ALDER INSECTS. 



635 



25. Calligrapha scalaris Le Conte. 



This beetle is a common frequenter of alders, feeding on the leaves, 

 in Maine, through the summer in both the larval and beetle states. 

 Whether the subjoined description applies to this species or not we do 

 not feel sure. It occurred on the alder September 3. 



Larva. — Body long, flattened, the prothoracic segment nearly as broad as the mid- 

 dle segments of the body. Head reddish, about one-half as wide as the prothoracic 

 segment. Body whitish-green, along the back a row of transveise black spots, two 

 to each segment, and oval-lanceolate in shape ; those on the prothoracic segment much 

 larger than the others, together forming a patch longer than broad. On the meso 

 and meta segments is a lateral narrow sublunate black mark. Spiracles black. Length 



to 8" 



26. Chlamys plicata Oliv. 



This singular little beetle was observed on the leaves of the alder, in 

 Maine, September 19. The larva and its case have been figured in my 

 Guide to the study of Insects, p. 510. 



The beetle. — Body obscure, bronzed. Head impressed posteriorly between the eyes^ 

 rhinarium, antennae, and an elevated space adjoining the eyes anteriorly, rufous; 

 nose distinctly punctured; prothorax very finely and concentrically scored, with 

 some scattered indistinct punctures ; posteriorlv considerably elevated ; elevation 

 bifid; behind this elevation the prothorax is producted and emarginate; scutellum 

 obtriangnlar ; elytra tuberculated with several acute, compressed tubercles, the an- 

 terior ones carinated ; interstices with some scattered deep punctures ; space between 

 the four posterior legs punctured with large shallow punctures. Length of body 2 

 lines. (Kirby.) 



27. Gelechia coryliella Chambers. 



Whether the larva which we describe below is the same or congene- 

 ric with that of Pcedisca transniissana, said by Mrs. Dimmock to be 

 common about Cambridge, Mass., eating the inside of the sterile 



catkins of the white birch, and hibernating 

 as a pupa — we do not know. The worm in 

 question occurs at Providence through Oc- 

 tober (and we have found belated individ- 

 uals as late as November 10) eating the in- 

 terior of the catkins of both the alder and 

 the hazel. It devours the interior some- 

 times at the base and sometimes at the 

 apex; it sews together two or three cat- 

 kins, throwing out a mass of castings 

 which remain in the web. November 10 a 

 larva left the catkin and spun a cocoon 

 lined with silk, and covered on the outside 

 with bits of catkins. The larva appeared 

 to me to be, from its shape and general ap- 



FiG. 212.— Mine in catkins of the hazel 

 enlarged.* — Marx del. 



* The hole made for the exit of the insect is not clearly shown in the cut. It is in 

 the middle of the central catkin. 



