3Iycetophagus.] clavicornia. 351 



IMVCETOPHAGUS, llelhvig (Trifoma, Reitt., nee auct). 



This genus contains between twenty and thirty species, which appear 

 to be confined to Europe and jSTorth America, although representatives 

 probably inhabit Asia ; they are found in fungi or under loose bark of 

 old trees feeding on fungoid growths ; they are in most cases rather con- 

 spicuous insects, owing to the fact that tlie elytra are usually variegated 

 with orange or yellow spots. 



The larva- of JH?/cetop /lagfus ■piceus is described by Perris, Lavves des Coleopteres, 

 p. 87 ; it very closely resembles that of Litargus hi/asciatus, but diH'ers in being 

 twice as large, with five insteiid of four ocelli on each side, and in the fact that the 

 darker colour is reddish instead of blackish ; the larva of M. quadripustulatus is 

 larger and darker than that of M. piceus, but otherwise agrees exactly with it ; these 

 larviB are found in the same situations as the perfect insects. 

 I. Thorax with the sides not crenulate, more or 

 less strongly narrowed in front, antennae 



gradually thickened to apex, 

 i. Last joint of the antennae as long as the two 

 preceding together. 



1. Antennaj witli joints 8-10 only a. little 

 broader than long, obconical ; size larger ; 

 elytra black witli two well-defined reddish- 

 yellow spots on each M. QTIADRIPTJSTULAT0S, L, 



2. AntenuEo with joints 8-10 strongly trans- 

 verse ; size smaller ; elytra pitchy witli two 

 more or less waved bands, and one or two 



patches on each yellowish M. pickus, F. 



ii. Last joint ®f the antenna? only a little longer 

 than the preceding ; upper surface black, 

 elytra with small scattered yellow markings ; 

 thorax with a distinct impression before 



scutellum M. atomakius, F. 



]I. Thorax almost rectangular or feebly narrowed 

 in front, with sides hardly crenulate; elytra 

 brownish or blackish with two or three rather 

 well-defined spots on each yellowish ; antennaa 

 with four apical joints larger. 

 i. Last joint of antennae as broad as and much 

 longer than penultimate ; upper surface very 



finely pubescent M. popttlt, F. 



ii. Last joint of antennae nan-ower and scarcely 

 longer than penultimate ; upper surface 



strongly pubescent M. quadbiguttatus, Miill. 



III. Thorax with the sides crenulate, and evenly, 

 although not strongly, rounded, and narrowed 

 in front and behind. 

 i. Thorax brown, closely punctured j elytra with 



confused yellowish markings M. multipunctatus, Hellw. 



ii. Thorax red, difl'usely punctured; elytra with 



two well-defined large yellow spots on each . M. fulvicollis, F. 



Til. quadripustulatus, L. Of long elliptical form, rather de- 

 pressed, finely pubescent, black, with the head ferruginous, and two 

 well-defined spots on each elytron reddish-yellow ; these are sometimes 



