which are injurious to vegetation. 223 



ihe time of their prevalence, rose-bugs are sometimes found in immense 

 numbers on the flowers of the common white-weed, or ox-eye daisy, 

 {Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) , a worthless plant, which has come to us 

 from Europe, and has been suffered to overrun our pastures, and encroach 

 on our mowing lands. In certain cases it may become expedient rapidly to 

 mow down the infested white-weed in dry pastures, and consume it, 

 with the sluggish rose-bugs, on the spot." 



Some splendid foreign insects are faintly represented in 

 their ricii metallic colored wing-coverings in several small 

 species of the Buprkstid^ ; the larva of which " are wood 

 eaters or borers. Our forests and orchards are more or less 

 subject to their attacks, especially after the trees have 

 passed their prime. The solid trunks and limbs of sound 

 and vigorous trees are often bored through hi various direc- 

 tions by these insects. Pines and firs seem particularly 

 subject to their attacks, and even fruit trees are often in- 

 jured by them. The wild cherry, and also the garden 

 cherry and peach trees suffer severely from the larva of the 

 Buprestis divaricata, copper-colored beetles, covered with 

 little punctures, and seen " sunning themselves upon the 

 limbs of cherry and peach trees during the months of June, 

 July and August." So, reader, if you see any of them thus 

 indulging their propensities in such recreations, just put 

 them out of harm's way as speedily as possible. 



Closely related to these are the Elaterid^, which vault 

 into the air with marvellous dexterity, if laid upon their 

 backs. Of these are other virtues we omit to take notice, 

 descending in our narrative to certain propensities of one of 

 their number, the Elata obesvs. which resembles, in a grub 

 state, one of the kinds called wire-v)orm in Europe, and 

 "possibly the same. This circumstance should put ns on 

 our guard against its depredations. It is found in April, 

 May and June, among the roots of grass, on the under side 

 of boards and rails, and sometimes also on fences." 



" The larva3 or grubs of the Elaters live upon wood and roots, and are 

 often very injurious to vegetation. Some are confined to old or decaying 

 trees, others devour the roots of herbaceous plants. In England they are 

 called wire-worms, from their slenderness and uncommon hardness. They 

 are not to be confounded with the American wire-worm, a species of lulus, 

 which is not a true insect, but belongs to the class Myriapod.a., a name 

 derived from the gi-eat number of feet with which most of the animals in- 

 cluded in it are furnished ; whereas the English wire-worm has only six 

 feet. The European wire-worm is said to live, in its feeding or larva 

 state, not less than five years ; during the greater part of which time it is 

 supported by devouring the roots of wheat, rye, oats, and grass, annually 



