CI'ONUS, a genus of Coleopterus Insects of the section Rhynco phora and family Curculionay.
Schiinherr (in his Synouymia Inseetorum ') links the present genus with the genera Gynnuctron, M ccin us, and Nanodes, under the head Cionides, which may be considered as a sub-family. We shall therefore briefly state the characters of these genera under this head, first observing that the Cionides may be distinguished from allied groups by their Having the antennae 9- or 10-jointed, 5 of which always compose the funiculus, or that portion between the basal joint and the club which terminates the antenna.
The characters of the genus Clones are as follows :—Antennaa short, the two basal joints of the funiculus obconical, the remainder short and truncated at the apex : the club long and indistinctly jointed. Rostrum elongate, curved, inserted in a groove beneath the thorax. Thorax small ; elytra nearly spherical, furnished with tufts of a velvet-like nature; fermora very thick in the middle ; tibiae simple, truncated at the apex.
Four species of this genus aro found in England ; they live both in their larva and imago states upon plants, more especi?lly those of the genera Scrophularia and Verbascunt.
Cionas Verbasci is about one-sixth of an inch in length and of a deep ash-colour approaching to black. The thorax is furnished on each side with a buff-coloured patch; the elytra have four longitu dinal velvet-like bands, which are black, and interrupted with gray, spots ' • there are two velvet-black spots on the suture, one near the base of the elytra and another near the apex ; the former has a yellow spot joining it posteriorly,. and the latter has a spot of the same colour before and behind.
These little insects are almost spherical. When touched or approached they apply their long proboscis close to the under side of the body (where there is a groove for its reception) and also the legs, and allow themselves to roll to the ground. Their larvu, which are
of a yellowish colour, and resemble small oblong masses of jelly, may be seen in the month of August on the leaves of the rertarcum Thapetu and some few other plants which they feed upon. When about to assume the pupa state they inclose themselves in a little brown spherical cocoon (lost than an ordinarily sized pea) formed of a glutin ous substance, which is attached to the leaves of a plant ; in about a week or ten days after this the perfect insect makes its appearance.
The genus Ginsarrtrort differs chiefly from Cionus in having the elytra somewhat ovate, sometimes depressed, and not covering the apex of the abdomen ; and the anterior tibia: furnished with a minute hook at the apex. Gymnartrun Beecatun:pr is the only species found in thin country.
Medea: may be distinguished from either of the two last-mentioned IT the rostrum being short and thick ; the thorax sub-cylindrical, the elytra elongate, nearly cylindrical, and covering the body ; the tibia: are armed with a hook at the apex. Three species of this genus are found in England. if. sendeyliluiriem is about one-eighth of au inch in length, and of a blackish colour with ash-coloured pubescence.
The genus Nanntles has the antennae rather long, the club large; rostrum elongate, slightly bent ; thorax conical ; elytra sub-ovate and humped; the anterior tibia: unarmed. No species of this genus have yet been found in this country.
(Schanherr, Synonymia Insecturam,— Genera et Species Cares lionidtun.)