupa ; c, beetle— after Riley. or forehead presenting a prominent angle, and the face falling perpen- dicularly below it, so that when viewed directly from above the face cannot be seen. This position of the head, in connection with their long curved horns, gives to these beetles a fanciful resemblance to a goat, and terms indicative of this similarity often occur in their nomen- clature. They are also distinguished by the rather long and spindle- shaped last joint of their palpi, especially the maxillaries, and by a little groove almost always found on the inner face of their tibiae. The granulations of the eyes, which are usually coarse in the Prionides and fine in the Lepturides, and which serve to separate the Cerambycides into two nearly equal sections, are so variable in the Lamiides as to be of but little value in classification. These insects generally remain stationary by day upon the trunks and branches of trees, and often escape detection by the resemblance which they bear, in the hues and sculpture of their bodies, to the color and inequalities of the bark on which they repose. Their colors are therefore, as a general rule, less vivid than those of the Cerambycides, their prevailing tints being brown and gray. This is the most numerous sub family of Longicorues, aud is said to contain as many genera and species as the other three sub-families united ; but in this country they do not appear to be more numerous than the Cerambycides. The larvae resemble those of the Cerambycides in being of a nearly cylindrical form, but a little tapering behind, and considerably swollen at the anterior# extremity, with a small head, which is retractile within the enlarged anterior segment. These larvae differ, however, from those of nearly all other Longicorns in being wholly destitute of legs. I 158 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. A. Tarsal claws simple ; body usually moderately elongated. B. Pedicel, or lirst joint of the antenna?, cicatrised at the end ; size large, usually an inch or more in length Monohammus. B 13. Pedicel without cicatrix or scar. C. Middle cotyloid cavities open on the outer side ; thorax usually unarmed, or, at most, with an obtuse tubercle at the side ; thighs not at all, or but slightly clavate ; size usually about medium. D. Antenna? two or three times as long as the body, at least in the males ; thorax longer than wide. E. Antenna? naked ; thighs linear, the hinder ones nearly as long as the abdomen : ‘ Dorchabciikma. E E. Antenna? hairy ; hind thighs sub-fusiform, not reaching beyond the 2d abdominal seg- ment HIPPOP6I8. 1) D. Antenna? never much longer, sometimes shorter, than the body ; thorax not longer than wide, (except Adotus.) F. Body ornamented with tufts of long hairs ; thorax with a tubercle at the side ; thighs sub-clavate Dbsmiphoba. F F. Body without tufts of hair. i G. Head very prominent; upper lobos of the eyes separate or wanting ; legs very short : Spalacopsis. G G. Head and eyes ordinary. H. Legs rather long, thighs linear, the hind ones reaching the end of the 4th abdominal — segment. Often rather large species Sapehpa, 13.*^ H H. Legs short ; thighs sub-clavate or fusiform, not reaching at most beyond the 3if abdominal segment. I. Body robust; antenme longer than the body; lower lobes of the eyes elongated : Oncideres. I I. Body more or less elongated ; eyes ordinary. K. Head retractile ; thorax longer than wide ; antenme much shorter tkau the body; eyes deeply notched Ai>etub. K K. None of the above characters. L. Eyes coarsely granulated ; size medium Ataxia. L L. Eyes finely granulated ; size small. M. Antenna? hairy ; elytra plane Eupooonius. M M. Antenme not hairy ; elytra with a rounded elevation at the base : PSBNOCEKUS. C C. Middle cotyloid cavities closed ; thorax usually with a small spine or tubercle at the sides ; antenme longer than the body ; hind thighs clavate, and reaching nearly to the end of the abdomen. Size usually below medium. N. Size about medium ; thorax with a spine at the middle of the sides. O First joint of antenna? rather short, and pear-shaped ; female without ovipositor : ^ Acanthodereb. O 0. First ioiut of antenme elongate obcouic ; female with an exsertod ovipositor : * GRAPiiisntua. N N. Size below medium ; body rather short and thick, thoracic tubercle obsolete^: Lkptostylus, 10. N N N. Size much below medium ; thoracic spine behind the middle of thorax Leiopus. A A. Tarsal claws bifid at the end, or with a tooth near the base ; body usually elongated and slen- der ; antenme about as long as, or shorter than the body. P. Eyes completely divided ; three intermediate segments of the abdomen shorter than the others. Q. Claws bifid ; body stout; size medium Tetraopkb. q Q. Claws toothed at base ; body slender size small Tktrops. P P. Eyes not divided ; body elongated, slender, and parallel. K. Four first abdominal segments equal, or gradually decreasing. S. Claws bifid. T Hind legs elongated, thighs reaching the end of the 4th abdominal segment : Stenostoja X T. Legs moderate, hind thighs Viot reaching the end of the 3d abdominal s«;g ment • •Phytcecia SS. Claws toothed at base ; legs short Ouerea, 13 K R. Throe intermediate segments of abdomen shorter than the others ; head retrac Ampujonycha LONG-HORNED WOOD-BORERS. 159 Monohammus, Serv., contains ten described species. The antenna 1 , of the males are about twice as long as the body, and in some species more than this, and the anterior legs are longer than the others, and their tarsi are strongly fringed with hairs. Certain species with shorter an- tennae, and with the fore-legs of the males not elongated, have been sep- arated by LeOonte in the genus or sub-genus Goes. The genus Ptycho- dcs, Serv., not given in the table, has most of the characters of Mono- hamraus, bnt the thorax is rounded at the sides and without a lateral spine; but one species inhabits the United States; two others are found in Mexico and Central America. The genus Scvperda, Fab., contains thirteen N. A. species, including the well known rouudlieaded borer of the apple tree. Leptostylus, LeC., contains ten species, the most com- mon of which is the L. acnUferun , Say, between three and four-tenths of an inch long, and of a gray color; thorax uneven; elytra rough with elevated points, with a brownish tip which is separated from the gray portion by a transverse whitish band. Liopus, Serv., contains many small species not averaging more than a quarter of an inch in length. Dr. LeConte makes the discriminative remark that in this genus and its allies, the lateral tubercle of the thorax becomes more acute ancj spini- form the farther back it is situated. The genus Oberea, Mulsant, contains thirteen species in our fauna, some of q which are injurious to the raspberry, in their larva state. e The other genera given in the preceding table contain bnt few species. Oncideres, Serv., contains three North Amer- ican and many South American species. The only spe- cies found east of the Mississippi river is the 0. cingula- tus , Say, commonly known as the Twig-girdler, from the habit of the femaleof girdling twigs below the point where she has deposited her eggs. It usually breeds in the hick- ory, but it has been known to girdle the twigs of the ap- ple, the pear, and the persimmon. We have referred 0 TUB E sa 9CI - G Th« a1aove to tlle twig-pruning habits of the species of Elaphi- h^maae'i^de'. t ^ on a,non S the Ceraiubycides ; but in that case, the posaiuK a« egg; pruning is done by the larvae, whereas the amputation of size alter itiiey . the Oncideres is performed by the parent insect. Tetrao- V es , Dalman, contains the well known brick-red beetles with black spots, found on different species of Asclepias, or milk-weed. They are pecu- liarly N. American, the species being widely distributed from the Atlan- tic States to California. 100 THE ORDER. OF COLEOPTERA. Tribe XIX. TETRAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. TTerbivora tetramera. PhytophagA, Kirby. This tribe embraces an extensive series of beetles, mostly of small size, not averaging much above a quarter of an inch in length, and rarely exceeding half an inch, and usually adorned with beautiful and often variegated colots. Like most other beetles of the tetramerous section, the tarsi are clothed with a brush of hairs beneath, and the third, or last joint but one, is usually more or less deeply bilobed. They are distinguished from the snout-beetles in the same section, by the ab- sence of a rostrum or beak; from the short-horned borers, by their strongly dilated and bilobed tarsi, and from both by the antenme not being knobbed at the end. They differ from the other family of tetra- merous beetles — the long-horned wood-borers — in the comparative short- ness of their bodies and of all their members, especially the antennae, which are never tapering as they are in most of the Gerambycidse, but are either filiform or slightly and gradually enlarged towards the tip. Some of the Cerambycidie, however, have filiform antennae, and there seems to be no character by which these two tribes can be absolutely distinguished from each other; and the genus Donacia occupies so in- termediate a position between them that it has been placed sometimes in one, and sometimes in the other. But notwithstanding their close approach in a few of the connecting genera, scarcely any families of beetles are ordinarily more easily distinguished by their general form and aspect. The insects of the present tribe are pre eminently phyto- phagous or plant-eating in their habits, both in the larva and imago states. The only beetles which can be compared with them in this re- spect are the chafers or leaf-eating Laraellicorus in the pentamerous section. We have had occasion, in the introductory part of this work, to state some of the differences in the habits of these two plant-eating tribes. The Lamellicorns are, for the most part, much larger insects. They feed mostly upon the foliage of trees, in the beetle form, whilst their larvae live under ground upon the roots of grasses and other plants ; and they feed in the evening, clinging to the leaves by means of their long, sharp claws. The tetramerous plant-beetles, on the contrary, are comparatively small insects ; they feed mostly upon herbaceous plants, both in the larva and beetle state ; they are diurnal in their habits, and move slowly over the surface of plants, to which they adhere by means of the dense brush of hairs on the under side of their feet. TETRAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. 161 Tlie larvae are for tlie most part short, fleshy, convex or hump-backed grubs, usually living upon the surface of the leaves upon which they feed, often in company with the mature insects. They have six thoracic legs, and usually a fleshy terminal proleg. Living exposed to the light they differ from the great majority of Coleopterous larvae in being more or less highly colored. Some of them have the singular habit of pro- tecting themselves by a covering of their own excrement, which will be described more fully in treating of the sab-family of Cassidides. But a considerable proportion of them are internal feeders. Some are leaf- miners; others inhabit the roots of herbaceous plants ; and the larvae of Donacia live concealed in the stems of water-plants, thus confirming their affinity with the preceding wood-boring tribe. These last men- tioned larvae exhibit a habit extremely rare amongst the Coleoptera, but which we have seen to be possessed by a few of the Cureuliouidae, that of enclosing themselves in silken cocoons, when aboutto change to the pupa state. These cocoons are sometimes found fastened in a row to the stems of the aquatic plants in which the larvae reside. Some phytopha- gous larva; change to pupae, attached to the leaves, but many of them go into the ground. Being, as their name implies, pre-eminently plaut-eaters, this tribe of beetles occupies a prominent place in practical entomology, on account of the many species which are injurious to the agriculturalist. Among these are the Striped cucumber-beetle, and its root-boring larvae ; the cabbage and turnip flea-beetles; the flea-beetle of the vine; and the tortoise-beetles which feed upon the sweet potato. When danger threatens, the Chrysomelidse do not usually attempt to escape either by running or flying, but, like the Curculionidm, seek safety by contracting their limbs and falling to the ground. With regard to the size of these insects, as compared with the Coleop- tera in general, the same statement is applicable which we made above in treating of the Curculionidte, and the terms large and small must be understood as being similarly modified ; that is to say, half of an inch, which is about the medium length of beetles in general, is large when ap- plied to the insects of these two families, quarter of an inch is medium, and an eighth of an inch or less is small or very small. Family LXI. CHTtYSOMELID^S. This family, as here constituted, comprises the whole of the tribe of te- tramerous plant-beetles. It is made up of several groups, some of which are sufficiently distinct, whilst others are more closely allied, thus ren- dering a natural classification of them indefinite, from the doubt whether certain groups should, or should not, be raised to the rank of sub-fami —21 162 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. lies ; and accordingly authors have differed much as to the number of primary divisions. Linnams, having included Donacia in the long- horned genus Leptura, described the remainder of the present tribe un- der the three genera, Hispa, Cassida and Chrysomela. And if we take these, as we do most of the Lin mean genera, as types of families, it may well be questioned whether any more obvious or natural classification of these insects can be suggested to day. Latreille, in the Regne Animal, divided them into two families, which he designated by the names Eupoda, signifying largely developed legs ; and Cyclica , in allusion to the circular or rounded form of most of the species. The former includes Donacia, Crioceris and the exotic genus Sagra. The more extensive family of Cyclica he divided into three tribes, which are equivalent to our sub-families, viz: the Cassidariaa, the Ohrysomelime, and the Galerucit®. These divisions he founds partly upon the habits of the larvae, which he divides into four kinds: 1st, those which cover their bodies with their excrement, (Cassidariaj) ; 2d, those which live exposed on leaves, (Ohrysomelinse proper); 3d, those which inhabit tubes which they drag about with them, (Cryptoce- phalus and certain other genera of Ohrysomelinae) ; and 4th, those which live concealed in the interior of leaves, feeding on their parenchyma, (Haltica, and its sub-genera, among the Galerucitce). This arrangement of Latreille seems to us much less natural and sat- isfactory than are usually the classifications of this eminent entomolo- gist. By it the small division of Eupoda is made to hold a rank equiva- lent to all the rest of the Chrysomelida} combined, and yet its most com- mon and numerous genera (Crioceris, Orsodacna, etc.), bear a close resem- blance to some of the Galerucides, and do not differ from many of the Cyclica, either in form or the habits of their larvae, so much as the sub- family of Hispides. Moreover, the family name of Eupoda applies with but little force to many of these common species, though it is very ap- propriate to some of the foreign genera. With respect to the habits of the larvae, however interesting in themselves, they furnish a very imper- fect basis of classification, since most of the habits above referred to are common to several of the sub-families. Mr. Westwood admits four primary divisions, which he raises to the rank of families, viz : Crioceridae, Cassididce, Galerucidse', and Chryso- melidae. Dr. LeConte has publislied a number of able papers upon the Chrysomelida} of North America, but being scattered through various scientific periodicals, they are not very accessible to the general student. In a recent volume of the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, Mr. G. R. Crotch, with the assistance of Drs. LeCoute and Horn, and with the aid of their extensive cabinets, has published a pretty full synopsis of the Phytophaga of the United States, TETRAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. 