2 
Indian Forest Records. 
[ Vol. VII 
CHAPTER I 
Anatomical Characters of Larvae of the Prionini. 
Among the characters enumerated by Schi^dte, 1876, for larvae of 
the Prionini are the following : — 
Head transverse, sides of the head behind the epistoma joined by an 
elongate median sclerite, thence angular and divergent. The 
lower retractor muscles which withdraw the head, are inserted 
in a deep groove in front of the occipital foramen. Clypeus 
occupying the whole frontal margin. Labrum semicircular. 
Webb, 1912, page 151, adopting Schi^dte^s groups but raising them 
to family rank, gives the following characters for the family Prionidae : — 
“ Head as broad as long, or broader than long, not deeply invaginated 
in the prothorax . Labrum large; clypeus large, filling 
frontal margin . Head not flattened; sides of head 
not separated immediately behind the epistoma. Legs moder¬ 
ately long. Sides of head behind epistoma fused for 
some distance, later separating, angulate. Head invaginated 
into prothorax almost to base of maxillae. Usually larvae of 
very large size.” 
Craighead, 1915, to whom we are indebted for a valuable study of the 
larval characters of the Prioninae, describes the general anatomical 
characteristics in considerable detail ( loc cit , pages 8—12) and sum¬ 
marises the principal diagnostic features as follows :— 
“ Head transverse, dorsal margins of epicranium behind front fused 
for some distance, later separating, angulate {i.e., head 
emarginate behind). Inferior retractor muscles of head 
inserted in a deep fovea before cervical foramen. 
Mandibles wedge-shaped, cutting edge broadly emarginate, apex pro¬ 
duced, acute. 
Epistoma produced in two triangular lobes, or a dentate carina over 
clypeus (except in Parandra ); three epistomal setae on either 
side; front produced over epistoma, dentate or carinate. 
Clypeus thick* trapezoidal, as wide at base as epistoma. Labrum 
broad, thick, semicircular or cordate. 
Maxillae movable; cardo distinct; maxillary sclerite full, cushioned; 
palpifer not distinct, small; lacinia borne on stipes. 
Antennae strong, partially retractile. 
Legs short, stout, conical. 
Eusternum of prothorax partially or entirely, and the lateral fcone, 
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