290 



COLEOPTERA 



amongst the most perfect of Insects ; their external structure (as 

 shown by Eugnoristus monackus, Fig. 147) being truly admirable. 

 Only four families of Ehynchophora can be at present 

 accepted as satisfactory ; one of these Curculionidae includes 

 an enormous majority of the whole series. Though it is probable 

 that it will ultimately be divided into several families, the 

 attempts to that end that have already been made are not 

 satisfactory. 



Fam. jBO. Anthribidae. Palpi usually not covered, but dis- 

 tinct and flexible. Antennae often long, not elbowed, the first joint 

 not very long. Third joint of tarsus small, usually much concealed 

 Toy being embraced by the second joint. Pygidium exposed; pro- 

 pygidium deeply grooved in the middle. This family includes 800 

 or more species, which are mostly tropical ; it is very sparsely 

 represented in the faunas of Europe and North America. It is 

 quite distinct from Curculionidae with which it was formerly 

 associated. It contains many graceful Insects having a certain 

 resemblance with Longicorns on account of the large development 

 of the antennae. The habits and meta- 

 morphoses are but little known. It 

 seems probable that many species find 

 their nutriment in old wood or boleti. 

 The larvae of some genera (Cratoparis 

 and Araeocerus) have legs, but in others 

 the legs are wanting, and the larvae are 

 said to completely resemble those of 

 Curculionidae. In the larva of our 

 tiny British species, Choragus sheppardi, 

 the legs are replaced by three pairs 

 of thoracic, sac-like pseudopods. This 

 Insect makes burrows in dead branches 



FIG. 148. Platyrhinus lati- n f horvthn,,,, Thp larvap nf thp o-pnim 

 rostris, Anthribidae. Britain. C 



A, the perfect insect ; B, Brachytarsus have been ascertained to 



prey on Coccidae. 



Fam. 81. Curculionidae ( Weevils'}. The beak of very variable 

 length and thickness; the palpi small, nearly ahvays concealed 

 within the mouth, short, and rigid. Labrum absent. Antennae 

 of the majority elbowed, i.e. with the basal joint longer, and so 

 formed that when it is laterally extended the other joints can be 

 placed in a forward direction. This enormous family includes 