163 which I have found of much use in preparing the following tables of genera. Mr. Crotch unites all the Phytopliaga in the family of Chry- somelidm, which he divides into ten sub-families, as follows : Donaciides, Orsodacnides, Criocerides, Melolouthides, Cryptocephalides, Chrysome- lides, Eumolpides, Galerucides, Hispides and Cassidides. The Orsodacnides do not seem to us to be sufficiently distinct from the Criocerides, nor the Melolonthides (questionably so called) from the Crytocephalides, nor the Eumolpides from the Chrysomelides, to be re- tained as of equal rank. We will therefore divide the Chrysomelidce into the seven following sub-families. The accompanying tables of the minor groups exhibit a pretty full synopsis of N. American genera, ex- cepting a few which are composed of but one or two rare species, usually from the remote West: A. Body elongated; thorax not margined at the sides; head slightly constricted be- hind the eyes; eyes prominent; thighs usually more or less thickened. B. Body much elongated; first ventral segment very long; larvae live in the stems of plants Donaciides. B B, Body moderately elongated ; first ventral segment not much longer than the others ; larvm live on the leaves of plants, sometimes cover themselves with excrement Criocerides A A. Body more or less rounded (except Hispides) ; thorax almost always margined ; head not constricted ; eyes not prominent; thighs not swollen (except in Haltica and its sub-genera.) C. Antenna? distant, being wider apart at base than the length of the first joint. D. Body oval ; abdomen wholly covered by elytra ; larva? live exposed on l caves Chrysomelides. D D. Body usually short and sub-cylindrical; tip of abdomen vertical and uncovered; larvae live on leaves, in portable cases. Cryptocephalides. C C. Antennae approximate, being rarely wider apart than the length of the first joint. E. Antennae filiform and at least half as long as the body ; hind thighs, in one division, enlarged for jumping ; larvae live on leaves or between their laminae Galerucides. E E. Antenna; less than half as long as the body, and more or less thickened towards the tip. F. Head exposed; form oblong and usually sub-quadrate ; surface usually strongly pitted or reticulated; larvae live between the lam in® of leaves Hispide^. F F. Head concealed under the thorax; form hemispherical; surface usually smooth ; larvae live on leaves, covered by excrement : Cassidides. Sub family DONACIIDES. This sub family, composed mostly of the genus Donacia , Fab., forms a connecting link between the Lepturides of the preceding family and the Criocerides of the present. Their form is considerably elongated, and they can be distinguished with certainty by the unusual prolouga- 164 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. tion of the first ventral segment, which is as long as all the others com- bined. They are between a quarter and half of an inch in length, and with a dark metallic lustre, of a greenish, bronze or purplish hue. The under side is paler, and clothed all over with an extremely fine silken prostrate pubescence, which enables them to shed the water, when the aquatic plants upon which they reside happen to be submerged, lhe species often closely resemble each other, rendering it difficult to draw the line between species and varieties. The larva; inhabit the stems of aquatic plants. When about to transform, they enclose themselves in silken cocoons, which are sometimes attached in rows upon the outside of the plants. Mr. Crotch enumerates twenty-five species as inhabiting the United States, two of which he describes as new, And refers the reader for a full description of the others to Dr. LeCoute’s Synopsis in the Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc., of Philadelphia, for the year 1852. Sub-family CRIOCERIDES. fFtg. 79 .] - This sub-family takes its name from the genus Crioceris , of Geoffroy, a word which literally means a ram's horn , but which is not especially appropriate to these insects, unless it I be by way of expressing their relationship to the preceding I family of Cerambycidte, in which the resemblance of the an- tenna; to the horns of the ram and the goat is much more striking. Like them, also, some of the beetles of the present 0liT - sub-family have the faculty of making a squeaking noise, by the friction of one part of their bodies upon another. The Criocerides differ from the great majority of Chrysomelidm, in haviug the thorax almost cylindrical and without a lateral [I ' 80 ' niargin, and more decidedly narrower than the abdomen. The antennae are somew’hat moniliform, of the same width throughout, and about half as long as the body. The larvae live ex- posed on the leaves upon which they feed ; but some of them, of which the common Three-lined potato-beetle is an example, have the remarkable habit of lema tmlineata, oii v.:— « a, iarv® ; 1 7 . od, eggs ; b, two last segments of tbe larva, protecting themselves by a covering OI showing the anal aperture on the upper side 1 . i i xi of the last segment-after Riley. their own excrement, lo enable them to accomplish this purpose, the anal opening is upon the upper side of the last segment, and the excrement is pushed forwards upon the back by the pressure of that which is subsequently evacuated. The Crioce- rides of this country are contained in two leading genera : TETRAMEROTJS PLANT-BEETLES. 165 A. Last joint, of palpi widened and truncated ; claws toothed Orbodacna. A A. Last joint of palpi not wider than the others and pointed ; claws simple ClUOCRRls. Orsodncna , a name taken from the Greek and meaning a bud-gnawer , was originally applied to some insect now unknown, which was injuri- ous to fruit trees. It includes three sub-genera: Orsodacna, Latr., having the thorax uniform and the eyes entire; Zeugophora , Kunze, having the eyes notched and the thorax with a lateral tubercle ; and Syneta, Esch., with several short teeth at the sides of the thorax. The species are of moderate size, and either blackish or dull yellow, but more commonly with both of these colors combined. We have twelve species, some of which are very variable, and have been described under different names. The only species of Grioceris proper found in the United States, is the imported asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi , Linn., which has become naturalized in some of the Eastern States. Most of our species are now placed in the sub-genus Lema, Fabr., as restricted by Lacordaire, and distinguished by having the thorax constricted or narrowed a little be- hind the middle. The most common species is the Lema trilineata, Oli- vier, or the Three-lined potato-beetle, a quarter of an inch long, yellow, with three black stripes on the elytra. Mr. Crotch enumerates twelve other species, most of which inhabit the Southern States. Sub-family CHRYSOMELIDES. This sub-family is founded upon the typical genus Chrysomela, of Lin- naeus, a word which literally means a golden apple , and which was ob- viously given to these insects in allusion to their rounded form and [Fig. 8i.j beautiful colors, which not un- frequently exhibit a golden hue. Their most distinctive scientific \ character, as compared with the other sub-families of this tribe, is the distance from each other of the antennae at their points of attachment, being always farther apart than the length of the first CnitY60MEi.A (MVOOOitVNA) juncta. Genuar:-a, eggs; • • t OI . *1, ...... b b, law® ; c, beetle ; d, wing-oover; e, anterior lug — JOlIlbj dlKl 011(311 LW O OI turLO alter alley. times as far, taken in connection with the gradual but slight enlargement of these organs towards the tip. The sub-family comprises two well-marked groups, which are re- garded by some entomologists as distinct sub-families, and which may be designated by the terms of Ohrysomeliui and Eumolpini. In the former the thorax is transversal, that is, wider than it is long, strongly margined, and as wide at base as the elytra; the antennas are moder- ately robust, sub-mouiliform, and almost always less than half as long as the body ; the anterior coxae are transverse; the 3d joint of the tarsi 166 THE ORDER OF COREOFTERA. is scarcely bilobed, and the claws are usually simple. In the latter, the thorax is very convex, narrower than the abdomen, and with the mar- gin indistinct or wanting; the antennae are slender, almost filiform, and about half as long as the body ; anterior coxae globose; the third joint of the tarsi is deeply bilobed, and the claws are bifid. The larvae live exposed on the leaves of herbaceous plants, upon which they feed. We do not know of any larva in this sub-family which covers itself with excrement, unless we admit into it the intermediate genus Blepharida, which we have preferred to unite with the other saltatory species. The following are the genera of Chrysomelini : A. Third joint of tarsi entire or slightly notched at the end ; posterior episterna usually narrowed behind. 13. Form regularly oval and strongly convex; tarsi entire ; color usually yellow, with darker stripes or spots ; length between a quarter and a half of an inch Chrysomela. B B. Form oval or oblong oval, convex ; third joint of tarsi notched ; color metallic-green or blue; length less than quarter of an inch Gastrophysa. B BB. Form short and round or sub globuse; dark metallic without spots; length much less than quarter of an inch Phasdon. B B B 13. Form oblong, narrow, parallel, depressed; antonna? strongly clavate ; dark metallic, with a few yellow stripes; length much less than quarter of an inch Pkasocuris. A A . Third joint of tarsi deeply bilobed ; posterior episterna parallel ; form oblong oval and depressed ; colors various; size same as Chrysomela Plagiodera. The following are the genera of Eumolpini : A. Body smooth and shining. B. Thorax lobed behind the eyes. C. Elytra irregularly punctured ; claws with a tooth beneath. D. Antennae robust, somewhat clavate ; color golden-green or blue ; length a third of an inch or more Chuysochub. D D. Antennae long and filiform ; color golden-green or bronze ; length a quarter of an inch or ] e88 Typophorus. C C. Elytra punctured in rows ; claws bifid; size small ; color brown with black spots, rarely wholly black Paw a. B B. Thorax not lobed behind the eyes. E. Second joint of the antenna? shorter than the third ; elytra densely but irregularly punc- tate OOLA8PI8. E E. Second aud third joints of antenna? equal ; elytra punctured in rows Metachuoma. A A. Body more or less clothed with hair or scales. F. Thorax without a margin at the sides. G. Body shining, bronze, rarely green ; punctures indistinct; sparsely haired. .Heteraspis. G G. Body obscure, brown, coarsely punctured. H. Thorax longer than wide; body donsely haired ; size about medium Fidia. H II. Thorax wider than long ; body moderately haired ; size small Xantuonia. The genus Chrysomela lias been divided into a number of sub- genera which can generally be distinguished by their style of coloration, as follows : Labidomera , Chevr , dark -yellow, with a few large blue-black spots ; Myocoryna, Stal., usually with the elytra pale-yellow, with four or five darker stripes on each ; Zygogramma , Chevr., elytra with two or three stripes more or less united ; Galligrapha, Chevr., elytra with numerous irregular lines and dots ; and Chrysomela , Linn., -blackish or golden, without stripes; but there are some exceptions to these general TEEAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. 167 rules which we shall notice below. Labidomera contains one common species, the L. trimaculata , Fab., found on milk-weed. Myocoryna con- tains the destructive potato-beetle commonly known as the Dorypliora 10-lincata, and the allied but much less common species J). juncta, and two other similar species found in Texas and Mexico. The generic name Doryphora , means a spear-bearer, in allusion to the pointed ante- rior prominence of the mesosternum, and was originally applied by Illiger to a similar group of insects from South America. But in our species the mesosternum is not produced to a point, and therefore M. Stiil, a Sweedish entomologist, has formed a new genus for them uuder the name of Myocoryna, from the Greek mus — to compress, and koruna , a club — the club of the antennae being slightly flattened. This is one of the exceptional genera with respect to color, being usually striped, but one species is wholly blue, and another is wholly red. Zygogramma, implying literally that the stripes are united or yoked together, contains a number of common species which are subject to considerable variation. Galligrapha, meaning beautiful writing, con- tains some of our most elegant beetles, distinguished by the numerous metallic marks and dots on their almost white elytra. The species are numerous and often variable. Mr. Crotch admits thirteen species as inhabiting the United States ; a few of them depart from the normal style of coloring, and resemble Zygogramma. The organic distinction between the two genera is, that in Zygogramma the claws are approxi- mate and the claw joint toothed beneath; and in Galligrapha, the claws are distant and the claw joint simple.