LIBRARY

598
COLLEGE ENTOMOLOGY
tho$celides Schilsky is an American genus that has become widely distributed
through commerce. The bean weevil, A. obtectus (Say) (Bruchus) , is one of
the most important injurious insects because of its continuous feeding on and
breeding in stored beans and cowpeas (Phaseolus and Vigna spp.) which it
destroys both for human consumption and for seed. Callosobruchus Pic includes
two important species, C. chinensis (Linn.) and C. 4-maculatus (Fab.) both
very destructive to cowpeas (Vigna) and now well distributed throughout the
world.
Laria Scopoli (Bruchus Linn., Mylabris Milller) is the largest genus and to
it are relegated many important species such as L. cisti Fab. (Neotropical,
Palrearctic); the common and destructive pea weevil, L. pisorum (Linn.), now
cosmopolitan on peas (Pisum sativum); the broad bean weevil L. ruflmanus
(Boheman) (Holarctic) on broad beans (Vicia faba); and the vetch weevil,
L. rufipes Herbst (Palrearctic, Oriental) on vetches (Vida spp.); Zabrotes
Horn, containing the Mexican bean weevil, Z. pectoralis (Sharp) (tropical
North America), on beans (Phaseolus spp.).
C. Suborder RHYNCHOPHORA Billberg 1820
XIX. SUperfamily BRENTOIDEA Pierce 1916
XX. Superfamily CURCULIONOIDEA Hopkins 1911
KEY TO IMPORTANT FAMILIES
l. Beak abortive or extremely short and broad; antenn!e short with large
club; tibire often with several external teeth; small oval or cylindrical
brown aT black beetles . . 2
Beak well developed; antenrue without or with but a small club; tibhe
without external teeth 3
2. First tarsal joint as long as others together; head wider than the prothorax;
eyes rounded . PLATYPODIDJE p. 604
First tarsal joint shorter than the combined length of the others; head
narrower than the prothorax; eyes oval, emarginate or divided.
(Barkbeetles.) SCOLYTIDlE p.603
3, Antennre usually elbowed, with the basal joint greatly elongated; palpi
small, short, rigid, and nearly always concealed within the mouth;
beak often curved downwards. (Weevils.) (Including RHINO­
MACER IDlE, RHYNCHITIDlE, ATTELABIDlE, BRYSOPIDlE,
OTIORHYNCHID...E, CALANDRIDlE.). . CURCULIONIDE p. 599
Antennre not elbowed; palpi usually exposed. .... 4
4. Prothorax. elongate, elytra covering the pygidium, first two ventral
abdominal segments fused; beak short and broad. . ANTHRIBIDE
Prothorax not elongate, usually trapezoidal; pygidium exposed; ventral
abdominal segments free; beak very long in the female. sometimes
entirely absent in the male . BRENTID1£ p. 602