110 



HALTICINjE. 



nine abdominal segments. All of them except the head and the 

 anal segment are almost of equal breadth. The head is (as seen 

 in an uncleared specimen) much narrower than the first thoracic 

 segment, strongly chitinised and quadrate ; in a cleared specimen 

 it is seen to be inserted in the first thoracic segment and to be 

 supported by two long, narrowed spurs, between which is enclosed 

 a deep arch forming the posterior margin of the imbedded portion 

 of the head ; at the apex of the arch are three strongly chitinised 

 ridges, one median and longitudinal and the other two placed 

 obliquely on either side of it and tending to meet in front; on 

 either side of this system is seen a sinuous line which forms the 

 internal boundary of the strongly chitinised lateral part of the 

 head. The antennae are situated at the lateral angles of the 

 anterior margin of the head, each consisting of three segments, 

 namely, a large basal, a more or less ovate median, and a small 

 conical apical segment. The mandibles are large, occupying the 

 middle portion of the front margin of the head ; each has three 

 distinct teeth, bent inwards, the inner margin of each tooth being 

 serrated on the dorsal and ventral sides of the mandibles respec- 

 tively. The front margin of the prothoracic segment is straight 

 and its sides rounded. The mesothorax is larger, with sides 

 broadly rounded. The metathorax is similar to the mesothornx. 

 There are six well -developed legs, each consisting of three seg- 

 ments, the last ending in a minute single claw. Each abdominal 

 segment is much broader than long, with a more or less conical 

 but rounded protuberance on either side ; on the ventral side it 

 has a fleshy excrescence of the same form as the segment itself 

 but smaller in size. The anal segment is narrower, rounded and 

 without lateral protuberances, with the anus situated on the 

 ventral side. 



In a cleared specimen the larval skin, under a high power, is 

 seen to possess a beautiful pattern of reticulated sculpturing. I 

 am unable to discern the spiracles in the material. The larvae 

 were found by Mr. K. G. Blair at Midhurst, Sussex, 2.x. 1918, in 

 galleries in leaves of Centaurea. A few adult beetles were also 

 found on the plants. The larvae were killed and preserved 

 25.x. 1918. 



Economic Importance. 

 The flea-beetles are to be regarded as enemies of mankind, for a 

 large number of them attack crops and cultivated plants, as the 

 following list will show. The list includes also some non-culti- 

 vated plants. 



Podagrica mcrfvo?, 111. Crimea. Alth.cm officinalis (marsh- 

 mallow), A. rosea (holly-hock) and medicinal 

 plants. 



Nisotra uniforma, Jac. S. Nigeria. Cotton. 



Clitea picta, Balv. India. jEgle marmelos (Indian name, Bael). 



Crej_)idodera helocines, L. Canada. Willow. 



