118 COLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Uroup VI. — CoccidulEB. 



The front coxal cavities open behind distinguish the single 

 genus constituting this group from all the others, on first inspec- 

 tion. But in addition there are the following well-marked char- 

 acters : the body is oblong oval, pubescent, the head moderate 

 in size, the prothorax strongly transverse, but narrower behind 

 than at the middle, with hind angles well defined ; the elytra 

 oblong, elongate, nearly parallel on the sides to beyond the 

 middle, then rounded to the tip, finely and densely punctured, 

 with here and there indications of rows of larger punctures, the 

 epipleuree are narrower and do not attain the tip: the epimera 

 of the mesothorax attains the coxae rather widely; the meta- 

 sternal lines are absent, but the first ventral lines are well 

 defined, and extend more than half the length of the segment. 

 Ventral segments five ; legs but feebly retractile, tibiee not sulcate 

 externally for reception of tarsi; claws bifid. Antennoe extend- 

 ing to the base of the prothorax. 



One genus (Coccidula) represents this group, and of it, C. 

 lepida Lee. extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. It 

 is found on plants near water; of its habits and transformations 

 no observations have been made. The characters seem to us to 

 indicate an easy transition towards Endomychidse. 



We are doubtful if the American form should be considered 

 as distinct from the J]uropean C. sciitellata. It seems in any 

 event to be a circumpolar form, belonging to an earlier geological 

 period, as is already indicated by the expression of Chapuis, that 

 it is one "des formes de transition." 



Series II. — Coccinellid^ phytophagi. 



The form of the mandibles, which ai;e armed with several 

 teeth, is the only character which distinguishes \h\i series from 

 the genuine Coccinellidse. It consists of a single group, Epi- 

 lachnffi, of which three' species of Epilachna are the only represen- 

 tatives in our fauna. They are rather large, pubescent insects, 

 resembling in form Chilochorus more than any other genus. The 

 sides of the prothorax are but slightly curved and are broadly 

 explanate : those of the elytra are rather strongly reflexed : the 

 cpi pleurae are horizontal, broadly concave, but do not distinctly 



