132 INSECTS AT HOME. 



the female being very remarkable in this respect. Red, however, 

 is tlie leadinj^ colour, and the averaj^e hues of the insect may 

 be described as follows : — The head is black and deeply punc- 

 tured, and the thorax has a deep furrow along tlie centre, 

 and a transverse pit or ' impression ' a little behind the middle. 

 Its colour is brick-red, and in many specimens there is a black 

 spot on the centre, while in others the same part is brown. 

 The elytra are rather more convex in the female than in the 

 opposite sex, and are covered with stria; and punctures. Their 

 colour is somewhat the same as that of the thorax, but rather 

 paler, though in many examples, especially among the females, 

 the whole elytra are yellowish-brown except the margin, which 

 retains the ordinary brick-red colour. 



The insect is a plentiful one, especially in certain years. It 

 is best taken by means of the sweep-net, which should be used 

 along the sides of hedges, in copses, and similar localities. It 

 is the only British example of its genus. 



