COLEOPTERA. — CEDEMERID^. 305 



often long and narrow, with the elytra broader than the head and 

 thorax, {Jig. 35. 4. CEdemera caerulea $.)•-, in others the body elongate- 

 ovate and subdepressed ; the antennae moderately long and filiform, 

 never thickened at the tips, and varying in number of joints from 10 to 

 12 ; the head more or less elongated in front, and inserted deeply in the 

 thorax, without any distinct neck {Jig. 35. 5.) ; the elytra are often 

 entire, but occasionally attenuated at the tips. The posterior femora 

 in the males of some of the species are greatly incrassated (as mjig. 

 35. 4. ; Jjg. 35.6. representing the posterior leg of the opposite sex.). 

 The insects are not, however, saltatorial ; the palpi are variable in 

 form, in some being nearly filiform, and in others terminated by a 

 large and broad securiform joint {Jg. 35.19. maxillary; 35.20. 

 labial palpi of Nothus) ; the mandibles are nearly triangular, termi- 

 nated by a bifid point, and internally furnished with a membranaceous 

 margin ; one of the posterior tarsi is represented in^^."35. 7. These 

 insects are of a moderate size, and generally of lively colours. In the 

 perfect state they frequent flowers, especially those of the umbelliferae, 

 and hedges : they fly with agility, but their motions in walking are 

 rather slow ; they are, however, enabled to retain firm hold upon the 

 leaves and stems of plants, by means of their dilated tarsi. 



The insect known in the English collections under the name of ffi. 

 podagrariae*, appears to differ in its habits, flying in the evening, and, 

 as we learn from Mr. Bird, being attracted by lighted candles at night 

 {EnL3Iag. 11.4:1.). Mr.Dale has also taken it at the roots of appletrees. 



Latreille states that the transformations of these insects are un- 

 known ; I am enabled, however, by the kindness of Mr. Ingpen, to 

 give the following notice of the larva of CEd. (Ischnomera) viridissima 

 Mshm. In April, 1827, he discovered in the most exuding wounds of 

 young poplar trees near Somer's Town, several specimens of that in- 

 sect, and also of a larva (Jig. 35. s.) in company therewitli ; I was 

 unable to rear these larva?, although one of them commenced form- 

 ing a cell. I am unable, therefore, positively to assert that this is the 

 larva of the CEdemera, although neither Mr. Ingpen nor myself felt 

 any doubt that such was the fact. The body of the larva is fleshy, 

 and of a whitish-buff colour, except the head, which is more corneous ; 



* Great confusion exists as to the name of this insect. It cannot be eitlier 

 the podagraria; of Linna;us, the testacca of Fabricius, the nielanocephala of 

 Panzer, or the simplex of Linnaeus. In Dejean's cabinet it stan<ls inuler the genus 

 Dryops. 



X 



