131 



Professor Riley has ascertained that it breeds in the twigs and ten- 

 der branches of the bur-oak, and probably in those of the pignut 

 hickory. The larvae soon after hatching are usually of a pale yellow 

 color, head brownish. 



As they drop readily when disturbed, they may be collected by jar- 

 ring the trees and catching them in sheets. But it is not likely they 

 will ever prove very troublesome. 



Spec. char. Imago. — Front of the head and snout strongly defiexed, but 

 not vertical. Snout narrowest just in front of the eyes, widened at the 

 tip; a distinct, somewhat sharp, carina or ridge along the middle, 

 which divides near the tips, and is a smooth shining black. The 

 thorax is cylindrical or barrel-shaped, wider than the head, but much 

 narrower than the elytra, width about equal the length ; thickly 

 punctured and finely granulated. Elytra squarely truncate at the 

 base, the shoulder almost right angled; sides nearly or quite parallel 

 two-thirds their length ; striate, regularly and deeply punctured in 

 the striae or grooves, of which there are ten on each wing-case ; on 

 each there are from twelve to sixteen black spiney points or sharp 

 tubercles. The general color is ash-gray, which is given it chiefly by 

 an ashy down with which it is covered. On the thorax there is a faint 

 median line of white, also on each side next the posterior margin two 

 oblique lines of the same color. On each wing-case there are three or 

 four more or less distinct whitish lines, occupying interstriate spaces. 

 These whitish lines are sometimes almost obsolete. The underside is 

 dark, but thickly covered with short whitish hairs which give it an 

 ashen color. Length as given above. 



Epicaerus imbricatus. Say. (Imbricated Snout-beetle.) 



This species, whose general color is a dull, silvery-white, with 

 brown or dark markings, is confined chiefly to the west side of the 

 Mississippi River. As it is frequently found in Missouri and Iowa I 

 have introduced it here that our orchardists may know it if they 

 should meet with it. Its history is not known, as it has never been 

 traced through its transformations. In the perfect state it sometimes 

 does more or less injury to apple and cherry trees, and to gooseberry 

 bushes according to Professor Riley, by gnawing the twigs and fruits. 

 I have not observed it at any point in this State, yet I presume it will 

 be met with occasionally. 



Spec. char. Imago. — Body covered w r ith dense, minute, some- 

 what imbricated scales above, dusky, brassy or blackish, punc- 

 tured ; head with a profound puncture between the eyes; rostrum with 

 a dusky line in the middle ; thorax has a dorsal, slightly impressed, 

 punctured line, and several dilated, indented punctures, covered with 

 scales ; a dilated, cinereous, dorsal line; elytra with very slightly im- 

 pressed striae, containing profoundly impressed punctures, sides and 

 tip white; the latter exhibiting an undulated outline above ; three 

 sub-equidistant, equal, white spots each side of the suture, and an- 

 other at the middle of the base; an oblique line from behind the hu- 

 merus terminates at the middle. 



Length three-tenths of an inch. 



