CHAPTER XIII. 

 EUPODA. 



We now leave the Longicorn Beetles, and come to another 

 section, called the Eupoda, a name derived from two Greek 

 words, signifying ' beautiful feet.' By some authors the 

 section is named Phyfophaga, this word being also of Greek 

 origin, and signifying ' plant-eater.' They are all pretty 

 insects, and some of them, though not large, are singularly 

 beautiful both in form and colour. In the Beetles belonging 

 to this section the antennae are short and slender, and have a 

 short basal joint. The head is deeply sunk into the thorax, 

 the elytra cover the sides of the abdomen, and the last joint 

 but one of the tarsus has two lobes. They are all vegetable- 

 feeders, and, as most of them are attached to certain j)lants, 

 there is little difficulty in finding them. 



Passing by the family of the Sagridse, of which we have but 

 four species in England, all belonging to one genus, we begin 

 v^ath the Donaciadse. In this family the antennas are longer 

 than is usually the case with the Eupoda, and they are set just 

 in front of the eyes. The head is large in front and narrowed 

 behind, and the first segment of the abdomen is very long. 

 Our example of this family belongs to the typical genus, and 

 is known to entomologists by the name of Donacia nienyan- 

 thidis, a figure of which is given on Woodcut XXII. Fig. 1. 

 In this genus the body is flattened, polished, and shining above, 

 thickly punctured, and having altogether a metallic aspect. 

 Below, it is covered with a very fine down. The antennce have 

 the fourth and following joints elongated, as may be seen by 

 reference to the same woodcut. Fig. e. 



All the Donaciae may be found on water-plants, especially on 

 reeds, from which they derive the generic name, Donax being 

 a Greek word, signifying a reed. Although some of the species 



