LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 75 



male sex, but only small ones in that of the female ; it has ribbed 

 wing-covers, black, with a greenish cast. In Illinois it matures 

 about the time at which buds of pear trees unfold, and in such 

 buds the adult beetle feeds for many days, completely eating out 

 the buds and the ends of the new shoots. 



FAMILY SCARAB AEIDAE. 



( Lanicllicorn-bcctles) . 



This is a very large family, including beetles with a very 

 wide range of variation in size, form, and habits. Most of them 

 are short, stout beetles like the Tumble-bug or June-bug. All 

 possess an antennal club, the leaves of which can be closed to- 

 gether or spread out at will, like a fan, exposing the numerous 

 sensory pits with which they are densely covered. 



We can divide the family into two well-marked groups, the 

 Scavengers and the Leaf-chafers. 



The Scavengers are of little interest to fruit-growers, but a 

 few forms will be described to give an idea of their form and 

 habits. 



The Tumble-bugs are perhaps best known on account of 

 their peculiar habit of forming round balls of dung, which they 

 roll long distances. The two sexes most frequently work to- 

 gether, and after having rounded and compressed the ball by roll- 

 ing it in dusty places, till it is hard and compact, thus preventing 



Fig. 82. — Ateuchus sacer. After Brehm. 



