Proceedings of 

 the United States 

 National Museum 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION • WASHINGTON, D.C. 



Volume 114 1963 Number 3474 



WEEVILS OF THE GENUS MAEMACTES 



By David G. Kissinger 



Maemactes is a small weevil of the subfamily Cryptorhynchinae 

 whose members are known from southwestern United States, Mexico, 

 Guatemala, and Peru. The biology of the species is unknown, and 

 individuals of the genus are rare in collections; 30 specimens were 

 available to the author for study. This paper presents a key to the 

 species, describes two new forms, and indicates a new synonymy. 



The taxonomy of the genera of this subfamily is very difficult. 

 Some characters that will aid in distinguishing Maemactes from other 

 cryptorhynchine genera are: pygidium somewhat exposed ventrally 

 in both sexes when abdomen is in a normal position; metepisternum 

 narrow and imperfectly separated from metasternum; sternal crypt 

 extending into mesosternum; sternite 2 longer than sternite 3; claws 

 simple, free; funiculus of antenna seven-segmented; elytra truncate 

 at base and with tenth stria abbreviated; scutellum minute; functional 

 wings lacking; outer margin of tibia at most slightly carinate and not 

 crenulate or toothed. 



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