566 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



thorax visible from above. This indentation makes it un- 

 necessary for these insects to raise or expand their wing- 

 covers when flying, as most beetles do, as they are able to 

 pass the wings out from the sides. 



The Sad Flower-beetle, Euphoria melancliolica (Eu-pho'- 

 ri-a mel-an-chol'i-ca). — This is a much smaller species than 

 the Bumble Flower-beetle, measuring hardly half an inch in 

 length. It is almost black, with irregular transverse white 

 lines on the wing-covers. We have received several reports 

 of its producing injuries similar to those of E. inda. 



The Fig-eater, AllorJiina nitida (Al-lo-rhi'na nit'i-da). — 

 This species extends over the Atlantic slope, and is very 

 common in the South. It is a green, velvety insect, measur- 

 ing from two thirds of an inch to one inch in length. It is 

 somewhat pointed in front, and usually has the sides of the 

 thorax and elytra brownish yellow. These beetles often fly 

 in great numbers at night, making a loud buzzing noise similar 

 to that of the May-beetles. In fact, in the South the term 

 June-bug is often applied to this insect. The larvae feed 

 upon the roots of grass and other plants. Sometimes they 

 leave the ground and crawl from one place to another. 

 When they do so they, 'strangely enough, crawl upon their 

 backs, making no use of their short legs. On one occasion 

 we saw them crawling over the pavements on the Capitol 

 grounds at Washington in such numbers that bushels of 

 them were swept up and carted away. 



The family SPONDYLID^E (Spon-dyl'i-das), or aberrant 

 long-horned beetles, includes only four North American 



Fig. 686. 



Fig. 687 



Fig. 688. 



