430 



Insect Pests. 



LiFE-HlSTOEY AND HaBITS. 



This beetle is frequently called the Eose Beetle and belongs to 

 the same section as the Chafers, namely, the Lamellicornia and to 

 the genus Cetonia. It is of a brilliant metallic green colour with 

 golden sheen in sunlight, with more or less distinct white spots on 

 the elytra; the metallic green legs have tibial spines, which are 

 very pronounced and augmented by others on the front legs. The 

 antennas are provided witli three fan-like lamella at the apex. The 

 wings are very powerful, so that the beetles are capable of Hying 

 some distance and with considerable force. They appear first of all 

 in May, sometimes as early as the first week in the month. Flight 

 only takes place in w^arm bright weather when they may be seen 

 flying from blossom to blossom. The beetles then feed ravenously, 

 and go on feeding until the end of June or the 

 middle of July. I liave seen some as late as 

 the end of August, but only stragglers. The 

 ( j^ eggs are laid in the earth from the last week 



jfi^^^ of June until August ; they are placed some 



/^^^H^ depth under the soil, the beetles being capable 



I^^^Vk of burrowing into loose earth some distance, 



i^^Vl making use of the spines on the front legs. 



y The larvfe hatch from the eggs in from twelve 



to fourteen days and feed upon the roots for 

 two years at least, according to Curtis (3) as 

 much as three years. They resemble the larva 

 of the Cock Chafer, being dull white in colour, 

 much wrinkled, with large brown head, brown 

 legs on the first three segments, swollen apically and minutely hairy ; 

 on the first segment is a distinct brown spot on each side. When 

 full fed they are 1^ inch long. The pupal stage is undergone deep 

 in the soil in an oval case made of earth, stones and debris united 

 by secretions formed by their bodies ; the outside of these earthen 

 cells is usually very rough, the inside smooth. The pupa is pallid 

 with dusky eyes and apex, and three more or less dark longitudinal 

 lines on the back and is about | inch long. Besides feeding on 

 living roots the larva- occur in heaps of leaf mould and un- 

 doubtedly feed on decaying vegetable matter. 



FIG. 281.— THE ROSE CHAFER 

 (Cetonia aurata). 



PiiEVENTION AND EeMEDIES. 



It is well known that this beautiful beetle seeks shelter beneath 

 which to deposit its eggs, it is thus very important to see that w^eeds 



