452 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



have a hard and horny head, and slender black legs, longer than in 

 any other species of Scarabtzides. Their body is composed of a 

 whitish pulp under a transparent skin ; the head and the mouth have 



Fig. 433. Larva of the Cockchafer (Melolontha vulgaris). 



a reddish tinge. The length of their existence in this state is three, 

 sometimes four years. From the egg laid in the month of June is 

 hatched a larva, in the month of July. It increases in size during the 

 last six months of the year, and continues to do so during the two 



Fig. 434. Pupa of the Cockchafer (Melolantha vutgaris). 



following yeap, changing its skin many times during the period. 

 Towards the end of the third year it changes into a pupa, after 

 having surrounded itself with a cocoon consolidated with a glutinous 

 froth and some threads of silk. The pupa (Fig. 434) is of a pale 

 russety yellow, with two little points at the extremity of its body ; the 

 elytra and the wings, lying down, cover the legs and the antennae. 



