BEETLES 207 



A . prodromus (Fig. 109). Very small, about i inch ; black head and thorax ; 

 elytra a dull yellow with darker shaded patches. 



A. pusillus (Fig. 1096). A small, narrow, shining black species. Very 

 common. 



A. rufipes (Fig. no). This is as large as A.fossor; pitchy brown or black ; 

 elytra slightly grooved ; under side brownish or reddish. 



Genus Geotrupes. Consists of beetles of large size, very powerful, living in 

 dung, where the females burrow deep holes through to the earth sometimes as 

 much as 12 inches where they lay their eggs. They carry dung down for food 

 for the larvae. 



G. typhaus (Fig. in) is a shiny black species. The male has three curious 

 spikes, or horns, on the shoulders (or pronotum). The head is edged with stiff 

 hairs or bristles. 



G. putridarius (Fig. 112). Black, with violet or purple sheen on the elytra, 

 which are finely ribbed. This is not so common as the preceding. 



G. sylvaticus (Fig. 113). About f inch; has a beautiful purple lustre under 

 the blackish colouring of the whole body, which is thickly punctured, especially 

 underneath. It is common in dung and fungi, especially in woods. 



The Common Dor Beetle (which is not pictured), G. stercorarius, " DUMBLE- 

 DOR " or " CLOCK " BEETLE, also known as the " WATCHMAN." About i inch in 

 length; is familiar from its clumsy, humming flights in the evening. It is 

 generally infested with small mites. Its most curious peculiarity, however, is 

 that it can utter a curious squeaking noise. In colour it is shiny black ; steel- 

 blue on the under sides and legs. It is common in dung. 



G. spiniger is about the same size and colouring, but is identified by a long, 

 smooth space along the centre of the under side of the abdomen, which is other- 

 wise thickly clothed with hair. 



Genus Melolonthini (" Cockchafers "). These beetles do a great deal of 

 damage to trees and plants, as the larvae feed on the roots, sometimes for 

 three or four years. 



Hoplia philanthus (Fig. 114). About \ inch long; head and thorax black; 

 covered sparsely with yellow down. The elytra in the male are tawny ; hi the 

 female, reddish brown or chestnut. Antennas and legs of male black ; of 

 female red. This is not very common, though sometimes, especially in 

 the South, it appears in large numbers. It is found on flowering shrubs, 

 alders, etc. 



Serica brunnea (Fig. 115). A long, almost cylindrical species, reddish yellow 

 in colour, except the head, which is dark brown. The elytra have nine deep 

 grooves. Found in sandy places and woods. Rather local ; flies by night. 



Melolontha vulgaris (Fig. 116), the Common Cockchafer or May-bug. 

 A handsome species, too well known to need description ; but its history is 

 very interesting. The female burrows in soft soil, and the eggs hatch after 

 a few weeks, the larvae feeding on the tender roots of grasses and other plants. 

 Sometimes these larvae are in such numbers that they will destroy large patches 



