Genus XXVII. MELOR 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna moniliform, with the last articulation 

 oblong. Palpi four, unequal. Thorax round- 

 ish. Elytra soft and flexible. Head inflect- 

 ed and gibbous. 



General Observations. 



The insects of this genus are frequently found 

 in the spring, in the fields and cultivated grounds. 

 They feed on the leaves of plants, and when 

 taken up, exude a little drop of a yellow viscous 

 liquor from the articulation of each leg. In 

 the month of May the females increase prodi- 

 giously ; the abdomen becomes so distended, 

 as in some degree to impede their motion; 

 and towards the end of the month they are re- 

 lieved, by depositing their orange-coloured eggs 

 in the ground. 



The larvae are very small, and of a yellow 

 colour, with black eyes. They live, says Dr. 

 Shaw, by attaching themselves to other insects, 

 and absorbing their juices. Degeer having put 



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