STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 19 



Magdalis armico/Ns, Say. Elm-tree Curculio. 



This species, which is of a reddish or rusty color, is about one-fifth of 

 an inch long, and is distinguished chiefly by having small spines at the 

 front angles of the thorax. The larva inhabits the elm, but farther than 

 this nothing, so far as I am aware, is known of its history, but it doubtless 

 is similar to M. olyra, Herbst, which inhabits the oak, burrowing be- 

 neath the bark, where, according to Dr. Packard, it may be found in May 

 in all its stages. The larva of the latter species, which is probably similar 

 to the former, is a footless grub, as are all the larvte of the curculios, with 

 the first three segments somewhat larger than the others. 



Spec. Char. Imago, Say. — Body rufous ; anterior thoracic angles with small spines. 

 Body reddish or rusty, punctured ; head punctured ; an oljsolete impression between the 

 eyes; a dilated, impressed, abbreviated line over the insertion of the antenniv, some- 

 times obsolete or wanting ; thorax with much dilated confluent punctures; a polished 

 longitudinal line near the middle; anterior angles with small, erect spines, of which 

 the anterior one is the largest ; posterior angles slightly excurved, anterior and lateral 

 margins dull rufous ; elytra light rufous, profoundly striated ; striix- with approximate 

 punctures; thighs with a robust spine beneath, near the tip. 



Length from the eyes to lip of the elytra one-fifth of an inch. 



Thorax, and l)eneath, excepting the feet, black. 



Very closely allied to Magdalis barbita. Say, a species which is entirely black, 

 whereas the elytra of the armicollis are always rufous. 



Hylobius pales, Herbst. Pales-weevil. 



This species is of a deep chestnut brown or black color, with whitish 

 spots or partial bands on the wing-cases, and about one-third of an inch 

 in length. The thighs are toothed on the under side, and the snout, 

 which is about as long as the thorax, is bent down, perpendicular or 

 nearly so. 



The larva?, which are similar to those of other weevils, live in pine 

 trees, beneath the bark, burrowing into and devouring its inner surface 

 and the tender, newly formed wood, often doing much damage in pine 

 forests. Wilson, the ornithologist, who has described the destructive 

 operations of this species in the forests of South Carolina, suggests the 

 protection and preservation of the wood-peckers as a means of counter- 

 acting it, as they hunt for and destroy vast numbers. 



Spec. Char. Imago. — Snout nearly straight, directed perpendicularly downwards;, 

 slender, cylindrical, and nearly equal in size throughout, very slightly enlarged at the tip. 

 Antenna; with the basal joint as long as the rest of the antenna?; strongly elbowatl, and 

 the club at the end somewhat globular; inserted near the tip of the rostrum. Thorax 

 cylindrical, smaller in front than behind, expanded and dilated in the middle, slightly 

 narrower than the elytra; distinctly and closely punctured ; a slight median line visible. 

 Elytra slightly rounded at the shoulders; striate with large, regular punctures in the 

 strire, of which there are eleven on each wing-case. Tibia; with a distinct spur or spine 

 at the tip. General color a dark brown, almost black, with three obscure, interrupted, 

 oblique, whitish lines on each wing-case, which run from the inner margin, behind the 

 middle, outward and forward toward the outer margin ; there is also an indistinct, 

 whitish line in advance of these, which runs from the middle of the anterior line 

 mentioned, forward and inward toward the inner margin ; these lines are more or less 

 interrupted, and appear to be made up of quadrate, whitish dots. Under side dark, with 

 numerous minute, short, pale hairs. 



