Contributions towards a Knowledge of the Ourculionida:.

434 MR. F. :P. :PASCOE ON THE CURCULIONIDlE.

PLATE XVI.

Fig. 7. Thomisus,!j!; ^Cf£, lateral view of cepbalothorax, with puncta.

8. ThomiMls e:r:iguus. ~ , immature.

9. Thomisus elegans, ~ ; p. 0, palpal organs.

10. TlllJridion conaimlUm ~; c, eyes.

11. Theridi01~ delicatum, 0; c, eyes; 'P.o, palpal organs.

12. Linypkia punctata,~., immatme; ex, cephalothomx to show puncta.

13. 1!Jpe'tra amcena, ~, immature; ab, abdomen in profile, to. show the remarkable position of the spinnerets.

Contributions towards a Knowledge of the Ourculionida:.

By FlUNCIS P.

PASC01!J,

F.L.S., F.Z.S.

^&c.

Part I.

[Read June 17, 1869.]

(PLATES XVII.,

xvrrI.,

XIX.)

It has been calculated that 30,000 species of Curculionidro are in collections*. The number is possibly greatly beyond the fact;

but it may be assumed as a certainty that not one half has been described. The great work of Schonherr, the last volume of which was published in 1845, contained descriptions of 6335 speciest;

but although many new forms have since been added to collec- tions, compumtively few genera have been formed for their recep- tion. I purpose, therefore, in this communication to endeavour to meet this want by selecting, here and there, not only the more remarkable, but also such obscure species as do not from their appearance afford any ready clue to their systematic position. I have also given descriptions of such new species of recognized genera as from locality or any peculiarity of structure or characters may be desirable.

There is probably no other family of insects where there is so little correlation between habit and characters, or where two species may almost exactly resemble one another, yet be in no respect allied' while on the other hand there are sumespecies belonging to th~ same genus, and in large genera it is the rule, which are so dissimilar as to be utterly irreconcilable with all ideas of generic

~ ;rekel, Ann, Soc. Fr. 1864, p. 538, note.

'r

Lacoroaire, Gen. vi. p. 16, note.

, I

1 .~

MR. F. :P. FA-SCOE ON TIIE CUnCULIONID]E. 435

association. Beyond all doubt there has been one type* of form amongst these thousands of species, and in all directions has this type diverged until we huyc a network of affinities, which in many cases can scarcely be distinguished from analogies. Under these circumstances it will be easily understood that a great difference of opinion is often found to exist as to the true place in the family. I ask attention to this point, because in the literature of the group there will be found statements that the relationship of this or that genus has been completely misunderstuod, uot only because analogy mai be mistaken for affinity, but also because a greater .'Value has been attached to certain characters by some authors than bas been done by others.

I bave fullowed the arrangement of Prof. Lacordaire in his great work on the genera of the Coleoptera (vols. vi. and vii.), only (1) I have not adopted his' groupcs,' to which, as the learned author admits, he is sometimes unable to assign precise limits, and (2) I have, as heretofore, ventured to name his 't?'ilJUs' subfamilies, which, as it appears to me, is more consonant to the ordinary meaning of the words than it woulcl be to make the tribe subordinate to the family. The total number of the sub- families is eighty-two, and these, taking M. Lacordaire's arrange- ment as the basis, are here divided into seven categories, which I have tabulated below. It must be understood that there are many exceptions to the characters given, but these are Unavoidable in a natural classification.

*

Dr. Leconte (Silliman's Journ. xliv. 1867, p. 42) considors that the Rhyn- chophora, to which the Curoulionidro belong, represent a special, but infel'ior type " which must be isolated from all other types of Coleoptel'a, possessing a systematic value equal to all the others combined." The inferiority of tills type, he says; is manifested not only in thc larval condition, but also "by the combi- nation in the imago of characters belonging to a perfectly developed organism with others pertaining to an inferior grade in the scale of Coleoptera," that" de- gradational characters" are absent, and that other characters" representing low grades in their respective series do not appear in the Rhynchophol'a, such as vegetative growth of the organs of senso, indicated by pectinate or flabel1ate antennm, 01' excessive length of palpi." .An instance of pectinate nntennre will, however, be found in GtenaplLides, a genus described further on; and if no case can be cited of excessive length of palpi, at least there is ono genus (Me()omastllx) in which the antennro assuming the" vegetative growtll" are four times the whole length of the body, and this proportion is not exceeded. by any Longicorn. Dr.

Leconte might also have cited the confusion or soldering together of parts of the mouth, the commencement of nn approach to the Buctorial type, and a manifest departure from the organizution of the rest of the Coleoptera.

436

MR. F. P. PABOO"E O:S THE CUROULIONIDlE.

Mentum filling the area of the mouth.

No ocular lobes; eyes generally round.' Cyclophthalmous*.

Oeular lobes present; eyes often nal'l'OW, acuminate beneath.

OxyophlltaZmous.

Mentum leaving the maxillre more or less exposed.

Third tarsal joint generally bilobed, the fourth joint inserted between the lobes.

Anterior eoxlC contiguous.

Pygidium r:overed by the elytra:

Metasternum very short.

Brackystethous.

J\lIetasternum more or less elongate.

lI:lacl·ostethous.

Pygidium exposed, or, in de- fault, tanal claws appendi- cuIate. Pygidophorous.

Subfamilies.

Micl'Occrillre, Brachyderinre, Otiorhynehinre.

Ereruninre, Leptopsinre, Brachycerinre.

Dinomorphinre, Byrsopsinre, Amy cterin re, Somatodinre, Hipporhininre, Rhyparosominre, Cylindrorhininre, Lithininre, Molytinre, TanYl'hynchinre.

Seythropinre, .Promecopinre, Goniptcl'inre, Hypcrinre, Ithycerinre, Diabathral'iinre, Aterpinre, Cleoninre, Hylobiinre, Erirhininre, Amalactinre, Ambatinre, Petalochilinre, Oxycorynillre, Belinre, EUl'hynchinre, Cylinre, Allioninre.

Cybebinre, Attelabinre,

Rhinomacerinre, Ectemnorhinre, MesoptiIinre. Scolopteriitre,

Erodiscinre, Otidocephalim:e, Magdalinre, Balaninre, Anthonominre, Cel'atopmre, Trigonocolinre, Coryssomerime,

Prionomerinre, Tychiinre, Cioninre.

"', The categories are in italic!> in the above list.

f \

1

l.[R. F. P. PASCOE ON TilE CURCULIONID.iG.

Anterior coxre separated, a ca- nal for the reception of the rostrnm generally between them. Aulacostethous.

Third tarsal joint entire, rarely bilobed, receiviug the fourth joint in a cavity above.

Subfamilies.

Gymnetrinre, Derelominre, Lremosaceinre, Alcidinre, Haplonychinre, Emlerinre, N erthopinre, Camarotillre,

Mllemachinre, Cholinre, Cryptorhynchinre, Zygopinre, Tachygoninre, Raruphinre, Isorhynchinre, Trypetinre, Antliarhinre, Uloruascinre, Epipe<linre, Pyropinre, Pterocolinre, Celltorhynchillre, Pteridotelinre, Pantotelinre, Baridinre.

Cyclopodous. Carupyloscelinre, Calandrinre, Strorubocermre, Oxyrhynchinre, Sipalinre, Cossollinre.

The following descriptions have not been arranged in the natural sequences of the genera, owing to circumstances over which I have no control; but

a

systematic enumeration of them, and of the species described, will be given at the conclusion of these" Contributions."

PROXYRUS.

(Otiorhynchime. )

Rostrum, crassum, capite 11aud longius, apice integrum, retusum ; scrobes apicales *, abbreviatre, arcuatre. Oculi subrotundati.

Antenruf3 longre, validre; scapo medium prothoracis attingente;

funiculo 7 -articulato, art. duobus bas8Jibus obconicis, primo Ion- giusculo, secundo breviore, 3-6 turbinatis, septimo longiusculo, obconico ;

clava

ovata, acuminata, basi pedunculata. Protlwraa;

transversus, convexus, utrinque ampliato-rotundatuB, basi apice- que truncatus, ilia pauIo latiore. Soutellum minutum.

Elytra

oblonga, prothorace haud latiora. Pedes validi ; femora modice incrassata, infra dente tenuato instructa; tibia; rectre, intus sinuatre, posticre corbulis apertis; tm'si art. secundo parvo,

*

The words, apicales, 1nedianal, &0 .• in connenon with the scrobes are only Il];lplied to their commencement.

