4 HETBROMERA. [Tenelriomdee. 



satisfactory. The following are the chief characteristics of the family : 

 Form very variable ; antennae generally inserted under the sides of the 

 head or at least under a small frontal ridge, thickened towards apex or 

 slightly serrate, usually 11-jointed ; maxillae with two lobes, palpi 

 4-jointed, mandibles short and robust, furnished with a basal tooth, 

 entire or emarginate at tip ; elytra usually covering abdomen ; abdomen 

 with five ventral segments, of which the first three are more or less 

 closely connected ; anterior coxal cavities closed behind ; anterior coxae 

 globose, rarely oval, not prominent ; legs variable. 



The larvae of the Tenebrionidae are elongate and cylindrical, and usually somewhat 

 depressed ; they bear an exceedingly strong resemblance to the larvae of Agriotes, &c., 

 among the Elateridae, the well-known " wire-worms ; " in fact the chief visible 

 differences consist in the non-connate clypens and large and plainly visible labrum, 

 and also in the formation of the anal segment, which varies very much and is often 

 very peculiar in the Elateridae, but in the Tenebrionidae is short and usually simple, 

 often pointed, and terminates in two short warty prominences which are used fr 

 locomotion ; the antennae and legs are short, and the segments, except very rarely, 

 are of almost the same breadth throughout until the anal segment ; the prothorax is 

 often longer and the meso- and metathorax shorter than the abdominal segments ; in 

 both the larval and the perfect state the members of the family live on vegetable 

 matter in various conditions, and certain species, notably the typical Tenebrio 

 moli/or, occasionally do great damage in granaries and meal-stores. 

 I. Front entirely corneous. 



i. First joint of posterior tarsi short, not, or scarcely, longer 



than second ; genae sulcate BOLlTorHAGiNA. 



ii. First joint of posterior tarsi moderate or elongate, longer 

 than second j* genaa not sulcate. 



1. Tarsi spinose or setose beneath. 



A. Anterior tibiae not, or scarcely, diluted ; apex of 



clypeus entire. 



a. Hind coxa) transverse, widely separated ; femora 



elongate BLAI-TINA. 



b. Hind coxae oblique, not widely separated ; femora 



not elongate CBYPTICINA. 



B. At least anterior tibiae dilated. 



a. Apex of clypeus emarginate . OPATBINA. 



b. Apex of clypeus entire TIJACHYSCELINA. 



2. Tarsi (at all events the anterior pair in male) pubescent 



beneath. 



A. Eyes more prominent than sides of front .... DIAPEBINA. 



B. Eyes less prominent than sides of front. 



a. Anterior coxae rounded ; intermediate coxae with 



trochnntin ; third joint of antennae long. 

 a* 5 . Clypeus not or only slightly emarginate ; all 



the tarsi pubescent beneath TENEBRIONINA. 



b*. Clypeus deeply emarginate; anterior tarsi of 



male pubescent beneath PEDININA. 



b. Anterior coxse subtransverse ; intermediate coxa3 



without trochantin; third joint of antennae short ULOMINA. 

 II. Front separated from clypeus by a distinct coriaceous baud HELOPINA. 



* In the genus Diaperis the first joint of the posterior tarsi is only a little longer than, 

 the second ; it may therefore, perhaps, be considered an exception, although the first 

 joint is plainly longer in proportion than in the Bolitopliagina. 



