CHRYSOMELA, 37^ 



Gen^s XI. — Chryfomela. 



JTRom the variety of different colours with which tha 

 infe£ls qF this tribe are adorned, they have been called 

 chryfomcliZ. There are no iefs than an hundred and 

 twenty-two diflerent fpecies defcribed by naturalills, di- 

 ftinguifhable by their fiz.e, colour, and manners. They 

 all agree, however, in having the antcuncc moniliforn^., 

 and increafing in thicknefs towards the ends : Neither tlie 

 thorax nor elytra are margined *. 



The chryfomels? are to be found almofl every where ; 

 forne frequent the open Gelds ; others the woods, and 

 many the gardens. Their larva prey upon the leaves of 

 trees, rejecting the fibrous parts ; fome of them dedroy 

 the grafs while in that ftate ; and there is in Sweden a 

 particular fpecies, faid to be guilty of very extenfive de- 

 predations on the pallure grounds. This infect, when it 

 has reached its winged llate, is of a fine glofly green, 

 mixed with a fliade of blue ; the whole difTeminatcd with 

 a number of fmall fpots, which form irregular ftricef. 



Chryfomela fanguinolenta, has the elvtra of a deep 

 black, interfperfed with fmall fpots, whidi gives them 

 the appearance of fhagreen : Tiitir margins, and the 

 wings which they cover, are marked all along with a 

 broad band of light red, which i-efembles ilreams of 

 blood; the belly, thorax, and head, are of a blue colour. 

 3 li i Chryforoel:: 



* §yft. Nat. p. J 86. f Bart'jt, p. 40. 



