536 



AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY 



families, the bark-beetles and timber-beetles, in which the beak is 



either wanting or extremely short and broad. 



The most distinctive features characterizing this series of families 



are the following: the suppression of the gula, the gular sutures being 

 confluent (Fig. 657, gs); the absence of sutures 

 between the prostemimi and the epistema and 

 epimera; the meeting of the epimera of the pro- 

 thorax on the middle line behind the prostemum 

 (Fig. 657, em)\ and the palpi being usually short 

 and rigid. 



A volume entitled "Rhynchophora or Weevils 

 of North Eastern America" was published by 

 W. S. BlatchleyandC. W. Lengin 19 16. This work 

 includes descriptions of the then known species 

 found in this region, with analytical keys, and 

 many figures. 



Family BRENTID^ 



The Primitive Weevils 

 Fig- 657- 



This family is confined chiefly to tropical re- 

 gions; only six species are found in the United States, and but one of 

 these in the North. 



The northern brentid, EUpsalis minUta. — In the female the head 

 is prolonged into a slender snout ; but in the male the snout is broad 

 and flat, and is armed with a pair of powerful jaws 

 (Fig. 658). These are weapons of offence, for the males 

 fight desperately for their mates; and too, the males 

 are generally larger than the females. In these respects 

 these insects resemble the stag-beetles, the males of 

 which also fight for their mates. 



The northern brentid is found beneath the bark 

 of recently felled or dying oak, poplar, and beech trees, 

 in the solid wood of which the larvae bore; and is 

 widely distributed over the United States and Canada. 



Family PLATYSTOMID^* 



The Fungus Weevils 



This fp,mily includes a small number of snout-beetles in which the 

 beak is short and broad, and the labrum is present; the antennas 

 are not elbowed, and the terminal segments rarely form a compact 

 club; the palpi are flexible; and the prothorax bears a transverse 

 elevated ridge at or near its base. 



The larvas of many species infest woody fungi, others breed in the 

 smut of corn and wheat, and still others bore in dead wood. The 



*This family is the Anthribidas of many authors. 