4SH

MR. F. F. FASCOE ON THE CURCULIONIDlEJ.

transverso;

ungtticuli

liberi.

Metasternum

breve.

P1'ocessus

intercoxalis haud latus, antice angulatus.

Abdomen

segmentis duobus basalibus requalibus, tertio quartoque conjunctis secunda yix longioribus;

sutu1;a

prima angulata.

The relative narrowness of the iutercoxaI process is at variance with most ofthe genera of this subfamily, which have their posterior corbels open; the

Plbyllobium-forms

in which this character occurs have a short metasternum; this genus, therefore, would lie between the two. The female, judging from a specimen of

P.

lecideo8~ts, would appear to have a much narrower, sub conical prothorax, and elytra gradually broader posteriorly.

PROXYRUS ABSTERSUS. (PI. XVII. fig. 8.) P. niger, opacus, squa- muUs transversis pm'duB vestitns, nonnullis albis, et setulis elongatis spm'se di.spel·sis; capite inter ocnlos fovea oblonga sita; rostro qua- drato, setulis nigris curvatis tecta; prothol'ace vix leviter, sat remote punctato; seutello l'otuudato; elytris striato-punctatis, pnnctis rudis oblongis, interstitiis haud eonvexis,_ apieibus truncatis, mal'ginibus ciliatis; infl'a confertim subal'gel1teo-squamosus, squamis rotundatis;

pedibus longe sed paree pilosis. Long. 4 lino (rost. incl.)

*.

Hab. Western Australia (Champion Bay).

PROXYRUS LECIDEOSUS, P. angnsti01', fuscus, squamis rotundatis tectus; capite prothoraeeque squamis, i110 inter antennas fissura an- gustata sita; antennis pallide fuscis, sct~1is griseis tectis; p~'oth~racc sat leviter punetato; seutello oblongo, aplco rotunc1ato; elytrls stl'lato- punetatis, punctis oblongis, interstitiis convexis, griseis, maculis nume- rosis fuscis subconfluentibus notatis, apicibus tl'uucatis; infra sub- al'genteo-squamosus; pedibus ferrugineis, sparse griseo-squamosis et pilosis.

Frem.

prothorace magis conieo, et elytris postice sensim la-

tioribus. Long.

3t

lin, (l'ost. inol.).

Hab. West Australia (Champion Bay).

ZYROOSA.

(Otiorhynchinre.)

Rostrum

crassum, capite longius ;

sarobes

laterales, curvatre, ocuIos haud attingentes,

OmtU

laterales, rotundati.

AntennaJ

squa- mOSal, . pone medium rostri insertre; sca:p~ ser:sim crassiore, oculum superantc;

flmiculo

7 -artieulato, lInearl, art. c1uobu.s basalibus requalibus, reliql1is· transve,rsis;

clava

attenuata, ov31l.

Proth01+ax

transversus, apice angustus, lateribus basin versns fortiter angulatus, basi bisinuatus.

Scutellwn

mmutum.

Elytra

obovata, basi singuIatim pauIo producta, humeris oblique trUll- cata.

Pedes

mec1iocres ;

femora

parum incrassata;

tibiee

rectre,

*

When not otherwise mentioned, the length is-given exclusive of the rostrum.

MU. F. P. PASCOE ON TIIE CURCULIONIDlE. 439 posticre corblllis cl1vernosis;

tarsi

art. tel'tio dilatato, pl'ofunde diviso ; ultimo mediocri ;

'lmglticuli

connati.

Abdomen

segmento secunda duobus sequentibus cODjunctim breviore;

8utU1'a

prima recta.

This very distinct genus belongs to M. Lacorc1aire's "

Episo- mides,"

aud is differentiated from the other genera of the'

,qrmtpe'

by the form of its prothorax, and by the obliquity of the anterior angles of the elytm. I have dedicated the species described be-

lo,v

to the well-known author of the' Geogral)hical Distribution of the ~rammalia,' who has also published many of the insects of the country of which this is a native.

ZYRCOSA MURRAYI. (Pl. XVIL fig.

7.)

Z. supl'a densius vil'i(li-argen- teo-squamosa, squamis viridi-aul'eis, et elytris interl'upte nigro-bifa- sciatis; rostrum in medio linea elevatn, uigJ'a, nitida; antennis squamil!

viricli-aureis tcctis, scapo antice nigro-liLscienlato, clava nigl'a, apice griseo-pubcscente; pl'othorace elytl'is paulo angustiore,lateribus ante angulum incUl'vato, augulo suhbasali, supra setulis squamiformihus ereetis numerosis; sClltel10 oblongo, punctiformi; elytris basi rnodice convexis, postice constrictis, punetato-sh'iatis (cirea sing. sex), punctis oblongis, pl'ofnndis, approximatis, suprll setulis numcl'osis snbel'ectis;

corpore infra, pedibusque pallide viridi-squamosis. Long.

3i

lino Hab. Old Calabar.

LlEMOSAccus BREVIPE:NNIS. L. brevis, fuscus, apaeus, supra squn- mulis filiformibus vestitus; rostro capite longiore; nitido, castaneo, basi rude pnnctato, aimidio apien.1i sat remote punctulato; oeulis antiee distantibns; antennis pallide fel'l'ugineis, pilis fulvis dispersis;

pl'othol'ace fusco-nebuJosa, macnlis indetel'minntis fulveseentibus, lobo mediano vix producto; scutello punctiformi; elytl'is vix longioribus quam latiol'ibus, leviter striato-punctatis, striis basi subflexuosis, ob- scure ciucrascentibus, pallide fusco-nebulosis, in media fascia fusefi extus gradatim angustiol'e; infra pedibnsque rufo-piceis, fulvo-squa- moais, femoribus anticis validis, subtus deute magno instructis. Long.

3 lino

Hab. Queensland.

One of the largest of the genus, and remarlmblo for its very sllOrt broad elytra.

L.lE;\10SACCUS TANTULUS.

L.

oblongus, subpal'allelus, fuseus, supm dense

(n

silaceo-pilosis, rostro capite Yix longiore, nigro, subtiliter puuctato; oculis modice approximatis; antennis bl'evihus, testaceis, apieem versus ferrugineis; Pl'othOl'llCe apice subito angustato, b'aus- vel'SO, confertim punctato, in medio costula ahhreviata; scutello sub- triangulari; elytl'is striato-pnnetatis, jntel'stitiis couvcxis, subtilissime pnnctatis; pedibus totis l'ufis. Long! 1

t

lino

Hab. 'Vestern Australia (Champion Bay).

440

^{MR. F.} 1'. 1'ASOOE ON THE CURCUr,IONIDlE.

My specimen of this curious species is a little rubbed, but it appears to have been densely covered with rusty-yellow hairs- too cylindrical to be called scales. The unusual shortness of the rostrum (

<5 )

is accoml?anied by a very short scape.

LJEMOSACCUS SYNOPTIC

us. L.

oblongus, niger, opacus, supra inter- l'upte silaceo-squamosus; rostro nigra, nitido, modice arcuato; capite maris pauIo longiol'e; ocuUs fere contiguis; antennis fusco-fert'ugiueis;

clava nigra; prothol'ftce confertim punctato, dorso cruciato-subim- p)'essa, cavitatiblls squamulis silaceis repletis, utrinque etiam silaceo- squamulosis; scutello clougato-tl'iangulari; elytl'is striato-punctatis, plagis duabus magnis decol'atis,una transversa basali, altera minore pone medium, apicibusque silaceo-squamulosis, creteris elytrol'um denudatis; infra sat dense griseo-squamulosus; pedibus nigl'is, fere nudis. Long.

H

lino

Hab. Queensland.

The confluent eyes, and short, distinl:tly curved rostrum (

<5

?) would seem to take this species out of

Lcmnosaccu8;

it is, however, too obviously allied to

L. suvsignat1l8,

Schon., to allow of its being generically separated. In the female of the latter the rostrum is more than twice as long. as in the male, and decidedly curved.

How far these differences apply to all the species is at l?resent unknown.

DEMIMJIilA.

(Leptopsime. )

Rostr1tm

validum, arcuatum, haud angulatum, capite angnstiu\3 et duplo longins, apicem versus laMus;

scroves

obliqure, oculum infra aUingentes.

Oculi

magni, grosse granulati. Antcnnm medianre, breves;

scapo

gradatim incrassato ;

funiculo

7 -articu- lata, art. primo longiusculo, secuncl0 obconico, creteris brevibus, gradatim crassioribus;

clava

ovata.

