. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. rHYTOPHAGA CHRVSOMELIDAE 2SI body is peculiarly shaped in conformity with the curious habit of using the excrement as a covering.' Tlie larva is less elon- gate than usual, and has the anus placed on the upper surface, and formed so that the excrement when voided is pushed forward on to the Insect; here it is retained by means of a slimy matter, and a thick coat entirely covering the creature, is ultimately formed. The larva of Lema melcmopa is not uncommon about Cambridge, where it feeds on the leaves of growing corn. It is a remarkable fact that even
. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. rHYTOPHAGA CHRVSOMELIDAE 2SI body is peculiarly shaped in conformity with the curious habit of using the excrement as a covering.' Tlie larva is less elon- gate than usual, and has the anus placed on the upper surface, and formed so that the excrement when voided is pushed forward on to the Insect; here it is retained by means of a slimy matter, and a thick coat entirely covering the creature, is ultimately formed. The larva of Lema melcmopa is not uncommon about Cambridge, where it feeds on the leaves of growing corn. It is a remarkable fact that even in one genus the species have some of them this habit, but others not. The species of C'rioceris living on lilies—C. merdigera, —are noted for possessing it; while G. asparagi does not pro- tect itself in this way, but emits fluid from its mouth when dis- turbed. This larva is a serious nuisance in some localities to the cultivators of asparagus. The eggs are deposited on the stems of the plant—as shown in our figure—sometimes in great num- bers. The perfect Insects of many of the Criocerides possess a stridu- lating organ. Two contiguous areas at the base of the last dorsal segment, where they can be rubbed by the tips of the Fig- HS.—Crioceris asparagi. A, elytra, are slightly elevated and bear very close and fine straight lines. ii. The Gamptosomes, as we have already noticed, are distin- guished by a peculiar structure of the abdomen. This character appears to be connected with a very remarkable habit, viz. the formation of a case to envelop the egg. The tip of the abdomen is somewhat curved downwards, and, in the female, bears a hollow near the extremity ; when an egg is extruded the female holds it in this hollow by means of the hind legs, and envelops it with a covering said to be excrementitious. When the larva hatches, it remains within this case, and subse-. in position on stem of asparagus ; B, one egg much enlarged ; C, young larva.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1895
