ATTELACIDAE. 431 



Side pieces of mcsosternum transverse, solid, ascending between 

 the prothorax and elytra. Side pieces of nietasternum wide. 



Fterocolus ovatius is found in the Atlantic region from Michigan 

 and Massachusetts to Florida. It is easily known by its robust 

 form and beautiful blue color. 



Fam. LXXYL— attelabidae. 



Mentum very transverse, short, trilubcd, sa])ported on a 

 very large quadrate gular })eduncle; ligula and palpi small. 



Maxilla3 exposed, lobes small, palpi rigid, -i-jointed. 

 Mandibles flat, pincer-shaped, rather stout, toothed on the 

 inner side. 



Antenna? inserted rather on the upper surface than at the 

 sides, straight, 11-jointed; first and second joints stouter, 

 9-11 larger forming a loose elongate club covered with sen- 

 sitive surface. 



Head prominent, not deflexed, eyes oval, finely granu- 

 lated, not prominent; beak short and stout, thicker at the 

 end beyond tlie insertion of the antennas; antennal grooves 

 short and broad. 



Prothorax truncate before and behind, convex ; prosternal 

 sutures not distinct, coxal cavities confluent, rounded. 



Mesosternum- flat, declivous, triangular, pointed behind; 

 side pieces short transverse, diagonally divided, epimera not 

 attaining the coxa?. 



Metasternurn short, side pieces wide. 



Elytra not covering the pj^gidium, sejiarately rounded at 

 tip; epipleuras narrow but distinct; inner surface without 

 lateral fold. 



Abdomen with five short ventral segments separated by 

 deeply impressed straight sutures, intercoxal process acute; 

 fifth at the middle very short, being compressed by the in- 

 flexion of the ])ygidium; side margin not acute nor extended 

 upwards. Dorsal segments convex, almost corneous. Pygi- 

 dium small corneous, upper margin with a large deep mar- 

 ginal groove. 



Anterior coxj» conical, prominent, contiguous; middle? 

 coxae somewhat transverse, and a little ])rominent; hind 

 coxae transverse, nearly contiguous. 



Legs stout, tibiae serrate on the inner side, armed at the 

 tip with two strong hooks, which represent the spurs in the 

 two preceding families; tarsi dilated, brush-like beneath; 

 third joint deeply bilobed; claws connate at base. 



