452 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



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

 any other species of Scarahceides. 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 {Melolontha vulgaris). 



following years, 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 paie 

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

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



