COLEOPTERA. 



549 



FIG. 661. 



have been compared to tadpoles on account of their form. 

 Their burrows are flattened, corresponding vvitli the shape 

 of the larger part of the body. In some of the smaller 

 species the larvse are cylindrical, and are furnished with three 

 pairs of legs. These are leaf-miners; and in the adult state 

 the body is much shorter than in the more typical species. 



The Virginian Buprestid, ChalcopJiora virginica (Chal- 

 coph'o-ra vir-gin'i-ca). This is the largest of our common 

 Buprestids (Fig. 66 1). It is copper-colored, 

 often almost black, and has its upper surface 

 roughened by irregular, lengthwise furrows. 

 This beetle appears late in spring in the vicin- 

 ity of pine-trees. The larvae bore in the wood 

 of pine, and are often very injurious. 



The Diccrca divaricata (Di-cer'ca di-var-i- 

 ca'ta) is three quarters of an inch or more in 

 length, copper-colored or brassy above, with the wing-covers 

 marked with square, elevated, black spots. The 

 wing-covers taper very much behind, and are 

 separated at the tips (Fig. 662). The larva bores 

 in peach, cherry, beech, and maple. 



The Flat-headed Apple-tree Borer, Chrysobotli- 

 ris fenwrata (Chrys-o-both'ris fem-o-ra'ta). This 

 FIG. 662. j s one O f t ] ie m ost injurious of all Buprestids. The 

 adult (Fig. 663) is about half an inch long, and is a very dark 

 green above, with bronze reflections, especially in 

 the furrows of the wing-covers. It appears during 

 June and July, and lays its eggs upon the trunk and 

 limbs of apple, peach, oak, and other trees. The 

 larvae at first bore into the bark and sap-wood, and FlG - 66 3- 

 later into the solid wood. The transformations are com- 

 pleted in one year. 



To prevent the ravages of this pest, the trees are rubbed 

 with soap during June or July, or cakes of soap are placed in 

 the forks of the trees, so that the rains will dissolve the soap 

 and wash it down over the trunks. This is supposed to 



