66 



OUTLINES OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 



Order COLEOPTERA. Tribe Phytophaga. 



BOBERS AND LEAF BEETLES. 



Also Section H e t e r o m e u, a. 



BLISTER BEETLES, ETC. 



[Fig. 26.] 



Rouud-headfid Apple Tree Borer (Saperda Candida.) 



This division of similar footed beetles comprises a great variety 

 of forms, all of which feed on vegetation, and many of which are 

 extremely destructive to trees, herbaceous plants and seeds. Three of 

 the most important families are the Long-horned borers ( Ceramby- 

 ciD^), the Leaf beetles (CHRYSOMELiDyE), and the Seed beetles 

 (Bruchid^ ). 



The first of these families, often termed the " Longicorns " or 

 " Capricorns," is a large and interesting one, including many species of 

 great size, others of rare beauty and all very injurious. They may be 

 recognized at a glance by their long and usually slender antennae, 

 which in a few species are more than twice the length of the body, and 

 which curve backward like the horns of a goat. The form of the 

 body is elongate sub-cylindrical, in some species tapering toward the 

 hinder end. The head is broad, vertical, and furnished with strong-^ 

 jaws. The eyes are quite peculiar, being lunate {hoWowed ont) on 

 the inner side, with the antennai implanted in the hollows. The basal 

 joint of the latter is almost invariably longer than any of the succeed- 

 ing joints, which gradually taper to a point. The thorax is seldom as 

 broad as the hind body, and is square or barrel-shaped, often with one 

 or two spines or teeth on each side. The legs are long, but scarcely so 

 well flitted for running as for affording a secure support to the insect 

 when at rest. The joints of the feet are four in number, spongy or 



