6 



the beetle forms of Polycaon confertus, showing that the metamorphosis 

 takes place in dead wood. 



Many similar observations made by myself and others go to show that 

 in the larval stage this insect is xylophagous. On the other hand, there is 

 indisputable proof that the beetle infests living trees by entering the twigs 

 at the axils of the leaves. 



LYCTUS STRIATUS Melsh. Devastates furniture made of California laurel, 

 Umbellularia Californica, Dr. Packard, op. cit. p. 75, quotes Dr. LeConte 

 as saying that it affects the trunks and branches of Carya tomentosa. This 

 is not borne out by my observations, as I am well satisfied that the larva 

 lives in dead and dry wood. 



SCARAB^EID^E. 



POLYPHYLLA DECEMLiNEATA Say. Larva that produced this species was 

 found in the earth from one to two feet from the surface, among root fibers 

 of a coarse grass and roots of a California laurel, Umbellularia Californica. 

 The earth was sandy loam situated upon the banks of a river, and which 

 is overflowed during the rainy season of the year. 



ODONTAEUS OBESUS Lee. This has a light chestnut larva with tufts of 

 bristles surrounding each spiracle. Mandibular and clypeal portions well 

 developed, redder in color, and thicker in texture than any other part. 

 The legs are prominent. Feed upon rootlets of Umbellularia Californica. 

 It is much infested with a small, pale-colored mite, which is evidently par- 

 asitic on the species. 



LUCANID^E. 



PLATYCERUS OREGONENSIS (Westwood). Dead trees of Photinia arbuti- 

 folia, Umbellularia Californica, Quercus agrifolia, and Eucalyptus. 



PLATYCERUS AGASSII Lee. Decayed trees of Arbutus Menziesii; also in 

 wood too much decayed to be identified. 



SINODENDRON RUGOSUM Mann. Decayed oak, Quercus agrifolia. 



The five hundred and twenty-two North American species of Ceramby- 

 cidse are all borers; the insect deposits its egg in a hole perforated in the 

 wood, and the larva penetrates further and further according to a rhyth- 

 mic order peculiar to the species until its metamorphoses are completed. 

 The following is a list of the Californian species whose habits I have 

 observed: 



CERAMBYCimE. 



ERGATES SPICULATUS Lee. Rotting coniferous trees. Bred from Sequoia 

 sempervirens, Pinus insignis, Abies Douglasii, etc. 



PRIONUS CALIFORNICUS Mots. Bred from rotten damp roots of Quercus 

 agrifolia. 



ASEMUM NITIDUM Lee. Decayed Pinus insignis. 



HYLOTRUPES LIGNEUS Fab. Dead trees of Libocedrus decurrens. 



ELAPHIDION IMBELLE Lee. Bred from decayed oak near San Diego, Cal., 

 by F. E. Blaisdell. 



HOLOPLEURA HELENA Lee. Dead twigs of Umbellularia Californica. 



