THE AGEICULTUKAL PESTS OF IXDIA. 45 



A most destructive fungus, the Hemileia vastatrix, 

 appeared in 1871, and completed the ruin of the Ceylon 

 coffee industry, reducing the yield one- half. 



Coffee-borer is a name applied to several beetles, espe- 

 cially to a small longicorn (Xylotrechus quadripes), 

 which causes terrible damage to young trees ; the larva) 

 boring into all parts of the trees. See Borer. 



Cold Season. Insects affecting the cold season crops 

 are species of Aphis, Cassida, Coccinella, Haltica, Locusta, 

 and Thyca eucharis. E. T. 



Coleoptera is the order of insects commonly known as 

 beetles. Some 90,000 species have already been de- 

 scribed, and some thousands of new ones are annually 

 being discovered. The principal families are : 



The Cicendelidse and Carabidse (tiger beetles and 

 ground beetles). Nearly all of these are beneficial, and 

 are carnivorous. Dyticidae, water-beetles, also carnivorous. 

 Staphylinidse, mostly carnivorous. Silphidse, the burying 

 beetles. The species of Necrophorus and Silpha are use- 

 ful ; they feed on carrion, and by scratching the ground 

 from under dead animals, they partially bury them 

 (whence their name). 



Dermestidse. The species of this family feed chiefly 

 on dry animal matter. The larva? of Dermestes are 

 about half an inch long, clothed with long erect hair, 

 most of them being brown in colour. They do much 

 mischief to skins. 



Dermestes vulpinus is found in most parts of the 

 world. Dermestes lardarius is the bacon-beetle. The 

 larvse of anthrenus are similar to those of dermestes, but 

 much smaller, and have tufts of stiff hair at their tails, 

 which they erect when alarmed. 



Anthrenus museorum does much mischief in museums. 



