200 PROTECTION AGAINST INSECTS. 



plate-like lamellae which can be separated like the leaves of a 

 book. 



The forelegs are formed for digging, and the tarsi are 

 5- jointed. 



The abdomen consists of 5 or 6 segments. A generation 

 lasts for several years in the case of the larger species, but 

 only one year in the smaller ones. 



The larvae are thick, cylindrical grubs, curved ventrally, 

 with the last abdominal segment large- and baggy ; often 

 covered thinly with short hairs, which may be bristly on the 

 dorsal surface ; head well developed, horny, with distinct 

 antennae ; legs 6, strong. They generally live underground. 



Pupae almost hairless, generally with 2 horny processes on 

 the last abdominal segment. 



In the perfect state these insects, some of which are very 

 destructive, attack the leaves, needles and inflorescence of 

 forest trees, whilst their larvae eat the roots of young woody 

 plants. The larvae of other species live in rotten wood, dung, 

 and in dead bodies. 



1. Melolontha vulyaris, Fabr. (Common Cockchafer or 

 May-bug). 



a. Description. 



The beetle is 25 to 29 mm. long ; prothorax black, less often 

 reddish-brown ; elytra and legs red-brown, the former with 5 

 elevated longitudinal ridges, the depressions between them 

 covered with fine down. Abdomen black, with 5 white 

 triangular marks on each side, produced at the apex into an 

 elongate tapering tail. Antennae 10-jointed ; the club 7-jointed 

 in the $ , in the ? smaller and only 6- jointed. Tarsal claws 

 with a broad tooth at the base. 



1. Life-history. 



The beetles appear at the end of April and in May for about 

 8 or 4 weeks. About 24 hours after fertilisation, the female 

 burrows into the ground, selecting a bare spot and, where 

 possible, a light sandy soil. In it, at a depth of 5 to 10 cm. 



