Bruner : South Ami rican I .< >< usts. i:;l 



Another thing, which adds somewhat to the confusion of the student 

 of these insects, is the fact that some individuals of the same species 

 become imagoes with their fourth molt, while others go through an 

 additional molt, which results in a much larger, but not necessarily 

 more mature-looking individual. Frequently the spines on the two 

 margins of the hind tibia? of a single individual may vary a dozen or 

 even more as to number. 



In their food-habits these insects seem to be general feeders, al- 

 though when better known it may be ascertained that some of the 

 genera and species prefer special plants. 



For the convenience of future students of the family the annexed 

 synoptical key of genera has been translated and modified from 

 Brunner von YVattenwyl (Verh. d. k. k. Zool.-Bot. Gesell. in Wien, 

 1890) who was the first and only entomologist who attempted a 

 monographic revision of the family. Possibly at some future date the 

 present writer may attempt another revision of the group, provided a 

 sufficient amount of material can be secured to form the basis of such 

 a study. 



Synopsis of the Genera of Proscopid.*:. 



A. Tarsi provided with a pulvillus. Claws simple, acuminate. Rudimentary 

 wings wanting (except in the genus Ancholala). 

 b. Pronotum cylindrical, not separated from the presternum. 



c. Antennae in both sexes twice as long as the rostrum, the first joint being 

 about equal to the eyes in length. (Posterior tibiae above, internally 

 13-20-spined, externally provided with an apical spine.) 



Prosarthria Brunner. 



cc. Antennae a little longer than the rostrum, or in the female shorter than 



it, the first joint about one-half the length of the eyes. 



d. Posterior tibiae above without an apical spine on the inner margin. 



Anterior legs inserted at or near the middle of the pronotum. 



e. Posterior tibiae above provided with an apical spine on the 



outer margin. 



/. Rostrum in both sexes straight. Anterior legs inserted 



in the middle, or slightly in advance of the middle, of 



the pronotum. Posterior femora moderately robust. 



Proscopia Klug. 



ff. Rostrum bent downward. Anterior legs inserted a 



trifle back of the middle of the pronotum. Posterior 



femora at base very robust Apioscelis Brunner. 



ee. Posterior tibiae above without an apical spine on the external 

 margin. 

 /. Posterior tibiae entirely unarmed below. Rostrum in the 



