314 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



The thh-d family Diaperid^*, (^fig. 37. 5. Diaperis boleti) is dis- 

 tinguished by the structure of the antennge (y?^. 37. 6*.), which are 

 inserted beneath the lateral margins of the head (^jig. 37. 6.), and are 

 short, and more or less perfoliated or moniliform, and gradually or sud- 

 denly thickened at the tips ; the legs are short, and formed for crawling, 

 with the tarsal joints simple and entire (7?<7. 37.9. anterior, lo. posterior 

 tarsus) ; the body is generally of a quadrate or rounded form ; the claws 

 are simple ; the head is not concealed ; the thorax is quadrate, trapezi- 

 form, or subcylindric ; the palpi in the typical genera are nearly filiform, 

 the terminal joint being scarcely enlarged {Jig. 31. 7. maxilla; and 

 37.8. labium of D. boleti). From the internal structure of Diaperis, 

 Hypophlaeus, and Boletophagus, as observed by L. Dufour, this 

 family is evidently closely allied to the Tenebrionidae, notwithstanding 

 the different structure of the antennae and larvae ; the genera Uloma 

 and Hypophlaeus apparently forming the passage between the two 

 families. 



These insects are generally found in boleti or fungi, growing upon 

 trees, &c., or under bark ; others, however, are met with under 

 stones. 



I have discovered the larva of Platydema bicolor Zap. and Br. 

 (Diaperis aenea Panzer), in company with the perfect insect, in consi- 

 derable quantities during the winter, under the bark of rotten stumps, 

 near Chiswick. The larva (j^^. 37. ii. natural size; 37. 12. magni- 

 fied) is of an oblong form, subconvex above, and narrowed at each 

 extremity, especially towards the tail, which is terminated by a very 

 minute joint, bearing two very short approximated spines at its 

 extremity, with an anal proleg beneath. The body is scaly, and of an 

 olivaceous colour, with a pale central line ; the legs {fig. 37. 20. fore- 

 leg) and antennae {Jig. 37. 19.) are short ; the mandibles (Jig. 37. 16.) 

 bifid ; the tubercular eyes, three on each side, behind the antennae. 



* BiBLioGR. Refer, to the Diaferid^. 



Laporte and Brulle. Monogr. cUi G. Diaperis (Ann. Sc. Nat. July, 1831). 



Guerin. Icon. R. An. 



Sturm. Deutchsl. Fauna. 



King. Madag. Coleopt. 



Chevrolat, in Silb. Rev. Ent. vol. i. 1833. (G. Oopiestus.) 



