t s} 1 



PLATE XXIIL 



SILPHA V E S P I L L O- 



CoLEOPTERA* 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antennas clavated, foliated. Head prominent. Thorax margined, 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Margin of the thorax broad. Shells abbreviated, black, with two 

 orange belts. Thigh of the hind legs large, with a fpine near their 

 origin s length one inch, 



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This fpecies, like mofr. of the Coleopterous Infe&S) delights in filth 

 and putrefcence, and are rarely found except in the dung, or dead bodies 

 of larger animals, whofe entrails they devour ; they prey on the larvae 

 of frnaller infers beneath the furface of the earth, or they will deftroy 

 each other. Their Grubs are fecreted in perforations made in the- 

 earth by the female, and therein they change to their laft or perfect 

 ftate in June or July : thofe Grubs are to be found by following the 

 track of a plough. 



They fly well with the tranfparent wings, which are concealed be- 

 neath the Elytra or upper Shells. The male is rather frnaller than the 

 female, and the orange belts are of a deeper hue : though both male 

 and female vary in the ftrength of colour when alive, and yet more 

 when preferved in cabinets, as they fometimes become almoft brown. 

 All infects are fubjecl: to this change, whatever may be the care of the 

 collector. 



I PLATE 



