THE COLEOPTERA. 27 



in paddocks, where it occasionally does considerable damage 

 to the grass, and threatens ere long to become as great a pest 

 as its first cousin, the renowned Cockchaffer of England 

 (Melolontha vulgaris), whose fearful ravages need no de- 

 scription. It may be taken as a typical larva of the family, 

 the rest differing from one another in little else than size. 

 When full-grown it is quite as large as the illustration, and 

 is nearly always in the position there indicated, owing to 

 the size of its posterior segments and the absence of any 

 anal proleg, which compel it to lie always on its side. I 

 have not yet succeeded in obtaining the pupa of this insect,, 

 although larvae may be frequently found enclosed in oval 

 cells, evidently about to undergo their transformation. 

 Several of these have been kept in captivity, but they have 

 hitherto always died without undergoing any change. I 

 have, however, no doubt as to its being the larva of 6". 

 suturalis, as there are no other large Lamellicorns found 

 near Wellington to which it could possibly be referred. 

 The perfect beetle appears in great numbers from November 

 to March ; it is best taken at dusk, when it flies with a 

 loud humming noise, about four feet above the ground. If 

 knocked down it always falls amongst the herbage, and is 

 not readily perceived until a few minutes later, when the 

 humming noise is resumed as the insect again gets under 

 weigh, and the would-be captor must not lose time if he 

 wishes to secure it. Occasionally individuals are seen 

 disporting themselves on the wing during the day, but 

 this must be regarded as a purely exceptional circum- 

 stance. Unlike the majority of nocturnal Coleoptera, 

 this insect does not appear to be attracted by light ; in 

 fact I have never obtained any specimens by this method, 

 although most other night-flying beetles may be taken in 

 goodly numbers at the attracting lamp. 



