142 



CURCULIONID^. [LeConte. 



PISSODES Germ. 



The species of this genus have almost the appearance of small Ilylobius, 

 but differ remarkably by the following characters: 



The beak is more slender, cylindrical, without anteocular grooves; eyes 

 small, nearly round; antennae with the funiculus more slender, and the 

 greater part of the club shining, sparsely pubescent, and destitute of sensi- 

 tive surface, not distinctly annulated; prosternum not emarginate in front, 

 without postocular lobes. Metasternum as long as the first ventral; third 

 and fourth ventrals together shorter than second; first suture obliterated at 

 the middle and widely angulated. Front coxae slightly separated by the 

 prosternum; legs rather slender, thighs not toothed, tibiae straight, slightly 

 compressed, terminal hook strong, but proceeding rather from the outer 

 than inner part of the apex of the tibiae; corbels wanting. 



I am not satisfied with the position of this genus, and am disposed to 

 believe that it should be placed as a separate tribe. Thomson (Skand. Col. 

 vii, 218) associates it with Trachodes, but there does not appear to me any 

 resemblance between the two. The definition of his tribe Pissodina does 

 not at all apply to Trachodes, in which the metasternum is very short, and 

 the club of the antennae entirely pubescent and sensitive. 



These insects live under bark of pine trees, and are sometimes very inju- 

 rious. There are evidently several species in our fauna, but the differences 

 are not very obvious, and it is quite possible that a careful comparison with 

 foreign species might reduce the number now recognized as distinct. 

 Prothorax broader than long, more suddenly narrowed 

 in front, and more strongly constricted, slightly bi- 

 sinuate on the sides; dorsal carina distinct; altern- 

 ate interspaces of the elytra more elevated 2. 



Prothorax hot broader than long, more gradually nar- 

 rowed in front, and feebly constricted; broadly 

 rounded on the sides, dorsal carina variable 3. 



2. Elytra with a broad posterior transverse band of 



yellow pubescence, becoming white towards the su- 

 ture; prothorax less coarsely rugosely punctured. . 1. strobi. 



Similarly colored ; prothorax more coarsely and less 

 rugosely punctured; alternate interspaces more dis- 

 tinctly elevated 2. costatus. 



Prothorax more densely, less rugosely punctured, outer 



striae of elytra less distinct 3. fasciatus. 



3. Hind angles of prothorax rectangular 4. affinis. 



" " obtuse 5. dubius. 



" " rounded 6. rotundatus. 



1. P. strobi Peck, Mass. Agr. Journ. 1817, iv, 205, (Rhynchmnus') ; Say, 

 Cure. 14; ed. Lee. i, 227; Harris, Ins. Inj. Veg. ed. ult, 72; Pissodes 

 nemorensis Germ., Ins. Nov. 318. 