P1'othorafJJ

cylindricus, antice paulo anguBtior, lobis ocularibus parum productis.

Elytra

prothorace duplo latiora, brevia, valde convexa,lateri- bus apicem versus sensim angustiora. Pedes graciles;

femora

leviter incrassata, subtus dente minuto instructa;

tibiaJ

rectre, unco subverticali armatre;

^tar8i

triangulares, art. basali lon- giriscllio, secundo vix latiore, tertio dilatato, ultimo longiusculo ;

wnguiculi

liberi. Metasternwm breviuscllium. Abdomen seg- mento secundo duobus sequentibus conjunctim breviore.

^P1'O-

CB8SUS

intercoxalis antice angulatus.

The technical characters of this genus point to a position among the" Strangaliodides" of M. Lacordaire; but with none of

MR. F. 1'. 1'A-SOOE ON TilE CURCULIONIDJIil.

441 the genera does it seem to have any affinity. The prothorax is denuded, or nearly so, in my specimens; but this is probably not its natural condition; the large glossy black patch on ea cb side, surrounded with long snow-white hairs, gives the insect a very marked appearance; the smaller spot at the apex is not seen

^f!.'OIll

above. Some of the hairs are much lal'ger than the rest, and a few black ones are intermixed.

DEMIMJEA LUCTUOSA. (PI. XVII. fig. 3.) D. atra, nitida, pilis niveis pal'tim tecta: rostro longe et sparse piloso; pl'othol'uCC l'ugoso-punc- tato; scutelJo subtl'iangu\al'i; elytris tenuiter seriatim pUllctatis, piUs erectis niveis, singlllo spatiis duobus denudatis, l1itidissimis, instructo, uno pel'amplo meiliano, altera apicali ; infra pedibusque niveo-pilosis ; antennis lrete fel'l'ugineis. Long.2lin.

Hab. Burmah.

POLYTELES DECUSSATUS. (Pi. XVII. fig. 1.) P. niger, squumulis vh'idi-metallicis undique tectus; capite supra, protboraceque vittis tl'ibus, una mediana, nltel'isque lateralibus, sutura, fasciisque duabus decussatis elytl'orum, aterrimis, his fascia prima ObUqUlt ab humero arl medium sita, iufra humerum ampliata, altel'a abbreviata obliqua, ad suturam prima connexa, duabus literam Y fere formantibus; abdo- minis segmentis mUl'ginibus latel'ibusque nigris; antennis linearibus nigl'is, clava elongata. Long. 8 lino

Hab. Peru (Nauta).

Not inferior in colour to P.

cr:eZestintbs,

Perty, with which it agrees in form and sculpture; but the black portions are quite different, and the scales are uniformly green, although with a rich golden tint. I have another species, from Cayenne, almost equally beautiful; these two, with Perty's species, form a very natural genus; if P.

Guerinii

is retained, it will not be so; yet the latter cau only be technically distinguished by the ovate club of its antennre.

MEDICASTA.

(A terpinis ail'.)

Oaput

exsertnm, inter ocllios depressum, ol'bitis productum;

r08t1'~tm

diffol'me, Cl'assurn, capite paulo long ius, supra gibbo-

sum;

^SC1'Obe8

subapicales,

⁰

bliqure, infra ocuIos desinentes.

Omtli

ampliati, grosse granulati,infra palllo acuminati, supra orhitis

tecH. AntermaJ mediocres;

scapus

sensim clavatus ;

fimiculus

7-articulatus, art.primo crasso, secundo obconico, creteris bre-

vioribus;

clava

lib era, ovali, valida.

P1'othomx

angustatus,

cylindric us, lobis ocularibus nullis. Elytra basi quam pro-

442

MR. F. 1'. 1'A-SOOE ON THE OUROULIONIDJE.

thorax duplo longiora, supra oblongo-quadrata, postice declivia.

Pedes breviusculi; femora leviter incrassata; tibiw rectm; tarsi haud dilatati, crassiusculi, art. penultimo vix lobato, ultimo elongato;

1m;qui(]l~li

liberi. Metasternwm sat elongatum. Ab- domen segmentis duobus basalibus ampliatis; sutura prima arcuata.

I

am

inclined to think that this genus and two other genera of mine (Etltemaia and

Metl~!Jpora)

will form a distinct subfamily, which may be placed near the Aterpinre; but a further knowledge of the A.ustralian Curculionidre may possibly modify this view.

They are three puzzling forms, and this to a certain extent is in- termediate, at least it bas led me to suspect an affinity between the two genera, lI£edicasta being obviously related to Et7l8maia, and having at the same time a decided p7'imt1 faaie appearance of belonging to a group of wl1ich Metlt!Jpora is a member. Mr. Du Bou1ay had a single specimen in his collection, which he has kindly presented to me. It came in to lamp-]jght.

MEDICASTA LEUCURA. (PI. XVII. fig. 11.) M. supra fuseo-nigra, infra et parte c1eclivi elytrorum albo-squamulosa; rostro rugoso-squamoso, toto albo, Ol'e nig;ro excepto; capite supra nigl'o, impresso-pnnctato, mal'ginibus ol'bitorum 4-5-dentatis; prothorace latitlldine longiore, rude punctato; scutello minuto, oblongo; elytris inrequalibus, sub- seriatim punctatis, singulo tricostatis, costis tuberculis conicis in- stl'uctis, scilicet prima tribus, secunda quatuor, externa uno, humero sito; infra pedibusque omnino albo-squamosulis, tibiis in medio fusco-annulatis. Long. 2 lino

Hab. West Australia (Champion Day).

lYIETRIOXENA-.

(Oxycoryninre. )

Oap~tt

transversum. Rosi-rwm quam caput quadruplo longius, rectum, cylindricum, apice dilatatum; scrobes nuUre.

Oculi

prominuli.

A'lltennre

12-articulatre, basi rostri inRertm; art.

1-6 gradatim b1'evioribus, 7-9 subrequalibus, obconicis; clava obconica, art. primo magno, duobus terminalibus brevissimis.

P1'otlw'l'ax subrotundatus, paulo convexus, marginibus crenato- serratus, antice truncatus, postice late lobatus. Scutellum parvllm, quadratum. Elytra modice convexa, parallela, postice l'otuudata. Peiles validi; femom in medio incrassata; tibia!

l'obustm, c0111p1'essm, intermeclire et postime arcuatro; tm'8i latis-

l

r

I.

1

1 I

~rR. F. P. FA.saOE ON THE otraCtrLlONIDlB.

simi, art. basali miuuto, duobus sequcl1!;ibna fOl·titer bilobis, ultimo modice elongato, basi nodifero ;

ungl~iauli8

parvis.

Ooxce

haud appl'oximatre. Meta8tel'nm}1, modice elongatum.

Oorpus

glabrum.

The sole species constituting this genus has very much the habit of an

Apion,

and is therefore quite different from that of

O.vy-

e(jrl/nus; nevertheless the differential characters, although nume- rous, are less striking than might have been expected., the prin- cipal being the peculiar form of the tarsi. The knot at the base of the claw-joint representiug an additional, but rudimentary, joint is almost peculiar among CUl'culionidre to this subfamily, and is only found agaiu iu

Dl'yopMlwi'2ts. O;1}yc01'ynu8,

coutaining four or five species only, is peculiar to South America, where one of its membel's, lately described by me, is found frequentiug

a

species of

Hyilnol'C!;

the occurrence of a second genus of this most trencl1ant subfamily in }\1:acassar, one of the fl'uits of

}\fr.

Wallace's researches, is therefore highly interesting.

METRIOXENA SERRICOLLIS. (PI. XVII. fig. 10.) 111. fulvo-testaccn.

elytris iufuscatis, singulo plaga magna postiea testacea; capite opaco, l'ostro niti,io; prothorace leviter punctato, quiuque-cal'inato; elytl'is seriatim pnnctatis, basi singulo lineis duabus ahbl'eviatis elevatis, humel'is promiuulis; corpore infra testaceo, parce puhescente; pedi- bus fulvo-testaceis, glabris; ocnlis nigl'is'; an tennis versus apicem in- fuscatis. Long. It lino

Hab. ]}1acassal'.

