368 



NATrRAL HISTORY OF ARTIIROTODS. 



wood in \vhich it foeds. 0. I'reuncola, :\ sli^litly hirger, smootli, d.-irk-lirowu species, 

 has habits similar to those of O. .scabra: Xot far from Osmoderma in classitieatioii is 

 Inca, the species of wliicli arc tVmiKl in tropical ^Vmcrica, ami are large and bronze 

 colored. 



In the species which belong to the old genus Cvtonia, which is now subdivided 

 into numerous genera, the scutellum is \isible, the mandibles are feeble and often 

 membranous, the e])imera of the mcsothorax is visible frnui above, and the anteriov 

 coxre ]iromincut. During flight the elytra of these beetles remain closed, the wings 

 extending out from beneath the base of the elytra. Some of the species eat honey, 

 others soft fruits, still others lick sap from wounds of trees. Thiis the mandibles, having 

 no hard work to do, are feelile. Tropinota hirtdht, a small fhiropean sjiecics which is 

 bhick, somewhat marked with white, and densely jinliescent with bi-ownish hairs, 

 injures fruit-blossoms by eating away their anthers and styles. 



Edrijotida inda is the most abundant species of cetonian in the niu'theastern 

 United States. It is about half an inch long, light brown, marked with irregular black 

 spots. Its thorax is covered with yellowish juibescence. This beetle 

 lias been found fee<ling u]ion the kernels of young corn ; but it is doubt- 

 ful if the beetles, with their soft mouth-])arts, are really guilty of attack- 

 ing the coi-n. It >eems iiku'c ]irobab]e that tlicv only eat the juices of 

 kernels which have been already bittia; intu b\- liivds or bv other insects. 

 Vic. &\ — i:urij- These beetles are, however, known to eat intu riiic iicai-hi's, and to feed 

 Upon the sap from corn-stalks and from cotton-liolls. I have found the 

 same species very abundant, devouring saji which exiuh'd from wounds in the liark of oak 

 trees; and I presume that, in their repoi'tcd attacks ujion apple-trcc bark, they are only 

 eating the saj) flowing from wounds caused by other anim.als. This species is found in 

 early spring, before the snow is all melted from the ground, making as much noise as 

 bees and buzzini;' about in w.-irni sunny sjiots. This beetle has a jiecnliar acid odor, 

 resembling vinegar, wlien handled. This acid is probably readily volatile, as it does not 

 rust, to any great extent, the pins used in inomiting these insects in collections. 

 Cetonia aurata, a common metallic-green European sjiccies, is also ipiite odorous. 

 The larvaj of E. inda are not yet known. 



AUorhina nitidn is nearlv an inch lonu', \elvety gret'n usually with a yellowish 

 margin along the sides of the jn-othorax and elytra, and is abundant in the southern 

 part of the Atlantic slope of the United States. Its larva, according to Dr. C. V. 

 Riley, attacks strawberry roots; and, because its curved body would cause it to travel 

 clnrasily on its legs, it turns over 

 upon its back and moves along as 

 rapidlv as an ordinary caterpillar. 



The cetonians attain their max- 

 imum size in the genus Goliatliuri 

 from western Africa. <t. f/H/dn- 

 teus measures aliout four inches in 

 length and two inches in width, 

 and is one of the largest beetles 

 known. This species is subject to considerable variation, and several varieties have 

 been described as species. It is usually chalky white, marked with velvety black, 

 prominent among the black parts l)eing six black lines radiating from near the anterior 

 part of the prothorax towards its posterior jiart. These giant beetles live upon the 

 sap of trees. 



- J III, I 



