INSECT ENEMIES OF EASTERN FORESTS 187 
Famiry BUPRESTIDAE 
THE FLATHEADED BORERS 
svar) on NewISGN ir Teices 
The Buprestidae or flatheaded borers are represented in our fauna 
by beautifully marked, metallc-colored beetles, varying greatly in 
size but usually somewhat flattened and elliptical or oval. hee are 
characterized by 11-segmented serrate antennae inserted on the front, 
head inserted in the prothorax to the eyes, prosternum prolonged be- 
hind and fitting into the mesosternum, elytra usually covering the 
abdomen, abdomen with five or six visible ventral segments, the first 
two being fused. 
The larvae are all plant feeders, and all but a few are wood borers. 
The pestlelike or hammer-headed shape produced by the enlar gement 
of the first or prothoracic segment and occasionally the second ancl third 
is so characteristic as to give them the common name of fi: utheaded 
borers and readily distinguishes them from all other larvae found in 
trees. The head itself is deeply embedded in the prothorax and 
scarcely visible. The abdomen of the larva is slender and frequently 
doubled back on itself laterally while in its feeding galleries. The 
larvae are legless and further characterized by never having jomted 
cercl though occasionally some forms have two chitinous spines on the 
ninth abdominal segment. The tenth segment is terminal, the spiracles 
cribriform, the ventral mouth parts are soft and fleshy and not re- 
tracted. The dorsal and ventral surfaces of the prothorax usually 
bear a plate with characteristic markings either like an | or an 
inverted V. 
General Habits 
The bright-colored beetles of this family are true sun lovers, and 
frequently attract much attention around logging operations and mills. 
where they are seen running rapidly over logs, hesitating now and then 
in search of a place to lay their eggs. They are ver ya alert, shy beetles 
and quickly conceal themselves or fly away when approached. On 
cloudy days they are inactive and rarely seen. They feed on pollen, 
foliage, or the tender bark of trees. 
The flatheaded borers are of considerable importance in the forest, 
probably ranking next to the Cerambycidae, with which they have 
many habits in common. The greatest damage results from their 
boring into the sapwood of recently felled logs. Rustic work is also 
severely damaged, and a few forms attack the bases of poles, fence 
posts, and ervss ties. 
A number of species bore beneath the bark of living trees, par- 
ticularly those that are weakened or gradually dying from some other 
cause. In such cases these borers may hasten the death of the trees. 
Chrysobothris, Melanophila, and Agrilus are typical of this group. It 
is difficult to determine definitely the economic status of such insects, 
however, because of their preference for plants in a weakened con- 
dition. Their effect on the forest was discussed by Burke (74) and by 
ee (207). 
20a Formerly with the Division of Forest Insect Investigations, U. S. Department of Agri- 
culture; now with the Department of Zoology and Entomology, Ohio State University. 