AONycrrus LINEATUS. A. ovatus, albo-squalnosus; rostro tenui, nigro, nitido, denudato, snbtiliter punctulato; pl'()thorace subtrans- verso, basi fortiter bisinuato; scutello pal'vo, triangulru:i; elytris punctato-striatis, iuterstitiis secundo quartoque a sutul'a griseis, humeris tuberculato-productis; infra pellibnsque albis; antennis gracilibus,. fuscis, clava nigra. Long. 4 lino

Hab. Western Australia (Champion Day).

A

very distinct species, but iu everything conformable to the characters of

A01~yGhus,

a genus remarkable for the absence of the daw-joint, and hitherto only contaiuing the wcll-lmowuA.

Hopei,

Schon. Of tbe latter

I

have specimens of nearly

^It

pUl'e white, two small irregular patches on the middle of the elytra being the only vestige

of

the dark umber marbling which gives such an elegant appearance to the normal fOl'm.

METATYGES CUPREUS. .JtI. cupreo-metallicus, nitidus, pilis minu- tissimis l'emotis obsitus; capite rostl'oque punctulato, hoc in mellio longitudinalitel' sulcato; prothol'ace subtiliter punctato, pone medium

r,n'N.

rltoC.-ZOOLOGY,

VOL.

x.

30

444

MR. F. :P. l'ASCOE ON THE CURCUJJIONIDll1l.

cnllo semilunnri instl'ucto; scutello subtrinngulnri, apice l'otuntlato;

elytra breviter trigona, seriatim foveata, fovere il'l'egulnres, oblongre, vellineal'es, alire rotundatre, intel'stitiis punctulatis; infra pedibusque fuseo-bruuneis, pHis adpressis fulvescentibus' tenuiter vestitis; an- tennis fusco-ferrugineis, clava griseo-tomentosa. Long. 5~ lino Hab. Gold Coa;;t.

The type of the genus, M.

tur1'itus,

is covered with a sort of farinaceous exudation mixed with short hairs; but the present species has only a very thin, almost obsolete, pubescence above, chiefly on the head and prothorax.

Sy ARBIS SCIURUS. S. oblongus, compressus, subnuclus, l'ufescens sparse punetatus, puncto singulo media squnmam griseam fereute; rostro crasao, sat dense gl'iseo-squamuloso; IJrothol'ace conico, irl'egulal'iter·

punctato, longitudine latitudini requuli; elytris valde convexis, bnsi pl'othornce sesqui latioribus, utrinque acl apicem subparallelis, deinde rotnndatis, seriatim punetatis, humeris calloso-pl'oductis, pnlliile ^l'U- fcscentibus, basi maculaque obliqua pone medium fusco-rufis; infra, pedibusql1e l'ufescentibus. Long.

1£

lino

Hab. Western Australia (Nieol Bay).

A narrower and more compressed form tban

S. paehypus,

which is also of an entirely dark ferruginous colour. Another species in my collection is possibly identical with

A(J1'ofe1'iasus nubilus,

Roelofs .~~, 01' rather with

A. emmyinat'us,

if the two be not identical; but there is no appearance in my examples of

the

" semicircular depression" on the last abdominal segment, which h:rs induced M. Roelofs to separate it from the first-named species.

SYARBIS GONIPTlilROIDES. S. rufo-brunneus, squamositate sordide grisea omnino teetu!!, rostro crasso; prothorace conico, spal'sim punc- tato; scutello oblougo-ovali; elytris clavatis, basi fere duplo Intiori- bus quam basis prothoracis, seriato-punetatis, utl'inque gradatim an- gustatis, singulo basin versus callo mediano instl'l1ctis, humeris obli- quis, calloso-productis; infra pedibusque squnmis oblongis pallide ochl'aceis dispersis. Long. 3 lino

Hab. Western Australia (Nicol Bay).

The larger size, the elevated elytra narrowing rather rapidly.

behind, basal tubercles, &c. rellder this an easily recognized species.

• Ann. Soc. Ent. de ]3elgique, Jr., p. 2 of the "Extrait." The genus .AC1·ote- riaStt8 had been published by me two years before under the name of Syarbi&, Journ. of Entom. H. 423.

i I

t

\

I

1 I

..

:MR. F. P. PA.SOOE ON THE UURCULIONID}E.

CVnO'l'Vl'HUS.

(Bclinro.)

4.45

Rostrum

validum, capite duplo longins; scrob88 nnUro.

Oculi

prominentes, rotnndati.

Antennce

medianre, graciles, 11-arti- culatre, art. basali Cl'asso obconlco, secunda bl'eviusculo, tertio creteris longiore,4-5-0 gradatim brcvioribus, 7-10 paulo lon- gioribus, ultimo fusiformi.

.P1'otllOma;

subconicns, tubercu- latus, utrillque irregularis.

Elytra

lata, convexa, paraUela, basi haud producta, postice conjunctim rotuudata.

Pedes

me- diocres ; femora subtus unidcntata;

tibice

arcuatre; tarsi et

e01:p~tS infra ut in I8acantl~a.

Allied to Isacantha, Hope, but essentially differentiated by the size of the rostrum, the absence of scrobes, and the clmracters of the prothorax and elytra. :Modifications

ill

the l'eIative length and size of tIle joints of the Itntennre do not appeal' to be of generic value in this subfamily; otherwise the tl)iekness of the basal joint might be cited as another diagnostic charncter. The geneml effect of the light-coloured scales on the blnd, derm is to give this remarkable insect a smoky appearance. I am in- debted to M. Odewahn for my specimens.

CYROTYPHUS FASCICULARIS. (PI. XVII. fig. 5.) C. oblongus, nigl'l', squamis filiformibus gl'iscis albidisque tectlls; capite levitel' punctu-

lato, inter oculus cal'inis dnabus rugosis; rostri apice uudo, llitido ; antennis uigris; jJrothorace latitudine longiore, granulato, 8Up1"3 qun- dritubereulato (; :), utriuquc pone medium tuberculo eonieo p1'o111i- liuIo al'mato; scutello eIevr.to, snbl'otnndato ^j elytl·js antiee basi p1'u-

thOl'acis fere duplo latioribus, inrequalibus, sat remote punctnlatis.

fasciculis pilosis nigl'is, macu1isqlie pm-vis (pnesertim dimidio po- stieo) dispel'sis, clytro singulo costis tribus imletermilltltis, dllahw;

extc1'nis al1tice abbl'eviatis ; infra griseo-tomentosns ; pedibus spal'sim griseo-pilosis. Long. 6~-7 lino

Hab. South Australia (Gawlel').

DrA.l'HNA..

(Oryptor hynchinre.)

Rosi1'W1n

tenue, arcuatum, cylindricum, capite angustius et triplo longius; scroD8s panIo obliqure, infra ocuIos attingentes. Llll-

tennce

in medio rostri insertre;

soapo

clavato ;

funiculo 7-lwti-

cuIato, art. primo crasso, secundo longiusculo, crotel'is gradatim brevioribus;

claz,a

ampla, ovuta.

Oouli

rotundati. P.Pothoi·ax

30*

446 ^MR. F. P. P.A.SCOE ON THE CURCULIONIDlE.

subglobosus, supra inrequalis, basi late emarginatus, lobis ocu- laribus bene determinatis. Scutell~tm breve, transversum.

Ely-

t1'a breviter ovata, valde convex a, corporis 1atera obtegentia, postice dec1ivia, humeris obso1etis. Fem01'a subelongata, sen- sim incrassllta, subtus

in

medio deute armata, pasticR. corpus Auperllutia; fibi(fJ breviusculre, posticre langiores, intus bisi- nuatm, apice unco obliquo; tarsi art. terDo dillltato, quarto elongato; unguiculi liberi; cOXaJ anticre basi vix sepat'n.tre.

.Rima pectoralis prosterno limitatn.. .11:[ef"asf"m·mtm brevissi- mum. Abdomen segmentis tribus intermediis requalibus; su- tUl'a prima antice arcuata. P'1'ocessus intercoxalis late tri- angularis.

This genus belongs to the "SOlts-t1,ibz6 Ithyporicles" of 1\:[.

Lncordaire; but I am unable to assign it to either of the eight

" .fJl'ou;pes" into '\vl1ich he has divided

it:

the character of the elytra closely embracing the body would exclude

it

from every one except the" OCl'hdiides," from which it differs essentially

in

its rostral, anal, and other characters. It would therefore, in

M.

Lacordaire's systom, form It "g1'OUpB" to itself. There are four species

in

my collection; two of these are here described, as one of them differs structurally in having an eleyated process rrojected forwards on to the prothorax at the base of each e1y- trOll ; but all four species are exactly alike in ontline, which, as will be. seen by the figure, is rather peculiar.

