of the Oil Beetle, Meloé. 299 
feed are in flower. Meloé proscarabeeus and M. violaceus usually make their 
first appearance at the end of March, but I have occasionally found the latter 
as early as the 8th of that month. They are in greatest abundance during the 
last ten days of March and the beginning of April. M. cicatricosus is from 
ten days to a fortnight later than the other species. In other localities I have 
not met with these insects quite so early, and there is reason to believe that 
the time of their coming forth is much influenced by the temperature of the 
atmosphere, and of the locality in which they undergo their transformations. 
Goedart* speaks of M. proscarabeus as occurring in the beginning of May; 
and this also is the period stated by DeGeer+, so that in the northern parts 
of Europe they come forth later than in this country. s 
When the Meloës first leave their cells they are feeble, move slowly, and 
have their bodies very small, shrivelled, and contracted. But when they have 
been feeding for a few days their bodies are greatly enlarged, and the abdomen 
of the female is expanded to more than twice its original length and dia- 
meter, owing to the immense quantity of ova within it in course of develop- 
ment. In Meloé cicatricosus it often measures nearly an inch and a half in 
length, and seems to be dragged along with much difficulty. 
The favourite food of Meloé is the wild ranunculus, or buttercup, Ra- 
nunculus acris, more especially the blossoms, which it devours with avidity. 
M. cicatricosus feeds also on the leaves and flowers of the dandelion, Tarazxa- 
cum. Goedart says they feed on the wood anemone. DeGeer found them 
eat the leaves of dandelion with eagerness, but they would not touch straw- 
berry-leaves, grass, cow-cress, alehemilla, or wild chervil. When deprived 
for a few days of their proper food, and urged by hunger, they will sometimes 
nibble blades of grass, but they cannot subsist on it, and soon perish. 
The Meloés are extremely fond of basking in the hot sunshine, and it is 
during the early and middle part of the day that they come most abroad and 
are most active. When confined in boxes, for the purpose of observing their 
habits, it is necessary to expose them much to the sun, and to supply them 
with an abundance of food. They then become as active as when abroad in the 
fields, and their proceedings are easily watched. They drink freely of water, 
ur Métamorphoses Naturelles, ou Histoire des Insectes. A la Haye, 1700, 12mo, tom. ii. p. 180. 
t Mémoires pour l'Histoire des Insectes, tom. v. Mém. i. p. 3 et seg. 
VOL. XX. 2R 
