274 Bionomics of Weevils 



shoulders but continuing of equal width for two-thirds of their length, 

 then gradually tapering towards the extremity which is oval. The 

 shoulders are moderately prominent. When viewed from the side the 

 elytra are seen to be almost level along the back. 



Pubescence and sculpturing. The pronotum is covered with medium 

 sized punctures rather closely placed. It bears numbers of pale coloured 

 setae, the points of which are directed anteriorly and only very slightly 

 raised. These setae increase in size towards the anterior margin of the 

 pronotum. Sparingly distributed amongst the setae are scales which 

 vary in colour in the different specimens, being reddish ochreous, 

 brownish ochreous or greyish ochreous. These scales are larger and more 

 closely placed in a line along the middle and on a broader band on either 

 side, thus giving rise to light dorsal and sub-dorsal stripes. The scales 

 are moderately large, spatulate and forwardly directed. 



The elytra have distinct punctured striae, the interstices being 

 marked by very minute sculptured dots. The elytra are closely covered 

 with scales similar to the pronotum but backwardly directed. The 

 scales are of varying colours and are frequently arranged in alternate 

 stripes of light and dark, silvery grey or silvery ochreous. Evenly inter- 

 spersed with the scales are light coloured setae, flat, and backwardly 

 directed; but becoming longer and slightly more raised towards the 

 extremity of the elytra. These setae are paler and more conspicuous on 

 the alternate striae corresponding with the colour of the scales forming 

 the light coloured stripes. 



The sides and under-surface of the body are clothed with whitish 

 grey scales which are frequently tinted with pink. They are larger than 

 those on the dorsal surface and of various shapes and are interspersed 

 with flat setae on the sternites of the thorax and abdomen. 



The legs. The femora are black but reddish at the base and extreme 

 apex, clothed with pale ochreous scales and long pale setae, the tibiae 

 and tarsi are light brownish red clothed with long white setae. 



The antennae are rather long and slender, brownish red with fine 

 pale hairs. 



External Sexual Differences between Male and Female. 



The sexes can be distinguished by examination of the posterior 

 abdominal segments. The differences are most apparent when the elytra 

 and wings have been removed, but it is possible to differentiate live 

 specimens by exami nation of the ventral surface only. On the dorsal 

 surface of the abdomen in both sexes eight tergites are present. The 