DIAPHN.A. SIGNATA. (Pt. XVII. fig. 4.) D. umbl'ino-gl'isea, fuseo- nehulosa; elytris basi baud pl'oductis, pone medium macula trans- versa pallide ochl'acea.; rostro rufeseente, denudato, bnsi exceptlt, nitido, sparse punctato; prothol'!lce supra in medio cm·inato, postice bicalloso; elytris seriatim tubercuIatis, tuberculis elevatis, apiee de- nudatis, singnlis squama reflexa instl'uctis; corpore infra gl'isescente ; fcmOl'ibus, tibHsque ochmcco-annuIatis; antcnnis nitidis, rufesccnti- bUBo Long.

2!

lino

Hab. Natal.

DIAPHNA AURITIPENNIS. D. fuIvescens; eIytl'is basi antice cal'innto- pl'oductis; rostro dimidio IlpicuIL l'ufusccnte, nitido, sparse punctu- bto ; 'prothoracc Ilntice in medio cari,nato, Ilpice bicalloso, utrinqne cams duo bus maximis; elytris seriatim tuberculutis, tubercnlis omnino squamosis; apice singulOl'um squama l'cflexa instl'ucto, postice pauIo dec1ivis, l'ufo:fuscis; infra peclibusque fnlvcsccntiblls, fcmoribus posti- cis tibiisque·l·ufo-annulatis; antenrus rufescentibus, nitidis. Long.

211in.

Hab. Natlll.

t

I

I

T

AIn, F. P. l'ASCOE ON THE CURCULIONIDlE. 447

CIIIROZETES.

(Zygopime.)

ROSt1'U'ln mediocre, sat robustum, arcuatulU, antice deprcssl1ln;

basi subquaclrangulare; scrobes abbreviatre, postice sensilll eva- nescentes,

fere

in medio rostd sitre.

Oculi

maO"ui ob_{C l ' s o '} 1ol1<Ti

supra, contigui. Antenna3 breves; scapo tenuitel' clavifol'llli;

fitnim~lo 6-articulato, art. secundo quam pl'imus longiore, creteris distinctis, requalibus, brevioribus; clava articulo busali elon- gato, creteris conum brevem formantibus. P1'otllOl'aX oblongns, parum convexus, antice angustiOl', lateraliter modice rotun- datus, apice sinuatus, basi late lobatus. ScutelluJn parvum, subquadratum.

Elytrct

in medio subplanata, lateribus sensim angustiol'a, apicibus rotundata.

Pedes

antici elonga,ti;

femora

in medio panlo incl'assata, infra dentata, postiea apices e1y- trorum haud snperantia, intermedin, breviora; tibiaJ compl'cssm, uucinatro; tM'si antici elongati, depressi, longe ciliati, inter- medii et postici modice elongati, mquales; cOJ,'aJ anticre di- . stantes. J?1'opecius latum, profunde et anguste excavatum,

bi-

cornutum. 111esosterrw1n latum. Metastm'nu1n elongatum, Ab-

domen

ut in

Mecopode.

The remarkable Clwity in the breast is evidently a modification of the pectoral canal, but, as it is limited at both extremities, it is incapable of receiving in any way the rostrum. 1'he cOlllpa- i:atively wide sepamtion of the anterior coxre is one of the most essential characters distinguishing this genus from 1J:fecopus.

CHIROZETES PECTOROSUS. (PI. XVII. ng; 9.) C. fuseus, interrupte fulvo-squllmosus; rostro basi lineutirn squamoso, antice crcbre punc- tato; infra bifariam tubcrculato; prothol'ace basi clytris pauIo latiore, in media linea elevata, rnaculis nigris glabris et pUl1ctatis dispersis;

elytl'is fOl'titer seriatim pUlletatis, interstitiis alternis eIevatis, singulo plagis fUBeis duabus, una ad latera et altera pone medium, juxta suturam, pl'ope humerum, corpore infra pedibusque gl'iseo-squamosis;

tibiis apiee, tal'sisque art. pen ultimo, illtermediis et posticis fuscis;

tarsis anticis l'Ufo-gl'iscis; cOl'llibus pectoralibus ellrvatis, apicem versus eomlJressis, fuscis. Long. 6 lino

Hab. Cambodia.

S.A.Lcus.

(Cryptorhynchinre. )

.Rost?'u1n tenuiusculum, subarcuatum, basi crasslore ; sCl'obes rectre, infm oculos desinentes.

Oculi

haud prominuli, lateralcs, di-

448 MR. F. :Po l'A.SCOEON THN CURCULIONIDlE.

atn,ntes.

Antennce

mediocres, in medio rostri insertro;

sctpo

oculum attingente;

fwniculo

7 -ul'ticulato, art. primo majore se- cundoque obcouicis, creteris sensim pauI0 brevioribus;

clava

ovaIi. P,'otlw1'arlJ brevis, convexns, antice valde augustus, po- stice

latus,

lateribus rotUlldatus. Sct~tellwm nu1lum.

Elytra

valde convexa, rotundata, prothoraci arcte upplicata.

Femora

elongata, valida, sublineares; tibiaJ validro, rectre; tarsi me- diocres, art. tertio fortiter lobato, ultimo brevi; tl/ltg~ticttl'i

liberi.

Rima

pectoralis profunda, ad pedes intermedios pro- ducta, postice elevato-marginata. Abdomen segmento primo maxim 0, tribus intermediis subrequalibus. Oorpus breviter ovatum, globosum, interrupte squamosum.

This genus belongs to M. Lacordaire's " g1'owpe Tylodides," and to that portion which hus the three intermediate segments of the abdomen nearly equal, and the sutures distinctly marked; but only in the length of the femora, and then only to Gloc7tino- 1'7Linus, does it approach to any of its genera. The specimen described below, from the smoothness of its rostrum, is probabl.v a female.

SALCUS GLOBOSUS. (PI. XVII. fig. 2.) S.lligel', opaCllS; rostrum versus apicem sensim nitidum et minus punctatum; antennis ferrugineis, nitidis, clava pubescente; prothol'Uce leviter et sat crebre ])Unctato, pUllctis singulis squamam flavescentem gerentibus; elytris seriatim punctatis, punctis validis, squamigeris, squamis oblongis, interstitiis . squamis minutis rotundatis adspersis; corpore infra, pedihusque, segmentis tribus intermediis exeeptis, squamis,l1umerosis approxi- matis tectis. Long.

3i

lino

Hab. Cape York.

PUOTOPA.LUS CRISTATUS. P. oblongo-ovatns,l1iger, intel'rupte oehra- ceo-squamosus; capite inter oculos bisulcato; rostro haud cal'inato ; prothol'ace fortiter granulato, in medio antiee carina vix elevata;

scutello pal'vo, cordiformi; elytI'is breviusculis, punctato-sulcatis, interstitiis granulatis, granuHs nitidis, dorsi medio elevatis, piloso- cristatis, pHis fuscis longiusculis; infra pedibusque nigris, squamis ochraceis dispersis. Long.

7

lino

Hab. Qneens]and.

A shortish species readily distinguished from the other two by the lla,ll'Y crest running along the ridge of the middle portion of the elytra. ,The character of the fnnicle allies

it

to

P.

ScniYnherri,

Waterh., rather than to

P. wJ'omeclM'iu-s,

Bois.

RHADlNOSOMUS IMI'RESSUS.

R.

pallide fel'l'ugineus, subnitidus; ca- pite poue oeulos elongato-ovato, postice subito constricto, squamis

r

t

I 1

:run. F. P. l'A.SCOE ON THE 0URCULIONID}E.

449

flavesceutibus, inter oculos, eonfertis, alteris rostroque remote lld- spersis; IJl'othOl'ace fere cylimlrico, paulo pone apicem pel'parllUl latiol'e, in medio leviter il1cul'vato, pun ctul ato, dimidio basalisub- tiliter corrugato; scutcllo minuto; elytris prothorace fere clupIo la- tioribus, costulatis, interstitiis transverse fastigiati8, fastigiis angu- stati8, apicibus subparallelis, in media maculis flavescelltibus distiu-

cti:;; ol'llatis ; infra pedibusque fCl'rugineis. Long. 5 lino rost. incl.

I-Iab. Wcstern Australia.

