ATTACKING THE FRUIT. 159 



ATTACKING THE FRUIT. 

 No. 81. — The Indian Cetonia. 



Euplioria Iiida (Linn.). 



This is one of the earliest insect visitors in spring, appear- 

 ing towards the end of April or in the beginning of May, 

 when it flies about in dry fields on the borders of woods on 

 sunny days, making a loud buzzing sound like a bee. It is 

 little more than half an inch in length (see Fig. 168), and 

 has a broad body, obtuse behind. The head and 

 thorax are of a blackish copper-brown, thickly 

 covered with short, greenish-yellow hairs. The 

 wing-cases are light yellowish brown, with a num- 

 ber of irregular black spots. The under side of the 

 body is black and very hairy; the legs are dull 

 red. A variety of this species is occasionally met 

 with entirely black. 



The early brood are fond of sucking the sweet sap which 

 exudes from wounded trees or freshly-cut stumps; in Septem- 

 ber a second brood appear, and these injure fruits, burrowing 

 into ripe pears almost to their middle, revelling on their 

 sweets, and inducing raj)id decay. They also attack peaches 

 and grapes. 



Nothing has yet been recorded in reference to the larval 

 history of this species. It is probable that the late brood of 

 beetles hibernate, passing the winter in a torpid state, hidden 

 in sheltered places, and awakening with the return of sj)ring, 

 when they issue from their retreats, after which, having 

 deposited eggs for another brood, they die. 



The only remedy suggested for these insects is to catch and 

 destroy them. They are seldom very abundant. 



