258 
COLEOPTERA. 
grass in the plains. Clinteria includes several green, brown or black 
species marked vividly in white or orange spots. C. spilota, Ho., is the 
variable species so abundant on grass in the hills. Thaumastopceus 
pullus, Billt., is a large shiny black inject found in Behar. In this spe¬ 
cies the prominent mesosternal process which projects forward between 
the fore coxae towards the mouth is conspicuously shown. Macronota 
is well presented in South India by species with vivid yellow lines 
on the pronotum, elytra and abdomen ; the elytra taper a little and the 
abdomen projects conspicuously at the sides. Glycyphana albopunctata, 
F., and G. versicolor, F., are found in the plains, abundantly near forests. 
Oxycetonia albopunctata, F., is the brown species found sometimes in 
abundance at the flowers of cereals, with the green Chiloloba acutawied. 
In the Central Provinces both these species have been destructive, feed¬ 
ing on the anthers and stigma of juar, rice and millets. The latter is a 
beautiful pure green insect, with very marked golden pubescence. Pro- 
tcetia albogutta, Vig., is a conspicuous deep blue insect with vivid white 
spots, found throughout India. The pupae have been found at the roots 
of trees, in cases composed of pellets of mud or excrement outside, 
smoothed mud or excrement within. Anthracophora atromaculata, 
F., is the large dingy black and white species found widespread 
over India. 
Collecting .—FI very possible member of these important families 
should be collected; it is unnecessary to pin at once, as beetles keep 
well in clean sawdust, free of dust, with enough naphthaline to prevent 
mould. For collecting there are two methods, the net or fingers by 
day, the lamp trap by night. It cannot be too strongly insisted 
that since these insects emerge often only once a year, dates of capture 
are of extreme importance. Beetles are pinned through the right wing 
case; I have not found it necessary to remove the soft parts, but it is 
advisable to soak the dried insects in benzene to remove grease. Larger 
ones must be very carefully dried. Scarabaeids are best got in the hot 
weather at their food and in this group careful observation and study 
of habits is required. Bearing is possible if the dung balls are 
obtainable. Melolonthids can be reared in earth if given roots enough 
and carefully tended. They thrive in soil in which plants are grown, 
e.g., rice and can then live and feed under normal conditions. 
