57 



Fig. 54. 



And first let us see what allies Dame Nature will afford us. 



Foremost in the ranks are two or three species of carnivorous ground beetles belong- 

 ing to the order of Oarabidse — of these, one Harpalus Pennsylvanicus, or the Pennsylvanian 

 ground beetle, represented at Fig. 54, is by far the most common, 

 and may be met with at all times and seasons. It is stated by Mr, 

 Walsh that its larva is a most merciless devourer of the grub, of the 

 curculio, attacking it even underground. Below will be found a 

 correct sketch of the larva, of the natural size (Fig. 55 A). B repre- 

 sents the under side of the head, showing, at c, the upper jaw 

 (mandible,) at g, the lower jaw (maxil,) with its four-jointed feelers 

 (palpi.) at /, the lower lip (labium,) with its two-jointed feelers (palpi,) 

 and at e, the (antenna). The larvte of all the species of this order 

 of beetles are carnivorous and furnished with a most formidable pair 

 of jaws. Mr. E. Leeming, of Oobden, Illinois, thus describes their 

 mode of attack : — " Four larva? were taken out of peaches that had 

 contained the larva of the curculio, the other two were lurking under 

 a peach. I had the satisfaction of seeing one of them fasten his jaws 

 upon the larva of the " Little Turk " ; the larva squirmed dreadfully, 

 but in vain, for his remorseless foe held him tight, and he soon gave up the ghost." 



There are many species of these ground beetles. We would call the attention of our 

 readers to the one represented at Fig. 54. 

 It will give a good general idea of the 

 shape of these insects, although there are 

 several species much larger than our friend 

 H. Pennsylvanicus. Many of them fly 

 into our houses at night, attracted by the 

 lights. Any beetles of this or a similar 

 shape, with bright metallic colors or spots, 

 that may be found under stones or chips, 

 or running among grass or the roots of 



Colors— Dull black 

 and brown. 



Fig. 55. 



Colors — Brown and whitish. 



Fig. 56. 



Colors— a, rich reddish brown ; i, yellow 

 marked with black. 



trees may be generally set down as members of this family of Carabidse or ground beetles ; 

 they should be carefully protected, for, with one or two exceptions, the whole family are 

 most beneficial to the fruit-grower, both in their larval and perfect state. 



The yellow beetle, with two black blotches on 

 its wings, represented at Fig. 56, belongs to a group 

 of soft- shelled beetles (Telephorus family), common 

 everywhere in Ontario. This species is named Clum- 

 liognathus Pennsylvanicus, or the Pennsylvanian 

 soldier beetle, and may be found on the flowers of 

 the golden rod. According to Mr. Riley, its larva 

 (Fig. 56 a) is one of the most effectual destroyers 

 of the curculio, while the latter is yet above ground 

 in the larva state ; it attacks the grub within the 

 fruit while it is yet on the tree, and also enters the 

 fruit lying on the ground for the same purpose. 



There is also a species of lace-wing fly (Chrysopa), which is one of our natural allies 

 against the curculio, attacking the larva j? IG 67 



in the same way as the last described 

 insect. We give a representation of the 

 larva (Fig. 57 b), with its formidable 

 mandibles ; its curious eggs a, laid by the 

 female fly, and attached by long, delicate 

 filaments to a leaf ; its wonderfully small 

 cocoon with its smoothly cut lid c, and at 

 d the perfect insect, which is common 

 throughout Ontario, and may easily be recognized by its pale green slender body, its finely- 

 netted wings, its brilliant golden eyes, and especially by the very disagreeable odor it emits. 



