COLEOPTERA. — G ALERUCID.tE. 



Fig. 47. 



383 



Dr. Ratzeburg (Forst-Ins. t. xx. f. 5c.) has also published a figure 

 of the larva (Jiff. 47. 2.) of Galeruca caprea; (y?^. 47. i.) which so 

 closely resembles the larva of Chrysomela populi that I am induced 

 to believe that some mistake must have occurred respecting it. 



De Geer has also given the history of Adimonia alni {Jiff. 47. 3.), 

 a rare British species, which is found upon the alder. The larva is 

 considerably more elongate than the majority of these larva?, with the 

 body thickest in the middle ; the legs six in number, and destitute of 

 tubercles. It goes into the earth in the middle of August, and ap- 

 pears in the perfect state in about three weeks. Tlie larva, according 

 to Bouche (Naturff. p. 206.), moves along like the caterpillars of the 

 Geometridae. Dr. Ratzeburg has also published beautiful illustrations 

 of this insect in its different states (from which my figure 47. 4. of the 

 larva is copied) in his Forst-Insecten Coleojjt. t. xx. f. 6. 



The genus Haltica lUiffcr, and the various groups detached there- 

 from, comprise a very extensive assemblage of species of minute size 

 and of saltatorial habits, the hind legs being greatly incrassated 

 [Jiff. 47. 6. Haltica nemorum magnified, 47. 7. hind leg) . Their colours 

 are often very brilliant ; they feed upon the leaves of vegetables and 

 herbs, especially preferring the cruciferous plants, amongst which the 

 turnip is particularly liable to the attacks of several species (Halt. 

 nemorum, &c.), and which are known by the name of the turnip fly, 

 the perfect beetles devouring the leaves of the plant as soon as it has 

 made its appearance above the ground: the injury thus committed is 

 occasionally very great. The subject was indeed considered of such im- 

 portance that the Doncaster Agricultural Association proposed it as 

 one of the questions particularly worthy of investigation. The Report 



