306 u^geria Exitiusa. [Jul}', 



tree, enveloped in its follicle, and surrounded by a large accumula- 

 tion of gum, that oozes out of its desiccated channel in the root. — 

 In this, the /*«<pa state, it continues until the latter part of July, or 

 the beginning of August, when it again changes into the inoth, 

 winged, or perfect state. 



In this condition it is active and vigilant, concealing itself dur- 

 ing the day, in cracks or crevices, about the trees, fences or other 

 secure places, and at night issuing forth to fulfill its vocations, and 

 prepare for propagating a new generation of the grub. 



While in the jnoJi-state, the sexes differ so much in appearance, 

 that a superficial observer might mistake them for distinct species. 



The female soon commences depositing her eggs upon the bark of 

 the tree just above the surface of the ground, and completes the 

 process before the close of September, when she, as well as the 

 male dies. 



It is said, that in some instances, she deposits not less than three 

 hundred eggs upon one tree. The egg is oblong-oval, dull-yellow, 

 and so small as to be only just observable by the naked eye. It 

 hatches into a minute grub in eight or ten days. The young pro- 

 geny then perforates the tender bark of the trees, beneath the sur- 

 face of the earth, in the manner already suggested. 



These several changes, constitute its annual routine of transform- 

 ation, and they usually occur at the periods mentioned ; yet there 

 are individuals that do not conform to the general rule, but undergo 

 the changes earlier or later, according to circumstances; and it is 

 probable that there are a few females depositing their eggs during 

 most, or all the summer months. 



A detailed account of the habits, and scientific characters of the 

 JEgeria, as well as of the means that are sometimes employed to pre- 

 vent its depredations, is contained in Mr. Say's " American Entem- 

 ology," vol. II., which your readers will do well to consult.* 



*.£geri.\ Eaitiosa — Description. Male. Bodj', steel-blue : antennffi ciliated on the 

 inner side, black, with a tinge of blue ; palpi beneath, yellow : head with a band at the 

 base, both above and beneath, pale yellow : eyes black-brown : thorax Avith two pale 

 yellow longitudinal liue«, and a transverse one behind, interrupted above, and a spot of 

 the same color, beneath the origin of the wings : wings hyaline, neiTures and margin 

 steel-blue, — which is more dilated on the costal margin, and on the anastomosing baud 

 of the superior wings : feet steel-blue, the coxsc, two bands on the tibia; including the 

 spines, incisures of the posteiior tarsi, and antgrior tarei behiud, pale yellow : abdomen 

 with two vcn' narrow pale yellow bands, one o!" which is near the base, and the other on 

 the middle : tail fringed, the fringe margined each side with white. 



