.11 



In Figure 1, we have a representatiou of the perfect Beetle. It is called tl.« 

 Rose-bug on account of its appearing annually at the time of the blossoming of the 

 rose, and of its having been first noticed as injurious to that flower. The body of thin 

 beetle measures a little more th;m one-third of an inch in length ; it is slender in 

 form and tapers a little tuwards each extremity. Its colour is dull yellowish when 

 fresh, arising from its being covered with a greyish yellow down or bloom; and in 

 long sprawling legs are of a dull pale reddish hue, with the joints of the feet tipped witli 

 black, the feet are also armed with very long claws. The down on its body is easily rubbed 

 off, and when this is done there is (|uite a change in the appearance of the insect, the head, 

 thorax, and the under side of the body becoming of a shining black. 'J'he following excel- 

 lent account of its history is given by Dr Harris. 



■' The unexpected arrival of these insects in swarms, at their first coming, and their sud- 

 den disappearance at the close of their career, are remarkable facts in their history. They 

 come forth from the ground during the second week in .lunc, or about the time of the blos- 

 soming of the damask rose, and remain from thirty to forty days. At the end of this period 

 the males become exhaustcl, fall to the ground and perish, while the females enter the earth, 

 *l lay their eggs, return to the surface, and after lingering a few days die also." 



■'The eggs laid by each female are about thirty in number, and are deposited from one 

 to four inches beneath the surface of the soil ; they are nearly globular, whitish, and about 

 one-thirtieth of an inch in diameter, and are hatched twenty days after they are laid. The 

 young larvse begin to feed on such tender roots as are within their reach ; and when not eat- 

 ing they lie upon the side, with the body curved so that the head and tail are nearly in 

 contact ; they move with difficulty on a level surface, and are continually falling over on 

 one side or the other. They attain their full size in the autumn, being then nearly three- 

 fjunrters of an inch long, and about an eighth of an inch in diameter. They are of a yel- 

 lowish white colour, with a tinge of bluc'towards the hinder extremity, which is thick and 

 obtuse, and rounded ; a few short hairs are scattered on the surface of the body ; there are 

 .six short legs, namely, a pair to each of the first three rings behind the head, and the latter 

 is covered with a horny shell of a pale rust colour. In October they descend below the reach 

 of frost, and pa.ss the winter in a torpid state. In the spring they approach towards the sur- 

 face and each one forms for itself a little cell of an oval shape by turning round a great many 

 times, so as to compress the earth and render the inside i f the cavity hard and smooth. 

 Within this cell the grub is transformed to a pui)a during the month of May by casting of it» 

 skin, which is pushed forward in folds from the head to the tail. The pupa has somewhat 

 the form of the perfect beetle ; but it is of a yellowish white colour, and its short stump- 

 like wings, its antcnnoB and its legs are folded upon the bieast : and its whole body is en- 

 closed in a thin film that wraps each part separately. During the month of June this filmy 

 skin is rent, the included beetle withdraws its body and its limbs, bursts open its earthen 

 fcell, and digs its way to the surface of the ground. Thus the various changes, from the egg 

 to the full development of the perfect beetle, are completed within the space of one year." 



Although these insects have many natural foes, such as carnivorous ground beetles, 

 dragon fliesf toads, insectivorous birds, domestic fowls, &c., yet they often need the inter- 

 vening hand of man to keep them within due bounds. The best means of disiKising of them 

 is to jar them from the vines on which they are resting with a sudden and violent jar. to 

 sheets spread below to receive them. They are naturally sluggish, and do not fly readily, 

 and are fond of cons'-eL'ating in masses on the foliage they arc consuming; and hence, in thti 

 m(,rning, bt fore the day becomes warm, they can be easily sliaken from their resting place*, 

 and disposed of, either by burning them, or by throwing them into sjcalding water. 



No. 18. THE ACHEMON SPHINX. (Philampelus Aclwrnon, Drury.) 



Fw. '2. 



