170 INSECTS AT HOME. 



punctured and striated, with wbite interstices between the 

 striae. These white lines form the distinguishing characteristic 

 of the species, which is apt to be very variable in other respects. 



The young entomologist must be very careful in handling 

 this and other scale-clad Weevils, as the scales are easily rubbed 

 off, so that nothing is seen but the dull-black of the elytra. 

 A roughly-handled Weevil is just as unfit for the cabinet as 

 a butterfly with the rich plumage rubbed from its wings. 



All the members of this genus are injurious to the crops, 

 especially clover and peas. The generic name of Sitones 

 (erroneously spelt Sitona by some entomologists) is a Greek 

 word signifying a corn-dealer, and has been given to the Beetles 

 in consequence of their influence upon the harvests. 



In the family of the Cleonidse, which comes next in order, 

 the beak is rather long and strong, and curved downwards in 

 some species with a very sudden bend. In the typical genus 

 the beak is larger than the head, and has the antennae set near 

 its end. The body is thickly covered with scales, and the 

 tibiae 4iave a strong spine at the tip. Some of the largest 

 British Weevils are found among the members of this genus, 

 one of which, Cleonus nebulosus, is represented on Woodcut 

 XVII. Fig. 5. As may be seen by the line which accompanies 

 the figure, this is quite a large Weevil, sometimes being four- 

 fifths of an inch in length. As is the case with all the members 

 of its genus, its body is covered with scales, which in this 

 species are of an ashen-grey. The beak is also clothed with 

 scales, with the exception of a ridge, or keel, which runs along 

 its centre. The thorax, which has a white streak on each side, 

 is punctured and wrinkled, with a short ridge in the middle, 

 and on each side a number of small tubercles. The elytra are 

 deeply striated and punctated, and have several spots and two 

 distinct bands denuded of scales, as may be seen by reference 

 to tlie figure. The reader will see from the markings on this 

 insect how necessary is precaution in handling Weevils, as at 

 a very slight touch the scales will fall off', and the distinctive 

 spots and bands be no more distinguished. 



These are all very hard-shelled Beetles, and require the use 

 of a needle-point in order to induce the fine entomological pin 

 to pass through their bodies. Their larvae feed upon the stems 



