An Insect Destructive to Squash -Vines. 8 1 



short, simple, black spines. The outer portion of the posterior edge of the 

 first thoracic segment is bordered with black, as are also both edges of 

 the elytra, or wing-covers ; though the color fades away before reaching the 

 tips. Tliere are two other black bauds upon the elytra, parallel to the first, 

 and nearly uniting as they approach the tip. Between the elytra, at their base, 

 are two little black dots. The edge of the first abdominal segment is marked 

 by two black bands, nearly meeting in the centre, and having each end bent 

 forward ; the second, third, and fourth segments have a short black dash 

 upon either side of the outer posterior edge ; the fourth and fifth segments 

 are darker than the others ; the last segment is furnished with two long 

 fleshy protuberances, by which the pupa clings to the old, wrinkled, larval 

 skin which still conceals that portion of the body lying beyond the tip of 

 the wing-covers. All the markings which have been described, excepting 

 the two dots between the elytra, and the black dashes of the second, third, 

 and fourth abdominal segments, are frequently wanting : out of a large 

 number of specimens which I obtained in Connecticut, scarcely one had 

 any of these markings, while they were invariably present in those examined 

 at Cape Cod. 



No similar differences were apparent in the perfect insects reared from 

 the dlfierent kinds of larvte. The pupae are about one-third of an inch in 

 length by one-fifth in breadth and one-eighth in height, and remain but 

 a few days in the pupal state. When they emerge, they do not seem to be 

 possessed of a roving disposition, but may still be seen for several days 

 on the plant where they have spent their lives, and for whose leaves they 

 have still a relish. 



In the perfect state, these beetles are of the same general color as before, 

 although the shade is darker. The elytra have two transverse rows of 

 roundish black spots, five in number ; the first row extending across the 

 basal portion, the second transversing the central region : the middle spot 

 in each of these rows is divided by the suture of the wings. In the centre 

 of the remaining apical portion of each elytron is another larger, round, 

 black spot : there is a black spot upon the thorax, in the middle of the 

 posterior border ; and three other spots, smaller and sometimes fainter, are 

 placed, one upon the middle of the anterior edge, and the others upon 

 either side of the thorax. The eyes and end of the jaws are black, and 



