348 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. I, No. 4 
This weevil (PI. XU, figs, i and 2; and text figs. 1 and 2) forms the type 
of a new genus in the family Brachyrhinidae, subfamily Entiminae, tribe 
Ophryastini, to which our North American genera Ophryastes, Eupago- 
deres, Amydrogmus, and Tosastes belong. In Eacordaire's group 
“ Eeptopsides vrais” it is to be placed near Bastactes and Catasarcus, from 
both of which it differs by many characters. The 
descriptions which follow will serve to identify it. 
PREMNOTRYPES, new genus. 
Name derived from npkpvov (root) and rpunaxo (to bore), 
meaning a root borer. Type of genus.—P. solani, n. sp. 
Upper surfaces roughly sculptured throughout and closely 
squamose. Beak longer than head, enlarged at alae, more 
or less distinctly depressed on the median line and at the 
sides; scrobes broadened behind and then flexed downward 
far from eyes; mandibles beneath not acutely toothed. 
Eyes vertical, elongate oval, pointed beneath. Antennae 
with scape clavate, not greatly overlapping the anterior 
edge of the eyes; funicle 7-jointed, with first two joints 
elongate, the others shorter but not transverse; club elongate 
oval. Prothorax very tuberculate above and at sides; 
anterior lobes without vibrissae, almost completely cover¬ 
ing the eyes; base truncate, apex convex. Elytra with 
humeri rounded; striation irregular, with alternate inter- 
Body wingless. Thorax beneath with all parts short; meso- 
thoracic side pieces unequal; metepimera broad. Intercoxal process broad; first two 
abdominal segments occupying over half the abdomen; first suture arcuate; second 
segment at least as long as the two following; fifth segment as long as the two preced¬ 
ing. Femora and tibiae stout; tibiae mucronate; tarsi with third joint bilobed and a 
little wider than the preceding joints, pubescent beneath; claws simple. The posterior 
tibiae have the point of attachment of the tarsi terminal and 
close to the mucro. The apical surface is divided by a ridge 
into two unequal disks, the inner being the larger. The 
ridge passes just outside of the corbel. 
Fig. i .—Premnotrypes solani 
Pierce: Lateral view of 
prothorax and beak. 
vals multi tuberculate. 
Color brown, with 
Premnotrypes solani, n. sp. 
Length, 7 mm.; breadth, 3.75 mm. 
bronzy scales. 
Beak longer than head and narrower than eyes, being nar¬ 
rowest at about the middle, where the flare of the scrobes 
begins to widen it. Alae strongly flared, making apical por¬ 
tion of scrobes open above. Head with small tubercles 
above the eyes. Median line sharply defined, deepened at 
frontal fovea, then bifurcate to form a median ridge. The fine 
median line begins again on this ridge and extends to the apex. 
Beginning even with the front edges of the eyes the lateral impressions extend half 
the length of the beak. Apex of beak shining black, raised in an arcuate band, which 
causes the shining semielliptical nasal plate to stand obliquely. Mandibles shining 
black, with at least two inner teeth and with a long, shining, acute, deciduous piece 
with sharp inner edges. The right-hand deciduous piece has a tiny tooth on the 
inner edge before the middle. Antennal scrobes strongly flexed downward; scape 
clavate; funicle with all joints longer than wide, gradually decreasing in size toward 
Fig. 2. —Premnotrypes so- 
lani Pierce: Frontal view 
of beak. 