This species and the following are distinguished from the N ew- Zea,land R. a~1ni1!atu8, Fabr., by the shape of the head and pro- thorax: the former in

R.

acuminatus tapers gradually from be- hind the eyes to its j ullction with the prothol'ax, and is not sud- denly narrowed posteriorly; and the prothorax is shorter COln- pa,ratively, and very decidedly broader at about a, third of its length from the apex. The species before us is tbe largest of the three, and is distinguished from the following by its lighter colour, the greater breadth of the elytra, and their deep quadrate impressions, divided from one auother by very narrow transverse ridges. I have seen numerons specimens of all the species, and these di:ffereIices seem constant: the two A.ustralian species are the most nearly connected, and it may be that they are ouly local subspecies; the size aud colour, however, are distinctive enough to the eye.

R.

Lac01'ilairei is described by the celebrated Professor to whom it is dedicated, but who, unfortunately, has not given it a name.

RHADINOSOMUS LACORDAIREI. R. fusco-ferruginclls; cllllite pone oculos oblongo-ovato, squllmulis miuutis atlspel'so; prothorace ut in }Jl'ooceclenti, sed minus levitel' punctato et corrugato; elytl'is pl'O- thol'ace sesqui liJ.tiol'ibus, costulatis, iutel'stitiis fastigiatis, filstigiis haucl angustis, apicibus subparallelis, in medio maculis f1avescentibus ol'natis; infra, pedibusqlle fel'l'Ugineis, setulis mlpressis remote ob·

sitis. Long. 3-3£ lin. rost. incl.

Hall. Queensland.

OOHRO:ilrETA..

(Brach y derinre.)

Rost'i·tvln breve, crassum, apice rotundatulJl, integrum; sc-robes subapicales, breves, curvatre, supra approximatre j rI/{I/nilibultB apicibus oblongatre, rectre. Oculi prominentes, 1'0tundati. All-

tennt1:l

mediocres; sea-po sensim crassiore ; funiaulo 7 -articulato, ar\;. primo obconico,. creteris tl'ansversis, cylindl'icis, roqllalibus ; clava anguste ovata.

Prothorax

tTansversus, lateribuB levitcr

450

MR. F. P. l'ASCOE ON TilE CUROUJ,ImHD1"E.

rotundatus. Elytra convexa, subtrigona, bnmel'is cal1oso-pro- ducta, apicibns debiscentia. Pedes mediocres; femora parurn incrassata; tibice gradatim longiores, iutus denticulatre, apice muticre, anticre panlo al'cuatre, (Jo'rbulis ape1·tis; ta?'8i art. ba- sali triangulari, seoundo transversa, tertio brevi, ultimo elon- gato ;

1.tng26ia~tli

1iberi. Meta8ternum breve.

P1'Oae88~b8 inter~

coxalis antice rotundatus. Abdomen conicum ( 0 ), segmentis 3-4 bl'evissimis, sutura secunda arcuata. Ompu8 dense squa- mosum.

This appears to me to be quite an isolated genus among the Bra- chyderinre; but the form of the head, although very remarkable, has a certain resemblance to some species of

Platyo1n1lS,

where the apex of the rostrum is rounded and nearly entire, and the serobes have a dorsal aspect. But the form of the mandibles, of the rostrum, and the open corbels are at variance with all the allies of that genus.

The prominent shoulders are also found among the

Naupact~t8~

forms

i

but here the short antenme and other characters are

oppo~

site to any affinities

in

that direct-ion. The species described below frequents rnshes (Bestiaaece

P)

on the sandy plains of Champion Bay.

OCHROME'l'A AM(ENA. (Pt XVII. fig. 6.) O. sUIn'a bl'lmueo-ochracea, capite cl'etata; prothoraee utrinque vittis duabus, una 1aterali lata, una supra intel'l'upta; scutello quadl'ato, albo; e1ytl'is singulo linea basali, aItera apicali, ad mal'ginem externum linea ab humel'o ad api~

cem, in medio intel'l'upta, et parte anteriore curvata, ariee singulatim acuminato; subtus "Ibo-squamosa, punctis nigris adspersis, meta- sterna abdomineque utrinque

vitta

ochracea; peuibus alltellnisque pallide cincreis, -his at,ticulis apice, elavaque nigris. Long. 4 lino Hab. Vvestel'll Australia (Champion Bay).

AOLLES.

(Haplonychinre. )

Haplonycko oronino congruit, sed funiculu8 6-articulatus, et tctr8i triarticulati.

The Haplonychinffi in Prof. Lacordaire's arrangement are dif- ferentiated from the neighbouring subfamilies by their one-clawed tarsi, and they include only the genus Haplonyx. But there cau be no doubt that Aolle8 is a very near ally, and can only be generically separated from it. Taking the character, therefore, as a secondal'Y. one, it seems to me tbat two of my genera (Me- tatyge8 and PkY8a?'alzu8), whose location appeared previously to

''-

MR. F. 1'. PASCOE ON THE CURCULIONIDlE.

451 be doubtful, should also be referred to Haplonychinre; and to these

I

would add another, Signasfu8. Be<rinniu<r with Aolles

_{O b ,}

without a claw-joint, and passing to Haplonyx, with a very short claw-joint and one claw (it deserves notice that no insect is kuown of a claw-joint without a claw of some sort), we come to Siga8tus, with the claws uuited in a great part of their extent, then to .JJ£etatyges, with

a

short claw-joint, and the cln.ws free,

and lastly to

Plly8a1'clt~tS,

with tarsi of the ordinary character.

AOLLES nUBIGINOSUS. A. rufo-brunneus, squaroulis griscis atlspcr- sus; rostra capite duplo longiore, oblongo-punctato, basi remote squamoso; antellnis ferrugineis, funiculo gl'iseo-squamuloso; pl'O- thorace Iatitudine fere duplo longiore, ad apicem panlo tubulato;

seutello cordifol'mi; ely tris levitel' striatis, stl'iis Jlrofunde, sat remote pun('tatis; infra grisco-squamuloso; pedibus squamulis griseis sparse vcstitis. Long. 2 lino

Hab. Western Australia.

AOLLES NUCEUS. A. piceo-bl'unncus; rostro capite sesqui longiore, sat confel'tiro punctato; prothol'llce longitut\inc unpIo latiori, atl apicem baud tubulato; scutello subtdallgulal'i; elytris fortitcl' striato- punctatis, punctis oblongis, approximatis, interstitiis modice eon~

vexis; infra albido-squamuloso; pedibus sparse squamosis. Long.

2lin.

Hab. Westel'll Australia.

LEPTOPS COLOSSUS, L. (~) elongato-ovatus, niger, albo-squamu- lOBus; rostro quinque-eariuato; pl'othol'llce subquudl'ato, intricato- granuloso, longitlldinaliter in medio levitel' cxcavato i scutcllo parvo, allguste triangulari; elytl'is oblongo-ovatis, singuIo trical'inatill, ca- rinis, exte1'llU tota, alteris postice dentiformibus, dentibus elongatis pm'mu elevatis; illtcrstitiis irreguIariter COl'l'ugatis; corpore infra aIbido-squarouloso; pl'Orectol'e utl'inque dente magno instmcto. Long.

16 lino

Hab. Western Australia (Cbampion Bay).

The assumed male is so very dissimilar, that I hesitate to de- scribe it as such, the sculpture of the elytra being quite dif.

ferent. The female is one of the largest of the Australian Cur-

culionidre, and when fresh is nearly white. J\fr. Du Boulay

informs me that he has seen

¹¹

Wattle-tree

(Aaacia,

sp.) covered

with it, and then the tree is soon stripped of' its leaves. The

males (?) are less common than the fenlales, and have three nearly

pure white stripes on the elytra. They have also the large

conical tooth on each side of the breast, directly in front of the

anterior coxa;, as in the female.

452

Nit. F. F. FASCOE ON 'I'RE CURCULIONID.'E.

LEPTOPS DUBOULA.YI. L. (~) elongato-ovatus, nigcl', gl'iseo-squa- mulosus; l'Ostl'O qllinquecal'inato; prothol'ace utl'inque rotundato, autice angnstiorc, postice modice contracto, irregulal'itel' gl'anulato, lon- gitudinalitel' antice profun<1e, postice late excavato ; scutcllo subscuti- formi; elytris ovatis, singulo tl'ical'inatis, carinis, externa tota, altel'is postice, tuberculifol'mibus, tubel'culis conicis elevatis, interstitiis bi- seriatim levitel' punctatis; corpore infra pedibusque setulis adpressis griseis obsitis; propectol'c tuberculo instructo. Long. 13lin.

