630 FAMILY XXVI. — NITIDOLID.E. 



KEY TO INDIANA GENEKA OF BRACHYPTBRINI. 



u. Tarsal claws distiuctly todtlied at base. I. Bbachvptekus. 



aa. Tarsal claws simple or very nearly so. II. Cebcus. 



I. Brachypterus Kug. 1794. (G-r., "short + wing.") 



This genus is represented in the eastern United States and Indi- 

 ana by one species, which was probably introduced from Europe. 



1207 (.3661). Beachypterus urtic^ Fab., Bnt. Syst, I, 1798, 235. 



Oval, convex. Piceoiis wltli a tinge of bronze, shining and very sparse- 

 ly pubescent; antenna and legs reddish-brown. Thorax nearly tvnce as 

 wide as long, convex, coarsely and rather densely punctured; sides curved 

 and feebly sinuate near base. Elytra a little more coarsely but less densely 

 punctured than thorax, truncate at apex. Length 2 mm. 



Steuben, Marshall and AVayne counties; scarce. May 25-July 

 15. Occurs usually on (lowers of nettle, whence the specific name; 

 also sifted from sphagnum moss. 



II. Cercus Latr. 1796. (Gr.. "tail of a beast.") 



Two species represent this genus in the eastern United States, 

 both of which occur in Indiana. 



1208 (3664). Cercus abdominaus Erichs., Germ. Zeits., IV, 1843, 229. 

 Oval, convex. Metallic blue or greenish, shining; legs and abdomen 



red ; antennae reddish-bro-\-\-n, the club piceous, three-jointed. Thorax con- 

 vex, one-third wider than long, rather coarsely and evenly, but not densely 

 punctate; base a little wider than apex, hind angles rectangular. Elytra, 

 together, a little longer thtin wide, rather more coarsely punctured than the 

 thorax. Length 2-2.5 mm. 



Throughout the State; frequent. April 11-July 6. Oeciu's on 

 flowers of blood root [Hanguinaria) in early spring and later on 

 foliage of various shrubs and trees, especially those in low ground. 



1209 (3665). Cercus pennatus Murr., Trans. Linn. Soc, XXIV, 235. 

 Oval, subeonvex. Light brownish-yellow to i)iceous, feebly shining, 



si)arsel.\' pnbeseent. Antennal club two-joiuted. Thorax nearly twice as 

 wide as long, apex feebly emarginate, sides regularly curved and hind an- 

 gles obtuse in male; sinuate behind and hind angles distinct in female; disk 

 convex, rather densely punctate. Elytra, together, longer than wide, apex 

 rounded-truncate, surface rather coarsely but not densely punctate. T^ength 

 2.3 mm. 



Steuben, Whitley, Alarion and Jackson counties; scarce. June 

 19-July 19. Occurs on flowers of elder and wild hydrangea. 



