METAMORPHOSES OF GALERUCA NYMPH.EA. 179 



has the usual number of segments— thirteen ; the three segments 

 near the head bearing two legs each. Underneath it is of a 

 3'ellow colour, the upper surface of the segments being black, 

 with the yellow body showing between ; they appear to be again 

 divided, but the division ends at the side in a roundish prominence, 

 from which spring two or three hairs. The whole body of the 

 larva is covered with hairs. The cephalic segment is very small, 

 and bears rudimentary antennae and palpi, composed of three 

 joints each, the apical joint being pointed. The caudal segment 

 is also very much smaller. 



After remaining motionless for a time, usually two or three 

 days, the skin begins to split along the upper side of the larva, 

 commencing with the cephalic segments. When this has properly 

 commenced the insect seems restless, and moves upwards and 

 downwards. This movement seems to act upon the skin and 

 splits it farther, until the opening extends the whole length of the 

 insect. This usually took about half an hour, and was done in 

 the early morning. The skin is not entirely drawn or slipped off, 

 but is still fastened to the hinder segments, and serves to hold 

 the pupa very securely to the leaf to which the skin itself adheres. 

 This is a wise provision, as otherwise tlie helpless pupa might be 

 washed off into the water and drowned. The pupa, which the 

 cast-off skin discloses, is of a golden-yellow colour, but in about 

 five hours turns quite black. 



The pupa is quiescent, and the parts of the perfect insect are 

 very plainly seen. The head is applied against the breast, the 

 antennae lie along the sides of the thorax, the first two pairs of 

 legs are entirely exposed, the other pair being covered by the 

 elytra. After remaining in this quiescent state for seven days, 

 the perfect insect emerged. The pupa-skin commenced to split 

 up along the back, as in the larva, and was drawn off in a similar 

 manner, revealing the beetle or perfect insect. Not until the 

 insect has partl}^ emerged does it make any sign of movement : 

 when the antennae are fully exposed it begins to move tliem 

 upwards, slowly and by degrees, until they are in their pi-oper 

 position; then the first and second pairs of legs are used to push 

 off, as it were, the enveloping skin, and the perfect insect is fully 

 emerged. It is then of a golden -yellow colour, the antennae and 

 legs being of a darker colour, as also the elytra, which do not 

 appear to alter. 



