SILPHA. SILPHA, 



Generic Character. 



Antennte extrorsum crassi- 



ores. 



Elytra marginata. 

 Caput prominens. 

 Thorax planiusculus, mar- 

 ginatus. 



Antenna thickening towards 



the tip. 



Wing-sheaths margined. 

 Head prominent. 

 Thorax flattish, margined. 



HE insects of the genus Silpha are generally 

 found among decaying animal or vegetable sub- 

 stances, frequenting dung-hills, carrion, &c. and 

 deposit their eggs chiefly in the latter. The 

 Larvae are of a lengthened shape, and of an un- 

 pleasant appearance, being generally roughened 

 with minute spines and protuberances. The most 

 remarkable of the European species, and which 

 is by no means uncommon in our own country, is 

 the Silpha Vespillo, distinguished by having the 

 wing-sheaths considerably shorter than the abdo- 

 jmen, or as if cut off at the tips : they are also each 

 marked by two waved, orange-coloured, trans- 

 verse bars, the rest of the insect being black : 

 the general length of the animal is about three 

 quarters of an inch. This insect seeks out some 

 decaying animal substance in which it may deposit 



