462 COLEOPTERA OP NORTH AMERICA. 



Sub-Family III.— ITHYCERIN^. 



This sub-family is represented by a single species, and is well 

 distinguished from all other Curculionidte by the following as- 

 semblage of characters. 



Mandibles prominent, not very stout, emarginate at tip, with 

 an inferior cusp; nientum large, quadrate, supported on a broad 

 iind short gular peduncle; ligula and labial palpi small. Beak 

 short, ' rather broad, one-half longer than the head, antennal 

 grooves wanting; eyes small, rounded, convex. Antennae not at 

 all geniculate; first joint scarcely longer than the second; third 

 longer than the second ; 4-8 gradually a little shorter and broader; 

 club small, oval pointed, annuiated. Side pieces of mcsosternum 

 diagonally divided; epimera not attaining the prothora.x; those 

 of metasternum moderately wide, slightly dilated in front. Ven- 

 tral segments nearly equal in length ; sutures straight, well 

 marked. Front coxEe contiguous, middle coxae narrowly sepa- 

 rated; hind coxfe transverse, narrow, attaining the side margin. 

 Legs moderate in length, slender, tibiae truncate at tip, with two 

 small terminal spurs ; articular surface terminal, well defined. 

 Tarsi broad, spongy, pubescent beneath ; third joint deeply bi- 

 lobed; claws divergent, armed at the middle with a small acute 

 tooth. 



Inner surface of el}' tra with the usual fold, commencing near 

 the po^thumeral sinuosity, running parallel to the margin as far 

 back as the beginning of the apical curvature ; apical' region very 

 finely scabrous, with a narrow marginal band of very fine golden 

 pubescence. 



In this sub-family the Curculionidte make the nearest approach 

 to the Rhynchitidae. 



But one species, Ithycerus noveboracensis, in the Atlantic 

 States represents this sub-family from Canada to Texas ; some- 

 times quite injurious to fruit trees by gnawing off the tender buds, 

 as is observed by C. Y. Riley (Third Report Ins. Inj. Missouri, 

 p. 57). The anal segment of the % is very convex and protu- 

 berant, so as to be visible from beneath, simulating a ventral seg- 

 ment. ,The pygidium is deeply grooved in both sexes, and pro- 

 jects beyond the elytra. 



