ITS TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Without further introduction, I will proceed at once to a description 

 of such species of Coleoptera, found in Illinois, as are known to be 

 injurious to orchards, nurseries and ornamental trees. I would call the 

 attention of the reader to the fact that, when a character is given under 

 a general heading as that of a family or section, it is to be understood as 

 applying to all the species belonging to that section or family, and will 

 not be found in the description of the species. 



As an aid in searching species, a list with the names of the plants 

 each injures is given at the end of the paper, so far as mentioned herein. 

 By referring, in the general index at the end of the report, to the name of 

 the species, the reader can at once find it and determine whether it is the 

 thing he is in search of or not. 



In speaking of the width in the descriptions, the broadest part is 

 always to be understood ; the length in the curculios does not include 

 the snout. By Spec. Char. Imago is meant the more exact description of 

 t'.e perfect state or beetle. 



Order Coleoptera, (Beetles.) 



Family Nitidulid^. 

 Ips 4-signatiis, Say. 



This little beetle, which is the "only one of the family known to be 

 injurious, is only about one-fifth of an inch long, and may be known by 

 its flattened body, shining black color, which is varied by four yellow 

 spots on the wing-cases, two on each case ; and by the antennae which 

 have a knob or club at the end. 



I received, last fall, some specimens of this species from a gentleman 

 in Iowa, who states that it has been troubling his apples this season, prin- 

 cipally the early varieties : " They puncture the skin, and eat their way 

 toward the center, sometimes dozens of them being found in a single 

 apple, always taking the ripest and richest. The appearance of the fruit 

 at first sight is that of having been pecked by birds. It has also been 

 detected eating the calyx of the pear and cutting its way into the fruit." 



So far it does not appear to have been troublesome in Illinois, although 

 found here. As a rule, it attacks only over-ripe or decayed fruit, the 

 case given being an exception ; hence proper care in removing decayed 

 fruit, and gathering carefully that which is ripe will probably prevent any 

 injury by this species if it should ever become troublesome, which is not 

 likely. The preparatory states do not appear to be known. 



Specific C/iaracters of Imago (or perfect insect.) — Body oval, deep, shining 

 black. Antenna; 1 1 -jointed, with an oval club at the tip composed of three joints; 

 the first or basal joint much larger than those which follow it. Body much depressed 

 or flattened ; thorax nearly or quite as broad at the posterior margin as the elytra. 

 The joints of the tarsi, except the terminal one, very short. Each wing-case 

 rounded at the tip so as to form between the two, when closed, a slight notch, 

 leaving the extremity of the abdomen exposed. Head and thorax marked with small 

 regular punctures. Each wing-case with two yellow spots, which are sometimes slightly 

 tinged with red; the one next the front margin or base is curved so as to enclose the 

 black point of the shoulder ; the posterior one is behind the middle, and is transversely 

 oval; under side black ; length about one-fifth of an inch. 



