Rhynehart — Life-History and Bionomics of the Flax Ftea-Beetle. 519 



opposite the alar and epipleiiral lobes respectively, are two smaller plates, 

 each with a single bristle. There is therefore a transverse series of six 

 prescutal bristles on each abdominal segment one to eight. The scutum is 

 provided veith a rounded, single bristle-carrying plate at each side of the middle 

 line, thus giving a transverse series of two scutal bristles. The seutellum is 

 the largest of the segment divisions, and bears dorsally a fused plate with two 

 bristles extending ecpially to each side of the median dorsal line, similar 

 to that on the prescutum. Lateral to this plate at each side is a smaller 

 one with a single bristle. Ventral to this is the alar area, which has a fairly 

 large plate, carrying posteriorly a long, and anteriorly a short bristle. 'J'he 

 latter may belong to the scutal series, its supporting plate having fused 

 with that on the alar region. Immediately ventral to the alar plate is the 

 small, triangular, spiracular plate devoid of bristles ; and further in the 

 ventral direction is the epipleural plate, which occurs on the epipleural 

 lobe — usually prominent, especially in young specimens. The epipleural 

 plate is armed with three bristles : a long one posteriorly, and in the trans- 

 verse row with posterior alar and scutellar bristles ; a shorter one ventro- 

 anteriorly ; and a minute one dorso-anteriorly just below the spiracle. 

 Ventral to the epipleural lobe are the coxal or hypopleural bristles — a long 

 one posteriorly, and a short one anteriorly. The sternum is divided into 

 two areas by a transverse fold. The anterior part is the presternum, and is 

 not provided with any bristles or plates. The posterior area is the larger, 

 and consists of the sternellum and post-sternellum. A large plate with two 

 bristles occurs medianly on the sternellar area ; and two smaller plates, 

 which in older specimens are sometimes fused, are present on the post- 

 sternellum. Each of the post-sternellar plates has a minute bristle medianly, 

 and a much longer one laterally. On the post-sternellar plates of the eighth 

 segment both pairs of bristles are minute. 



The ninth abdominal segment forms the posterior extremity of the 

 body. Dorsally it appears somewhat pear-shaped ; and the tergum shows a 

 granulated structure under a high power. It is armed with many bristles ; 

 but definite plates are not distinguishable, except a large transverse one on 

 the sternum, which supports four long strong bristles. The other plates 

 have fused to form the chitinised tergum. Prescutal and scutal regions are 

 indicated by a pair of long and a pair of short bristles dorsally. Alar and 

 epipleural regions are represented by a lateral slightly raised area, which 

 carries one long and two short bristles. Spiracles are absent. The posterior 

 margin is armed with a further series of three pairs of bristles ; and towards 

 the median line, at the posterior extremity, are two small circular pits. 

 Hooks are absent. The tenth segment forms the anal proleg, and is placed 



