Rhynchophora (ringkofora)

pl. [NL., neut. pl. of rhynchophorus: see rhynchophorous.] A section of tetramerous coleopterous insects, characterized by the (usual) prolongation of the head into a snout or proboscis (whence the name); the weevils, curculios, or snout beetles. In Latreille's cla ification (1807), the Rhynchophora were the first family of the Coleoptera tetra me ra. They have the palpi typically rigid, without distinct palpariæ, the maxillary four-jointed and the labial (Baridius three-jointed; labrum typically absent; gular sutures confluent on the IMG:content-2228.jpg:[graphic] median line; prosternum cut off behind by the epimer a, and pro sternal sutures wanting; and the epipleurse of the elytra generally wanting. The characteristic beak or rostrum varies from a mere vestige in some of these insects to three times the length of the body. The antenne are generally elbowed or geniculate, with the basal joint or scape received into a groove or scrobe. The larvæ are le grubs; some spin a cocoon in which to pupate. This suborder is divided into 3 series, and contains 13 families. The species are all vegetable-feeders except Brachytarsus, which is said to feed on bark-lice. They are very numerous, being estimated at 30,000, and many are among the most injurious insects to farm, garden, and orchard. See also cuts under Anthonomus, Bal an in us, Brenthus, Calandra, Conotrachelus, diamond - beetle, Epicærus, Pi odes, and plum - gouger. IMG:content-2229.jpg:[blocks in formation] II. n. A member of the Rhynchophora ; a rhynchophore. rhynchophore (ring'kō-for), n. Same as rhynchophoran. rhynchophorous (ring-kof'ō-rus), a. [ Rhynchopho phorus (ring-kof'ō-rus), A genus of weevils, of the family ly Curculio nidæ, giving name to the order Rhynchophora. Rhynchopinæ (ring-kō-pīnē), n. pl. [NL., IMG:content-2230.jpg:[blocks in formation] under Hatteria. n. rhynchocephalian (ring kō-se-fa'li-an), a. and [ II. n. A member of the Rhynchocephalia. rhynchocephalous (ring-kō-sef'a-lus), a . Same as rhynchocephalian. Rhynchoceti (ring-kō-sēti), n. pl. [NL., pl. of Rhynchocetus, q. 1. v.] The ziphioid whales: so called from the genus Rhynchocetus. See Ziphiidæ. IMG:content-2231.png:[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small] [NL., -000 + dim. suffix -ell a .] The typical genus of the fami ly Rhynchonel lidæ. It is char acterized by an acutely beaked trigonal shell, whose dorsal valve is elevated in front and depre ed at the sides, the ventral valve being flattened or hollowed toward the middle, the hinge same as Sarcopsylla. Oken, 1815. Also Rhyncoprion. Rhynchops (ring'kops), n. [NL. (Linnæus, in the form Rynchops ); also Ryncops, cops, Rhyncops (also Rhynchopsalia, orig. in the corrupt form Rygchopsalia, also Rhygchopsalia ), are cranial peculiarities, conformable to the shape of the mandibles: thus, the lower jaw-bone has the shape of a Black Skimıner ( Rhynchops nigra). short-handled pitchfork. There are 3 species, R. nigra of America, and R. flavirostris and R. albicollis of Asia. See skimmer. Also called Anisorhamphus.