June, I920.] XlCOLAV AND WeISS : ThE GrOUP TrACHES. 137 



are tropical. The Brachys are confined entirely to the Americas and 

 Kerremans lists 94 species, 46 of which he knew. The genus Taphro- 

 ccrus is restricted to the New World, 38 species being listed, 18 of 

 these being known to Kerremans. 



In the following treatment the original description is included after 

 each species, but where this is very brief or vague it is followed by a 

 more complete account. 



Key to the Gexera. 



1. Scutellum large, triangular, tibia; dilated Pachyschelus 



Scutelluni small, tibiae linear - 



2. Body ovate, presternum obtuse behind Brachys 



Body elongate, prosternum pointed behind Taphrocerus 



Pachyschelus Solier, 33-313. 

 Mcfoiiiiis Say, 36-264. 



Broad, triangular in form; scutellum large, triangular, smooth; 

 thorax widest at base tapering toward head ; eyes convex, moderately 

 prominent ; head large with a faint to distinct longitudinal impression 

 along the median line; antennas short, 11 -jointed; elytra punctate with 

 a large marginal depression posterior to the humerus and a fainter 

 one between the scutellum and humerus; legs retractile, tibi?e dilated 

 usually sulcate for the reception of the tarsi which are short ; pro- 

 sternum broad, almost truncate behind ; ventral surface impunctate ; 

 ventral thoracic surface grooved near margin for reception of an- 

 tennaj ; puliescence short and sparse. Our species are black with an 

 reneous lustre or bluish. 



\'ery little appears to be known concerning the biology of the 

 genera Pachyschelus and Taphrocerus. Burke in 1917 stated that so 

 far as known no larvae of Taphrocerus had been collected and sum- 

 marized the distribution and habits of members of the Pachyschelus 

 as follows : " Eastern States, leaf miner in leaves, Hicoria ? , Quercus ? , 

 and Lcspedeza." According to the same author, the larva of Pachy- 

 schelus can be characterized as follows: "First segment narrower 

 than following, body tapering both ways from about the middle, more 

 acute at the posterior end, spindle-shaped. Head comparatively small 

 more or less retracted into the first segment of a body composed of 

 13 fairly well defined, flattened segments; antennrc medium sized and 



