(Pa^e SS) 



Kaif. t!.. II, 124. - Drusllla Boisd. Lac. Fn. Znt. 1835, 554; t^uls. et Rey 

 Erevip. 1873, 90). 



The one single, to this ^enus belongin.^, and widely distributed North 

 and Middle European species differs not significantly in structure of mouth- 

 parts, mesothorax and tarsi from Myrraedonia , to which genus it often has 

 been assigned (Erichson, Kraatz). But the form of the body is much nar- 

 rower and more slender than in the true Myrmedonia . furthermore the head 

 is much more strongly constricted behind, the constricted portion more 

 neck-formed and scarcely half as broad as the head; the temples and jenae 

 not marginated. Pronotum is distinctly longer th^n broad and the elytra 

 peculiarly abbrevitited and rather flat, this is due to the species being 

 wingless. Abdomen is somewhat dilated posteriorly, its first three free 

 dorsal joints very strongly depressed at base; legs very slender. 



Several Astilbus species are found in South 3urope ; like our follow- 

 ing species they prefer semi-damp ground, and often occur in alluvium, are 

 occasionally also encountered with ants, but are seemingly not as a whole 

 60 decidedly dependent on the ant hill and its tennants as most of the 

 Wyrmedonlas. 



1. A. canaliculatus Fabr. 



(Fabr. Want. Ins. 1787, I, 221; iirichs. Kaf. Mk. br. I, 290; Zen. Spec. 

 Staph. 36; Kraatz, Ins. D. II, 129; Thoms. Skand. Col. II, 260; Muls. et 

 P.eyBr^vip. 1873, 93; Janglb. Kaf. M. II, 125). 



Elongated and narrow, very finely and sparcely haired; forebody feebly, 

 abdomen more strongly glistening. Light red-brown; the head and tiie two- 

 three next-last abdominal joints black; antennal base, mouth-parts and legs 

 reddl<;h yellow. 



-157. 



