BRUCIIIDAE. Sf,"? 



prosternum separating the epimera on the median line ; 

 the coxffi oval, moderately prominent, and with distinct 

 trochantin. 



Mesostcrnum short, separating the middle cox^e, which 

 are oval, not prominent, their cavities partly closed exter- 

 nally by the epimera. 



Metasternum moderate in length, never long, the side 

 pieces rather wide; posterior coxas transverse, narrowly 

 separated. 



Abdomen with five free segments, the first lontjer, the 

 mtercoxal process triangular. 



Elytra entire or truncate, pygidium alwaj's exposed, epi- 

 pleurge narrow, not entire; scutellum visible. 



Anterior and middle legs of moderate length, the femora 

 not dilated, the tibiae without spurs; posterior legs larger, 

 the thighs usually dilated and often toothed beneath, the 

 tibite often arcuate and broader toward the apex, which is 

 simply prolonged in front or furnished with two free spurs 

 (Spermophagus). Tarsi with the first joint elongate, and 

 with the two following clothed with dense spongy pubes- 

 cence beneath, the third joint deei)l3^ bilobed, fourth closely 

 united with the fifth; claws moderate, broadly toothed at 

 base. 



In all systematic works the Bruchidas are placed near the 

 Anthribidae of the Rhynchophorous series. Lacordaire (Genera 

 vii. p. 598), while following the example of his predecessors, 

 admits that the characters are ratlier those of the Chrjsomelidae ; 

 so closely are they related that he states his inability to separate 

 the two families sharply. From our knowledge at present the 

 BruchidiB may be defined as Chrysomelidffi with the submentum 

 distinctly pedunculate. The approximation of this family to 

 the AnthribidEe has resulted from considering Urodon a IJru- 

 chide, but the recent studies of M. L. Bedel liave convinced him 

 that Urodon is a true Anthribide by the structure of its head and 

 prothorax beneath. The Bruchid® on the other hand have the 

 structure of normal Coleoptera, and in the closure of the anterior 

 coxa! cavities the point of the prosternum attains the posterior 

 margin of the thorax beneath. 



The species of this family in their larval stage live in the seeds 

 of leguminous plants, and cause great injury at times to the peas, 

 beans, etc. 



