APPLE-TRUNK BUPRESTIS — THE LARVA. 27 



how important it is for us to be acquainted with our insects in 

 the different stages of their lives, that we may be able to discrimi- 

 nate friends from foes, and know which to destroy and which to 

 cherish. 



The preparatory states of but a very few species of the exten- 

 sive family of insects to which the borer now under considera- 

 tion belongs, appear to have been hitherto noticed; and, so far as 

 I am able to ascertain, the only figure of a larva like this which 

 infests our Apple trees, which has yet been published, is that of 

 Jlgrilus Fagi. in Dr. Ratzeburg's work on the Forest Insects of 

 Europe, (plate ii, fig. 8 c.) 



The form of this borer is quite singular, and bears some resemblance to that 

 of a tadpole, or a battledoor. It consists of a very large, round, flattened por- 

 tion, anteriorly, which is suddenly tapered into a long cylindrical tail or handle- 

 like portion. The broad anterior part of this worm is about two-tenths of an 

 inch in diameter and the narrow posterior part is but half as wide. Its length 

 is about 0.G5. It is soft, flesh-like, and of a pale yellow color. 

 In front two short robust jaws of a deep black color and highly 

 T polished are slightly protruded. When these are spread apart 

 the tips of the feelers and between them the lips are perceptible. 

 The head is blackish brown and polished, and is deeply sunk 

 into the second segment. Near each outer angle of the head is 

 a small pale yellow, bead-like protuberance, which is probably 

 the attenna. In Dr. Ratzeburg's figure, above alluded to, this 

 slight protuberance is represented, probably incorrectly, as 

 arising from the second segment. The second segment is deep- 

 ly sunk into the third, and like all the remaining segments is a pale yellow, and 

 clothed with short minute hairs. The third or large segment is rather more 

 broad than long, and is round and flattened above and beneath. Its upper side 

 is occupied b} r a large callous-like, transverse-oval elevation, the surface of 

 which is flat and covered with numerous brown raised points, and in the mid- 

 dle arc two smooth impressed lines, which diverge from the anterior to the pos- 

 terior margin. Between these, on the middle of the basal edge, is a more faintly 

 impressed line, running forward, but becoming effaced before it reaches the cen- 

 tre. On the under side is also a callous-like elevation, similar in all respects to 

 that on the upper side, except that in the place of the impressed lines it has in 

 its middle a single channel or furrow, which does not extend to the posterior 

 nor quite to the anterior margin. The fourth segment is a third narrower than 

 the preceding, and has an impressed tranverse line in the middle. In the deeply 

 impressed suture which divides this from the third segment, on each side, is a 

 smooth, crescent shaped, elevated spot of a chestnut brown color, resembling 

 a little tick adhering in the fold of the Skin. The nine remaining segments arc 

 of nearly equal length and diameter, except the two last, which are successively 

 narrower. They are separated from each other by sutures which are strongly 

 constricted. Along the middle of the back is a smoothish faintly marked line, 



i X 



