102 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 



with short, fox-colored hairs. The under side of the body is 

 black, and also hairy ; the legs are dull black. The species varies 

 greatly in color and markings ; when quite fresh, especially late 

 in summer, they are very much brighter than early in spring, 

 after hibernating all wimer in the ground. 



These beetles are the earliest and latest of our flower-beetles. 

 In spring, long before vegetation has started, they may be seen 

 flying along close to the ground, with a loud, humming sound. 

 Moist spots, especially near fresh manure, are frequently visited 

 by them. During the early summer none are seen, but later 

 they again become numerous, and now they frequent the flowers 

 of thistles in great numbers. This would not constitute a crime, 

 but these beetles are also very fond of both tassels and green silk 

 of corn plants, and equally so of the young corn still in the 

 milk, from ^^'hich they suck the juice. Still later they invade the 

 ripening fruits of all kinds, and burrow in them almost to the 

 middle, as can he seen in the illustration, (Fig. io8, Plate I). In 

 tliis manner they destroy ripe apples, pears, peaches and grapes ; 

 ?m\ if thev do not actually cat these substances entirely they at 

 least cause deca}'. Fruit left to dry is frequently invaded and 

 injured by them. The normal food consists of the sweet sap 

 which exudes from bruised and wounded trees, and it is not un- 

 common to see them swarm about a bleeding tree as would a 

 swarm of bees. They are very active and fly almost as readily 

 as the tiger-beetles ; they are also very strong, and it is almost 

 impossible to hold them between the fingers, excepting by using 

 such force as to crush them. 



Many years ago, when engaged by Dr. Le Baron to make 

 illustrations of beetles for him inider the direction of Prof. Riley, 

 the writer had collected many balls of the common tumble-bug, 

 so as to obtain its eggs and larvcie. Incidentally a white grub was 

 added to these balls, which were ke]:)t in a tin box, and it was 

 found that this larva ate into such l)alls. The larva transformed 

 into the lieetle luider discussion. 



^\'hen tlie beetles fly aboitt in search of places in which to 

 deposit their eggs, thev may be seen in large numbers hovering 