* Chrysoniela proper is now re- stricted to a small number of dark colored species, some of which have a golden lustre. Oue species from Colorado and the neighboring States is black, with a yellow border to the elytra. Gastrophyza, Chev., — meaning abdomen inflated — alludes to the re- markably swollen condition of the abdomen of the females when tilled with eggs. It contains one of our prettiest and most common beetles : the G. polygoni, Linn., common to both Europe and this country. It is three-twentieths of an inch long, of a brilliant blue-greeu color, with a yellow thorax. It feeds upon the common knot-weed ( Polygonum aviep- lare.) Mr. Say described it as a rare insect under the name of Ghryso- ♦It is a question whether in grouping certain insects— such, for example, as the Chrysomelules— the plan of coloration should uothavo more weight, in comparison with slight organic characters. It is evidently unnatural to separate such species, with striped elytra, as elegans, Olivier, and similis, Rogers, from the similarly marked Zygrogramma pulchra and exclamation™, Fab., and conjuncta, Rogers, aud unite them with the dissimilar and dotted group of Calligrapha, upon a character so variable, and therefore unimportant, as is the structure of the tarsal claws, in the whole family of Cli rysomelidm. Hut wo have been gratified to see, since the above was written, that Mr. Crotch, in his recent Check- list, of Coleoptera, has suppressed all these sub.geuora, and rocoguized them only as sectiojis of the original genus Ohrysoinela, of Linnmus ; a course which, it seems to us, might be profitably adopted with respect to many modern genera. 168 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. mela cderuleipennis. Say also described two other and similar species, but without the yellow thorax, which he accredits to the Missouri terri- tory. Phcedon, Chev., contains a few small species, the type of which is the. P. viride , of Melsheimer. Prasocurie , Latr., coutaius three spe- cies, none of which are common. Plagiodera , Chev., is composed of a number of species of very variable color, and even the same species, as in the cases of the not uncommon P. scripta and P. interrupta, which are ordinarily yellow with blackish spots, are sometimes found wholly blue-black or green. This genus was formerly known as Melasoma, Dillwyn ; but the name is not properly applicable to the species, and besides was pre-occupied by Latreille — as we have seen in a former part of this work — as the general name of the black-bodied heteromera. It has been therefore replaced by Plagiodera, Chevrolat, meaning trans- verse thorax, and applied to them because the thorax is much wider than it is long. Ghrysochus, Chev., in the group of Eumolpini, meaning literally a goldsmith, is the generic name of the beautiful golden-green beetle, about four-tenths of an inch long, found on the dogs-baue and other species of Apocynum. It has usually been referred to the genus Eumolpus, but is now known as the Ghrysochus auratus, Fabr. It is common throughout both the Eastern and Western States, and has been found as far west as Arizona. Another similar species, but usually a little larger and of a deep blue-green color, has been found in Oregou and Califor- nia. It is the Gh. cobaltinus, of LeConte. Typophorus, Chev., contains three closely allied species, the type of which is the T. tricolor, Fab., found in the Middle and Southern States. The next five genera —Paria, Golaspis, Metachroma, Heteraspis and Xanthonia — contain a large num- ber of small, brown insects, though some species of Colaspis have a metallic lustre. Paria is distinguished from the others by the ear-like lobes on the anterior margin of the thorax, which partly cover the eyes. The same lobes exist in Chrysochus, but are situated lower dowm. The genus Fidia, of Dejean, is composed of a somewhat larger species, of a dark chestnut or blackish color, but with a mealy surface produced by dense, short, prostrate hairs. The insects of this genus have an econo- mic interest in consequence of damage done by them to the leaves of the grape-vine. The leading type is the F. viticida , Walsh. Dr. Le- Conte regards the longipes, Mels., and the viticola, Uhler, as only varie- ties of this species. Sub family CRYPTOOEPHALIDES. This group is founded upon the genus Gryptocephalus, of Geoffroy, a term meaning concealed head, and given to these insects because the head is so deeply immersed iu the strongly convex thorax that it can be scarcely or not at all seen when viewed from above. The pygidium TETRAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. 109 (Fig. 62.) J 71 (thi or last segment of the abdomen is bent vertically downwards, and left uncovered by the elytra, furnishing an easily distinguishable character which is common to nearly all the species, except those specified in the following synopsis, and which is found in none of the other sub-families. The antennje are rather distant at their in- coscinoptera dominic ana: — rz, larva extracted sertion, sometimes short and serrate, from case; 6, do. with case; c, beetle showing, , . , . _ 7 punctures ; d, same natural size ; e, egg enlarged; DUt) in. tll6 majority at least lialt as /, head of larva, under side; a, head of male 1 ^ , T , -. , , , beetle; h, jaw of same ; i, eggs natural size; j, long as the body, and very slender leg of larva; A;, jaw of same ; l, maxilla of same — ^ t «,•« . after Riley. and filiform. The third joint of the tarsi is always deeply bilobed. They are all small insects, rarely attaining a quarter of an inch in length. All the larvse, we believe, so far as known, live upon the surface of leaves, and have the curious habit of enclosing themselves in compact cases, composed of their own excrement, which they mould into shape by means of their mandibles. The same habit of economizing the particles of excrement is practiced by many of the small caterpillars belonging to the lepidopterous family of Tineidse. The larvre carry their cases about with them, by protru- ding the anterior part of their bodies through the open extremity. When about to transform they attach their cases to the twigs, and close the opening, thus making them answer the purpose of a cocoon. A. Anteumc senate or sub-clavate, and shorter than the head and thorax. Body elongate; abdomen wholly covered by elytrff; antenna? serrate Anomcea. Body short, oval or subcylindric ; tip of abdomen exposed. Body short, thick and tuberculous ; antenna? small, sub-clavate and sub-serrate ; legs closely contractile Chlamys. Body not tuberculous ; antennae free ; legs not contractile. Tip ol abdomen scarcely exposed ; elytra smooth and shining, finely punctured ; antenna) sub-serrate Bab ia. D D. Tip of abdomen fully oxposod; elytra coarsely punctured or pubescent. E. Antenna) sub-serrate ; elytra densely punctured Saxinis. E E. Antennae serrato; elytra irregularly punctured and pubescent ; mandibles large: COSCINOl'TERA. Antenna: slender and filitonn, and longer than the head and thorax Cryitockphalus. B. BB. C. CC. D. A A. The genus Anomcea , Lacord., has for its type the common A. laticlavia, Forster, trom a quarter to a third, of an inch in length, and of a clay- yellow color, with the suture and margin of the elytra black. The gene- ric name means dissimilar, in allusion to the departure of the species irorn the ordinary characters of the sub-family, but their place here is determined by the serrate antenna;, and more especially by the case- bearing habit of their larvae. Another species very differently colored is found in Texas. The species of Chlamys , Kuoch, are of a dark brown color, and when their limbs are contracted they resemble little rough balls oi inanimate matter. The most common species is the C. plicatu, —22 170 THE ORDER OP COLEOPTERA. Fab., three-twentieths of an inch long. A much smaller species, the C. dispar, Lacord., has been placed in the sub-genus JExema. Babia , Chev., is founded upon the B. biguttata, Oliv., and its varieties. It is about three twentieths of an inch long, blue-black, with a fulvous spot on the shoulder, and another at the tip of each elytra. It differs from the great majority of Cryptocephalides in having the tip of the abdo- men but slightly, and in many specimens not at all exposed. Saxinis omogera , Lacord., resembles the last mentioned insect in size and color, except that there is no spot at the end of the elytra. It is found in the Southern States and Texas. The genus contains but one other North American species. The type of the genus Goscinoptera, Lacord., is the G. dominicana, Fab. (Fig. 82), two tenths of an inch long, or a little more, black, rather densely covered with a tine ash-colored pubescence. Several other species have been found in the remote Western States. The G. vittigera, LeC., found in Kansas, is more oblong, and each elytra has a fulvous stripe, which is bent uj) like a hook at the end. The generic name comes from lcoskinos — a sieve, and ptera — wings, referring to the irregularly distributed punctures, somewhat like the holes in a sieve. The genus Gryptoceplialus contains many more species than all the others combined. It has been divided into a considerable number of sub-genera, mostly upon slight or obscure characters. A more conve- nient distribution, for the purpose of identification of species, could be made in accordance with their colors. The majority are brown, with yellow stripes or spots; a considerable number are blue-black, with ru- fous or orange spots; and some of the smallest species are wholly blue- black or brown. [Fig. 83. J rFlg. 84.] Sub-family GALERUCIDES. Named after the genus Galeruca, of Geoffroy. They are distinguished primarily from the other Chrysome- lidte by the approximation of the antennae at their points of insertion, iDubko'S being rarely farther apart than the V Tha A stiiped length of the first joint, and from cuoun beetie. the Chrysomelides proper by having the antennae perfectly filiform, or not enlarged towards the tip. The thorax is narrower than the elytra, which, together with a similarity of coloring, gives to some of the species a strong resemblance to the Criocerides, but they can always be distinguished by the tho- diabbotica vtitata Larva , . . ■, greatly magnified, the side lines rax having a distinct lateral margin or edge, showing the length of the fully It is in this sub-family that we find a large jfJae view-after feuey k I TETRAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. 171 proportion of the injurious Chrysomelidae, such as the Striped cucum- ber-beetle, and the various species of flea-beetles, so injurious to the vine, the cucumber, and the Cruciferae, or plants of the cabbage and turnip family ; and they furnish a remarkable exception to noxious in- sects in general by being usually most injurious in the perfect or beetle form. But some of them, like the Cucumber-beetle, ( Diabrotica vittata ,) also cause the death of the plants by burrowing into the roots in their larva state. Some of the species, like the European Oaleruca calmari- ensis, and the little bronze flea-beetle, Haltica lielxines, which is common [Fig. 85 .) to Europe and this country, depart from the usual habits of the family in devouring the foliage of trees, whereas the great majority of Chrysomelidae feed 1 upon herbaceous plants. The habits of the larvae are various, those of Galeruca feeding exposed upon the surface of leaves ; those of Diabrotica boring Pnp^ B " < rSti37s. T ' do7 iuto r °ots, and those of Haltica sometimes feeding sal view— alter Kiiey. U p 0 u roots, but usually mining between the lamime of leaves. The sub-family is divided into two distinct groups: the Galerucini , with the thighs not thickened, and the anterior coxae not separated by the prosternum; and the H alticini, having the anterior coxae separated by a projection of the sternum, and the hind thighs greatly enlarged, which gives them the power of jumping, and from which the name of flea-beetles is derived. The following are the principal genera : A. Hind thighs not thickened. ( Oalerucini.) B. Thorax wider than long ; first joint of antennas shorter than the second and third united ; color usually dull brownish, sometimes with black stripes Galeruca. B B. Thorax almost square, with rounded corners; first joint of antennae as long as second and third united; colors usually yellow and black combined Diabrotica. B B B. Thorax usually a little wider than long; second and third joints of antennae about equal ; size small ; color brown or metallic black, or blue, and without spots Luperus. A A. Hind thighs enlarged for jumping. (Halticini.) C. Antennas distant, slightly thickened towards the tip; claws bifid Blepharida. C C. Antenna) approximate, filiform, claws simple or dentate. D. Last joint of hind tarsi swollen. E. Elytra glabrous ; size about medium ; colors various CEdionychis. EE. Elytra hairy ; Bize small; color brown Hypolampis. D I). Last joint of hind tarsi not inflated. F. Elytra irregularly and finely punctured ; size medium or small. G. Body oval ; thorax wider than long. x IT. Thorax with an impressed transverse line before the base ; color blue-black : Graptodera. H H. Thorax without impression. I. Tarsi of ordinary form. K. Second joint of antenn® shorter than the third ; size medium ; colors various : Dlsoxycha. K K. Second and third joints of antenna) equal ; size small ; color dark metallic ; elytra usually with one yellow stripe Orchestris. I I. First joint of hind tarsi as long as the others united , size very small ; color brownish Loxgitar'sus. G G. Body elongate ; thorax about as long as wide; size small; color black, sometimes striped with yellow Systena. 