GARDEN INSECTS. 



181 



reality the larva? of certain active little beetles popularly known 

 as Skipjacks — Agriotcs sputator, A. obscurus, A. Uneatus, and 

 A. hemorrhoidal is. They are therefore true insects, and are pro- 

 vided with the orthodox six legs characteristic of the class to 

 which they belong. For all that, one is constantly receiving as 

 wire-worms, millipedes, and even centipedes, both of which belong 

 to the Myriapoda. Now, it is very necessary that the gardener 

 should be able to distinguish these latter animals and know the 

 respective part each plays. As a matter of fact the millipedes 

 and the centipedes differ considerably in habit. The former are 

 slow of movement and vegetarians ; the latter are extremely 



Fig. 40. — Periplaxeta austkalasle. 



active and carnivorous, capturing their prey alive. Both common 

 names are misleading, as neither of the animals possesses the 

 number of legs suggested. One or two of the centipedes common 

 in gardens are also of interest as being amongst the few light- 

 bearing animals in this country. They are frequently mistaken 

 for glowworms. 



One is tempted to linger over the peculiar habits of some of 

 the more destructive garden beetles. Phyllotreta nemorum, for 

 instance, which in the early part of the season may be found in 

 that common wayside flower, the Shepherd's Purse (Capsella 

 bursa-pastoris), and later plays such havoc with the turnip crop ; 

 or to extol the beauties of the asparagus beetle (Cricoceris 



