THE ASPARAGUS BEETLE: ITS DESCRIPTION. 243 



In some of the beetles, the wing-covers may be described as blue- 

 black, with an orange margin on the sides and at the tip, and above 

 with six small yellow spots. Fig. 72 from 

 examples in my collection, received from a 

 market in New York city, is the variety 

 which Dr. Fitch seems to have had before him 

 for his careful description. '' Along the 

 middle of each wing-cover is a row of three 

 lemon-yellow spots. The anterior one of 

 these is placed upon the base of the wing 

 cover, and is usually egg-shaped with its 

 pointed end directed backward. The middle 

 spot is placed at a third of the distance from ^at^rnxn'on-^x-^sp^tTed S^ 



the base to the tip of the wing-cover. It is enlarged about six diameters, 

 ,.,., , 1,1 with further enlargement of an- 



transverse, bemg a third more broad tliau teuna and front tarsus, 

 long, and is thicker toward its inner end, which terminates at the 

 tiiird row of punctures from the suture, its opposite or outer end be- 

 ing confluent with the orange border. The hind spot is placed neai-er 

 to the middle spot than to the widened orange tip of the wing-cover. 

 It is similar in most respects to the middle spot, but is frequently 

 smaller and placed somewhat obliquely, its inner end inclining back- 

 ward, and its outer end uniting with the orange border by a narrow 

 neck." 



The above variety would hardly be recognized as identical with the 

 form usually figured. The elytral spots have been described in general 

 terms as very variable in shape and size. Fitch notes their great 

 variation. It is interesting to find that such marked variation in in- 

 dividuals can co-exist with such permanency of feature, that the pat- 

 tern so minutely described by Dr. Fitch is exactly that shown by the 

 example figured from my collection. 



Its Family Relations. 



The family of Chrysomelidce, to which the asparagus beetle belongs, 

 is a very extensive one, and is estimated by Dr. Packard to contain 

 from 8,000 to 10,000 species.* The Crotch Check List records the 

 names of nearly 500 Korth American species. In appearance, these 

 insects are of rather small size, oval or oblong in form, often quite con- 

 vox above, with prominent eyes, short antennae, a narrow cylindrical 

 thorax generally, and often with the hind thighs much thickened. The 

 family was formerly more restricted than at present — Westwood and 

 others recognizing distinct families of Crioceridm, CassididcB and 

 Galerucidm, which more recently, together with other groups, which 



* Guide to the Study of Insects, 1S69, p. 501. 



