154 COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



size it is one of the most variable of British Beetles, 

 scarcely any two specimens being exactly alike. 

 Sometimes it is almost entirely black barred with 

 yellow, sometimes yellow barred with black, while it 

 varies in length from five lines to three-quarters of an 

 inch. Being so variable, the entomologist ought to 

 have a series of specimens in his cabinet. There is 

 not the least difficulty in obtaining them, as it is a 

 very common Beetle, and can be found in plenty upon 

 the umbelliferous plants these being the favourite 

 resorts of many Beetles. It is tolerably active, and 

 takes to the wing as soon as it is alarmed. Seven 

 species of this genus are known in England. 



