296 



COLEOPTERA 



length and sleuderness of some of its forms, and for the 



s 



extreme difference in the sexes that frequently exists. It 



well represented in the tropics 

 only, and very little is known 

 as to the natural history and 

 development. These beetles are 

 stated to lie wood-feeders, and 

 no doubt this is correct in the 

 case of the majority of the 

 species ; but Mr. Lewis observed 

 in Japan that Zemioses celtis and 

 Cyphagogus segnipes are pre- 

 d;iceous, and enter the burrows 



of wood-boring Insects to search 

 fiG. 150. JSupsalis mmuta. Aorth 



America. A, Larva ; B. pupa ; c, for larvae as prey : they are 



female imago; D, head of male. (After veiy much modified ill Structure 



to permit this ; and as the other 



members of the group Taphroderides are similar in structure, 

 it is probable that they are all predaceous. Nothing what- 

 ever is known as to the larval history of these carnivorous 

 forms. Indeed an uncertainty, almost complete, prevails as to 

 the early stages of this family. Eiley has given a sketch of a 

 larva which he had no doubt was that of .#///> W/.s minuta, the 

 North American representative of the family ; if he is correct 

 the larva differs from those of Curculionidae by its elongate form, 

 and by the possession- of thoracic legs : these, though small, are 

 three-jointed. Descriptions, supposed to be those of Brenthid 

 larvae, were formerly published by Harris and Motschoulsky ; 

 but it is now clear that both were mistaken. 



In the higher forms of Brenthidae the rostrum of the female 

 is perfectly cylindrical and polished, and the mandibles are 

 minute, hard, pointed processes placed at its tip. This organ is 

 admirably adapted to its purpose ; it being used for boring a hole 

 in wood or bark, in which ;in egg is subsequently deposited. The 

 males in these cases are extremely different, so that considerable 

 curiosity is felt as to why this should be so. In some cases their 

 head is thick, and there may be no rostrum, while large powerful 

 mandibles are present. 



In other cases the rostrum is slender, but of enormous 

 length, so that it may surpass in this respect the rest of 



