302 



REVISION OF THE TENEBRIONID/E OF AMERICA, 



in our fauna. The wide distribution of many of the species lias given rise to local varie- 

 ties, on which specific names have been fixed, as each new region furnished an unique 

 specimen. Species of Eleodes are found distributed over a wide extent of our western 

 territories, the Mississippi River being the extreme eastern limit. From this point not 

 only species but individuals become more and more numerous, until on some of the arid 

 regions of California they can be found in immense numbers. Species are found to the 

 extreme northwest, inhabiting the rather warm belt of country westward of the; Rocky 

 Mountains and between them and the coast. Their southern limit is indefinite. In South 

 America, Nycterinus replaces Eleodes. I must confess my inability to detect any impor- 

 tant differences between these genera, and most authors seem to assume that any species 

 north of the Isthmus of Panama is Eleodes, and south of it Nycterinus. It is probable 

 that tin; latter genus should constitute a division of the former, equivalent in value to the 

 groups into which I am about to sub-divide it. With Apocrypha and Amphidora on both 

 continents, I see no reason why we should not find Eleodes also. 



In the following synoptic table it will be found that no use whatever lias been made 

 of the form of presternum, in the definition cither of groups or species. The character is 

 actually of no value, as specimens unclistinguishable by any other characters may have a 

 different form of presternum, and on this and similar characters species might be indefi- 

 nitely multiplied. 



For convenience of study, Eleodes may be divided into three sub-genera: 



Anterior tarsi of both sexes entirely spinous beneath. (eleodes). 



Anterior tarsi of males with the first two or three joints either with 

 silken hairs or spongy pubescence beneath. 

 Anterior tarsi of males not dilated. (BLAPYLIS.) 



Anterior tarsi of males with at least the basal joint dilated. (PROMTJS.) 



Eleodes. 

 Spurs of anterior tibial unequal, and dissimilar in the sexes. 

 Spurs of anterior tibiae equal, and similar in the sexes. 



Gbotjp i. 



Section A. • 



Hind spur of anterior tibia broader and thicker in 9 ■ 

 Thorax convex, smooth. 



Elytra! margin rounded. 

 Elytra] margin acute at humerus. 

 Thorax flat or concave. 



Sides of elytra rounded. 

 Sides of elytra parallel. 



Section B. 



Anterior spur of anterior tibia broader, (bicker and more strongly curved in 9' 



Group i. 

 Group 11. 



obscura. 



ac u ta . 



suturalis. 

 texana. 



