FRUIT-EATING WEEVILS. 195^ 



lefrged Weevil [Bruchus rujiiiianus), the larva of wliicli resides 

 within beans and other similar seeds, is a genuine Briton, as are 

 the remaining six members of the genus. 



All our Bruchidas are little insects, but those of foreign coun- 

 tries often attain a considerable size. Such is the case with our 

 present example of the family, Carpophagus Banksii, which is 

 represented of its natural size. It is a native of Australia. The 

 generic name of this insect, signifying "fruit-eating," denotes its 

 habits, which are like those of the English Bruchidoe. 



In this insect the thorax is black and finely granulated, and the 

 elytra are dark chestnut, marked with a few slightly defined 

 longitudinal lines. They are ^^ 

 rather curiously formed, not 

 reaching to the end of tlie ab- 

 domen, but being cut away 

 diagonally on either side from 

 the suture to the outer edge. 

 The head is rather elongated 

 and slightly curved downwards, 



T . 1 . 11 Fig. 92. — Caipoi)hagus Bauksii. 



and the antennoe are placed (giack ti.orax, chestnut elytra.) 



near its tip. The legs are 



strong, especially the thighs, which are pear-shaped, tlie smaller 



end being jointed to tlie body, and the larger bearing the curved 



tibipe. 



The name of Bruchidse ought not to have been used for a 

 Beetle of any kind. It rightly signifies a larval locust, and is 

 derived from a Greek word which signifies " biting " or " grazing." 



The Anthribidce are represented in this work by two examples, 

 one of them showing the ordinary shape and appearance of the 

 insect, and the other the extravagance, if we may so call it, of 

 variation which is sometimes found in foreign Weevils. AVe 

 have eight British examples of Anthribidse, the best known of 

 which is the little Choragus Sluppardii, which has a habit of 

 skipping and hopping about when disturbed. This power of 

 jumping is the more remarkable because the thighs of the hind 

 legs are not thickened, as is generally the case with jumping 

 insects. 



The Anthribidffi are not so injurious as the Bruchidse, some 

 living in fungi, some in decaving wood, and others being found 

 ' 0^2 



