STATE IIOKTlcrr/rURAL SOCIETY. 183 



where there is a light, with a low buzzing sound, and striking the wall or 

 some other object fall to the floor; if not disturbed, at length they rise 

 again, and ascending to the ceiling continue to buzz around the room 

 until striking something they again tall to the floor. 



In the beetle or perfect state, all the species are leaf-eaters and have 

 been known to attack the leaves of various oaks, Lombardy poplars, elm 

 and maple trees, apple, cherry and other fruit trees. It would appear, 

 therefore, that all deciduous trees are liable to be injured by them, and 

 in prairie sections, where trees on comparatively few and grasses abund- 

 ant, they are likely.to do considerably injury to fruit and ornamental trees. 



The remedies mentioned under P. fiisca are equally applicable to all 

 the other species belonging to this group or genus, which are found in 

 this State. 



There is another group or genus, closely allied to those just 

 mentioned, which contains some species that occasionally prove more 

 or less injurious. This genus, Serica (silky leaf-chafers), as its name 

 indicates, is distinguished by the soft, silky pubescence with which the 

 body is covered. It agrees with FhyllopJiaga in the general form of the 

 body, which is oblong and sub-cylindrical, also in the characters of 

 the antennae and claws, but differs from that genus in having the wing- 

 cases distinctly grooved or furrowed lengthwise, and in the size of the 

 species, which are smaller. 



Serica sericea, Knoch. The Silky Leaf-chafer. iOjualoplia sericea, Harr.) 



This is a small beetle, about one-third of an inch long, varying in 

 color from a light brown to ahiiost a black, with a silky lustre, changeable 

 like satin, and, when living, reflecting the colors of the rainbow in favor- 

 able light. The head has a few hairs upon it. 



Spec. Char. Imago. — Antenni\% tibi^, claws and form of the body similar to 

 P. fusca : hind coxa; very broad, varying in color from a light brown to almost black, 

 with a silky lustre, iridescent. The head has a few hairs upon it, is densely punctured ; 

 the front margin slightly notched and slightly turned up. The thorax with numerous 

 small and somewhat equally distributed punctures; lateral edge not dilated in the 

 middle. The scutellum longer than wide, triangular, punctured each side. Elytra 

 distinctly striated; the stri;e or grooves contluently punctured. 



Length, from one-third to nearly two-fifths of an inch. 



Serica vespertina, Sch. The Evening Silky Leaf-chafer 



Is similar in most respects to the preceding species. The head and 

 thorax are reddish brown ; the wing-cases rather more of a reddish 

 yellow, with rather more distinct or deeper grooves than the former 

 species. This is the Omaloplia vcspertina of Harris. 



Spec. Char. Imago. — Similar to S. sericea in every respect, except as follows: head 

 and thorax reddish brown, elytra paler; head truncate in front, with a minute notch or 

 scallop at each side near the tip, front margin slightly reflected. Thorax with deeper 

 punctures ; scutellum punctured and rounded at the tip. Grooves of the elytra dilated, 

 shallow, and punctured ; the intermediate ridges narrower than the grooves and strongly 

 convex. Under side a dull reddish brown. 



Length, from three-tenths to four-tenths of an inch. 



