Mantura.] PHYTOPHAGA. 377 
broad as the elytra, without a trace of a transverse impression at base, 
but with a distinet longitudinal fold or impression on each side; the 
antenne are rather short and stout, and thickened towards apex; the 
elytra are punctured in regular or almost regular rows ; all the tibie are 
furnished with a distinct spur; the form is elongate-oval and almost 
subeylindrical, and the colour is variable, but, as a rule, dark blue or 
greenish-blue ; about a dozen species are known, half of which are found 
in Europe, and others have been described from North America, 
Algeria, and Adelaide ; four of them inhabit Britain. 
I. Upper surface dark blue or greenish -blue, with 
the apex at least of the elytra ferruginous . . . M. rustica, L. 
Il. Upper surface entirely neous or ferrugino- wueous,. M. CHRYSANTHEMI, Koch, 
Ill. Upper surface dark blue or greenish-blue, uni- 
colorous. 
i. Thorax dull; elytra with broad interstices, the 
last of which has no row ot sales ones on its 
basal half ; size larger. . . M. osrusata, Gyll. 
Thorax shining ; elytra with narrow interstices, 
the last of which has a distinct row of larger 
punctures on its basal half; size smaller. . . . M. Marruewsi, Curt. 
i. 
M. rustica, L. (semienea, F.). Oblong-oval, rather elongate, 
moderately convex and shining, head and thorax obscure brassy-green, 
elytra dark blue or bluish- black, more or less broadly ferruginous at 
apex; head rather strongly punctured, antenne with the base red, except 
upper surface of first jomt, and the rest dark; thorax about half as 
broad again as long, narrowed in front, rather strongly punctured, but 
usually diffusely on disc; elytra long with regular rows of strong 
punctures, which are continued to apex, where, howev er, they become 
finer; legs ferruginous or pitchy red, with the posterior femora dark, 
and the tarsi infuscate. L. 27-3 mm. 
V. suturalis, Weise. This variety has the elytra entirely ferruginous, 
with the suture greenish or bluish. 
By sweeping herbage (Rumex, &c.); usually in damp places ; occasionally found 
in hay-stack and vegetable refuse; generally distributed throughout England ; tt 
appears, however, to be local in some districts, and to become less common further 
north ; Scotland, not common, Solway district ; it is probably widely distributed in 
Ireland. 
M. chrysanthemi, Koch. Oblong-ovate, shorter, more oval and 
more convex than the preceding species, from which it may be at once 
known by having the upper surface entirely of a bright eneous, some- 
times coppery, colour, the apex of the elytra being ferruginous ; the shape 
of the head, antenne, and thorax is much as in the preceding species ; 
the latter, however, is more finely and closely punctured ; the strie of 
the elytra are strong and regular, and are continued to apex ; under-side 
black, with bronze reflection, very finely punctured ; legs red, posterior 
femora ferruginous or pitchy ferruginous. L. 1{-2¢ mm. 