Hab. Western Australia (Champion Bay).

The male is smaller, narrower, and more parallel. This species differs from the last, inter

alia,

in the form of the pro thorax and in its strongly tuberculate elytra; in this respect it is like L.

&rib~~lus,

Fab., only that the latter has the elytral costre tu- berculate throughout, and the excavation on the prothol'ax is re- duced to a narrow groove, or shallow impression.

In both spe-

cies the serobes are expanded and extencl to the eyes.

LEPTOPS RmTUSUS. L. oblongo-ovntus, niger, indumento sordide griseo omnino tectus; rostro bnsi tranaversim suIeato, Interibus bre- viter canaliculnto, in medio subsuIcato; sOl'obe Rl'cunta angustatn, bene determinatn; prothorace subcylindrico, irregulari, lnteribus po- stice lobatis; scutello rotundnto; eIytris brevibus, apicem versus sen- sim ampliatis, postice subito declivis, tubercuIis cOllicis lllagllis Bel,ie- bus lluabus instructis, interna tribus, extel'l1a tubercnlis quinque compositis; propectore mutico j pedibus setulis brevibus dispersis.

Long. 51in.

Hab. Queenslanll.

The shape of this species approaches that of L. 4-tube1'01t- latus, Schon.; but the vestiture, colour, shape of the rostrum, &c.

are different.

LlllPTOPS SUPERCILIARIS. L. oblongo-ovatus, fuscus, parce umbl'ino- squamulosus; capite silaceo, supra oculum linea grisea ad apicelll rostri currente, boc supra bislllcato, in medio subcarinato, 8e1'obe angustata, determinata, infra oculum tlesinente; pl'othol'Rce subtrans- verso, antice utl'inque rotuudato, postice sllbparallelo, dorso rude impresso-punctato; scutello punetiformi. fere occulto; elytris basi prothorace latioribus, postice sensim ampliatis, dorso subdepl'essis, subseriatim punctatis, interstitio tertio elevato, postice lleclivis et in singul0 elytro tuberculis quinque. quorum duouus validiol"ibus transvel'sim positis; corpore infra pedibusque fusco-squamulosis, griseo variegatis. Long. 4 lino

Hab. Queensland.

Resembles L. quailritube'l'culatus in outline, but the elytra are less dilated posteriorly and

mo~e

tuberculate,

J I

MR. F.!'. l'ASCOE ON TIlE CUnCULIONIDlE. 453 LE:ToPs DORSA.'l'US. L. obovatus, niger, (lorso fuligmco-, Interibus

cm~reo-s~uamulosus; rostro in medio longitudinalitcr elevato, utrinque bas1 breVlter sulcato; Pl'othOl'ace rugoso, in medio Ieviter excavato, lateraliter parum rotundato; scutello parvo, subtriaugulari; elytris n.mpliatis, breviter ovatis ( ~), singulatim tl'iseriatim tuberculatis, tu- berculis posticis sensim majoribus, serie externa excepta, hrec me- diana, trituberculata; infra pedibusque parce griseo-squnmulosis, pilis remote intel'jectis. Long. 5 lino

Hab. West Australia.

In appearance almost exactly like L. spino8u8, but it is not tomentose as in that species; the dark smoky stripe on the middle of the prothorax and between the inner row of tubercles on each elytron will at once differentiate it.

LEPToPS ACERBUS. L. obovatus, nigel', sat }lRl'ce griseo-squamulosus;

rostro quinquecarinato, interstitiis excavatis; prothorace utrinque- bi- carinato, carina exteriore pl'ominente, rotundata, dorso late et pl'O- funde excavato, lateribus rugoso, subtuberculn.to, basi cOllstricto;

scutello oblongo, dense squamuloso; elytris ampliatis, brevitel' ovu- till (~), singulatim trisel'iatim spinosis, sel'iebus 110stiee approxi- mantibus, spinis apice denudatis, nitidis, intel'stitiis biseriatilU foveo- latis; eorpore infl'a, pedibusque griseo-squamulosis, squamis allgu- stioribus et majoribus intermixtis. Long. 8 lino

Hab. Western Australia.

Allied to L. spinipennis; it is the only species known to me, except L. Duoolhlayi, in which the rows of spines gradually

ap~

proximate postel'iorly, instead of diverging,

^01'

being at least nearly parallel.

LEPToPS POLYACANTHUS. L.obovatus, niger, squamosit te terrea indutus; rostro quinquecarinato; 8crobe flexuosa, ad oeuIum fere de- sinente, inter oculos tuberculis duobus manifeste eIevatis; pl'Othol'llce rotundato, in medio late sulcato, confel'tim et fortiter granulato ; scntello oeculto; elytris breviter ovatis, singulatim quudriscl'iatilll tuberculatis, seric sutul'ali duobus posticis validis, seric externa tu- berculis quatuor lateralibus, quorum primo magno, seriebus inter- mediis tuberculis postieis majoribus, apicibus, paul0 productis; infra pedibusqlle griseo-squamulosis, his setis nigl'is interjectis. Long.

5!-61in.

Hab, Australia.

This species and the following are the only two members of Leptops which have tubercles between the eyes; the two tuber- cles in this species are well elevated, with a rounded outline, and placed each at a little distance from the eye, the two lateral

carinm commencing directly beneath.

454

MR. F. P. rASCOE ON THE OURCULIONID.1E.

LEPTOPS EBENINUa.

L.

obovatus, niger, nitidus, glaber; rostro hasi quinquecal'inato; serobe fiexuosa, oculum haud attingente, inter oculos tuhcl'culis duobus obliquis, levitel' elevatis; fronte hevissima, convexa, impunctata; pl'othorace l'otnnuato, basi quam apice an~

gustiore, supra gl'osse et inrequaliter eonfel'tim granulnto; scutello punctiformi; elytris mo(lice ovntis, singulo quadriseriatim tubel'~

culatis, tuberculis eonicis magnis, niticlissimis, serie suturali UIlO

posticali majOl'e, serie externa duobus, intel'mediis requalibus, inter- stitiis granulatis, apicibus pel'pmum rotundato-productis; infra fe- moribusque pal'ce gl'iseo-setulosis; tibiis dense griseo-squnmulosis.

Long.

5!

lino Hab. Queensland.

A deep-black species with large glossy tubercles on the ely- tra, and without any scales, except a few little greyish bodies ill the cavities between the projecting points.

o

RrIIANISTlllS.

(Cryptorhynchinro. )

llost1'u1n

elongatum, rectum, paulo depressnm;

sG'I'ooes

subme- dianro, recb:e, oculos attingentes.

OCl6li

magni, infra sub- approximati. Antennm modice elongatre;

scapo

apice clavato funiculo '1 -articulato, art. primo brevissimo, secundo valde elongato, tertio ad sextum gradatim bl'evioribus, septimo p;ro- cedenti paulo longiore, omnibus ultimis obconicis;

clava

tenuit er ovaIL

Pq'otlwraaJ

eonicns, antice tubulatus, apice productus, basi late emarginatus. Elytm trigona, singulatim basi pro- ducta, pone humeros obliqua, callosa, et prothorace multo latiora, deiude sensim attenuata.

Pedes

elongati, lineares, tibir.e reeks. Metctsternum breve. Rima pectoralis profunda, inter eoxas intermedias terminata. Abdo1nen segmentis

1-4

gradatim bl'evioribus.

Allied to the following, but with different antennre, a longer depressed rostrum with straight scrobes, and elytra having a callosity behind the shoulder. The type, on6 of the finest and most remarkable of the Australian Curculionids, is black, with scaly patches of luteous spotted with pale pure yellow.

ORPHANIS'l'ES EUS'l'ICTUS. (Pl. XVIII. fig. 9,) O. modice elongat1.1S, niger, maculis lutcis finvisque decoratus; rostra nitilio, basi rugoso- pnnetato; alltcnnis nigris, niti(lis, clava opaca; capite luteo-macu- lato; pl'othorace longiore quam latiorc, Cl'ebre foveato, medio clll'inu- lato, macl11a magna lutea fiavuque antiee situ, uunbus parvis basa-

MR. F. P. rASCOE ON TlIE OUIWUI,IONID}E • • 4·55 li~l1S, et una ampliata utl'inqne supra {'ox am ; seutello scutiformi, mgro; elytl'is costatis, costis posticc eVllnescentibns, intcl'stitiis duo~

bus pl'imis hiseriatim, ('retel'is nniscriatim rude fOVClltis, maeu1is luteis flav~sque intel'jcctis; infra pedibusque, pl'resertim apicibus fe- mm'um, lnteo maculatis. Long. 10 lino

Hab. Qu('ensland.