172 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. F F. Elytra punctured in rows; size very small, without spots or stripes. L. Antennas with eleven joints ; hind tarsi normal. M. Hind tibiae robust, and terminated by a bifid spur; body perfectly oval; head deeply immersed in the thorax ; size small ; color brassy -black . . .Dibolia M M. Hind tibia toothed and furrowed on the outer side ; very small ; blue or brassy Ciuetocnbma. M M M. Hind tibia normal ; thorax with a deep impression near the base ; color dark metallio or reddish Ckicpidodera. L L. Antennae ten-jointed ; hind tarsi attached to the side of the tibia : f PSYLLIODES. Galeruca, Geoff., contains a considerable number of species, some of which are common but inconspicuous. Diabrotica, Chovr., has been divided into a number of sub genera, agreeing in size and form, but the more common species are readily distinguished by their color, Diabro- tica proper being usually pale yellow with black spots or stripes, Thyl- lobrotica, Dej., being tawny or orange with black spots or stripes, and Phyllecthrus being blue black with a yellow thorax. Diabrotica means one that gnaws through ; Phyllobrotica, a leaf-gnawer ; and Phyllec- thrus, a leaf -enemy ; all of which terms have reference to their leaf-eating and often destructive habits. The Striped cucumber-beetle is the D. vittata, Fab. 1/uperus, Geoffr., also meaning injurious, contains a few small species, some of which are of rich metallic colors ; but none of our species are sufficiently numerous I to be injurious. Blepharida, Ohev., forms a connecting link between Haltica and Clirysomela, having the oval form and distant an ten me of the latter, and the enlarged thighs of the former. It contains but two species, one of which is the B. rhois , of Forster, a mottled reddish beetle, quarter of an inch long, found abundantly on the sumach. (Edionychis, Latr., contains many species, most of which do not vary much from a quarter of an inch in length. The most common style of coloration is that of a yellow thorax and dark metallic elytra, but some are brown or yellow with black stripes. In these, as in all the larger Halticini, the elytra are irregularly punctured, whilst in most of the small species they are punctured in rows. The generic name is expressive ot the swollen claw joint. Hypolampsus, Clark, contains three N. A. species, the most common of which is the H. pilosa, of Illiger. Graptodera , Olievr., is composed of a number of dark blue species, one of which is the Haltica ( Grapto- dera) chalybea, Illig., the destructive steel-blue flea-beetle of the grape vine. Disonycha, Chev., is scarcely distinguishable from (Edionychis except in the hind claw joint not being swollen. The species ol the two genera, or more properly sub-genera, often closely resemble each other in size and color, but in Disonycha the style of coloration is most common which is exceptional in (Edionychis, namely, yellow with black stripes ; but the most common species is black with a yellow thorax, on which are / TETRAMEROTJS PLANT-BEETLES. 1T3 three black dots arranged in a triangle; length a quarter of an inch ; this is the D. triangularis, Say. Another species liable to be confounded with this is the D. collaris, Fab., but in this the thorax is yellow without spots, and the under side of the ab- domen is dull yellow. Orchcs- tris, Kirby, is the genus which contains the common cabbage and turnip flea-beetle, aud its allies. They are about one-tenth of an inch loug, black, with a broad waving yellow stripe along the middle of each wing- cover. Species closely resern- IIaltica (Ghaptodeka) chalybea, Bliger: — The Grape- , Tine flea-beet, le ; a, grape leaf ent-en by yonng lnrvie ; b, Ollllg eaCU OtUer ai 6 equally larva, magnified ; earthen cell, in which the inaect 0 >i< 1 Bosti'iipfi vc in transforms ; d, beetle— after Riley. abundant and ueSU UCU1V6 111 generic name means a dancer (Kg. 87. destructive Europe and in this country. The generic name means a dancer or jumper. Longitarsus, Latr., contains many small and closely allied spe- cies of a brownish color, and distinguished as the name implies by the greatly elongated first joint of the hind tarsi. Systcna, Chev., is most readily distinguished by the elongate, narrow form of the species. The Systena blanda, Melsh., an eighth of an inch long, pale yellow with three darker stripes, has been found to be destructive to young corn, in the Middle States. The other genera in the table are composed of very small species, distin- halticacha. guished from the foregoing by having the elytra punctured showing the in rows. Dibolia, Chev., contains but one-known species, the rior thighs. D. aerea, Melsh., or brassy Dibolia, a tenth of an inch or a little more in length and of a brassy black color; found in the Middle and Southern States. The species of Chcetocnema , Stephens, are found mostly in the Southern States and Texas. Crepidodera, Chev., contains many very small, usually black or reddish species; but one of the most common, the C. lielxines, Linn., is sometimes purple and at others brassy green. This little species is said to be common to Europe and this country. The little Cucumber flea-beetle, Haltica cucumeris, of Ilarris, has been placed, in company with a few others, in a separate sub-genus Epitrix, Foudr., on account of their pubescent surface. But few species of the little genus Psylliodes, Latr., have been observed. Dr. Fitch refers to'one of them, the P. punctulata, Melsh., as being somewhat injurious to the leaves of several kinds of garden vegetables. The generic name is de- 174 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. rived from a Greek word meaning a flea, in allusion to their power of leaping. » Sub family HISPEDES. This sub-family is founded upon the genus Rispa , of Linmeus, a contraction of the Latin word hispida, meaning rough, flu allusion to the deep sculpturing of the elytra, which usually consists in a number of elevated ribs with a double series of deep punctures between them. The an- tennm are short, straight, compact, closely approximate at base and regularly divergent at tip. These characters, together with their oblong and usually somewhat quadrate form, renders them one of the more easily recognizable groups in the whole order of Coleoptera. They are usually about a quarter of an inch in length or a little less, and their colors are black and red, either singly or combined. They seem to be a good deal confined to particular locali- ties, and therefore are not very commonly met with. The larvae are leaf- miners, feeding between the upper and lower laminae. They differ in form from other Chrysomelide larvae, and resemble more the larvae of the Cerambycidae, the head being much narrower than the body, and the three first segments being wider than the following ones. Their form and habits were first described by Dr. T. W. Harris, from species found upon the Oak, the Apple and the Locust. TheHispides present two strongly marked genera: Rispa, moderately elongated and with strongly sculptured elytra, and Stenispa, much elon- gated and narrow, and with the elytra smooth and shining, and very faintly puncto-striate. The latter contains but two known species : the metalUca, Fab., of a shining brassy black color, not quite a quarter of an inch long; and the collaris, of Baly, similar but having the thorax red. The former is widely distributed, and the latter inhabits the Iudian Territory. Rispa proper is limited to the small black European species, originally described by Linnaeus, to which the term hispid is peculiarly appropriate, beiDg beset with minute spines. The American species have beeu divi. ded into two genera : A. Antennae 11-jointed ; sculpture regular and distinct Odontota. A A. Antennse 8-jointed ; sculpture usually irregular or imperfect Microriiopala. The regular sculpturing consists of deep punctures upon the thorax, and elevated ribs ( costce J upon the elytra, with a double row of numer- ous punctures between them. The species of Odontota, Gliev., (same as Anoplitis, Kirby,) may be arranged according to their color, as follows. The length of each species is added in decimals of an inch ; thus 0.24 expresses twenty-four hundredths of an inch. ■ [Kg. 88.] Hispa : — a, larva ; 6, b e e 1 1 e — a f t e r Westwood. TETRAMEROTTS PLANT-BEETLES. 175 Wholly black: nigrita , Oliv., 0.16. Black varied with red : Thorax red and elytra black: bicolor, Oliv., 0.25: Ariadne, Newm., 0.18 : Walshii, Crotch, 0.14 : Lecontei, Baly, 0.20. Thorax red only at the sides, elytra black : notata, Oliv., 0.24. Sides of thorax and shoulders of elytra red: scapularis, Oliv., 0.25: omogera, Crotch., 0.31. Wholly or mostly red : Wholly red: rubra, Weber, 0.20. Red with a black suture: Harriaii , Crotch, 0.24. Red usually with obscure brown or blackish spots: q uadrata, Fab., 0 24 : rosea, Web., 0.15. Microrhopala, Okev., (meaning a little club,) is distinguished by having the antennae apparently 8-jointed, the four last joints being consolidated, to which the generic name refers. The sculpture is usually either irreg- ular or imperfect, as expressed in the following table of species : Ribs of elytra indistinct, and with fewer punctures. Thorax and stripe on base of elytra red: vittata, Fab., and variety leetula, Lee., 0 23. Sides only of thorax and stripe on elytra red : xerene, Newm., 0.17. Ribs more or less confounded with the few and largo punctures: Punctures moderate and somewhat regular, color blue: cyanea, Say, 0.23. Punctures very large and confluent, color black: excavata, Oliv., 0.20. Surface rugulose in all directions ; black with front of thorax; scutelluin and base of anfcenme orange: plicatula, Fab., 0.20. Ribs and punctures regular and distinct : Color black: porcata, Melsh., 0.13. Color red with obscure spots : Melsheimeri, Crotoh, 0.13. Most of these species are widely distributed east of the Mississippi river, but a few of them, ( nigrita , notata, and plicatula J have as yet been observed only in the Southern States. [Fig. 69. Sab-family CASSDDIDES. This sub-family is founded upon the genus Gassida of Linnmus, a term derived apparently from the Latin cassida — a helmet. They are easily recognized by their rounded and usually more or less flattened form, the thorax and elytra being dilated into a broad thin mar- gin, beneath which the head and limbs are retractile so as to be sometimes partially, but usually wholly concealed. In this re- spect some of them bear a close resemblance Cassida iuvittata, Say:— 2, larva ; 3, pupa; 4, beetle — after RUey. to some or the genera of scavenger beetles, such as Peltis, Thymalus and Nitidula, but from these they can be read- ily distinguished by their strongly dilated and deeply bilobed tarsi, and their anteume not abruptly enlarged at the tip. They are of medium or rather large size, and are often prettily colored. A few species are extremely brilliant, resembling drops of burnished gold, but this bril- liancy appears to be in some way dependent upon the vital functions, as it disappears immediately after death. The larv® are oval, flattened, prickly grubs, feeding upon the surface of leaves, often in company with the perfect insects. Many of the foreign species feed upou thistles THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 176 ;iud other plants of the composite family, but most of the American species are found on different species of convolvulus, especially the morning-glory and the sweet-potatoe, both of which belong to this genus of plants. The leaves of these plants are often riddled with holes, and seriously injured by these insects. It is in this family that the habit of the larvae of covering themselves with their own excrement is most conspicuous and universal. Other larvae ( Crioceris and BlepharidaJ, which have this habit, void their ex- crement directly upon their backs, but the larvae of Cassida support their excrement on a long forked process which issues from the body just above the anal aperture, and is directed forwards over the body like a parasol. The object of this singular habit is supposed to be to protect the insects either from birds and other natural enemies, or from the direct rays of the sun. The former is probably the true explanation. That it can not be the latter, seems to be proved by the practice of most of these larvae of feeding upon the under side of the leaves where the direct rays of the sun cannot reach them. Mr. Riley has stated this to be the habit of the larvae of many of the Cassidides, and I have observed the same to be true of the larvae of Blepharida rhois. The Cassidides present four well marked genera as follows : A. Head prominent, visible ; size below medium ; color blue Porphyraspis. A A. Head partially visible ; prosternum advanced ; size large ; red spotted with black. .Chelymorpha. AAA. Head completely concealed. B. Body oblong oval, convex ; size large ; color dull greenish brown Piiysonota. B B. Body oval or orbicular, moderately convex or depressed ; size about medium ; colors various Cabsida. Porphyraspis , Boheman, meaning & purple shield, is founded upon the Cassida cyanea of Say, found in the Southern States. Chelymorpha, Ohev., signifies literally tortoise shape. It has for its type the C. cassidea, Fabr., subsequently named cribraria, by the same author. It is also the C. argus of Herbst. It is about four-tenths of an inch long, of an ob- long oval, convex form, brick-red, with four or six black dots on the thorax, and six on each elytron. The larva is said to feed upon the milkweed. Physonota, Boh., meaning sicollen or convex back, contains the P. nnipunctata, Say, of about the same form and size as the preced- ing species, but the head is completely hidden under the anterior margin of the thorax. It is of a dull greenish or yellowish-brown color, with one, three, or five blade dots on the thorax. Cassida has been di- vided into two sub-genera, Cassida proper having the antenna; not longer than the thorax, and usually of a sub-convex, oval form ; and Coptocycla, with the antennae longer than the thorax, and usually of an orbicular and depressed form. The species which occur in this section of country may be tabulated as follows : TETRAMEROUS PLANT-BEETLES. 