412 RHY^CHOPHORA. [Hylastes, 



scrobes ; the tarsi have the third joint bilobed and scarcely broader than 

 the preceding ; in size the- species are rather variable ; they attack firs 

 and pines, and are often found at the roots as well as under the bark ; 

 the sexual differences are not striking, but in one or two of the species 

 the males have a small pubescent fovea on the last ventral segment of 

 the abdomen. 



I. Thorax longer than, or at least as long a% broad, 

 punctured on disc, with the exception of a broader or 



narrower central line. 



i. Length 4 mm. ; central line of thorax not raised ; 

 elytra glabrous or with very short hairs at apex 

 only. 



1. Thorax considerably longer than broad, with the 



sides subparal lei ; elytra longer H. ATEB, Paylt. 



2. Thorax not much longer than broad, with the 



sides somewhat rounded ; elytra shorter . . . H. CUNICULARIUS, Er. 

 ii. Length 2-3 mm. ; central line of thorax more or 

 less raised; elytra with rows of recumbent or 

 slightly erect hairs on the interstices. 



1. Kostrum without furrow; sides of thorax 



rounded H. OPACUS, Er. 



2. Rostrum with a fine longitudinal furrow at base ; 



sides of thorax almost parallel behind .... H. ANGUSTATUS, Hertst. 



II. Thorax broader than long, somewhat rugose, with 

 central line raised and somewhat carinute ; third 

 tarsal joint dilated and bilobed; mesostenmm with a 

 small prominence between the intermediate coxae 



(Hylurgops, Lee.) H. PALUATFS, Gyll. 



H. ater, Payk. (pinicola, Bedel). Elongate, cylindrical, black, 

 shining, nearly glabrous ; head much produced in front, antennae ferru- 

 ginous ; thorax considerably longer than broad with the sides subparallel, 

 rather closely and strongly punctured on disc, much more closely at 

 sides, with a more or less distinct impunctate, but not raised, central 

 line ; elytra with coarse crenate striae, interstices granulately rugose ; 

 legs black or pitchy black, tarsi, and often apex of tibiae, red or reddish. 

 L. 4-4| mm. 



Male with the posterior tibiae thickly villose on their inner margin 

 towards apex, last ventral segment clothed in middle with thick yellow 

 tomentose pubescence. 



Varieties occur in which the thorax is pitchy and the elytra brown, 

 and occasionally the whole insect is ferruginous ; these variations in 

 colour, which occur also in many of the allied species, are in great 

 measure due to imperfect maturity. 



Under the bark of decaying trunks of various species of pine (Pinus silvestris, 

 tnaritima, &c.) ; also in stumps; it is especially a root feeder like other members of 

 the genus ; often found in sandpits and by sweeping herbage ; rather common and 

 generally distributed throughout England ; Scotland, common in the bark of fir logs ; 

 Ireland, Rathf arnham , Armagh, &c., and probably common. 



H. cunicularius, Er. Closely allied to the preceding Avhich it 



