78 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 



It has, however, been stated upon very good authority that the 

 common black Aphodius {A. graiiariiis Linn.), illustrated in Fig. 

 85. lias the bad habit of eating into sprouting seeds of corn. At 

 all events some species of this genus very often attract the atten- 

 tion of farmers, as immense numbers of them swarm earlv in 

 spring, and again late in autumn, over country roads, and especial- 

 ly over such roads that have been frequented by horses and cows. 

 Here the beetles enjoy their last meals before entering the grountl 

 to pass the winter. The illustration (Fig. 86) shows an adult 

 beetle and its larva. 



Fig. 85. — Aphodius granarivs, Linn. 

 G"eatiy enlarged. After Forbes. 



Fig. 86. — Aphodius fossor, Linn., and 

 larva. After Brehm. 



The Leaf-chafers, or Hcrhivoroits Laiiiellieonis, feed upon 

 leaves of trees in their adult state, or they devour the pollen and 

 petals of flowers. They are distinguished from the majority of 

 scavengers by having more slender legs, with long claws which 

 enable them to grasp their food firmly, but do not enable them to 

 dig into the ground. Some of them can, however, do so, but not 

 so easily as their relatives with filthier habits. As a general rule 

 the tip of their abdomen projects beyond the wing-covers, and is 

 not shortened or cut off squarely. Since the adults also feed upon 

 vegetable matter they are in some cases as destructive as their 

 larvae, only, however, for a much shorter period. The larvae feed 

 either in rotton wood, when they are harmless, or they eat the 

 roots of grasses and other plants. Such larvn?, well known as 

 "white grubs," are thick, fleshv beings, much wrinkled, with a 



