SAW HORNED WOOD-BEETLES. 
9 6 
ous beetles) inhabit wood and bark in an advanced state of decay. In 
accordance with this position, they are usually the first insects to attack 
trees which have been injured by sun-scald, or which have otherwise 
had their vitality weakened. 
The following are the genera of Bupivsthho: 
A. Hind coxal plates* much widened at tlioir inner extremities. Body oblong and somewhat de- 
pressed, and more or less elliptical or narrowed at the two extremities. Size usually large or 
medium. (Buprestides proper.) 
B. The epimora (or hinder side pieces) of the motasternum triangular and exposed : prosternum 
acutely angulated behind. 
C. Mesos torn urn and motasternum united without suture. First joint of the hind tarsi as long 
as tho second and third united. Size largo or very large CiiAtcoptiOKA, 7 »p. 
C C. Mesosternal suture distinct ; size rather large or medium. 
1>. Elytra tapering to a point anil slightly separated at their tips j 1st joint of hind tarsi scarcely 
longer than S!d Dicekca, 24 sp. 
1) I). Elytra moderately nan-owed behind. 1st tarsal joint elongated BunmsTIs, SI sp. 
B B. Epimora of tlio motasternum partly covered by an auteriur prolongation of the margin of Iho 
abdomen. Prosternum acutely angulated behind. 
E. Front with a pit or doprossiou for tho insertion of the antounm. Size moderate: 
CUKVSOHOTIIIUB, 43 sp. 
E. Front without pit. Size small. 
F. Thorax waving at its junction with the elytra Mei.anoi'H 1 i.a, 10 sp. 
F F. Thorax cut straight across behind Anthaxia n 
A A. Hind coxal plates hut little widened at their inner extremities. Sizo never above medium ; 
usually small or very small. 
G. Front without pits for the insertion of the anteume. Thorax straight behind. Scu- 
toUuin none. Body clothed with shor^ erect hairs. Colors often variegated : 
ACMAIODEUA, 23 sp 
GG. Front pitted for antenna). Thorax angulated behind. Scutcllum distinct. Body not 
H. Body elongated, narrow, almost cylindrical. Prostemum without grooves for the 
reception of the anteume A0IU106, 40 sp. 
H H. Body short and broad. Prosteruum with grooves for the autennai. Tarsi very 
short. 
I. Body ovate; sculelluin small; tibia; slender Brachys, 8sp. 
I I. Body sub-triangular ; scutel large; tibia; dilated Metokius, 2 sp! 
The largest N. A. species of Buprestis is the Chalcophora virginumis 
of Drury, nearly or quite an inch in length, of a dark coppery or black- 
ish color, and a very uneven surface, caused by elevated lines and de- 
pressed square-shaped spots. The larva inhabits the trunks of different 
kinds of pine trees, and the perfect insects are to be found, therefore, 
only in pine growing regions. The Dicerca divaricata, Say, is three- 
quarters of an inch or more in length, copper colored, with a granulated 
surface. It is distinguished at once by its tapering elytra, separated at 
the tips. Its larva bores into the trunks of cherry and peach trees. 
We have another, smaller and more obscure species, the D. lurida, Fab., 
the larva of which inhabits the hickory. The Ghrysobothris femorata, 
(Fig. 4 2) an obscure bronze-black species, rather less than half an inch 
111 length, is the parent of the well known flat-headed hover , so injurious 
to apple trees, and also to the soft maple. 
The hind coxal plates are the flat and narrow transverse pieces which border the under .side of the 
, * >lax behind, and are separated by a suture from the luetaatermuu. They are marked C X Jt* iu 
