550 FAMILY III. - CURCULIONIDJE. 



middle of thorax; beak strongly swollen above the insertion of 

 antennae; thorax without raised spaces as in most Sphenophorus ; 

 mesostermmi narrower than in allied genera; second joint of 

 tarsi densely hairy beneath like the third. The two known species 

 occur with us. 



860 (8978). RHODOB^XI'S TEEDECIMPUNCTATUS 111., Schneid. Mag., V, 1791, 

 613. 



Elongate-oval. Body beneath black; above red with black spots, five on 

 thorax, the median one fusiform, and four on each 

 elytron; the elytral spots often more or less con- 

 fluent, specimens sometimes occurring with the 

 entire surface black, margined at sides with red. 

 Beak black, two-thirds as long as thorax, sparsely 

 and finely punctate, coarsely so behind the antennae. 

 Club oval, its apical half convex, hairy and sensi- 

 tive. Thorax longer than wide, feebly constricted 

 near apex; sides in front distinctly curved, behind 

 subparallel; disc finely and sparsely punctate. Ely- 



Fig no a Beetle v *' tra * s * :r ^ 8e fi ne > with small, remote punctures; in- 

 b, side view of same, tervals flat, smooth. Length 7 10 mm. (Fig. 



(After LeBaron.) \ 



. ) 



Common throughout Indiana ; April 17 Oct. 6 ; taken especi- 

 ally in the axils of the leaves of ironweed (Vernonia), in the 

 stems of which it is said to breed. Throughout New Jersey in July. 

 Occurs over the entire United States. Known as the "cockle-bur 

 bill-bug," as it often breeds in the stems not only of that vile weed, 

 Xantliium coin-mime Brit, and other species of Santhium, but 

 also in those of many other Composite, as joe-pye weed, leaf-cup, 

 sunflower, thistle, greater ragweed and rosin-weed. Hibernates 

 in the adult stage, the newly bred imagoes appearing in August 

 and September. 



Several varieties based on color alone have been described. 

 The two best known are : 



R. pulchellus Schon., in which the spots at the end of each elytron 

 are enlarged and coalesce so as to cover the whole tip. (Fig. 119.) Com- 

 mon everywhere with the typical form and scarcely deserving a varietal 

 name. 



R. quinquepunctatus Say, elytra wholly black except a narrow reddish 

 stripe along each side; central spot of thorax often united behind with the 

 two basal lateral ones which are obliquely merged. This is a common form 

 in the Southern States. Sanford and Titusville, Fla., April; not rare 

 on a species of thistle. 



861 (8979). RIIODOB.ENUS PUSTULOSUS Gyll., Schon., 1837, 923. 



Oblong-elliptical. Above brownish-red or piceous, thickly mottled 

 with small round, grayish-white spots; beneath black with a dense yellow- 