AXIONICUS.

(Cryptorhynchinre. )

Elttltyrltino

differt. Antennm art. ultimo funiculi distincto' pedes antici elonguti; tibim eorundem rectre, haud cOlllpressre. ' Unlike Elttlty'i'MnU8 in habit in consequence of their IOllO"er and nearly cylindrical legs, the anterior femora extendillO' c~n­

sidel'nbly beyond the head; in other respects their tec1111ic:l cha- racters are nearly the same, the joints of the funicle and of t1le club being very distinct, those of the htter arc very oblique.

The type is a fine insect, common in collections.

AXIONICUS INSIGNIS. (PI. XVIII. fig. S.) A. ovalis, ate!', intp.l'- rupte squamosus; l'ost1'O sat valido, fusco, retieulato, squnmulis spul'sis iustmcto, apice emal'ginato, 1abro nigro nitillo; antennis bl'cvibus, nigl'is, clava moclice ovata, suturia al'ticulol'um obliquis;

pl'othorace eonvexo, antice angusto, tlllml11to, medio carinulato, albo- maculato et umbrino-vario; scutello bl'('viter ovato, dentulato, atro, nitino i e1ytris ovatis, convexis, postiee compl'essis, stl'iato-pullctatis, striis basi arcnatis,intel'stitiis cal'inatis, "his plerumque denudatis, umbl'iuo-mueulatis, postice maculis nlbis fasciam cOllspicllam for- mantihus, apicibus conjunetim rotundatis; infra pcdibusque nigl'is, albo-maculatis. Long. 8 lino

Hab. Queeusland.

EUTHYRHINU;:J ;s'AVICULARIS. E. angustatus, squamosus, ochraceo- griseus et atro-maculahls; cnpite squamis griseis dispersis, verticc atro, rostro levitel' llunetulato; allteuuis fusco-ferrugineis; protho- l'ace cOllieo, lohia ocnlal'ihus sat pl'omiuulis, snpI'll crebre pnnetulato, vittis c1nahis ab·is antice grllc1atim a]llH·oximantibllS, medio carina levitel' elevata; scutello ovato, elevnto, lligl'o-nitido; elytl'is basi pl'O~

thorace llaulo latiol'ibus, utl'inque apicem versus !l.ngnstiol'ibus, apice singulurum tenue mucl'onatis, leviter pllnctato-stl'iatis, atl'o-mncu- latis, singnlatim maeulis tribus mnjol'ibllS 10ngitndinllliter dispositis;

infra pec1ibusque nigris, squamis griseis dispersis; tal'sis fusco- ferrugineis. Long. 3!-4 lino

Hab. Western Australia.

The sides of the elytt'a very straight, although narrowing pos-

tel'ioriy, the dark colou.r, and narrow compressed form are very

456

MR. F. P. rASOOE ON THE OUROULIONIDlE.

distinctive of this species, which was found by Mr. Du Boulay in the country between Freemantle and King George's Sound, on gum-trees

(Eucalypti).

GUIOPERUS VARIOLOSUS. (PI. XVIII. fig. 2.) G. late ovatus, gl'a- nulis atris cl'ebel'rime tectus, interstitiis albo-squamosis; rostro dimidio apicali uigro, denudato, basi et capite albo-squamosis; pro- thol'ace in medio linea angustata nigra, granulis il'l'egulal'itel' dis- persis; scutello rotundato, basi emarginato, squamis elongatis el'ectis, paUide ochraceis, densissime vestHo; e1ytris gl'allulis majoribus, sub- seriatim sed crebre dispositis; infra pedibusque dense albido-squa- mosis. Long. 8 lin.

flab. Columbia.

'l'his fine species is the only one hitherto described 'with a white scutellum.

GUIOPIllRUS SUDPALLIA'l'US. G. obovatus, fulvo.griseo-squamosus;

rostro fere denudato, nigl'o; prothorace remote grauulato; scutelIo nigl'o-vellltino, rotundato; elytris l·egionc sutlll'ali lateribusquc squa- mosis, his seriatim punctatis, et interstitiis granulis nigris minutis munitis, in elytro singlllo vitta lata median a, basi convexa, fusea, denudata, seriatim foveata; infra. pedibusque squamis pallidc fusce- scentibus, tectis. Long. 6 lino

Hab. Cayenne. .

Approaches

G. Gerstaeokeri,

J ekel, but is a little smaller, and has the brown stripes on the elytra free from scales, the granules being replaced by large fovere.

NYXETES.

(Scolopterinre. )

Antennce

Bcapo oculum superante ;

fimioulo

6-articulato, art. tribus basalibus elongatis, primo longiore, tribus ultimis turbinatis;

clava

oblonga.

Protho1'ax

conicus.

Elytm

prothoracis basi vix latiora, humcris nullis.

Unguiattli

tarsorum appendiculati.

Cretera ut in

Soolopt(wo

*.

This genus is proposed for

OUlroulio biilens,

Fab., an insect un,..

known to Schonherr, but which Mr. White referred to

Soolopterus.

M. Lacordaire, whom nothing escapes, has pointed out the error.

As will be seen, its differential characters are very decisive.

It

is a rare and remarkable N ew.Zealand insect, and apPllJ.'ently has not been found for many years.

'" "",uite, Voy. El'ebuB and Terror, Ins. p. 15. For a figure of Nyxetes bidens

Ilee pI. 3. fig. 12 of t.he slime work.

J.[R. F. P.

PAseOB

ON THE CUTICUf,TOrfIDlE.

457

HEDYCERA..

(Zygopinre. )

Rost"mn

elongatum, arcuatum, depressum;

sC1'obes

au bbasalcR.

Oouli

maximi, supra coeuntes.

Anten'l1te

tenues;

scapo

brevis- simo, gmdatim incrassato ;

funiclllo

7 -articulato, longe et sparse piloso, art. primo brevi, incmssato, secundo longissimo, tertio prrecedonti brevioI'e, creteris minus elongatis ;

ol{~va

ovata, longe pedunculata.

Protho1'atC

sllbcylindricus, apice tllbulatus.

Elytra

subparallela, pygic1ium fere tegentia.

Pedes

mediocres;

femom

incrassata, dente magno infra instructa, postice abdomen su- perantia;

tibiaJ

breves, apice uncinatre, posticm arcuatre;

tarsi

parum elongati;

ullguiettli

liberi.

Rima

pectoralis ad meta- sternum protensa.

Abilomen

segmentis tribus intermediis roqua- libus.

To these characters it may btl added that the episterna of the metathorax being interposed between the posterior coxre and the elytra, the geuus would no!;

fall

into any of the three Lacor- daireall

"g1'Oltpes."

Still it is to

Piazm'u8

that it is, not very distantly, related. There are two more species in my collec- tion differing considerably in some respects, but haviug the an- tennre clothed with similar long delicate hairs, which are well represented in the figure.

HEDYCERA MEGAMERA. (PI. XVIII. fig. 11.) JI. fllsco-brllunescens, squamulis angustis ochraceis nigrisque sparse vestita; rostro rufo-ca- staneo, nitido, basi sparse squailluloso; oculi brllllllei; prothorace ob- longo, lateribns antice modice l'otundato, deinde paulo incurvato, 1)0116

apice11l gihhoso, basi bisi1luato, supra modice pUllctato; scntello oh- longo-ovato, squamulis ochrllceis dense vestito; elytris subquallmtis, seriatim punctatis, interstitiis acute elevatis, JJunctis squamigeris in impl'essionibus subquadratis sitis, fusco-subquadl'ifasciatis ad suturam late interruptis; infra pellibusque l'ufo-bl'unneis. Long. 3~ lin.

Hab. Cayenne.

ESSOLITHNA.

(Leptopainre. )

Rostrwm

crassum, apice excisum;

8cro"hes

apicales, abbreviatre, postice evanescentes.

Oau,li

rotundati.

Aniennte

breviusculre ;

soapo

oculum vU: superal1te, incrassato, basi tennato;

funicltlo

7 -articulato, art. primo quam secundus paulo longiore, creteris gradatim brevioribuB, ultimo transverso;

clava

parva, vix libera.

P1'otTlora.'lJ

transversus, convexus, utl·inque rotulldatu8, apice