COLEOPTERA. 81 



about twenty days. Then they pupate in a small white cocoon 

 within the leaves, and come out as perfect insects in about another 

 fifteen days' time. 



In 1904, at Alnwick, Northumberland, the eggs were deposited 

 about 1st to 10th May, and the insects first appeared about June 24. 

 On account of their pupating within 

 the leaves, they are very easily hatched 

 artificially. 



The larva when full fed is about 

 one-third of an inch in length, creamy 

 white in colour, and has a rather flat- 

 fish brown head. 



The beetle is about an eighth of 

 an inch in length, of a slaty - black 

 colour, with grey pubescence, and 

 rather coarse lines of punctures on 

 the elytra. The legs and antenna? 



j o Fig. 77. Beech leaves showing injuries 



are bright brown in colour, and the domby larva and holes eaten by beetle 

 (Orchestes fagi). 



femora? of the hind legs are well 



developed, which enables the creature to jump when startled, and this 

 characteristic, together with the ample wings, which they can readily 

 vise, enables the creatures to get out of the way very rapidly. 



The worst damage I have ever seen done by this insect was in 

 Gibside, Co. Durham. This was pointed out to me by my friend 

 Mr E. S. Bagnall. The foliage of the old beech-trees looked as if it 

 had been riddled with showers of shot : not a single leaf had escaped. 



Orchestes quercus (L.) 



This species is often found on oak leaves, and is red or brownish- 

 red in colour, and the body clothed with a silky yellowish pubescence. 

 It is generally found on the leaves of suppressed or over-shaded trees, 

 and if extremely abundant, imparts a yellowish tinge to the body of 

 the foliage. 



Orchestes alni (L.) 



This species is somewhat variable in colour, and those specimens 

 I have hatched out were from elm leaves collected in a Surrey lane. 

 They were of the variety which had reddish elytrae, with darkish 

 head and thorax. 



F 



