Horn.] OTIORHYlSrCHID^. l3 



Family Y. OTIORHYJSrCHID^. 



Mentum variable, sometimes large, filling the gular emargi nation and 

 without peduncle, or small exposing the maxillae and ligula and with dis- 

 tinct peduncle. 



Labial palpi verj'^ rai'ely visible and then very short. 



Mandibles short, stout, pincer-like, very rarely slightly scissor-like, and 

 in one instance {Dirotognathus) slightly laminiform and prominent. Ante- 

 rior face with a distinct scar frequently borne at the tip of a slight process. 



Antennae inserted at the sides or top of rostrum always in front of middle 

 and usually near the tip, geniculate, 11-jointed (except in Agraphus), the 

 last three forming a compact club witli distinct evidences of the sutures. 



Head moderately prominent, rarely {Agasplimrops) deeply inserted ; 

 beak variable, never long and slender. Scrobes well defined, except in 

 Otiorhynchini, and receiving the first joint (scape) of the antennae in repose. 



Prothorax of variable form, apex usually truncate; rarely slightly pro- 

 longed over the head, base truncate, arcuate or bisinuate, post ocular mar- 

 gin either truncate or with ocular lobe more or less developed, sometimes 

 with stitF fimbriae. Anterior coxae contiguous (except in Pandeletejus). 



Mesosternum short, oblique or horizontal, rarely (Coleocerus) protuber- 

 ant ; middle coxae narrowly sepai'ated ; side pieces variable, never attaining 

 the coxal cavity. 



Metasternum variable, short in Division I, usually long in Division II. 



Elytra concealing the abdomen entirely from above, without trace of 

 epipleurae but with inflexed fold on their inner side. 



Abdomen with five ventral segments, the first two connate, the others 

 free. Intercoxal process variable. 



Legs moderate ; femora very rarelj' decidedly clavate ; tibiae straight or 

 feebly arcuate, usually mucronate at tip and rarely with small spur-like 

 processes (certain Otiorhynchini). Claws fixed or moveable, always simple, 

 never toothed. 



The males of all the species have the pygidium divided, so that there are 

 eight dorsal segments, while in the female there ai"e but seven. 



This family contains all those genera in which the mandibles are provided 

 in the pupa stage with a deciduous piece of varying form, usually elongate 

 and slender, sometimes falcate and acute or short and conical. In the early 

 life of the imago these pieces are lost (although specimens occur in which 

 one, sometimes both are preserved), and the place of their attachment is in- 

 dicated by a scar which is usually on the face of the mandible but frequently 

 borne at the tip of a process of varying length. The form of the mandible 

 itself without reference to the scar, indicates the occurrence of the decidu- 

 ous piece. When the mandibles are acute at tip and one overlaps the 

 other by an edge more or less acute, no deciduous piece can be expected. 

 Its occurrence may always be looked for in those in which the mandibles 

 meet with a broad surface and whose function is rather that of crushing 

 than cutting. Brachy cents, Sitones, Alophus and all the MecorhyncM are 



