COLEOPTERA 



503 



Fig. 598. 



Fig- 599- Fig. 600. 



These "flat-headed" larvae are legless, and have been compared to 

 tadpoles on account of their form. Their burrows are flattened, 

 corresponding with the shape of the larger part of the body. In some 

 of the smaller species the larv^ce 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. 



This family is represented in our fauna by nearly three hundred 

 species; among the more important of those that infest cultivated 

 plants are the following. 



The Virginian buprestid, Chalcophora virgmica. — This is the larg- 

 est of our common buprestids (Fig. 598). It is copper-colored, often 

 almost black, and has its upper surface roughened by irregular, 

 lengthwise furrows. This bee- 

 tle appears late in spring in 

 the vicinity of pine-trees. The 

 larvse bore in the wood of pine, 

 and are often very injurious. 

 Diccrca divaricdta is 1 8 mm. 

 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. 599). The lar- 

 va bores in peach, cherry, beech, and maple. 



The flat-headed apple-tree borer, Chrysobothris femordta. — This is 

 one of the most injurious of all buprestids. The adult (Fig. 600) is 

 about 12 mm. long, and is very dark green above, with bronze re- 

 flections, 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 larvas at first bore into the 

 bark and sap-wood, and later into the solid wood. The transforma- 

 tions are completed in one 3'ear. 



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 prevent the beetles from deposit- 

 ing their eggs on the trees. After a tree is once infested, the larvas 

 should be cut out with a gouge or a knife. Nursery stock 

 that is infested should be promptly burned. 



The red-necked agrilus, Agrilus ruficollis. — This beetle 

 (Fig. 601) is about 7.5 mm. long. Its body is narrow and 

 nearly cylindrical. The head is of a dark bronze color, the 

 prothorax of a beautiful coppery bronze, and the wing- 

 covers black. The larv^a bores in the stems of raspberry 

 and blackberr>^ causing a large swelling, known as the 

 raspberry gouty-gall. These galls should be collected and 

 burned in early spring. 

 The family PSEPHENID^ includes only the genus Psephenus, 

 of which we have four species, one found in the East and three in 



Fig, 601. 



