. Classification of the Coleoptera of North America [microform]. Beetles; Coléoptères. .« r- 268 COCiEOl'TERA OF NORTH AMKttlCA. Elytni usually covering the ubdoincn, rarely short; epi- pleiinu usually distinct, rarely (some Pliytuiciini) indistinct. Abdomen with five free ventral segments, the sixth visi- ble in many males, and occasionally in both sexes. Li'.us variable, usually slender, thighs IVeqnently strongly clubbed, hind coxic transverse, frequently inclosv^d exler- nallv by prolongation of epimera of metathorax. Tarsi with join's 1-8 furnished beneath with brushes of hair, sonuitimes
. Classification of the Coleoptera of North America [microform]. Beetles; Coléoptères. .« r- 268 COCiEOl'TERA OF NORTH AMKttlCA. Elytni usually covering the ubdoincn, rarely short; epi- pleiinu usually distinct, rarely (some Pliytuiciini) indistinct. Abdomen with five free ventral segments, the sixth visi- ble in many males, and occasionally in both sexes. Li'.us variable, usually slender, thighs IVeqnently strongly clubbed, hind coxic transverse, frequently inclosv^d exler- nallv by prolongation of epimera of metathorax. Tarsi with join's 1-8 furnished beneath with brushes of hair, sonuitimes wanting on the 1st and 2d joints of hind tarsi; 8d joint einarginated or bilobcd, -Ith joint nodiforin, small, connate with 5th joint; claws simple, rarely (Phylieciini) appendiculate or cleft, paronychium slender and distinct in Prionime, wanting in the others. A fjrciit fi'inily, containing an imnioiisc number of spocios, wiiicli livo in the hirval state exclusively on the woody parts of plants. 'I'lie species are remarkable for lar<r<^ size, beauty of <'olf)r, or elejjancf of form, and iiave been, on these accounts, frreat favorites with collectors. Nevertheless tiieir classifieation. and even, tla; deliiiition of tlie family, present <liirieulties which have been called insuperable by every systematist who lias yet attempted the task. 'I'he species are easily recognized, the chief variations being only tiiose of size, dependent probal)ly on tiic cpnuitity of food ol)tained l)y the larva, or the of its digestive power. At any rate, the differences appear to be individual and not in- dicative of races. The genera are, on the other hand, extremely indistinct, as at present defined, for the reason that the species IVecpiently differ not only by the usual specific characters of form, color, sculiiture, etc., I)nt by structural peculiarities of consider- able nu)nierit, sometimes sexual, soinetiincs asexual. Hy reganl- ing these peculiarities as of gen
Size: 1027px × 2434px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorlecontej, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookyear1883
