106 



FOREST ENTOMOLOGY. 



The beetle (fig. 98) is comparatively small, being about 2 to 3 mm. 

 in length, bluntly ovate, pitchy black, and covered with yellow bristles 

 and hairs. The thorax is broad at the base, tapering towards the 

 head. The wing-cases are marked with punctured lines. There is 



an irregular yellowish dorsal streak be- 

 tween the two elytra. The legs and 

 antennae are yellowish. 



The beetle derives its specific name in 

 consequence of attacking the olive-trees 

 in Italy. Fowler says the species has 

 been found abundantly in beech near 

 Frankfort. 



Fig. 98. Hylesinus oleiperda. 

 (From Barbej.) 



Hylesinus vittatus (Fabr.) 



This species is found on branches 

 of elm. The specimens in my collection 

 have been hatched out from branches 

 received from Wiltshire, and judging 

 from those hatched, the time for swarm- 

 ing is somewhat variable. In 1904 

 the beetles did not appear until the 

 end of June and beginning of July. In 

 1905 I found that a few had escaped by 

 the end of April, and on cutting into 

 the branch on May 6, I found perfect 

 beetles in several burrows on one side 

 of the mother-gallery, and active larvae 

 in the arms of the opposite side, hence 

 one might infer that the flight period 

 varies. It is possible, however, that 

 the general time for swarming is just 

 after midsummer. My friend, Mr A. 

 C. Forbes, who has carefully worked 

 up the family in the south of England, informs me that he never 

 could find any workings until the beginning of August. It would 

 seem that Eichhoff had not been able to work up this species 

 personally, for he says that one person informed him that it 

 swarmed on May 21, and another worker found it swarming in 

 August. Hence he concludes, reasoning from analogy, that the 



Fig. 99. Markings of Hylesinus 

 vittatus in brcmch of elm. 



