ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



CASSIDA VITTATA. Fabr. 



Black, above red : thorax with four black spots, 

 one minute over the head, behind which is a large 

 one at the ba.se and two others on the posterior 

 angles : elytra obsoletely rugulose transversly, with 

 the suture and an interrupted black streak on each, 

 and a spot of similar hue at the base : antennae with 

 the base ferruginous. 



Length 3£ lines. 



This species is rare near London. We are indebted 

 to Walter Burrell, Esq. and the Rev. C. S. Bird for a 

 series of this pretty insect, which is found on the 

 Ragwort at Burgfield. 



The Cassidae, or tortoise beetles are usually found 

 in the months of May and June. Several species 

 teed on the nettle, whitethorn, mint, and thistles, on 

 which the larvae may be found. They are broad, oval 

 and depressed, with spines on the sides and a forked 

 tail ; their legs are short, each furnished with a scaly 

 hook ; they feed on the leaves of plants and void 

 their excrement upon their furcate tail, upon which 

 they, in the course of time, form a complete covering 

 to the body by this singular process, and when the 

 mass becomes too large, or gets removed by acci- 

 dent, it is reproduced. The larva often changes its 

 skin, the fragments of which are sometimes found 

 16-3 



