42 



Genus XV. ATTELABUS. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. ' 



Antenna thickening towards the tip. Head 

 broader before than behind, or tapering gra- 

 dually from the prominent eyes towards the 

 thorax. Palpi four, short. Tarsi with four 

 articulations; the third bilobate. 



General Observations. 



The larvae of the Attelabi are white, soft, and 

 without feet. They live entirely on vegetable 

 substances, attacking the leaves, flowers, fruits, 

 and stems of plants. They change their skin 

 several times, and when full grown, spin a strong 

 silken case, in which they become a chrysalis, 

 and at the appointed time a perfect insect. 

 When these larvae are numerous, they make 

 great havoc among the vegetables, either eating 

 the leaves, attacking the young shoots, or gnaw- 

 ing the flowers and fruits. 



SPECIFICATION. 



Attelabus betula. At. pedibus saltatoriis, cor- 

 pore toto atro. Linn. Sj/st. Nat. 1. p. 610. Gmd. 



