58 ADEPHAGA. \Zahrina, 



ZABRINA. 



The gemis Zabrus is placed by Schaum, Lacordaire, and other authors 

 in the Pterostichina ; it is, however, an intermediate genus, and is best 

 regardeil as forming a separate tribe between the Harpalina and the 

 Pterostichina ; it possesses, as Dr. Horn remarks, strongly marked 

 characters of each of these tribes, but is abundantly distinct from either 

 by the structure of the anterior tibiiB ; the head and thorax are akin to 

 those of the Harpali, while the elytra and anterior tarsi belong rather to 

 Pterostichus. 



ZASaUS, Clairville. 



This genus comprises a considerable number of species which are 

 chiefly found in the Europeo-Mediterranean countries, including Asia 

 Minor, Syria, and the district reaching to the Caspian Sea. The Zaljri 

 are said both in their larval and perfect state to do considerable damage 

 to grain crops. The larva is figured by Westwood (Classif. i. 67, Fig. 2, 

 6), and by Sturm (Insect. Deutsch., PI. xcviii.) : it is of the ordinary 

 type, long and flattened, with the segments of nearly equal breadth 

 except towards the apex of abdomen, where they become narrower ; the 

 body is said to be of a more fleshy consistence than usual ; the cerci are 

 rather short, and the muscular impressions of the scuta well marked ; 

 according to Germar these larvae bury themselves in the earth during the 

 day-time several inches deep, and come out to feed at night ; they remain 

 in the larval state for about three years, and then form for themselves an 

 oval cavity in the earth, sometimes two feet deep, whence they emerge 

 in the perfect state in about a month. The perfect insects do considerable 

 damage by climbing up the cornstalks and opening the husks of the 

 . grains, and devouring the interior ; it would appear, however, that they 

 are in part carnivorous, and not entirely vegetable feeders. Several of 

 the Harpali and Amarje seem to resemble them in their habit of feeding 

 on the seeds of plants, the pith and stems of grasses, &c. 



Z. g-ibbus, F. {piger, Fourc, tenehrioides, Goeze). Convex, deep 

 black, occasionally with a feeble metallic tinge ; antennce and palpi 

 ferruginous ; thorax transverse, slightly narrowed in front, sides almost 

 straight behind, posterior angles blunt right angles, base rather broader 

 than extreme base of elytra, coarsely and strongly pvmctured in front and 

 behind, disc much wrinkled ; elytra broad, parallel, with strong punc- 

 tured strise; femora black, tibiine and tarsi reddish. L. 14-16 mm. 



Very local, but occasionally common; corn-fields, &c., under stones, and on grass 

 and corn-stems at dusk ; Sheerness (abundant at times), Cliatbam, Walmer, Crovdon, 

 Ivicbmond, Sandown ( [sle of Wight), Hytbe, Brighton, Dover, Worthing, Colchester, 

 Overton (Hants), &c.; also recorded by Stephens from Cambridge. 



PTEROSTICHINA. 



This tribe, as here characterized, contains our three genera, Sfa)uis, 