177 Cassida proper. nigripes, Oliv.; length one-fourth inch or less ; dull red, with three obscure black dots on each ely- tron, in a triangle ; puncto-striate. The pallida, Herbst, is probably a pale variety of this. bivittata, Say ; length two-tenth inch ; thorax dull red ; elytra yellow, with a black suture and two black stripes on each ; puncto-striate. thoracica , Boh.; length three-tenth inch ; pale green, region of the scutellnm obscure brownish ; ir- regularly punctate. Coptocycla. aurichalcea, Fab.; length less than one-fourth inch ; golden yellow, pale yellow after death, puncto- striate. clavata , Fab.; length more than one-fourth inch ; uneven, dark brown ; margin of thorax and middle and tip of margin of elytra, pale transparent. guttata, Oliv.; length less than one-fourth inch; varying from pale brown to blackish brown, some- times spotted with yellow; the whole margin, except the shoulders of elytra, pale transparent. purpurata, Boll.; less than one-fourth inch; brownish red with a lateral triangular transparent patch; rare. Section IV. TRIMERA. Apparently three joints in all the tarsi, except the JErotylidce, which have four or five; the joints dilated and brush-like beneath, with the penultimate usually bilobed. This, like the other primary sections of the Coleoptera, is based upon the apparent number of joints in the tarsi. We have stated in the in- troductory part of this treatise that the highest, and what may there- fore be called the normal or typical number of joints in the feet of the Coleoptera, is five, and that whenever there appears to be a lesser num- ber the rudiments of the deficient joints, or a part of them, can usually be detected by close inspection. The present, or trimerous section, is less perfect or more exceptional in proportion to the number of the spe- cies, than any of the preceding sections, that is to say, a considerable number of genera and species which require to be associated with the trimerous beetles in consideration of their general ^structure, have four distinct joints in their tarsi, besides the indistinct rudiment of the miss- ing and penultimate joiut. The antennae are almost always clubbed at the eud and the tarsi are dilated, bilobed, and with a brush of hairs on the under side. The first of these characters allies them to the club-horned scavengers and dis- tinguishes them from the Chrysomelidae, whilst the latter character allies them to the last named family and at the same time distinguishes them from the Clavicornes proper. The great majority of them are re- markable for the very wide terminal joint of the maxillary palpi. They are almost always of small or moderate size. This section is much smaller than the others, and contains but two tribes, which bear but little resemblance to each other in form, and are wholly unlike in their habits. —23 178 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. Tribe 1st (or 20th). Trimerous fungus-beetles. Trimera fungivora. Bolitophaga. Body oval or oblong; antennae exposed and often nearly or quite as long as the head and thorax; colors red and black, usually combined; habits fungivorous. Families: Erotylidae, Endomychidae. Tribe 2d (or 21st). Plant-louse eating beetles. Trimera carnivora. Aphidiphaga, Latreille. Body hemispherical ; antennae very short and usually concealed be- neath the margin of the thorax; elytra usually red with black dots, sometimes the reverse; feed upon plant-lice. Family: Cocciuellidae. Tbibe XX. TKIMEROUS FUNGUS-BEETLES. Trimera fungivora. Bolitophaga. This is a tribe of moderate extent, and is composed of the families Erotylidae and Endomychidae. The former were designated by La- treille by the name Glavipalpi , on account of the large half-moon shaped joint with which the maxillary palpi are usually terminated, and were placed by him in the tetramerous section in deference to the tarsal sys- tem of classification, inasmuch as four distinct joints are usually pres- ent in the tarsi, besides the rudimental penultimate joint. But their general resemblauce to the Endomychidae in size, color and habits, as well as in several important organic characters, has induced all recent systematists to place the two families in the same general division. It is a much more ditficult question to decide whether these insects should be retained as a distinct tribe near the end of the order, between the Chrysomelidae and the Coccinellidae, or be merged in the extensive series of club-horned scavengers, or Clavicornes proper, with which they agree in tbeir clavate antennae, and also with some of them in their fungivor- ous habits. Mr. Westwood, whilst he retains them in the former posi- tion, expresses a doubt whether they should not be placed in the necroph- agous or scavenger series, as Mr. Stephens previously, and Mr. Thomson more recently has done; and Mr. Crotch, in his recent revision of these families, expresses the opinion that the Erotylidae should immediately follow Cryptophagifhe, and that the Endomychidae should succeed the Mycetophagidae. Other authors, whilst leaving the families in general undisturbed, have contented themselves with removing from them cer- tain genera, which are usually associated with them; Mr. MacLeay, for example, haviug removed Languria to the family of Engidse, corres- ponding nearly to our two families of Trogositidae and Oucujidae, whilst Mr. Stephens has placed Tritoma in the family of Anisotomidae. If the number of joints in the tarsi were the only character which distinguishes TRIMEROUS FUNGUS-BEETLES. 179 these tribes, their separation, probably, would never have taken place, since, as we have seen, the number of these joints is subject to much variation in the smaller species of Clavicornes. But a much more im- portant distinctive character is the structure of the tarsal joints ; being dilated, evenly cushioned beneath, and with the penultimate joint often deeply bilobed, thus allying them to the Phytophaga, whilst it sepa- rates them from the pentainerous Clavicornes, which, though they usu- ally have the tarsi more or less garnished with hairs, never, we believe, exhibit the dense and even brush of hair-like papillae which is so char- acteristic of the genuine Tetramera; and in the few instances in which any dilatation of the tarsi occurs among the Clavicornes, it is small in extent and limited to the anterior feet of the males, being a sexual dis- tinction. It is also worthy of note that the important and rudiinental joints in the present tribe are uniformly the penultimate, as in thetetra- merous section, whilst in the imperfectly developed tarsi of the small pentamera, it is usually the first, or first and second joints that are de ficient. The characters of the few known larvae of this tribe do not afford any clear indications of their systematic position ; for whilst the larva first described by Fischer and copied by Westwood, and supposed to be that of Tritoma, strikingly resembles the larvae of the Chrysomelidae in its thick fleshy and spotted body, the larva of Triplax, figured by the last named author, bears, as he remarks, a strong resemblance to that of the genus Colydium, which we have placed in our aberrant group of Sub- clavicornes ; and the. larvae of Endomychus have beeu compared both to those of Silpha and Lampyris. Thus it appears that the position ot these families, separate and remote from the pentainerous Clavicornes, first assigned to them by Latreille, rests upon strong considerations ; and we may add that Lacordaire, one of the latest and highest author- ities upon the classification of this order, has virtually given his sanc- tion to this arrangement. For though his work had not reached the trimerous section, at the time of his death, it is evident, from his not including them iu the pentamerous series, that he had reserved them for this position. It is worthy of remark that the dilated and cushioned tarsi of these insects would seem to indicate a decided diversity of habit as compared with other fungus beetles which have simple tarsi. The most obvious explanation is that this structure of the feet enables them to adhere to the smooth surface of the boleti upon which they deposit their eggs and in which their larvae reside, whilst those beetles which subsist mostly upon the fungi which grow beneath the bark ot decaying trees, require no such provision. 180 THE ORDER OF OOLEOPTERA. The following table gives the principal distinctive characters of the two families of this tribe : A. Tarsi apparently 4-jointcd, sometimes 5-jointed; antenna; usually shorter than the head and thorax, and with a club of from three to six joints; maxillary palpi usually terminated by a wide securiform joint. Thorax convex : Erotyltm;. A A. Tarsi apparently 8-jointed, sometimes 4-jointed. Antennae usually as long as the head and thorax, or longer, with the two or three terminal joints slightly enlarged; maxillary palpi nearly cylindrical, labials sometimes enlarged at the end. Thorax usually with three depressions at the base, and with a wide lateral margin Endomychid,®. Family LXII. EROTYLID^E. This is a family of moderate extent founded upon the genus Erotylus, of .Fabricius, a term borrowed directly from the Greek, and meaning friendly or pleasing — probably in allusion to the contrasted colors of many of the species. They are of moderate or small size, only a few species of Dacne and Erotylus proper attaining to half an inch in length, whilst the great majority are less than a quarter. The most common coloration is a red thorax with black, or black and red elytra, or the reverse ; but some species are unicolorous. (Fig. 90.J Cypherotylus Bojsduvalj, Chev.: — a, b, larva, side aud back views; c, d, pupa, under and upper sides; e, beetle, natural size ; i, antenna ; j, palpus; g, tarsus from below ; li, terminal joint of same from above— after liiley. The leading characters have been given in the preceding table aud iu the general description of the tribe. We will only repeat here that the two principal characters by which they are distinguished from other fungus-eating beetles are their widened tarsi, covered beneath with a dense brush of hair-like papillae, with the last joint but one usually bilobed, and the form of the terminal joint of the maxillary palpi — which with a few exceptions is broadly triangular, whilst the pentame- rous and heteromerous fungivorous beetles have slender tarsi, at most loosely haired on the under side, and the palpi of the same width throughout, or, in some of the Diaperidae, a little widened at the end. These insects usually inhabit the fungi which grow upon trees, but we have found several species of Lauguria upon flowers, especially the umbellifera. TRIMEROUS FUNGUS-BEETLES* 181 A. Body elongate and parallel ; olub of antennae 5 or 6-jolnted ; tarsi 4-jointed ; palpi not dilated ; eyes finely granulated Langubia. A A. Body oval ; club of antennae 3-jointed, rarely 4-jointed. B. Tarsi 5 jointed; palpi not dilated ; form oblong oval Dacnr. B B. Tarsi 4-jointed ; 3d joint of maxillary palpi strongly dilated ; form oval or short oval. C. Eyes large and coarsely granulated Ischyuus. C C. Eyes moderate, finely granulated ; size small Triplax. Langwria, Latr., contains about a dozen N. A. species. The most com- mon is the L. bicolor, Fab., upwards of a third of an inch in length, blue-black except the thorax, which is dull-red with a black spot on the middle. The L. Mozardi, Latr., is similar but smaller ; the elytra have a greenish tint, the antennse and thighs are reddish at base, and the thorax is without the black spot on the disk. Dacne, Latr., contains five species of very unequal size. The name is derived from the Greek dakno — to corrode. The Dacne heros, of Say, is two-thirds of an inch in length or upwards, black with two broad, dull red bands across the ely- tra. The D.fasciata, Fab., is similar, but only about half an inch long, and the bands are of a lighter and brighter color. The D. 4 maculata, Say, is only about one-tenth of an inch long, black, with two red spots on each elytron. Ischyrm, Lacord., — a term meaning robust — contains three species, the largest of which, the I. 4-j mnctatus, Oliv., is not uncommon. It is about a third of an inch long, light orange-red varied with black, and with a transverse series of four black dots on the thorax. The genus Triplax, of Paykull, — a term meaning threefold, in allusion probably to the three-jointed club of the antenme — is much more numerous in species than the others. Mr. Crotch enumerates eighteen species, a part of which he has placed separately under the generic term Oyrtotriplax — the prefix meaning convex — on account of their short ovate form, and the body not strongly punctured beneath. This distinction had already been made by Fabricius, who gave to those short convex species the name Tritoma, which seems to have been abandoned on account of its confused syuonomy. The species of Tri- plax are all small, being between one-eighth and two-tenths of an inch in length, and variegated with black aqd red. Cypherotylus, Cr., con- tains a single large and striking species, the Boisduvali, Chev. (Fig. 90), tolerably common in the Rocky mountain region of Colorado, where Mr. Riley has found its larva feeding on tree-fungi. Some of the species indicated are closely allied and are perhaps only varieties. Family LXIII. ENDOMYCHIIbE. This is a family of small extent, named from the genus Endomychus, Paykull, a name derived from the Greek endon — within ; and muchos — a concealed place — probably referring to the concealed habitations of these 182 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. fFig. 9i.j insects and their larvae in the substance of l Fi g- 92 -) boteli or tree-fungi. The most remarkable character of this family, as compared with the Coleoptera in general, is the diminution in the number of the joints of the tarsi, but o^endos^ychus 8 three joints being visible even in species of considerable size, with a scarcely perceptible rudiment of another joint at the base of the last ; all the joints except the last junuoauonuoi — / a After Kye. being dilated and cushioned beneath, and the second joint deeply bilobed. The antennae are usually longer than the head and thorax combined, and with the two or three last joints slightly en- larged. The thorax is almost square, and in most of the genera has a wide thin margin,' which is slightly turned upwards at the sides. A. Tarsi 3-jolnted. Length from one to two-sixths of an inch. B. Palpi clavate, thorax a little wider behind ; antennal club of three equal joints.. .Endomychus. B B. Palpi cylindrical ; thorax a little narrower behind ; antennal club indistinct, the last joint somewhat dilated and compressed Lycoperdina. A A. Tarsi 4 or 5-jointed. Length less than one-sixth of an inch. C. Thorax aboiit square; tarsi 4 -jointed. D. Anterior coxm contiguous Rhanis. D D. Cox® separated by the prosternum ; antennal club enormously dilated in the males: Phymaphora C C. Thorax wider than long ; size very small. E. Antennm II -jointed; form oval; body hairy Mycet^ea. EE. Antennro 10-jointed ; form globose; tarsi 5-jointed Alexia. Endomychus proper contains but one 1ST. A. species which closely re- sembles the E. coccineus of Europe. It is the E. biguttatus, Say— one- sixth of an inch long, black, with the elytra bright-red, with two black spots on each, the larger one near the tip. Lycoperdina , Latr., derived from Lycoperdon , a genus of fungi — contains many species which have been divided into several genera, or sub-genera, by more recent authors. The most common species is the L. vitatta, Fab., (or lineata , Olivier;) a quarter of an inch long, with three broad stripes on the elytra, the mid- dle one being common to both. The L. fcrruginea, LeO., is a little smaller, of a piceous or reddish-black color, with the head, legs and margins of the thorax and elytra brownish-red. The other genera con- tain but one or two species each. The two last genera are anomalous, and do not strictly belong in this family. iltlBE XXI. PLANT-LOUSE BEETLES. Trimera carnivora. Aphidipaga, Latreille. The rounded or hemispherical form of these insects, commonly known by the name of lady birds, and their dotted coloration, render them one of the most easily recognized of all the families of Coleoptera. Their PLANT-LOUSE BEETLES. 