AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 233 



• CTCINDELID^. 



The sexual characters of this family as a whole may be stated to be 

 as follows : 



Anterior tarsi dilated and last ventral segment deeply emarginate in 

 the males. 



Arnhh/chila is an exception to the above, having special characters 

 in the hind trochanter S . 



The Manticorini in both sexes have the middle tibife pubescent 

 on the outer side, the iMegacephalim and Cicindelini the males 

 alone have the middle tibiae pubescent, while in two species of Cicin- 

 dela {Dromochorus), Pilatei and maga, the middle tibite are o-labrous 

 in both sexes. 



With these preliminary remarks, the reader is referred to the special 

 characters of the genera and species. 



AMBLYCHII..4, Say. 



Male. — Hind trochanter elongate, oval and acute at tip, with one 

 moderately deep groove on the inner side and a trace of a second. 

 Last ventral segment broadly rounded at tip, and with a vague mar- 

 ginal groove and large setigerous punctures on each side of middle. 



Female. — Hind trochanter oval, very obtuse at tip, not grooved. 

 Last ventral segment slightly longer than that of the male, middle 

 slightly prominent with a sinuation on each side, and with a feeble 

 median longitudinal impression. 



To Mr. H. A. Brous, of Kansas, we are indebted for all that we at 

 present know of the habits o\' Amhlyehila. Having had the pleasure 

 of a visit from him, he has kindly furnished the following notes: 



This insect is nocturnal or crepuscular, rarely appearing before sunset or after 

 sunrise, except on cloudy and rather warm days. During periods of rain or 

 cold it remains concealed. Its hiding planes are holes usually excavated by itself 

 in clay banks where there is but little wash, otherwise the holes would be filled 

 up. They are solitary in their habits although several may live in close prox- 

 imity, but never in the same burrow, and from the fact that they are often 

 found mutilated it is probable that pugnacity is a highly developed trait. 

 In moving about they have a swaggering gait, with the antenna in constant 

 motion. 



They are like all the Cfcindelidae, predaceous, locusts and other insects fall- 

 ing an easy prey at night, although they have been observed feeding on excre- 

 mentitious matter. 



From what has been observed, and from the remains found, it is probable 

 that Avihlychila is by no n)eans rare, but its peculiar habits and mode of life 

 have caused it to be overlooked by all the collectors who have visited the 

 plains. 



TRANS. AMER. ENT. SOC. Y. (30) DECEMBER, 1876. 



