42 
rile Queensland Naturalist. 
Nov., 1925; 
main branches increases in length. The matter has been 
dealt with in a paper by Mr. R. 11. Cambage (Journal 
and Proceedings of the Royal Society of N.S.W. Vol. 
52. p. 377) who carried out experiments with the dilferent 
trees by means of tacks and nails driven into the 
trunk at intervals of about 1 foot, and his experiments 
went to prove that once a young tree throws out definite 
branches the portion of the stem below such branches 
will increase in diameter but not appreciably in lengthy 
and acts as a strong base upon which the superstructure- 
may be erected. — Ed.) 
0 
A BEAUTIFUL BUPRESTID (Coleoptera.) 
By the late Mrs. F. H, Hobler. 
Pseudotaenia ajax is a beautiful insect belonging- 
to the family of Buprestidae, and in Master’s catalogue,, 
classed with the Chalcophora. It is foiind in the North- 
ern and Western parts of Queensland, and mostly, if not 
always, inhabits the brigalow scrub. 
Diiring part of the day it feeds on the leaves of the 
Blackbutt (Eucalyptus sp.) frequently right at the top 
of these big trees. 
During the hottest parts of the days — November 
and December — they seek out the brigalow (Acacia har- 
pophylla trees, coming down quite low on the trunks 
where they may be found by collectors. However, it re- 
quires a quick eye and hand to capture them even Avith the- 
aid of butterfly net. Also every care has to be taken 
not to rub off the beautiful yellow pollen Avith Avhieh 
the insect is striped. The female lays her eggs on the- 
bark of the brigalows; preferably on an injured or half 
dead tree. The young grubs or laiwae then Mmrk their 
way into the trunk, really feeding as they go, as they 
exist on the Avood, or rather the juices extracted from it. 
When fully matured the larva Avidens the hole lead- 
ing out to the bark, then retires as far back as possible, 
Avhere it in due course emerges into the perfect beetle. 
The Ajax noAv Avorks his Avay out of the hole until 
stopped by the hard bark of the brigaloAv, through Avhich- 
he bites his Avay. Surely Mother Nature has Avisely pro- 
vided this delay to alloAV the insect time to dry and 
