458 COLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Fam. LXXIX.-CURCULIONIDAE. 



Mentum varying in size, never concealing the base of the 

 maxillge, larger in the first sub- families and tribes, smaller 

 and oval in those last placed in this work, ligula and palpi 

 also varying in size. 



Maxillas exposed, palpi short, 4-jointed, rigid. 



Mandibles varying according to sub-family and tribe, as 

 mentioned below, but never with an apical scar. 



Antennas inserted at the side of the beak, varying in 

 position, usually geniculate (only feebly so in Ithycerus, 

 Cleonini, and Tachygonus), with the scape long (short in 

 Ithycerus and Tachygonus), straight in Apioninte ; funic- 

 ulus with from 5-7 joints; club composed of three joints 

 and a terminal appendix, annulated, rarely articulated, and 

 then divided into three joints ; surface usually entirely 

 sensitive, rarely (Pissodes, Lissorhoptus, Eurhoptus, Baris) 

 with the basal joint shining. 



Head globose, eyes usually transverse, sometimes round; 

 beak varying in form and length ; antennal scrobes wanting 

 in Apioninaj ; labrum wanting. 



Prothorax varying in form, without lateral sutures sepa- 

 rating the prosternum ; coxal cavities confluent or separate, 

 inclosed behind. 



Mesosternum variable in width, side pieces differently 

 divided according to tribe, never attaining the coxal cavity. 

 Metasternum variable in length, side pieces sometimes broad, 

 sometimes narrow, indistinct only in Trachodes. 



Elytra without epipleuras, but with an acute fold on the 

 inner surface, limiting a deep groove in which the superior 

 edge of the abdomen fits; pygidium sometimes covered, 

 sometimes exposed. 



Abdomen with five ventral segments, first and second 

 closely connate; p^'gidium of male divided so as to form an 

 anal segment. 



Front coxie rounded, sometimes contiguous, sometimes 

 distant; middle coxa? rounded, more or less separated; hind 

 coxae oval, not prominent, more or less distant, sometimes 

 attaining the elytral margin, but usually entirely inclosed. 



Legs variable ; hind trochanters long in Apioninae, short 

 in all others; tibise usually mucronate, or hooked at tip; 

 sometimes (especially the hind pair) truncate. Tarsi usually 

 dilated, with the third joint bilobed and spongy beneath, 

 rarely narrow. Claws varying according to tribe, either 

 simple or toothed, diverging and movable, or fixed and 