183 three-jointed tarsi, and the broad hatchet-shaped terminal joint of the maxillary palpi, are their most distinctive organic characters. The tar- sal joints are always dilated and cushioned beneath, and the second joint is deeply bilobed. These insects seem to be specially appropriated to keeping in check the extensive families of plant-lice, both the leaf-lice {Aphides), and the bark-lice ( Coccides ), upon which they feed voraciously, in both the imago and the larva states ; and they are also known to devour the eggs of other insects. Mr. Westwood refers to some observations which go to show that they must sometimes subsist upon vegetable food, and I have seen the Coccinella 15-punctata, Oliv., with its head deeply immersed in a ripe raspberry, implying that they sometimes feed upon the juices of ripe and succulent fruits; but such cases are rare and exceptional to their general habits. It is not uncommon to find branches of trees thickly covered with the scales of bark-lice, almost every one of which has been torn open and its occupant destroyed by these predaceous in- sects. The larvae are oblong, blackish grubs, and are usually thickly beset with spines, which are also furnished with smaller spines or prickles, giving them, when magnified, a formidable appearance. These, as is the case with other larvae, are much more voracious than the perfect in- sects. When about to pupate they suspend themselves by the tail to a leaf or branch, and either push the larval skin upwards, where it re- mains shrivelled about the point of attachment, or remain within it till they emerge in the beetle form, when it bursts open upon the back and permits the enclosed insect to escape. This tribe of beetles is composed of the single family of Ooccinellidae. Family LXIV. COCCINELLIILE. As this family is co-extensive with the tribe to which it belongs, we have only, in treating of it, to refer back to the remarks already made. In a systematic point of view the (Joccinellidaj occupy a remarkably anomalous and isolated position, in con- sequence of the apparent heterogeneousuess of their organic characters. Whilst having the rounded form of the plant-beetles, the clavate antennae of the scav- engers, and the dilated palpi of the fungus-beetles, they agree in food and habits with none of these, but resemble, in their predaceous habits, the pentamerous ground-beetles, and the soft-winged carnivora, all of ^\Treu"4FE which have their bodies more or less elongated, their Westwood. antennai filiform, and their palpi slendfer or but mode- rately dilated. Moreover, the reduction in the number of their tarsal [ Fig. 93. J nnPPTMPT T * . 1 nnlnn 184 THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. joints evidently places them at the extreme end of the order, whilst their predaceous habits ally them to the pentamerous carnivora which occupy the first rank in the perfection of their organization. The name Ooccinella is derived from the Coccus which produces the cochineal dye, and was suggested by the prevalence of bright red in the coloration of these insects. A. Antennae nearly a9 long as the head and thorax ; elytra almost always red dotted with blaolc ; length more than a sixth of an inch. B. Body somewhat oblong ; anterior margin of the thorax nearly or quite straight Hippooamia. B B. Body hemispherical ; anterior margin of the thorax more or less concave Coccineixa. A A. Antennas usually very short ; el 3'tra never red ; length almost always less than a sixth of an inch. C. Thorax deeply hollowed in front so as to embrace the head ; color black, usually clotted or varied with red or white. D. Surface glabrous; black, dotted with red, or whitish. E. Margin of elytra wide and entire; size various Chilocorus. EE. Margin of elytra narrow and pitted, for the reception of the tips of the thighs; size email Hyperaspis. D D. Surface pubescent; black, sometimes varied or tipt with red Scymnijs. C C. Anterior margin of thorax nearly straight. F. Margin of elytra entire ; prosternum not advanced ; color white with black dots : P3YLL0B0RA. F F. Margin of elytra pitted ; prosternnm advanced so as to conceal the mouth ; color black without spots ; size minute (Eneis. Hippodamia, Chev., lias for its type the II. maculata, of DeGeer, the most common of all our Coccinellidai ; nearly a quarter of an inch in length ; scarlet-red with six large black dots on each elytron, two of which join those on the other elytron at the suture. About fifteen other [Fig. 94 . ] species have been indicated, most of which exhibit a t/l tendency to follow this type of coloration. Upwards fy of twenty N. A. species of Coccinella, Linn., have been 10 described and distributed in a number of sub-genera, J[ founded for the most part upon obscure or unimpor- hippodamiaconvkkuen8: taut characters. Chilocorus , Leach, contains the com- tic— after P K!iej“ n c ° mon G. bivulnerus, Muls., two-tenths of an inch long, black, with a red dot on the middle of each wing-cover, so useful in de- stroying the bark-lice of the apple tree, and of the pine leaf. The C. ( Exochomus , Redt.) tripustulutus, DeG., is similar but larger, with a red spot on each shoulder, and a spot on the suture behind the middle. Hyperaspis, Redt., meaniug literally covered by a shield, contains many species readily distinguished by their small size and their black color, dotted with red, or whitish. Brachyacantha, Muls., differs from Hype- raspis only in the presence of a minute spine on the outer margin of the anterior tibiae.* ' The separation of Megilla and Ceratomegilla from Hippodamia ; of My via nnd Oycloneda from Go*- einella ; of Exochomus from Ohilochorus ; and of Brachyacantha from Hyperaspis , under distinct gene- ric names, are examples of the modern tendency to the excessive multiplication of genera, often found- ed upon the most trivial characters. PLANT-LOUSE BEETLES. 185 Scymnus, Herbst, contains a considerable number of very small black species, easily recognized by their downy surface, and the usually tawny tips of the elytra, or margins of the thorax, characters which appear to have suggested the generic name, which literally means a young lion ; a name, however, which had already been given by Cuvier to a genus of fishes of the shark family. Pysllobora, Chev., contains the P. 20-mac- ulata, Say, a little species a tenth of an inch or less in length, readily distinguished from all our other Coccinellidae by its white color densely sprinkled with black dots. Two other and similar species have been described, which perhaps are only varieties. (Eneis, Mulsant, is repre- sented by the minute <23. pusilla, LeC., only a fifteenth of an inch in length, almost globular in form, and of a shining black color. The male has the head, sides of thorax and legs yellow. —24 CATALOGUE OF THE PRINCIPAL AUTHORS Who have written upon the Coleoptera, with special reference to the descri- bees of N. American species, or of their Natural History, and with the ordinary abbreviations of their names prefixed. Aub. Dr. Charles Aube, a French entomologist ; author of a general work upon the water-beetles, and of a Monograph of the Pselaphid®, 1834, and a Revision of the same, 1844. Aud. Jean Victor Audouin. M. D., Librarian to the Institute of France, and one of the Curators of the Jardin du Roi. An eminent French naturalist aud comparative anatomist. Author of many works from 1818 to 1830. Some of his most valuable writings are his Memoires upon the anatomy and physiology of Insects and other Articulata. Beauv. or Pal de B. Palisot, Baron de Beauvois, a French entomologist. Author of a descriptive work upon insects collected in Africa and in America — 1805 and subsequently. Blanch. Emile Blauchard, author of a Catalogue of the Entomological Collection in the Museum of Nat. History of Paris, 1850, and of a large illustrated work upon the Metamorphoses of Insects. Bland. James H. B. Bland, describer of a number of N. A. Coleoptera in the Proceedings of the Ent. Soc. of Philadelphia. Boh. C. H. Boheman, author of a Monograph of the Cassidid® — 1850-62— and descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera. N. Mem., Natur., Moscow. Bon. Francisco Bonelli, professor of Zoology at Turin. An Italian Naturalist. His principal entomological work was a Memoir upon the Carabid®. 1811. Bkrnd. Emil Bi endel, M. D., of Peoria, Illinois. Author of several papers upon the Pselaphid®, with descriptions of new species, in the Proceedings of the Ent. Soc. of Philadelphia, 1865-66. Burm. H. Burmeister, a learned German entomologist. His principal work is the Handbook of Entomology, in C vols., 8-vo, 1832-47. The elementary part of this work has been translated into Eng- lish by W. E. Shukard, 1 vol., 8-vo, 654 pages, London, 1836. Ciiaud. Baron M. de Chaudoir, a Russian entomologist. Author of several memoirs upon the Caribid®, in which a number of N. American species are described. 1842-7. Cuev. A. Chevrolat, a French entomologist. Author of the Coleoptera of Mexico, and other writ- ings upon the insects of this order. Crotch, G. R., Cambridge. Mass. Author of Synopsis of the Dy tiscid®, Chrysomelidro, Erotylid®, Endomychid® and Coccinellidro of the U. S., published in the Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences, of Philadel- phia, and in the Trans. Am. Ent. Society. 1873; and of a Check List of N A. Coleoptora, 1874. Dalm. John Wm. Dalman, director of the museum at Stockholm. Author of various works upon different orders of insects. 1823-6. Deo. Baron Charles DeGeer, marshal of the Court of the Queen of Sweden, born 1720, died 1778. Author of a History of Insects, in 7 vols., 4-to, with plates, 1752-78. A work replete with accurate de- tails of the habits of insects, and forming a fit sequel to the similar work of Reaumur, the last volume of which was published ten years before the work of DeGeer was commenced. Dej. Count Dejean, peer of France and lieut.-general in the French army. Author of a catalogue of the Coleoptera in his own extensive collection; and of a general descriptive work in several volumes, from 1825 to 1831, which contains descriptions of many N. American species. Drur. Drury, an English goldsmith. Author of a finely illustrated work, in 3 vols., 4-to, con- taining upwards of six hundred and fifty colored figures of the rarer insects in his own cabinet, amongst which are many American species. 1770-82. Enlarged by Mr. Westwood in 1837. CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS. 187 Duk. Loon Dolour, a French physician and comparative anatomist. One of the principal authori- ties upon the internal structure of insects. Di m. Constant Dumeril, professor to the Faculty of Medicine and to the Jardin du Roi. An eminent French naturalist and comparative anatomist ; born at Amiens, 1774. Author of many works in different departments of natural history, among which was a work entitled General Considerations upon the Class of Insects. His works date from 1806 to 1830. Eu. or Ekiciis. William F. Erich son, of Berlin, in Prussia, lately deceased, one of the ablest writers of recent times upon the Coleoptera. His works are written in the German language. There is an- other author of the same name, G. F. Erichson, also of Berlin, author of the genera and species of the Staphylinidue. EsCH. Friedrich Eschsclioltz, a Prussian entomologist. Author of a zoological atlas, 1829, and a work entitled Entomographien, in the German language. Fab. or Fabr. John Christian Fahrioius, professor of natural history at Kiel, in Denmark. A pupil of Linnaeus, and one of the most eminent and voluminous writers upon insects ; born 1712. died 1807. Author of many works, and the original describer of a large proportion of the American insects known at that time. Fiscii. Gotthelf Fischer de Waldheim, director of the imperial museum at Moscow, Russia. Au- thor of numerous works, from 1801 to 1824. His principal work was the Eutomography of the Russian Empire, in 2 vola., 4-to, with splendid engravings. 1820-22. Fitch Asa Fitch, M. D., entomologist to the Agricultural Society of New York. Author of thirteen annual reports upon insects of New York, chiefly thoso injurious to agriculture. First report published in 1856. Dr. Fitch’s writings have contributed greatly to the dissemination of useful infor- tion upon the injurious insects of the United States. Foust. Dr. J olm Reinhold Forster. A uthor of a description of a Hundred Now Species of Insects, London, 1771, among which were a few N. American Coleoptera. Geoff. M. Geoffrey, a celebrated French physician and entomologist. Author of an Abridged History of Insects, 2 vols., 8-vo, with plates, 1764, and of a Description of the Insects in the Environs of Paris. Many genera of Coleoptera were first defined in these works. Glover. Townend Glover, entomologist to the Department of Agriculture, at Washington. Au- thor of numerous brief monthly reports upon injurious insects, and of an extensive series of plates, illustrative of North American insects in all the orders, but of which only those appertaining to the Orthoptera have yet been published. Gm. or Germ. E. Francis Germar, professor of mineralogy at Halle, in Prussian Saxony. Editor of the “Magazin der Entomologie,” 4 vols., 8-vo, 1813-21, and of the "Jnsectorum Species Novte,” 1 vol., 1824 — an accurate describer of many genera and species of Coleoptera. Grav. J. L. C Gravenborst, a German entomologist. Author of a Monograph of the Staphyliuidm, 1806, and of a Nosology of the genus Ichneumon, 1814— a standard authority upon these two families of iuseots. Gueii. M. Guerin-Meneville, a distinguished French entomologist. Author of Species and Genera of the Articulated Animals, 1843 and subsequently; and editor of the Magazine of Zoology, and of the Zoological Review. Gyll. L. Gyllenhal, a Swedish naturalist. An original describer of some of the genera which con- tain American species. Author of ‘•Iusocta Suecica,” 1827. Hald. S. S. Haldeman, an American naturalist. Author of a large number of memoirs in various branches of natural history, and original describer of many N. American Coleoptera, mostly betwoon the years 1842 and 1852. Harr. Thuddeus Wm. Harris, M. D., librarian of Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachu- setts, a distinguished American entomologist. Author of a Treatise on Insects injurious to Vegetation, 1st edition 1852, 2nd ed. 1862, and author of many other valuable contributions to American entomology; horn 1795, died 1856. It is a matter of lasting regret that the exacting requirements of his office of librarian prevented Dr. Harris from giving to the world, in a connected and systematic form, the re- sults of his long and enthusiastic study of insects in all their orders. Hextz. N. M. Hentz, professor at Chapel Hill University, North Carolina. Author of a Mono- graph of the Spiders of the United States, published in the 21st volume of the American Journal of Science, 1813, and describer of a number of N. American Coleoptera. Hust. J. F. W. Herhst, originally a preacher at Berlin, Prussia, born 1743. A voluminous writer upon insects. One work, in 10 volumes, was devoted wholly to the Coleoptora, 1785 to 1806. Another of his works is a Monograph of the genus Papilio. All his works were illustrated by colored plates. Hoffgg. Count Hoffmansegg, a learned naturalist of Saxony, and a zealous patron of the sciences. Author of various memoirs in Illiger’a Magazine and elsewhere. 