124 INSECTS ABROAD 



There are other species in which the hairs are changed into 

 scales, but in none are the scales so splendidly coloured as in 

 Hoplia ccerulea. One of these scale-hearing species is Hoplia 

 squamosa, in which the scales are all of pale golden yellow. 

 This is one of the smallest of the Hoplias, being no bigger than 

 a small house-fly. 



When alarmed, all the Hoplias have an odd habit of sticking 

 out their legs in different directions, and remaining perfectly 

 motionless for a time. They rest principally on the breast, sup- 

 ported by the middle pair of legs : the front pail are pushed out 

 in front, and the hind-legs straightened as much as possible, and 

 held high in the air. In this peculiar attitude the shape of the 

 Beetle is quite altered, but whether it be intended as a mere 

 counterfeiting of death, or as a protection against its enemies, is 

 very doubtful. 



Now we come to the Melolonthides, or true Chafers, a family 

 which is familiar to us on account of the Cockchafer and 

 Summer Chafer, which are such pests both in their larval and 

 their perfect stages. 



The species which has been chosen as the representative ol 

 its family is a very large one, the specimen from which the 

 figure was drawn being nearly two inches and a half in length 

 and very stoutly built, though longer in proportion to its width 

 than our own species. It is a native of India. 



The colouring of this insect is rather curious, and cannot be 

 properly seen without the; aid of a tolerably powerful magnify- 

 ing glass. The head and thorax are very dark blackish brown, 

 and the elytra are red-brown, each having a small oblong white 

 spot near the tip. These two white spots are very conspicuous, 

 and have gained for the insect the specific name of bimaculata, 

 or "two- spotted." When the magnifier is brought to bear on 

 these spots, they are seen to consist of a number of long, leal- 

 shaped, white scales, projecting boldly over each other, and 

 looking very much like a bunch of white leaves pressed nearly 

 flat. The generic name Lcucopholis is formed from two Greek 

 woids signifying " white-scaled," and is given to the insect in 

 consequence of t his foi mat ion. 



On looking at the elytra with some care, the observer notices 

 that they are sparingly powdered with tiny whitish marks. 



