THE BIOLOGY OF THE ALDER FLEA-BEETLE. 279 



divided into the Gallerucites isopodes with Galleruca as the type, 

 and the Gallerucites anisopodes with Altica as the type. 



Chapius (1875) recognized the Galerucides as a tribe, which 

 he divided into 2 subtribes, the Galerucides proper and the 

 Halticides. The latter he subdivided into 19 groups. Le Conte 

 and Horn (1883) followed this use, recognizing the Galerucini 

 as a tribe of the Crysomelidae, and dividing it into the subtribes 

 Galerucini and Halticini. Horn (1889) nas published the only 

 monograph of the American Halticini (properly to be called 

 Alticini).^ He found 14 of Chapius' 19 groups in America, and 

 subdivided 3 of them into 2 groups each, so that he listed 17 

 groups of American Alticini. One of these groups which he sub* 

 divided was the "Halticae" of Chapius, which became the 

 Disonychae and "Halticae" (represented in this country by the 

 single genus Altica) of Horn. 



Some recent authors have constituted the Alticidae as a 

 separate family, but it seems best to the writer at least for the 

 present either to regard the Alticini as a tribe under the family 

 Chrysomelidae, or to follow the use of Horn and regard it as 

 a subtribe of the tribe Galerucini. 



The following characterization of the group Alticae and the genus 

 Altica is copied directly from Horn's monograph (1889) : 

 Alticae. "Antennae 11-jointed. Thorax regularly arcuate at the base, 

 with a distinct ante-basal line variable in distinctness, not limited at 

 the extremeties by a longitudinal plica. Posterior tibiae with, at most, 

 a very slight sulcus on the posterior edge near the apex. Anterior coxal 

 cavities open behind. Claw joint of posterior tarsi slender, claws 

 appendiculate." 



Altica. "Head short, usually deeply inserted, front regularly declivious, 

 the interocular carina never prominent, the tubercles usually feebly 

 masked. Anntenae half as long as the body, joints 2-3-4 gradually longer, 

 except in rufa. Labrum small. Maxillary papli short, rather stout, the 

 terminal joint short and conical. Thorax usually one-half wider than 

 long and broadest at base, and with a more or less distinct ante-basal 

 impressed line, base arcuate, lateral margin more or less thickened at the 

 front angles. Elytra usually a little wider at the base than the thorax, 

 the punctation of surface confused. Prosternum rather narrow between 

 the coxae, the coxal cavities open behind, angulate externally. Legs 

 moderately long, tibiae of posterior legs not or feebly sulcate, terminated 

 by a small spur. Tarsi moderate in length, claws with a broad dilatation 

 at the base." 



