182 SCARRED SNOUT-BEETLES. 



FAMILY OTIORHYNCHIDAE. 



{Scarred Snout-beetles). 



This family contains a large number of snout-beetles. 

 Their most distinguished characteristic is the presence in the 

 pupal state, and sometimes also in recently matured adults, of an 

 appendage on each mandible, and in the adult state a scar indi- 

 cates the place from which the appendage has fallen. This scar 

 is on the anterior face of the mandible, and frequently at the tip 

 of a slight process. (Comstock). 



Most of our species are more or less ornamented with scales 

 resembling those found upon the wings of butterflies. This is 

 very prominent in tropical species, where such scales are fre- 

 quently of metallic colors, and are exceedingly beautiful, and on 

 that account are utilized by microscopists for forming baskets 

 filled with flowers of difi^erent shapes and colors ; such baskets 

 are so minute as to become plainly visible only under a strong 

 lens. 



Among the beetles forming this family we possess several 

 species which are more or less injurious to fruit-producing plants. 



THE IMBRIC.\TED SNOUT-BEETLE. 



( Eplcaerits iiiibricatus Say). 



This rather omnivorous beetle, gnawing holes in various 

 garden vegetables, is also found on the apple and cherry, injuring 

 them by eating holes in the twigs and fruit. It is by no means 

 common in our state, but destructive in others, hence requires the 

 attention of our fruit-growers. It is a very variable beetle, but 

 usually of a dull silvery- white color, with darker markings ; some- 

 times two light-colored bands extend across the elytra, which 

 are striated with longitudinal rows of deep round pits. This 

 beetle can readily be recognized by the peculiar shape of the pos- 

 terior end of the elytra, which is very steep, cut off almost square- 

 ly, and ends in a sharp and pointed elongation. If it should ever 

 become more numerous than it now is, it can be kept in check 



