THE CLASSIFICATION OF BEETLES. 



25 



A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE COLEOPTERA 



(Exclusive of the Rhynchophora.) 

 KNOWN TO OCCUR IN INDIANA. 



The insects of the Order Coleoptera, sufficiently denned on a 

 preceding page, are separated into two suborders as follows : 



KEY TO SUBORDERS OF COLEOPTERA. 



a. Mouth parts normal, rarely unfit for use, never departing from the 

 ordinary type ; palpi always flexible, maxillary usually four-jointed, 

 labial three-jointed ; gular sutures double, at least before and behind ; 

 prosternal sutures distinct. Suborder I. Coleoptera (genuina). 

 aa. Head more or less prolonged in front to form a beak ; . palpi usually 

 rigid and not evident ; gula not evident ; prosternal sutures wanting. 



Suborder II. Rhynchophora. 



On account of a lack of time and space, the Rhynchophora of the 

 State are not treated in the present paper. A large collection of 

 them is, however, at hand, and they will, if circumstances allow, 

 be catalogued and described in a future treatise, 



Suborder I. COLEOPTERA (genuina.) 



This suborder is divided into the following series or groups of 

 families : 



key to series of coleoptera (genuina). 

 a. Hind tarsi (except in a few Clavicornia) with the same number of 

 joints at least as the others. 

 b. Fourth and fifth tarsal joints not united, the fifth, when present, 

 always distinct. 



c. First three ventral segments united, the first divided by the hind 

 coxal cavities so that the sides are separated from the very 

 small median portion; all the tarsi five-jointed; antennae fili- 

 form or nearly so ; habits mostly predaceous. 



Series I. Adephaga, p. 2G. 

 cc. First ventral segment visible for its entire breadth (except in 

 Rhyssodidae) . 



d. Antennae with the terminal joints not lamellate or leaf-like and 

 capable of separation. 

 e. Antennae clavate or capitate, very rarely serrate ; species liv- 

 ing for the most part in decaying animal and vegetable 

 matter. Series II. Clavicornia, p. 242. 



ec. Antennae with joints from the third onward more or less ser- 

 rate or saw-toothed, very rarely clavate or capitate; food 

 variable, but rarely decaying animal matter. 



Series III. Serricornia, p. GS6. 



