Amphidees

Hab.MEXICO, San Antonio de Arriba (Sallé).

This genus was established by Schönherr for a single Mexican species, and I now add several others. These differ among themselves by small structural distinctions in the ventral segments and apices of the hind tibiæ, as well as in the thickness of the rostrum; but I am quite unable to look on these minute structural characters as of more than specific importance. A. pilosus differs rather more strongly, but I do not think it necessary to separate even it at present.
 
Viewed in this way, I define Amphidees as embracing such “Otiorhynchinæ apteræ” as have ocular lobes, and in which the rostral scrobes are broad and indefinite behind; this latter character being the essential point of distinction from Eupagoderes. In our region, therefore, the genus is the equivalent of Horn's group Strangaliodes. The posterior corbels are more or less imperfectly cavernous, except in A. pilosus, where I think they may be described as open.

The additional material of this genus now to hand includes various specimens of A. macer from Tres Marias in Morelos (Wickham) and others collected by Truqui. Deamphus puncticollis (anteà, p. 104), of which a second example has been found amongst Truqui's captures, is so nearly related to A. macer that it must be included in the same genus, the ocular lobes (and conspicuous vibrissæ) being as distinctly traceable as they are in A. pilosus. D. latifrons also has rather long vibrissæ and sufficient sinuation of the anterior margin of the prothorax to indicate a rudimentary ocular lobe; it would therefore be better placed in Amphidees, near A. macer and A. puncticollis. In the two other species referred to Deamphus—D. brevipennis (type of genus) and D. deceptor

—the vibrissæ are altogether wanting and there is no trace of an ocular lobe.

I refer to this genus a pinned example of a very small species, resembling A. nubilosus, but having the elytra finely striate and the interstices quite flat.