1S8 CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS. HOPE. Rev. F. W. Hope, an English entomologist, possessor of a fine cabinet of insects. Author of the Coleopfcorist’s Manual, 1837. Most of his original descriptions are in the family of Lamellicorn beetles. Horn. George H. Horn, M. D., of Philadelphia. Author of a Revision of the Tenobrloukho of America, north of Mexico, 1870, and of Synopses of the Historid.e and Bruchida) of the U. S., 1873, and other memoirs upon N. American Coleoptera. Ilug. I. C. G. Illiger, professor at Berlin, an eminent naturalist, second only to Limnens in the felicity and elegance of his nomenclature. Though he died in middle life, his works extonded to 13 vols., 8-vo, embracing all departments of natural history. His most extensive work is his Magazine of Entomology, in 7 vols., 8*vo, 1801*1807 Klltn. Rev. "Win. Kirby, rector of Barham, England, an eminent English entomologist. Author of various works upon different orders of insects. His most important work was an Introduction to En- tomology, in 4 vols., 8-vo., by Win. Kirby and Wm. Spence, 1st edition in 1815. This was for many years the principal elementary work upon insects in the English language. Mr. Kirby was also author of that part of the Fauna Boreali-Aiuericana which treats of insects, 1vol., 4-to, 1837, in which many N. American insects, chiefly Coleoptera, are described. Knocii. A. G. Knoch, a German entomologist. Author of the Neue Beitraogo zur Insectenkunde, 1 vol., 8-vo, 1801. Lacord. Theodoro Lacordaire, professor of zoology and comparative anatomy in the University of Liege, .and chevalier of the Order of Leopold. A very eminont French naturalist and entomologist, recently deceased. His works extend over a period of upwards of forty years, among which was an Introduction to Entomology, published as a part of the Suites a Button, 2 vols., 8-vo, 1834-38. But the crowning work of his life was the Genera des Coleopteres, in 10 vols., 8-vo, the last volume of which was not completed at the time of the author’s death, on the 18th of July, 1870. Lap. M. de LaFerte-Senecterro, a French entomologist. Author of an elaborate monograph of Anthicus and allied genera, 1848. Lai*. F. L. de Laporte, a French entomologist. Author of Etudes Entomologiques, 1835, and othor works ; original describer of a number of genera and species of N. A. Coleoptera. Lat. or Latk. Pierre Andre Latreille, professor of the museum of natural history, in Paris ; born at Brives, Franco, in 1762. A very eminent French naturalist, sometimes styled the prince of entomo- logists. The genius of this celebrated author illuminated every department of the science of entomo- logy* embracing all the classes of articulated animals. His labors extended through a period of about thirty years. The first of bis numerous publications bears the date of 1800. His three principal works are : a Natural History of Crustacea aud Insects, 6 vols., 8-vo, 1802-5 ; Genera of Crustacea and Insects, 4 vols., 8-vo, 1806-7 ; and the department of Crustacea, Araclinida and Inseots, in Cuvier’s Animal King- dom, 2d edit., 1828. Leach. W. E. Leach, an English physician and naturalist, one of the curators of the British mu- seum. Author of numerous memoirs upon all the classes of the Articulata, and editor of the Zoological Miscellany, 3 vols., 8-vo, 1817. LeC. John L. LeConte, M. D., of Philadelphia— the principal American authority upon North- American Coleoptora. Author of a classification of the Coleoptera of North America, 1 vol. 8vo. 1861-1873 ; and of many articles upon the different families of Coleoptera, from 1844 to the present time ; aud original describer of a large proportion of the North American species in this ordor of in sects. Dr. LeConte’s father, Major John LeConte, was also a zealous entomologist, joint author with Boisduval of a General History of North American Lepidoptera aud'their Caterpillars, of which but one volume was published, in Paris, 1833 ; and author of a monograph of North American Histeridm, in the Boston Journal of Natural History, 1845. Linn. Charles de Linne, usually written in the Latinized form of Linnajus. Professor of Natural History at Upsal, in Sweden. Born in 1707, died 1778. One of the most eminent of naturalists, and founder of the modern system of nomenclature, both in Natural History and Botany. His name is stamped upon almost everj' page in the nomenclature of plants and of every department of animated nature. Ho was the author of nineteen distinct works, the principal of which were the “Species Plantarum,” and the “Systeina Naturae.” First edition 1735; 13th edit. 7 vols 8vo. 1788. MacL. W. S. MacLeay, an English entomologist, a learned and philosophical writer upon in- sects and their classification. Author of the Horae Entomologies, 1 vol. 8vo. 1819, and other works. Mann. C. G. Mannerheim, Counsellor to the Emperor of Russia. Author of a monograph ol the Encouemida), 1823, and of a New Classification of the Staphylinida?, 1830, and of several memoirs in the Bulletin of the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, in which species from Sitka and Cali- fornia are described, 1843-46. Mars. S. A. de Marseul, a French Entomologist. Author of an elaborate monograph of the Histe- ridae, 1853-1860; and of a catalogue of the Coleoptera of Europe, 1866. CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS. 189 Melsh. Friedrich Ernst Melalieiraer, M. D., a zealous contributor to American Entomology ; died recently at Davidsburg, in Pennsylvania, March 10, 1873, at the advanoejr&ge of nearly ninety- one years. Author of the tirst general catalogue of Colooptera published in the United States, 1806, which was revised and enlarged by LeConte and Haldeman in 1853. Also, author of many papers in the 2d and 3d volumes of the Proceedings of the Acad, of Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia, in which upwards of four hundred and fifty species of N. A. Colooptera were first described. ELis father. Rov. E. F. Melsheimer, was also an enthusiastic entomologist and a co-laborer with Thomas Say, the foun- der of descriptive entomology in the U. S. Mots. Victor de Motschulsky, a Russian entomologist. Author of Etudes Entomologiques, 2 vols. 8vo. 1853-61 ; and of a work on the Coleoptera of Siberia. Muls. E. Mul&ant, a French entomologist. Author of a monograph of the Coccinellidie, 1850, and other works. Newm. Edward Newman, an English entomologist. Author of a Grammar of Entomology, 1835; and of an Illustrated Natural History of British Moths, 1869, and editor of the Entomological Maga- zine, in which a considerable number of American Colooptera are described. Oliv. Antoine G. Olivier, Professor of Zoology to the Veterinary School of Alfort, in France, born 1756, died 1814, a distinguished French naturalist Author of a Natural History of Insects, 5 vols. folio with colored plates, confined to the Coleoptera, 1789-1808 ; also of the department of insects in the Encyclopedic Mothodique, 5 volumes, and other works ; the original (lescriber of many North American Coleoptera. Pack. A. S. Packard, Jr., M. I)., of Salem, Massachusetts. Author of a Guido to the Study of In- sects. 1 vol. 8vo. 715 pages. 1st edition 1869, 3d ed. 1873; and author of various papers upon North American insects in the different orders. Pan/,. G. W. F. Panzer, a physician of Nuremberg, and a learned entomologist, born in 1755. Author of various works upon different orders of insoots, published between the years 1796 and 1813; useful works of reference at the present day on account of the accuracy of the colored figures. Payk. Gustavus PaykuU, counsellor to the King of Sweden, an able and accurate entomologist. Author of a Fauna of Sweden, 3 vols. 8vo. 1800, confined to the Coleoptera, and author of various memoirs upon insects, and also upon birds. Peck. 'William Peck, Professor of Botany in Harvard University. Prof. Peck was the author of several papers upon the natural history of certain species of injurious beetles and other insects in the Mass. Agric. Repository and Journal, 1819, and elsowhero. Putz. J. Putzeys, a French entomologist. Author of a monograph of Clivina and allied genera, 1846, and other raomoirs. Rand. John W. Randall, author of two papers on Coleoptera in the 2d volume of the Boston Journal of Natural History. Reaum. R. A. Ferchault de Reaumur, one of tho most eminent of the older French naturalists ; born 1683, died 1757. His labors were directed to many different departments of science, but his most important work and that which makes his name familiar to the entomologists of the present day in his memoirs upon the Natural History of Insects, 6 vols. 4to, with plates, 1734-42. This admirable work is a treasury of interesting and aoourate observations upon the natural history of insects, from which all subsequent authors have freely drawn. Riley. Charles V. Riley, State Entomologist of tho State of Missouri. Author of a series of val- uable illustrated annual reports upon insects, chiefly those injurious to vegetation. First report pub- lished in 1869 ; the sixth report published in 1874. Also joint editor with Mr. B. D. Walsh of tho American Entomologist, 1868-69, which was continued by Air. Riley after Mr. Walsh’s death to De- cember, 1870. Rog. W. F. Rogers, of Philadelphia. Author of a synopsis of North American Chrysomelides, 1854 ; since deceased. Say. Thomas Say, a distinguished American naturalist, and founder of descriptive entomology in the United Slates ; born 1787, died 1834. Author of the American Entomology, 1 vol. 8vo. illustrated by colored figures, executed by his wife ; and of many doscriptivo momoirs upon North American in- soots in all the orders. These papers have boon collected and edited by Dr. J. L. LeConte, in 2 vols. 8 vo. 1859. Sen. or Sciken. C. J. Scliamhorr, a learned Swedish entomologist. Author of an extensive work on tho synonyms of iusects, in many volumes from 1806 to 1817. Also author of an elaborate work on the Genera and Species of tho Curculionidm, in which many American species were first described ; one of the leading autliuritns in this extensive family. Siiimeu. Dr. Henry Snimer, of Mount Carroll, Illinois. Author of several papers upon Coleop- tora and other insects, iu tho American Naturalist, and in tho Trans, of tho Am. Ent. Society. Sol. M. Sober, a French entomologist. Author of several essays and memoirs upon tho Coleoptera, published mostly in the annals of the Entomological Society of France, 1840-48. 100 CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS. Stal. C. Stal, a Swedish entomologist. Author of a recent review of American Chrysomelides, in the Transactions ot^he Swedish Academy. Uhlril P. R. Uhler, Assistant Librarian of the Peabody Institute, Baltimore. Author of descrip- tions of a few species of Coleoptora, but chiefly known as a writer upon the Hemiptera , and Ortliop- tera. Walsh. Benj. D. Walsh, Stato Entomologist of the State of Illinois, for the years 1868 and 1869. He died from a railroad accident on the 18tli of November, 1869. Author of one official report, in 1868. Editor of the Practical Entomologist, 1865-67, and joint editor with Mr. C. V. Riley, of the American Entomologist, 1868-69 ; and author of various papers upon insects in scientific periodicals. Mr. Walsh was an able and enthusiastic entomologist. Web. Frederick Weber, a German naturalist, Professor at Kiel. Author of “Observationes En- tomological, " 1 vol. 8vo. 1801. His name appears as the original describer of a small number of North American Coleoptera. Westw. J. O. Westwood. Prof, of Entomology in Oxford University, England ; one of the most eminent entomologists of the present day. Author of many able works and memoirs upon insects in all the orders, many of which are illustrated by colored drawings. His most valuable work is the In- troduction to the Modern Classification of Insects, in 2 vols. 8v«., pages 462 and 745, with 133 blocks of figures inserted in the text, each containing about twenty outline cuts, illustrating all the orders of insects and the details of their structure. This admirable work, which was published in 1839-40, is now out of print, and copies are difficult to bo obtained. Ziegl. Rev. David Ziegler, author of descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera, in the Proceed- ings of the Acad, of Nat. Sciences, of Philadelphia, for the year 1844. Zimm. Christian Zimmerman, M. D., an able and accurate entomologist, who came to this country from Germany about the year 1832. He left many valuable notes upon the Coleoptera, in manuscript, but most of his descriptions of species have been superseded by more recent publications. Some of these papers have been recently published, with annotations, by Dr. LeConto, in the Transactions of the American Entomological Society, for tho year 1868. GLOSSARY, OR DEFINITION OF THE TERMS MOST COMMONLY USED IN DESCRIBING INSECTS. Abbreviated , shortened ; not reaching the end of a given part, Abdomen , the hindermost division of the body. See page 14. Abnormal, irregular, exceptional. Abrupt , sudden, not gradual. Acicular , needle-shaped. Aculeate , prickly. Acute . sharp-pointed. Adephagous, ravenous, predaceous. Annulate , furnished with rings. Antenna, (plural antenna;), appendagea to the head, commonly called the horns. See page 10. Apex , the terminal point. Approximate , near to, br near together. Apterous, without wings. Articulate , divided into joints. Attenuated, tapering. Base, the part furthest from the apex ; the base of the thorax is the part where it joins the elytra. Bifid , cleft ; cloven in two. Bilobate , divided into two lobes. Capitate , terminating in a little head or knob. Carinate , furnished with a keel or ridge. Cinereous, ash-colored. Clavate, club-shaped, enlarged towards the end. Claws, the pair of hooks at the end of the feet. Olypeus, the anterior margin of the head. Compressed, flattened laterally. Confluent, running into one another. Contiguous, touching each other. i Coriaceous, like leather, hard, but flexible. Corrugated . wrinkled. Coxa, the basal joint of the leg, (plural coxa.) See pages 14 and 27. Crenate , scalloped. Cylindrical, long and round, of the same thickness throughout. Decumbent, bending down. Deflected, bent down. Dehiscent, gaping, separated at the tips. Dense, thickly crowded. Dentate, furnished with acute teeth. Depressed, flattened downwards. Compare with compressed. Diffuse, spreading, not distinctly circumscribed. Digitate, finger-like, divided like the fingers nearly to the base. Disk, the upper middle part of a given surface. Distant, standing considerably apart. Compare with remote. Divaricate, spreading apart. 