LONQ=HORNED BEETLES. 



CERAMBYCID^E 



The more than 13,000 species, in addition to the general 

 characteristics of Phytophaga, usually have very long 

 antennas, extending back of the pronotum and often 

 back of the tip of the abdomen. For this reason, they 

 are often called Longicornes or "Long-horns." Their 

 form is usually oblong, with parallel sides; and they have 

 distinct tibial spurs. When caught, the adults often 

 make a peculiar, squeaking noise. Sharp says they do it 

 "by rubbing a ridge inside the pronotum on a highly 

 specialized, striate surface at the base of the scutellum, 

 and therefore covered up when the Insect is contracted 

 in repose. A few [e. g. , some of the Prioninae] produce noise 

 by rubbing the hind femora against the edge of the elytra, 

 somewhat after the fashion of grasshoppers." The larvae 

 are white, or yellowish, wood-borers and have powerful 

 jaws; the body tapers slightly from the fore part backwards. 

 They are called Round-headed Borers, in contrast with the 

 larvae of Buprestidae. Although many of the adults come 

 to light, the "good species" are usually obtained by the 

 use of good eyes on felled timber or by beating branches, 

 especially dead ones, above an upturned umbrella. Some 

 are also to be found under bark. Large numbers, especi- 

 ally of Lepturini, are attracted in early summer by flower- 

 ing shrubs. The three 1 subfamilies may be separated as 

 follows : 



1. Pronotum "margined" (i. e., sides flattened and thin 

 for almost the whole length) and usually toothed along the 

 sides; body usually broad and flattened. Prioninae (p. 338). 



Pronotum not margined; body usually more or less 

 cylindrical 2. 



2. Front tibiae not grooved; last joint of maxillary palpi 

 not sharp at tip, often more or less triangular 



Cerambycinae (p. 338). 



Front tibiae with a more or less distinct oblique groove 

 on the inner side; palpi with the last joint cylindrical, 

 pointed at tip Lamiinae (p. 352). 



1 Craighead, following studies of larvae, makes five 

 subfamilies. 



22 



337 



