1250 



FAMILY LV. TENEBRIONID^E. 



*2309 (7416). Tenebkio obscirls Fab., Syst. Eleut., I, 1801, 140. 



Elongate, narrowly oval. Piceous or dark reddish- 

 brown, opaque. Thorax subquadrate, slightly nar- 

 rowed in front; sides feebly curved, margins rather 

 wide, retlexed, hind angles acute; surface, as well as 

 that of head, densely and granulately punctate. Ely- 

 tra nearly parallel, surface with rows of fine punc- 

 tures ; intervals finely and densely granulate. Length 

 14-17 mm. (Fig. 559.) 



Throughout the State; frequent. January 

 1-June 9. Both this and the next are introduced 

 species and live in granaries, storehouses, barns, 



Fig. 559. x 2. (After etc - Their larvae ar e the " meal-worms " which 

 chjttenden m\ iv, n. are apt to occur wherever there is a heap of 

 grain remnants or debris. By removing or 

 changing such refuse their breeding places will be broken up and 

 the beetles kept in check. When its use is practical carbon bi- 

 sulphide will kill both larva? and adults. 



*2310 ( 7417) . Tenebrio molitor Linn., Faun. Suec, 

 1761, 224. 



Resembles obscurus in form. Piceous, shining. 

 Thorax broader than long, less narrowed in front; 

 margins broader, more strongly reflexed; front an- 

 gles more prominent, hind ones less acute ; surface 

 finely and rather densely punctate, the impressions 

 each side near base more distinct than in obscurus. 

 Punctures of elytral striae indistinct ; intervals con- 

 vex, finely and rather closely punctate. Length 13- 

 16 mm. (Fig. 560.) 



Throughout the State; frequent. Janu- 

 ary 11-July 14. Occurs with the preceding. 



2311 (7418). Tenebkio castaneus Knoch., Neue 

 Beitrag., 1801, 171. 

 Elongate, parallel. Blackish- or reddish-brown, feebly shining. Tho- 

 rax nearly square, truncate at base, distinctly emarginate at apex; sides 

 nearly straight, margins wide, strongly reflexed; front angles prominent, 

 rounded, hind ones rectangular; surface finely, deeply and rather densely 

 punctate. Elytral striae rather deep, strongly punctate ; intervals finely and 

 sparsely punctate. Length 9-10 mm. 



Throughout the State ; common. March 12-November 23. Prob- 

 ably hibernates. Occurs beneath bark and logs, especially in low, 

 open woods ; gregarious in early spring. Fresh specimens have the 

 upper surface finely pruinose. 



*2312 (7419). Tenebkio tenebrioides Beauv., Ins. Afr. et Amer.. 1805, 121. 



Elongate-oval. Black or dark reddish-brown, shining. Thorax one- 

 third broader than long, sides feebly curved ; margins narrow, scarcely re- 



Fig. 560. X 2h. 

 (After Forbes.) 



