Aphodiina. | LAMELLICORNIA. 15 
APHODIINA. 
The species belonging to this tribe are of small size, and of more or 
less oblong and convex form; the mouth organs (except in one genus, 
igialia, in which the mandibles are visible from above) are concealed 
by the clypeus, as in the Coprina; the antenne are 9-jointed with a 
3-jointed club, and the posterior tibiz are furnished with two spurs ; 
the tribe is well represented both in the Huropean and the British 
tauna, its members taking the place in colder and temperate climates of 
the larger Scarabzeidze of warm and tropical climates ; the genera found 
in Britain may be distinguished as follows :— 
I. Mandibles concealed beneath the clypeus. 
i, Thorax without transverse furrows or coste. 
1. Eyes with at least the anterior margins free. 
A. Elytra simply striated.* 
a. Elytra rounded at apex . . ApHopivs, Lil. 
b. Elytra with the sutural angles produced into a 
small tooth at apex . . . . . . PxLaetogonus, Muls. 
B. Elytra more or less distinctly carinate, 
a. Thorax without longitudinal furrow at base . . Hepraunacus, Muls. 
b. Thorax with a broad longitudinal furrow at all 
QOS WIG) 65 a 6 6 a on 6 8 o 0 Oberon, Tier 
2. Eyes entirely concealed. . . . oo « . « AMMGoIUS, Muls. 
il. “Thor ax costate or furrowed transversely. 
1. Hind tarsi with elongate more or less cylindrical joints Rayssremus, Muls. 
2. Hind tarsi with triangular joints . . . . PsamMostius, Heer. 
II. Mandibles visible beyond ‘the clypeus; eyes covered . . Meraia, Latr. 
APHODIUS, Illiger. 
This genus contains between three and four hundred species, and it is 
very probable that the number will be largely increased ; a certain pro- 
portion are found in tropical countries, but as a rule they are charae- 
teristic of temperate and colder climates, in which they take the place of 
the larger Scarabeeidz which are found in hotter regions; they are 
extremely useful scavengers, and during the spring, summer, and autumn 
may be found abundantly in dung ; they may also be observed flying and 
settling in swarms on roads and other places frequented by sheep, horses, 
or cattle. I have seen Aphodius punctato-sulcatus on the wing on the 
Malvern Hills as early as January 16th. 
The larva of Aphodius fossor is described and figured by Chapuis et Candéze (Les 
Larves des Coléopterés, p. 124, Plateiv. fig. 3); it is of a bluish-white colour with the 
head brown, and the mandibles long, slender, and black ; the antenne are compara- 
tively long, and are 5-jointed; the anterior pair of legs are shorter than the inter- 
mediate and posterior ; the abdominal segments are divided into transverse folds ; in 
general form and appearance the larva does not differ materially from that of other 
species of 4 phodius and other allied genera. 
* A. poreus, F., has the interstices of the elytra depressed, and therefore appears at 
first sight to be an exception. 
