CHAPTER X. 



ORDER I. COLEOPTERA ( Continued). 



PIIYTOPHAGA. 



This division (Evpoda of Latueillk) embraces a group of insects whose bodies are short, 

 oval, thick, and hemispherical (for an example, see PI. xiv, 11). The thorax is sometimes 

 angular, uniting closely with the base of the elytra, and forming with them a circle or a 

 broad oval. The head is short, and concealed ; the antennse shorter than the body, filiform. 

 The insects are usually small, but their colors are lively and brilliant, though only a few 

 are metallic in this climate : the Eumolpus is one of the brightest. They are vegetable 

 feeders in the larva and perfect states, and some of them are highly injurious ; the Haltica 

 destroying the turnip crop, and the Crioceris the asparagus plant 



Crioceridse. 



The body is oblong in this family, and the hindlegs are often thickened for leaping. The 

 head and thorax are narrower than the abdomen. The antenna? are filiform, or only slightly 

 thickened at the tips : they are inserted before the eyes, w hich are pi-oniinent. Found 

 upon leaves and stems of trees. 



Crioceris (or Lema) trilincata (Oliv.), is a yellow insect about one-fourth of an inch 

 long ; the elytra with three black lines, one along the middle of the back, and one on 

 each side. It belongs to an extensive division which contains many species that are de- 

 structive to garden vegetation, generally devouring the leaves, both in the larva and the 

 perfect state. The species here cited attacks the foliage of the potato, and Dr. Harris 

 recommends brushing them into shallow vessels of salt and water, or vinegar. 



Crioceris duodeci.mftnxtata. 

 Color yellow : thorax and head brownish ; beneath, yellow. Elytra punctate in many 

 rows, and marked with six black spots : each side of the thorax has also a black 

 stripe. Tibial extremity of the femur black, as well as the tarsi. Length rather less 

 than a quarter of an inch. 

 [ Agricultural Eeport — Vol. v.] 17 



