114 



so distinctly striated; acuminate posteriorly, but not quite so elon- 

 gated as in divaricata, the tips rather blunter, and each furnished with 

 two sharp little spines which point backward, separating slightly at 

 the tips. 



Length varies from a little less than five-eighths to three-fourths of 

 an inch ; width one-third the length. 



AGRILUS LATERALIS — Say. 



The genus or group to which this belongs is easil}' distinguished 

 from other Buprestians by the elongate, slender and cylindrical body, 

 and small size, the largest species being less than half an inch long. 



This species, which I have found in considerable numbers in the 

 southern part of the State, is a prett} r little insect, very narrow, sub- 

 cylindrical, and about one-fifth of an inch in length. The front of the 

 head is a dark, dull, coppery color, and the thorax of a dull, brassy 

 color throughout. Wing-cases narrow and nearly parallel, and black. 



I have found it in considerable numbers on white and post oak- 

 bushes ; also on various wild flowers, but I have not been able to iden- 

 tify the larvae. Dr. Harris says that the larva? of the species belong- 

 ing to this genus are similar in form to those of the slender cylindri- 

 cal saperdas, and that they have the same habits, living in the centre 

 of stems and devouring the pith. It is very probable, therefore, that 

 this, when its transformations are carefully traced, will be found 

 similar to the following species : 



Spec. char. Imago. — The genus to which this species belongs is easi- 

 ly distinguished from other Buprestians by the small size, elongate, 

 slender and cylindrical body. This species is very narrow, sub-cylin- 

 drical. The front of the head is a dark, dull, coppery color, with a 

 deep central indentation extending from the thorax to the upper lip. 

 The thorax is nearly as long as it is wide, somewhat widened near 

 the front ; rugose, and of a very decided, although dull, brassy color 

 throughout. Elytra narrow, nearly parallel, and black. Underside 

 black. Length, about one-fifth of an inch. Common in Southern 

 Illinois. 



a ruficollis — Fabr. (The Raspberry-borers.) 



This is a small, slender, sub-cylindrical species, about one-fourth of 

 an inch long, and scarcely more than one-fourth as wide. It has re- 

 ceived its name, ruficollis or red-neck, in allusion to the brilliant cop- 

 pery color of its head and thorax, yet there are some varieties which 

 have the thorax of an obscure green, while irl others it is of the same 

 dark color as the wing cases. 



The larva, which has been described by Mr. Walsh, is of a pale yel- 

 low color, about one-half an inch in length, and very narrow, the 

 diameter scarcely exceeding one-tenth the length, somewhat flattened, 

 especially at the sides ; the joint next the head is about one-fourth 

 wider than any other, and has a somewhat horny, yellow, heart-shaped 

 patch above ; joints, two and three, are each about half as long as num- 

 ber one (the broad one), and about half the length of the following 

 joints, until we come to the eleventh, which is also short. The head, 

 which is quite small, is brown, the jaws black. A somewhat reddish 

 line runs along the back. The posterior extremity ends with two 

 brown thorns, each with three blunt teeth on the inner edge. 



