COLEOPTERA. 



45 



year attain the length of about 16 to 18 mm. They live from three to 

 four years in the larval stage, and when full-grown are about 1| inch 

 to IJ inch in length, and about -| inch to h inch in breadth. They 

 have six legs, the figures of which in various works appear to show the 

 third or last pair as the longest, whereas they are considerably the short- 



1. {Fiiim 'The 

 ester, by John Nisl)Pt.) 



Fig. 46. — The common coclvhafer or May beetle 

 (Melolontha viilgaris). 

 a, beetle (male— natural size) ; b, feeler of male (7 

 lamellaj — magnified four times); c, feeler of 

 female (6 lamellftf — magnified four times); d, 

 larva or grub (natural size) ; f,5chrysalis (seen 

 from below — natural size). " (From ' The 

 Forester,' by J. Nisbet.) 



est, and the middle pair are a trifle longer than the other two. All the 

 legs are more or less hairy. The jaws are powerful. They are a dirty 

 white colour, with a ferruginous head, and become darker after being 

 lifted out by workmen when trenching or levelling old "cops" or 

 hedges. After feeding for three or four years the larva descends a 

 trifle deeper, scoops out a recess, pupates in the autumn, and changes 

 to a perfect insect in summer (fig. 46). 



