1(11 



Spec. char. Imago. — Antennae, tibiae, claws, coxae and form of the 

 body as in the preceding species. Head and thorax reddish -brown, 

 covered with long,, pale, yellowish hairs. The head has the front 

 margin entire — not notched — rounded, slightly turned up and punc- 

 tured. The lateral margins of the thorax suddenly dilated in the 

 middle. The scutellum triangular, rounded at the tip, hairy. Elytra 

 pale reddish-yellow or pale reddish-brown, covered with hair, the inner 

 or sutural margins generally a darker red than the other portions. 

 Breast hairy ; entire underside a bright reddish-brown. Length about 

 half an inch. 



P. fkaterna — HaiT. (The Kindred May-beetle). 



This is very similar in form, color and markings to the fusca, and 

 will scarcely be distinguished from that species by the unscientific 

 observer, nor is the distinction very material in a practical point of 

 view, as the habits of the two so far as known are the same. It agrees 

 with that species in color and in the absence of hair on the back, but 

 is considerably smaller, varying in length from a little over half to 

 three-fifths of an inch, and in the thorax is not so distinctly and sud- 

 denly enlarged at the sides. 



Spec. char. Imago. — Antenna?, tibiae, claws, coxieand form of the body as 

 in the two preceding species; very similar in appearance and color to P. 

 fusca, the chief difference between the two being as follows : This color 

 species is considerably smaller than the other ; the front margin of 

 the head is more sharply notched and rather more distinctly turned 

 up ; the thorax is not so distinctly dilated on the lateral margins, 

 and the punctures are also more minute and less distinct. Body not 

 hairy above. Underside usually of a lighter color than the preceding 

 species. Length from a little over a half to three-fifths of an inch. 



I find that most of my specimens, taken in 1875 in Southern Illi- 

 nois, and which at first sight I thought belonged to fusca, in fact be- 

 long to fraterna, while those taken around Bloomington, in th« 

 central part of the State, are generally specimens of fusca. 



There are other species of this group found in the State, but a? 

 these are the most common and most injurious, and their general ap- 

 pearance and habits are the same, it is unnecessary to mention any 

 others. 



Remarks. — These three species are so closely related to each other 

 that a statement applicable to one is generally applicable to the other, 

 and hence they may be practically considered together. 



During the month of June and July they often fly into the room at 

 night where there is a light with a buzzing sound, and striking the 

 wall or some other object, fall to the floor ; if not disturbed, at length 

 they rise again, and ascending to the ceiling, continue to buzz and thump 

 around the room until, striking something, they again fall to the 

 floor. 



In the beetle, or perfect state, all are leaf-eaters, and have been 

 known to attack the leaves of various oaks, Lombardy poplar, elm, 

 maple, cheery, and other fruit trees. It would appear, therefore, that 

 all deciduous trees are liable to be injured by them, and in prairie 

 sections, where trees are comparatively few and grasses abundant, they 

 are likely to do considerable injury to fruit and ornamental trees. 



