﻿PHYTOPHAGA CHRVSOMELIDAE 279 



Protliorax much narrower at the base than the elytra, and usually with- 

 out side-margins (raised edges). Sub-fam. 1. Eupoda ; with three division.-, 

 Sagrides, Donaciides, Criocerides. 



The basal ventral plates of the abdominal segments are somewhat shorter 

 in the middle than at the sides, the fourth one being often invisible in the 

 middle, while the fifth is very large. Sub-fam. 2. Camptosomes ; with six 

 divisions, Megascelides, Megalopides, Clythrides,-Cryptocephalides, Chlamydes, 

 Sphaerocarides. 



In the other two groups there is no great disparity between the fourth 

 and fifth ventral plates. 



Protliorax not greatly narrower at the base than the elytra, and usually 

 with distinct edges at the outsides. Sub-fam. 3. Ctclica ; with four divi- 

 sions, Lamprosomides, Eumolpides, Chrysomelides, Galerucides. 



Front of the head bent downwards or indexed, so that the mouth is on 

 the lower aspect. Antennae inserted close together on the most anterior 

 part of the head, so that they are more forward than the mouth. Sub-fam. 

 4. Cryptostomes ; with two divisions Hispides, Cassidides. 



In the other three divisions the mouth is placed as usual, but the insertion 

 of the antennae varies a good deal. 



The larvae of about 100 species of the family are known ; 

 they are arranged in accordance with their habits, by Chapuis, 1 

 in six groups, viz. : 



1. Elongate larvae, living under water, and there undergoing their meta- 



morphosis. (Donaciides.) 



2. Larvae mining in leaves, and undergoing their metamorphosis in the 



leaf. (Hispides and some Halticides.) 



3. Short convex larvae, frequently with leathery and pigmented integuments, 



living exjjosed on plants. (Most of the Cyclica.) 



4. Larvae of short form ; covering the body with excrementitious matter. 



(Some Criocerides.) 



5. Peculiar larvae of short form, spiny, and protecting their bodies by 



excrementitious matter attached by a special apparatus, the excrement 

 itself being modified so as to be suitable for retention. (Cassidides.) 



6. Elongate, pallid, larvae with curved abdomen ; living in shell-like cases, 



and undergoing metamorphosis therein. (Most of the Camptosomes, 

 the habits of which are known.) 



Though our knowledge of these larvae extends to only about 

 100 out of 18,000 species, the above category by no means 

 includes all the kinds of larvae ; Captain Xambeu having 

 recently discovered that the larva of Chrysochus pretiosus lives in 

 the earth feeding on roots after the manner of a Bhizotrogus 

 larva, which it resembles. The larva of Sagra splendida lives 



1 Genera des Colioptkres {Suites a Buff on), x. Paris, 1874, p. 15. 



