COLEOPTERA. 



71 



POLYDRUSUS JIICANS (F.) 



I found this species very abundantly feeding on oak leaves of the 

 epicormic branches at Eeedsmouth, Northumberland, May 15, 1901. 

 It could not be said, however, that they were doing appreciable 

 damage to the trees. Usually local, and not common. 



The beetle is rather large and conspicuous, being from 7 to 9 mm. 

 in length, and the whole body is of a uniform coppery colour, and 

 being rounded, the colour varies in detail as the result of refraction ; 

 legs and antennae red, the club of the latter somewhat darker. 



Genus Phyllobius. 



This genus contains a large number of species, most of which may 

 be found in the forest. They are generally got in the early part of 

 the year, and often do considerable 

 damage to the foliage. As a rule, 

 the species may be recognised by 

 their more or less brilliant colouring. 

 One species, viz., P. urticce (alneti, 

 F.), is very common on nettles, and 

 though not an arboreal species, might 

 nevertheless be taken as a typical 

 example of the genus. It is quite 

 possible the specific distinction, as 

 associated with forest trees, may 

 hitherto not have been carefully 

 recognised. 



Phyllobius maculicornis (Germ.) 



Fi- 



71. Foliage of mountain-ash eaten 

 by Phyllobius maculicornis. 



This beetle was discovered as doing 

 considerable damage on recently 

 planted trees of mountain - ash and 



birch at Kielder, in Northumberland. In fact, the trees were 

 quite defoliated as the result of their injuries. 



On mountain-ash, fig. 71 is given as an example of the injury 

 referred to by the beetle. 



