TOMICUS LARICIS. 



251 



and wide. Sometimes the numerous larval galleries coalesce, 

 in which case the brood live together and completely under- 

 mine the bark. This beetle is more frequent in the plains 

 than in the mountains, and may be considered rare. In 

 Britain it has been found about as often as T. typociraphus,!^. 

 The protective measures are the same as for that insect. 



Fig. lO'J. — T. stcitogyapJiHs, Duft. 



Fig. 110.— r. hirlcis, Fal.r. 



5. Toiiiiciis laricis, Fabr. 

 (/. Descriplion. 

 Beetle 3"5 to 4 mm. long, of cylindrical shape, dark In-own, 

 shining, thinly haired, with antennae and legs ferruginous. 

 Thorax scarcely longer than broad, its posterior half sparsely 

 punctured, with a less distinct median impunctate line. Elytra 

 with regular punctured striae, the interstices with single rows 

 of fine points, apical excavation almost circular, deep, its 

 elevated margin with from 3 to 6 short blunt teeth, and an 

 accessory tooth on the inner side of the 2nd and 3rd teeth. 



b. Life-hislory. 



Season for ji'Kjht : April and May ; a second brood appears 

 in July and August. 



The eggs are laid in the bark of various conifers. Stems 

 injured by a forest fire, or Celled trees, are selected in preference 

 for egg-laying. 



Larvae appear in June, and those of the second brood in 

 August or September. Pupation takes place in the bast in 

 June, July, and again in September and October. 



