358 JOURNAL OP ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 3 



Anthononius nebidosus LeConte, and Anthonomus pallidus Dietz, both 

 bud weevils, from Crataegus to the apple. The proximity of grape 

 vineyards to woodlands containing- woodbine and wild grape un- 

 doubtedly gave rise to the two grape pests Ampeloglypter sesostris 

 LeConte, and A. ater LeConte. These examples might be multiplied 

 many times, and I expect to cite all such cases in a list of the breed- 

 ing habits of North American weevils now in preparation. 



The recent discovery of several new species of weevils which have 

 come into view as destructive to important crops is the reason for the 

 present article. Four of these weevils have been transmitted by State 

 Officials and it is due to them that descriptions be published so that 

 they may use the notes in their reports. The proper elucidation of 

 two of these weevils has necessitated a preliminary statement of a re- 

 vised classification of our North American weevils. As many months 

 of work is still necessary to the completion of this classification I can 

 but indicate the direction it will take. 



It has become necessary in the writer's opinion to drop the LeConte 

 and Horn conception of the classification of the Otiorhynchidte and to 

 return to Lacordaire, accepting the modifications proposed by Stierlin, 

 Sharp and other recent authors. It will be sufficient in the present 

 article to limit the subfamily Brachj^derin^, which is almost the equiv- 

 alent of Stierlin 's Brachyderini, to those weevils with linear scrobes, 

 directed beneath, contiguous anterior coxfe and prothorax without 

 vibrissae. The subfamily Otiorhynchinte is the equivalent of Stier- 

 lin 's Otiorhynchini and includes those weevils which have the scrobes 

 variable, never at the same time, linear and directed beneath. By this 

 system all of the wingless weevils with unequal abdominal segments, 

 scaly antenna? and underparts, and with simple claws are grouped 

 together in the Epicasrini. The result is a group of weevils of similar 

 appearance and with like biologies. Hence the economic treatment 

 becomes much simplified for we find that a few definite rules can be 

 laid down for the treatment of the whole tribe. 



Family OTIORHYNCHID^ 

 Subfamily' Brachy'derinae 



Tribe Epicfierini 



I. Side-pieces of mesosteruum very unequal, the episternum larger and attain- 

 ing the elytral margin, epimeron usually small, sometimes very small 



Group Epicceri 



a. Articular face of hind tibiae glabrous, support of deciduous piece mod- 

 erately prominent. 



