INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 249 



THE FRUIT-TREE SERICAS 



Serica alternata Leconte 



Serica anthracina Leconte 



K<rica fimbriata Leconte 



8i rica mixta Leconte 



(Figs. 238, 239) 



Description. — The first two species are light amber or brown with 

 a silvery bloom on the dorsum. Serica alternata Lee. is about ^ inch 

 long, while *S T . fimbriata Lee. the largest of the four, is | inch long. 

 The manzanita Serica, 8. anthracina, is about { inch long and varies 

 from light brown to almost black. The last species, 8. mixta Lee, is 

 dark brown and about the same size as 8. alternata Lee. Pigs. 238 and 

 239 show the general characters very well. 



Fig. 238. — Serica alternata Lee. and the nature of its work on 

 prune leaves. Slightly enlarged. Specimens received from R. S. 

 Vaiie, Ventura. (Original) 



Life History. — In a general way, the life history resembles that of 

 the California Laehnosterna. The grubs live upon the roots of plants 

 in the soil. The adults feed largely by nighl and hide during the day. 



Nature of Work. — The adults arc leaf-eaters, preferring usually 

 the tender shoots. Pig. 238 shows the character of their work. 



