182 REV. G. T. RUDD'S OBSERVATIONS. 



frequently observed them continuing to shake their victim 

 after they were both brought to light. 



Zabrns gibbus.— In Vol. I. Parti, pp. 140, 141, of Mr. 



Stephens's Illustrations of British Entomology, are some 

 remarks " On the supposed Ravages of the Larvas of Zabrus 

 gibbus," and a question is raised as to the food of the perfect 

 insect. 



During my residence at Kimpton, near Andover, Hants, 

 an excellent opportunity for investigating this question was 

 afforded me. My curiosity being excited by my friend 

 Mr. Stephens's observations, I gladly and most attentively 

 directed my attention to the inquiry. Zabrus gibbus was in 

 profusion at Kimpton, making its appearance generally as 

 the corn came into ear. My brother, Mr. L. Rudd, an 

 indefatigable collecting ally of mine, was on a visit to me 

 in 1828. During one of our rambles, I observed several 

 Zabri on the ears of barley, evidently feeding in that situation. 

 I requested my brother to notice most carefully what the 

 beetles were eating ; I walked in advance of him some little 

 distance, leaving him to watch the specimen before him. I 

 soon found Zabrus gibbus on a barley-stem, eagerly engaged 

 at his repast. 



The insect first gnawed off the tip of the husk from the end 

 of the grain, then gradually drew the milky grain out of its 

 sheath, consuming it as it came forth, till the whole grain had 

 disappeared. It repeated the operation, and successively 

 consumed six or seven grains : I then killed, and on my 

 return home, dissected it, when I was most fully satisfied, by 

 this additional proof, that the beetle had fed on the immature 

 corn. My brother knew nothing whatever of my motive for 

 setting him to watch the proceedings of the Zabrus, nor even 

 the name of the insect. His report was minutely the same as 

 mine. We subsequently paid further and repeated attention 

 to the subject, (without, however, killing the devourer,) and 

 no doubt whatever remained on our minds, that the food of 

 the imago of Z. gibbus is the juicy immature grain of barley, 

 and probably also of other grain. 



Yours, &c. G. T. Rudd. 



Croft, near Darlington, 

 Jan. 1834. 