192 GLOSSARY. Dorsal, relating to the back. Elliptical, elongate-oval. Elytra, the wing-cases. Emarginate, notched. Entire, whole, not indented at the end or margin. Explanate, spread out, flattened, with a broad, thin margin. Exserted, protruded, exposed to view. Exterior , outer, outside of. Exuvice the cast-off skin. Falcate, sickle-shaped. Faacia, a colored baud, running croswise. Fascicle, a bundle. Femur, (plural femora ,) the thigh. See pages 14 and 27. Ferruginous, yellowish-red, like the rust of iron. Filiform, thread-like, slender, and of equal thickuess. Flexuous, waving, zig-zag. Fulvous, tawny, reddish-yellow. Fuscous, dark grayish-brown. Fusiform , spindle-shaped, tapering at both ends. Geniculate , elbowed, bent abruptly. Genus, an assemblage of species, or sometimes a single species, possessing peculiar and distin- guishing organic characters. Glabrous, smooth, without hair or down. Granulated, covered with small grains or minute rounded elevations. Gregarious, living in society or flocks. Habit, in the singular number is used scientifically to express the general aspect, of an Insect, in- dependently of particular characters; but in the plural, habits, it has the ordinary signiti cation of manners or modes of life. Heteromerous, having five joints in the anterior and middle tarsi, and four joints in the hind ones. Hirsute, clothed with stiff, erect hairs. Humerus, the anterior and outer angle of the elytra. Hyaline, transparent. Imago, the perfect insect, after it has passed through its preparatory transformations. Sec page 8. Imbricate, lapping over like the shingles on a roof. Immaculate , without spots. Immarginate, without an elevated rim or margin. Jncuion, the line of separation between the segments of the abdomen. Incrassatcd, thickened. Incumbent, lying upon. Interrupted , broken, not continuous. Involute, rolled inwards. Irrorate, marked with minute points. Labial palpus, the little jointed appendage attached to the labium. See pages 12 and 27. Labium, the lower or posterior lip. See page 11. Labrum, the upper or anterior lip. Seepage 11. Lamella , a thin plate ; lamellate. See page 11. Larva, literally a mask, the state of an insect next following the egg state. See page 8. Lateral , on the side. Laterally, side-ways. Laterilious, brick-colored. Ligula, the tongue. See page 12. Line , in measurement, the twelfth of an inch; in marking,* a very narrow stripe. Linear , long and narrow, and of equal width. Longitudinal, lengthwise. Lunate, half-moon shaped. Lutcous, deep yellow, like the yolk of an egg. Macula, a colored spot. Mandibles, the upper or anterior jaws. See pages 11 and 27. MaxiUce, the lower or posterior jaws. See pages 11 and 27. Maxillary palpus , the little jointed appendage attached to tho maxilla. Soe pagos 12 and 27. Mentum , the chin. GLOSSARY. 193 Mespslenmm, that part of the breast to which the middle legs are attached. See figure on page -7 lletastemum, the hindermost section of the breast, to which the hi, ft legs are attached See figure on page 27. MonUi/onn, like a string of beads. Mucronate , .terminated abruptly in an acute point. Necrophagous , feeding on dead animals or carrion. Normal , of the usual form, not exceptional. Ob, prefixed to a word reverses tlie position. (ibcordale, .inversely heart-shaped, that is, heart-shaped, will, the point directed doumvaid or backward. Obovate, inversely egg-shaped. See Obcordale. Obsolete, undeveloped, indistinct. Obtuse, blunt. Occiput, the hinder part of the head. Ocelli, the single eyes. See page 5. Oculi, the compound eyes. See page (>. Orbicular, round and flat, applied to a surface. Oval, somewhat egg-shaped, but with the two ends alike. ovate, egg-shaped, one end being narrower than the other. Oviduct, the instrument for depositing the eggs. Ovum, plural ova, an egg. l-almate, hand-shaped, cut in about half way to the base, like the fingers of The band. Palpus, plural palpi, little jointed appendages to the mouth. See pages 18 and 87. Parallel, having parallel sides of equal width throughout. Parasitic, inhabiting another animal, or living at its expense. Pectinate, comb-toothed. Pectus, the breast. Peduncle, a stalk or petiole. Pedunculated, attached at the end of a peduncle. Pentamerous, liaviug live joints iu all the tarsi. Penultimate, the last but one. Perfoliate, composed of transverse Battened joints, with the axis passing through the center. Petiolated. See pedunculated. Pieeous, pitch-colored, reddish black. Pilose, clothed with long flexible hairs. Compare with hirsute. Poisers , or halteres. See page 13. Proboscis, the sucker. Procumbent, lying flat. Compare with decumbent and incumbent. Prostermnn, the tore part of the breast, to which the anterior legs are attached. See page 27. Pubescent, downy, coated with almost microscopically fine hair or down. Punctured, marked with small impressed points or dots. Pupa, an insect in the chrysalis state, or that following the larva. Quadrate, square-shaped or nearly so. Remote, standing far apart. Reniform, kidney-shaped. Reticulate, like net-work. Rostrum, a beak, or prolongation of the head. Rufous, light-reddish. Rugose, wrinkled. Rypophagous , tilth-eating. Salient, projecting, prominent. Saltatory, leaping. Scrobe, the furrow on the side of the rostrum of the snout-beetles for the reception of the antenna*. Scutellum or Soutel, the top of the mosothorax, forming in the Coleoptera the small triangular piece between the bases of the elytra. Securiform, hatchet-shaped, broadly triangular. Sericeous , clothed with a line silicon pubescence. See Pubescent. Serrate, saw-toothed. Seepage 11. Sessile, attached by the whole width, not pedunculate. Seta, a bristle. Setaceous, bristle-like, sleuderand tapering. 194 GLOSSARY. Sinus, a hollow; a rounded notch. Sparse, scattered, opposed to dense. Spinous, armed with spines. Spiracle, a breathing pore. Sternum, the breast, or under side of the thorax. Stria, plural Strice, an impressed or sunken line. Striate, marked with striae. Sub, prefixed to a word diminishes its meaning, equivalent to somewhat. Sub-clavate, somewhat or moderately club-shaped. Sub cortical, living under bark. Subulate, awl-shaped. Sulcated, grooved. Tarsus, the jointed foot of insects. See page 14. Tergum, the upper side of the abdomen. Terminal, situated at the extremity. Tessellated, chequered. Testaceous, pale brick-colored. Tetramerous, having four joints in all the tarsi. Thorax, the middle division of the body. Tibia, the shank, that part of the leg betweeu the thigh and the tarsus. Tomentose, clothed with matted hair. Transverse, cross-wise. Transversal , having the width greater than the length. Trimerous, having three joints in all the tarsi. Trochanter, an appendage to the base of the thigh. See page 27. Trochantin, a small accessory or supernumerary joint sometimes Interposed the femur, in the anterior and middle legs. Truncate, cut off square at the tip. Tubercle , a little swelling or prominence. Venter, the under side of the abdomen. Villose, or villous, clothed with long soft hair. Vitta, a colored stripe running lengthwise. Compare with fascia. between the coxa and INDEX OF FAMILIES, SUB-FAMILIES AND GENEEA. A PAGE. Acalles 143 Acan thoderes 158 Acilius 51 Acmaeodera 95 Acuia3op8 156 Adelocora 98 Adotus 158 Agabns 51 Agatbidinm 63 Agonoderus 48 Agrapliua 137 Agrilua 95 Agnotoa 99 Alaus 98 Aleoclinra 73 Aucociiakides 72 Alexia 182 Allecula 119 Aurora 48 Anipliionyclia 158 Analeis 143 Anaspis 114 Anisodacfcylua 48 Anisotoma 63 ANISOTOMIDiE 63 Anobium 102 Anomala 89 Anoimua 169 Anthaxia 95 ANTIilCIDiE 116 Amhicns 116 Antbobimn 75 Antiioxomides 140 Autbonomua 140 Antboplmgus 75 A u tli ren via 60 A NTH R 1151 DAS 129 Antbribus 129 AI'UODIIDvE 81 Apliodius 81 Apion 142 Al’IOXIDES 142 Asemum 153 Asida 123 Ataxia 158 Atovueles 73 Atboua 99 Attageims 60 Attic i, abides 141 Attelabus 112 Anloniiiui 66 B Babia 169 Badiater 46 Bagous 140 PAGE. Balaxixides 14b JBalaninus 140 Bari diides 144 Barv notes 137 Baridius 144 Batyle •. .'.'.'.'.Ate Brmbidiides 49 Berosus 54 K'-ips !!'.!! 123 Blapstmus 123 Bledins 71 Blepbarida 171 Bolbocerus 32 Boletohius 74 Bolitophagus ... 125 Bostrichus 102 Braciiinides 44 Bracbinus 44 Brachyacantha 184 Brachybainus no Brachys 95 Bracby tarsus 129 Bradicellus 48 Brachydkredes 137 BRENTHIDJE .130 Brent nus 131 Bnail es 65 BRUCHED2E 128 Bruchus 129 B U PRESTIDAS 94 Buprestis 95 BYRRIlIDiE 62 Byrrhus 62 C Calandra 144 Cai.andrides 114 Calatbus 43 Calleida 44 Callidium 154 Calligrapha 166 Calopteron 105 Calnsouia 43 Cant bon 80, 81 CARABIDiE 39 Carabides 42 Carabns 43 Cardiophorus 98 Carpopliilus 59 Casnonia 44 Cassida no Cabbididks . .175 Oatogonus 65 Catops 57 Centrums. 144 CERAM BYClDiE 150 Cerambycides 151 Ceropbytum 98 196 INDEX TO FAMILIES, ETC, PAGE- PAGE- CETONIIDiE 89 Ceutorhynchides 143 Ceutorhynchus 143 Chstoonema 172 Cbalcaphora 95 Deamocerus 156 Deamophora 158 Diabrotica 171 DIAPE RED JE 125 Diaperia 125 Cblamys 199 (JhoBritliam 81 Chrysobothris 95 Diplotaxis 87 Ditoma 66 Donacia 163 Chrysomela 186 CHllYSO MEDDLE : - ■ 161 Dorchascliema 158 Dorcua 77 C ICINDELID.E 38 Cicindela 98 Ciatola 119 CISTELID2E 116 C 1 .EONIDB 8 .-.. 136 Cleon ua 136 CLERIDAJ 108 Clerua 169 Clivinia 43 OlytuB 134 Cocclnella 183 COCCINELLIDiE 181 CfEUODKS 113 Cselogaater 143 Colaspis 166 COI.YDUDA5 66 Ctriydinm 66 Droiuiua 44 Dryopthorua 145 Dvnaates t 84 DYNAST IDAS 81 Dyaohiriua 43 DvHonvcha 171 DYTlSCIDAS 50 Dyti8cua 51 E Eburia 154 Elaphidion 154 Elaphrus 13 CONOTItAGIlBUDES 142 Conotraohetue 142 COPRiDJS 80 ELATERIDi® 06 Eleodea 123 Corymbetea 99 Coscinoptera 169 Endalna 140 E NDOM YC II ID AS 181 Coaaonua 145 Enopliuin 109 Criocephalus 153 ekotyl'id® : i80 CrYptocephalides 168 Eugnamptua 14- ( VR V PTftlP H A GIDiK 62 Oryptophagua 62 CKYPTOUII YNCHIDE8 142 Cryptorhyncliua 143 CUCUJlDiE 65 Cucujua 65 Cuppa 103 CUTESID2E 103 F Kidla '66 Cycbrua 43 ('yxbjcophala 85 C Y LI X UUOItH INI I JES 137 Cymatodera 109 Cymindis 44 1) Gr Gnlernca Gaatiophyaa Gaurotea Duaytoa 108 .Dknuuoiue* 117 Geotr tinea ; Jr ( ; EOTRITTD/E 81 Giuptoileitt. 1,1 197 INDEX TO FAMILIES, ETC. PAGE. Gymnetia 90 Gynandropus 48 G'YIUNID/E 51 Gyriuus 51 Gyrophiona . 73 H Haliplns 51 Harpaudbs 47 Harpalus 48 Heilipua ; 139 Helluomorpha 44 Helopborus 54 HELOPIDES 122 Helops 123 Heteraapis 166 Heterocerus 52 Hippndaraia 184 Hippopais 158 Hispides 174 Hister 59 HISTERID2E 58 Hololepta 59 Homalota 73 Hoplia 87 Hoplocephala 125 Horia 115 Hydaticus 51 Hydnocera 109 Hydrobiiis 54 HYimOPHILIDIE 53 Hydrophilua 54 Hydroporus 51 Hylaates 146 Hylesinua 146 HYLOBI1DE8. 139 Hylobiua 139 Hylo trapes 154 Hylurgus 146 Hyporaapia 1H4 Hypocyptua 74 Hypolampis 171 Hypophlceus 124 I XpS 60 laohyrua 181 Ttbycerus 136 1th YCE RIDES 130 L Labidoiuera 167 Laccophilos 51 Lachnopus 137 Laclmosterua 87 Laimopblceus 65 LAGRLLDvE 113 Lagria 113 «Lamides 156 LAMPYRID2E 104 Lampyrideb 105 laiuguria 181 Larinus 138 LATH RtDIIDuE 66 Lathridiuiu 66 Latbrobium 71 Lftbia 44 Lciopus 158 Leiatotrophua 69 Lerna. 1 165 Leptopsidks 136 Leptostylua 158 Leptotraebelua. 44 Leptura 156 Leptu RIDES 155 Lepyrua. 139 Lautova 75 Lichnanfch© Ligyrua Liiuonius Liatroderea Lithnchari8 Lixides Lixua Longifcaraua LUCANID^E Lucanus Lucidota Ludiua Luperus Lycoperdina Lycides Lyons Lymantea L'ViMIOX Yr.ONID.E Lymoxylon Lytfca 87 84 99 137 71 138 138 171 77 77 106 , 98 171 182 105 105 145 103 103 .115 M Maorodactylua 87 Madams 144 Magdalinides 138 Ma*;dalinu8 139 Malacbiua 108 Mallodon 151 Melanactea 99 Melandrya 120 MELA>?DRYIl)iE 119 Melanopbila 95 Melanotua 99 Melaaia 98 Meloe 115 MELOIDiE 114 MELOLONTHIDiE 86 MELYRIILE 108 Meracantba 123 Metaobroma 166 Motonius 95 Miororhopala 174 Molorcbua 156 Monocrepidiua 99 Monobainmua 158 Monouyobua 143 Mordella 114 MORDELLlDiE 113 M ycetaja. 182 llVCHTOPHAGIDiE 61 Mycetophagus 61 Mycetoporua 74 Mylabns 129 Myocoryna 167 Myaia 184 N Nebria 43 Necrobia 109 Necrodkb 58 Neorophorus 57 Nematodes 98 N emognatb us 115 Nitidula 59 N1TIDUL11LE 59 Notiopbilus 43 Notoxus L1C O Oberoa 158 Ocypua 69 Odontota 174 GCdemeia 118 CEDBMERIDJff 118 (Ediouyohia 171 (Eneia 184 198 INDEX TO FAMILIES, ETC. PAGE. Olophmm 75 Omaliides 75 Omalium 75 Omopliron 43 Oncideras 158 Onthophagua 81 Oodea 46 Ophryaatea 137 Orcheaia 120 Oreheatea 141 Orchestides 141 Orcheafcria 171 Oraodacna 165 Orfchoaoina 151 Oainoderma 90 Oaorina 71 OnnocEPHALiDEs 138 Otidocephalua 138 OT10KH YNCH1DBS 137 Otiorliy nchna 137 Oxyporua 69 Oxytelides 70 Oxytelua 71 P Pachujpua Pacliyta Piederus Palarniuua Panagania Pandeleteiua Pansoopns Parandra. PARNID.E Parous Paaiuiachua Paaaalns Patrobua Pedbiudks Pederus Pedilus . Pelecyphorus. . . . Pelidoota Pent lie Phffidon PHALACIilDi'E Phalacrua Phengodea Philonthua Phlceophagus Pbotinua Photuria Phyllobrotica Phyaochnemimi. . Phyaonofca Phytobiua Phytceoia PiBBOdes Plaglodora Platycerua Platydeiua Platyuua Platyoinua Platypus Pu'CllllB Polydroaua Polyphylla. PorpnyVaapia ... Praaocuris Pbionides Prion ua PSELAPHIDA2. Paelaphua Paenocerua Paeudoraua. Paylliodea Pttyllohora PteroBtiohus Ptilinufl PTINIDiEt 137 156 . 71 71 . 46 .137 136 151 .166 . 52 . 52 43 78 . 48 . 71 71 117 123 . 89 120 .166 . 63 63 .106 . 69 .145 . 106 .106 .172 154 176 143 158 .139 166 . 77 125 48 137 146 48 137 87 176 166 151 151 76 . 76 158 143 172 .184 . 48 . 102 101 TAGE. Pfcinua 102 Pyrochroa 117 P Y ROCHROIDzE 116 Pythidre 119 Pytho 119 R Rhagium 156 Khanis 182 Rbinoncua .143 KHIPIPHORID2E ...117 Khipophorus 117 Khizophagus 59 Rhyuiaphora 182 Rhyncliites 142 Rby uchophorua 144 Rbyucolua 145 R CITE LID iE 88 8 Salpingus 119 Saperda 158 Saprinua 59 Sax in is 169 SCAPIIIDIID/E 58 Scapbidium 58 Scantea 43 SCAIUTIDRS 43 SCOLYTIDAC 145 SoolytUB 146 Scraptia 120 SCYDM2ENID2E . 64 Scydmaanua 64 ScymnuB 184 Soiiea 87 SeiTopalpus 120 Silia 107 Silpha 57 SLLPHID2E 57 Silvanua 65 Sinodendron 78 Sitonea. 137 Spalaoopsia 158 Spbonopborus 144 SpbeuostetbuB 151 Sphoaridiuin 54 ST A PHY LINIDitC 67 Staphylinua 69 Steuaapia 155 Stem joes 72 Stenlspa 174 Steuolopbus 48 Stenopterus 156 Stenoatola 158 Stcnua 72 Stilicua 71 Strang alia 156 Stngoaerma 89 Strongylium 123 Snophosomus 137 STYLOPID/K 117 Sty lops H8 Suniua 71 Synch) ta - 66 Synchroa 120 Syneta 465 Syatena 171 T Tachinua Tachypo rides. Taohyporue . . . Tacbyuaa Tanymechua . Tklbi’horides, 74 74 74 73 137 107 199 INDEX TO FAMILIES, ETO. Telephorus Tenebrio TE N E 13RION ID/E Tetraopes Tetratoma Tetropium Tefcrops Tbvlacites Tomicus Toxotus Tragosonia Treohns Trichine Triohodes TRIO HOP TEJRYGEDiE Tricliopteryx Triplax TROGID2E Trogosita TROGOSITID.E Tropidores Trox Tyloderes Typopborus PACK ...107 ...123 ...122 ...158 ...120 ...155 ...158 ...137 . . . 109 ...140 ...156 ...151 ...48 ...90 ...109 ... 63 ... 63 ...181 ...83 ... 64 ... C4 ...129 ...83 . . . 137 ...166 PACK U Uloma. 124 Ui.omides 1*23 Upis 123 y Valgus X Xautholinus 69 Xanthonia ico Xenoe ng Xylophilue no Xyloryctes j>4 Z Zeugopliora Zopherua Zygogramma 165 123 166 1 ERRATA. Page 86, for “loafeta" read “leaflets.” wherever it occurs. Page 117, for “heteromerous bark-beetles” read 1 ' parasitic-beetles, ' ' in the heading. Page 156, for “Mulorchus” read “Molorchus,*' iu the table. Page VIII, for "Coleopteras” read "Coleopteree, ” iu the note.