PLATE CCLXIV. 31 



Melolontha vulgaris. Roef. Inf. 2. Scarab. 1. tab. i. 



Melolontha vulgaris. Fab. Spec. InJ. i. -p. 35. 3. — Syjl, Ent. T. I. 



p. 2. p. 155. 3. 



Degeir. Inf. 4. tab. lo. fig. 14: 



/'W. Scarab, tab, 6. j*?^. 45. 46. 



The Cockchafer is found in the greatefl: abundance throughout 

 Europe, and in fome countries are infinitely more detrimental to 

 agriculture than in England. In the larva ftate, it lies buried 

 beneath the furface of the earth, where it does incredible mifchief 

 by devouring the roots of plants. After remaining three years in the 

 larva ftate it becomes a winged Infed, and leaving its fubterraneous 

 habitation, is not lefs detrimental to the corn and other kinds of grain, 

 and alfo to trees ; particularly the Oak. In fome feafons, when they 

 are numerous, we find the Oak ftripped of its leaves, and otherwife 

 much injured by thefe voracious animals. About noon the Cock- 

 chafers colle6l in confiderable multitudes among the leaves of the 

 lower boughs of the Oak, when they may be eafily taken, by lliaking 

 or beating them into bafkets, &;c. 



Several varieties of this fpecies are mentioned by authors; parti- 

 cularly one with a red thorax, by Roefcl. 



F I G. III. 



SCARAB^EUS STERCORARIUS. 

 Common Dor, or Clock Beetle. 



*Both thorax and head without fpines. 



SPECIFIC 



