STUDIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEEVILS BELONG- 

 ING TO THE SUPERFAMILY PLATYSTOMOIDEA 



By W. DwiGHT Pierce 



Formerly Entomologist, Southern Field Crop Insect Investigations, Bureau 

 of Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture 



The superfamily Platystomoidea Pierce (1916) is composed of 

 those weevils classed by LeConte and Horn and other authors under 

 the family Anthribidae. In planning a more comprehensive classi- 

 fication of the Rhynchophora it has been found best to raise the old 

 conceptions of families to a superfamily rank. 



The oldest valid name in the superfamily is Platystomos (Hell- 

 wig) Schneider (1791), and hence it gives its name to the family 

 in which it is to be placed and also to the superfamily. The group 

 is composed of individuals with clavate, nongeniculate antennae, 

 flexible maxillary palpi, a distinct labrum, globose anterior coxae, 

 and an exposed pygidium. 



TABLE OF FAMILIES OF PLATYSTOMOIDEA 



1, Prothorax with transverse carina near base; third joint of tarsus usually 



largely inclosed in the second 2. 



Prothorax without transverse carina near base; third joint of tarsus free 

 from second Bruehelidae Pierce (1916) (not North American). 



2. Antennae inserted on the sides of the rostrum ; labial palpi three-jointed 



(Pleurocera) Platystomidae Pierce (1916). 



Antennae inserted on the upper surface of the rostrum near the eyes; labial 

 palpi at least sometimes four- jointed (Anocera), 



Choragidae Des Gozis (1882). 



The transverse carina of the prothorax is of definite systematic 

 value, as it represents the suture between two distinct portions of the 

 thorax. This will be evident by examining the series of illustrations 

 herewith presented. The area in front of this carina and laterally 

 inclosed by it when the carina turns forward at the sides is the 

 scutellum. From the anterior end of the lateral carina to the pre- 

 coxae is often found the 'pleural suture. Its presence indicates a 



No. 2840.— Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. 77, Art. 17. 

 2602—30 1 1 



