COLEOPTERA . 
549 
have been compared to tadpoles on account of their form. 
Their burrows are flattened, corresponding with the shape 
of the larger part of the body. In some of the smaller 
species the larvae are cylindrical, and are furnished with three 
pairs of legs. These are leaf-miners; and in the adult state 
the body is much shorter than in the more typical species. 
The Virginian Buprestid, Chalcopliora virgimca (ChaF 
coph 7 o-ra vir-gin'i-ca).—This is the largest of our common 
Buprestids (Fig. 661). It is copper-colored, 
often almost black, and has its upper surface 
roughened by irregular, lengthwise furrows. 
This beetle appears late in spring in the vicin¬ 
ity of pine-trees. The larvae bore in the wood 
of pine, and are often very injurious. 
The Dicerca divaricata (Di-cer'ca di-var-i- 
ca'ta) is three quarters of an inch or more in 
length, copper-colored or brassy above, with the wing-covers 
marked with square, elevated, black spots. The 
wing-covers taper very much behind, and are 
separated at the tips (Fig. 662). The larva bores 
in peach, cherry, beech, and maple. 
The Flat-headed Apple-tree Borer, Chrysoboth- 
ris feniorata (Chrys-o-both'ris fem-o-ra'ta).—This 
Fic. 662. j s one 0 f the most injurious of all Buprestids. The 
adult (Fig. 663) is about half an inch long, and is a very dark 
green above, with bronze reflections, especially in 
the furrows of the wing-covers. It appears during 
June and July, and lays its eggs upon the trunk and 
limbs of apple, peach, oak, and other trees. Ihe 
larvae at first bore into the bark and sap-wood, and Fig - 66 3 - 
later into the solid wood. The transformations are com- 
pleted in one year. 
To prevent the ravages of this pest, the trees are rubbed 
with soap during June or July, or cakes of soap are placed in 
the forks of the trees, so that the rains will dissolve the soap 
and wash it down over the trunks. This is supposed to 
