THE METALLIC WOOD-BORING BEETLES. 



805 



Occiput strigose and with a feeble median impression. Thorax one-fourth 

 wider than long, hind angles with a distinct, slightly oblique carina; disk 

 without a median depression, those on sides well marked, transversely stri- 

 gose with small punctures between the wrinkles. Elytra slightly broader 

 behind the middle; tips rounded, serrulate; disk slightly depressed; sur- 

 face with imbricate scales. Prosternal lobe truncate, more or less emargi- 

 nate; tarsal claws broadly toothed. Length 3.5-5 mm. 



Throughout the State; common. May 24-July 25. Occurs on 

 foliage of various trees, especially the black locust, in which the 

 larva? dwell. 



1529 (4724a). Agrilus pusillus Say, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., I, 1825, 252; 



ibid. I, 388. 



Elongate-oblong, rather robust. Head and thorax brassy or bronzed; 

 elytra purplish-black. Antennae reaching middle of thorax. Occiput with 

 a feeble median impression. Thorax one-fourth wider than long, slightly 

 narrowed at base ; sides curved in front, slightly sinuate near hind angles, 

 which are distinctly carinate ; disk with a broad transverse depression in 

 front of base, so that when viewed from the side the front half is more 

 convex; lateral depressions moderate ; surface coarsely transversely strigose 

 with coarse punctures between the wrinkles. Elytra distinctly dilated be- 

 hind the middle; disk with a vague costa on each side and concave each 

 side of suture ; surface with sparse, smooth scales. Length 3.5-4.5 mm. 



Vermillion, Knox and Posey counties; frequent. June 8-July 7. 



XIV. Taphrocerus Sol. 1833. (Gr., "pit + horn.") 



In this and the remaining genera of the family the under side of 

 the thorax is deeply grooved near the margin for the reception of 

 the antennae in repose ; the legs very retractile, the tibiae being usu- 

 ally sulcate for the reception of the tarsi, which are short. In 

 . Taphrocerus the body is elongate and the presternum narrow and 

 pointed behind. 



1530 (4755). Taphrocerus gracilis Say, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., I, 1825, 



253 ; ibid. I, 389 ; II, 599. 

 Elongate-oblong, strongly tapering on apical third. Blackish-bronzed, 

 shining. Occiput with a broad but shallow median depression. Thorax 

 one-half wider than long, very uneven, a transverse, slightly impressed line 

 near apex and a triangular indented space on each side of basal half; sur- 

 face very finely and densely punctate and with scattered shallow punctures 

 of much larger size. Elytra with sides strongly sinuate ; disk with rows 

 of rather large deeply impressed punctures which become obsolete on apical 

 third; usually with vague patches of whitish pubescence arranged in two 

 crossbars on apical half. Length 3.5-5 mm. 



Throughout the State ; frequent. May 6-August 21 ; mating on 

 May 21. Occurs on the flowers and leaves of the button bush. 

 Qephalanthus occidentalis'L.. and on herbs in low, wet places. 



