LARV^ OF THE PEIONIN^. 13 



declivous, smooth, nearly straight, not projecting over trapezoidal 

 clypeus ; three epistomal setae each side, median ones short, approxi- 

 mate. Labrum elongate ovate, with a few scattered hairs; mandibles 

 trapezoidal from side, smooth, lower angle triangular, acute, molar 

 portion flattened into trapezoidal plate, bearing a number of deep longi- 

 tudinal striae. Antennae long, fleshy, scarcely retractile, three- jointed, 

 the second longest and bearing the third and a small supplementary 

 one. Ventral mouth parts in general as in Prioninae; palpi more 

 slender, last joint of maxillary conical, equal in length to last joint 

 of labial; lacinia rather slender, cylindric, sparsely haired. Post- 

 condylar carina and subfossal spine absent. 



Prothorax sub elliptical. Posterior area of pronotum, lateral pos- 

 terior angles of presternum, and median area of eusternum armed with 

 short chitinous asperities. Eusternum completely separated from 

 presternum. Legs slender, rather long for a prionine larva. 



Abdominal ampuUae projecting abruptly, sparsely asperate. 

 Pleural tubercle distinct, lateral zone prominent on last three 

 abdominal segments; abdominal spiracles suborbicular, not strongly 

 chitinous rimmed ; anal lobes glabrous, dorsal slightly larger. 



The larva of Parandra is typically a heartwood feeder, attacking 

 nearly all eastern coniferous and hardwood trees. Although scarce 

 as an adult, the larva is one of the most commonly found Ceram- 

 bycidae in matured trees. It normally attacks the lower trunk or 

 rarely the larger limbs, gaining entrance through some wound. To 

 park and shade trees its damage is probably greater than any other 

 wood-borer, for it completely destroys the heartwood and later the 

 living sapwood, causing the trees to break off in the wind. Mr. T. E. 

 Snyder reports it as one of the most serious enemies to telegraph 

 and telephone poles. Observations by Mr. Snyder and the writer 

 show that the adult does not always emerge, but remains in the 

 hollow base of the tree, where copulation takes place and the eggs are 

 laid. Trees which have been long infested often reveal dozens of 

 these dead adults in hollow cavities. The eggs are laid in large num- 

 bers, closely grouped, and inserted deep into the wood by means of 

 the powerful ovipositor. 



The systematic position of Parandra has been shifted from place to 

 place in various families by many writers. Considering it a ceram- 

 bycid, as its larva undoubtedly is, it falls into no division as naturally 

 as into the Prioninae. One essential character, the projecting 

 epistoma, is lacking, but this has been found to be absent on several 

 specimens of prionine larvae from Africa. The form belongs typically 

 to this group. The dorsal ampullae bear two transverse folds; the 

 ventral, one, as in other Prioninae. These bear chitinous asperities 

 which do not occur in any other North American genera of Prioninae, 

 but this character is only of generic value. Mandibles, clypeus, and 

 head belong here. The writer has never seen specimens of Spondylis, 



