164 



FAMILY BOSTRYCHIDAE 



Teretriosoma Stebbingi, Lewis (p. 104). This and two other species 

 of the genus are commonly found in the tunnels of this Sinoxylon, and are 

 known to prey upon the grubs of the beetle. 



The beetle is a small, compact, cylindrical, somewhat elongate 

 insect, pitchy-brown in colour, shining and rather densely punctured 

 above. The head is not hidden by the prothorax ; antennae are short 

 and bent, with a compact club. The elytra are closely applied to the 

 body, but leave the last two segments exposed. Five ventral segments 

 of the abdomen are visible. Length, 2 mm. 



Teretriosoma cristatum, Lewis (p. 104). This beetle is 



very similar * to the one above described. It is piceous in colour, the 

 thorax being more convex than the dorsal region, and the scape of the 

 antennae bearing long, palish hairs. 



Teretriosoma intrusum, Marseul (p. 104). The characters 

 of this beetle are very similar to those of the above-mentioned two species, 

 and for the purpose of the forester the insect will be sufficiently recognized 

 from the above descriptions and figure. 



FIG. 108. 

 Teretriosoma 

 Stebbingi, Lewis. 

 Changa Manga. 



I have taken these Teretriosoma very commonly in Changa Manga, 

 in the sissu billets tunnelled by the Sinoxylon beetles, and the last two at 

 least in the Central Provinces (Seoni, Mandla, and elsewhere). I have also 

 had T. intrusum sent to me with S. crassum and S. anale from Sukkur in 

 Sind, where they had been taken from the tunnels of the beetle in Prosopis 

 spicigera. 



I have taken the larvae of these Teretriosoma in the tunnels of the 

 Sinoxylon beetles, but have not yet proved that they are predaceous upon 

 the borer-beetle larvae. 



Teretrius indus, Lewis (p. 105). This is a small histerid, 

 in shape, appearance, and characters not unlike the above- 

 described beetles. I took specimens from a Terminalia 

 tomentosa post obtained in Seoni. The species proved new 

 to science, and was described by Lewis. 



Teretrius mogul, Lewis (p. 105). In Ann. Nat. Hist. ser. 8, 

 viii, p. 78(1911), Lewis describes this species as follows: "Cylindrical, 

 robust, black and shining, antennae and legs piceous. Wholly punctured Teretrius indus, 

 above, veiy similarly to Kraatzi, which Marseul calls ' sat fortiter et dense Lewis. Seoni. 

 punctatus.' The marginal stria of the thorax is complete behind the head ; 

 the prosternum, the striae gradually diverge from the base to the apex, sometimes terminating 

 at the suture, sometimes joining the marginal stria along the anterior rim (in one example this 

 variation occurs on one side and not on the other) ; the mesosternum is prominently produced, 

 but the marginal stria, beginning at the coxae, does not follow its contour, but is arched and 

 fine, and leaves rather a wide anterior margin ; all the sterna and the first abdominal segment 

 are finely and sparingly punctulate. The anterior tibiae are 10-12 denticulate, intermediate 7-8, 

 posterior 4-5 spinose. Length, 3^ to 3^ mm. The peculiar mesosternal stria is a remarkable 

 character which distinguishes it from all the other species I know." 



* Vide footnote on p. 104. This species is the female of T. Stebbingi. 



