. Australian insects. Insects. 156 COLEOPTERA. common species, is about half the length, and is dull brown, with the bosses on the elytra more regular and ridged. The Melolonthides are mostly small beetles with the tip of the abdomen not always coyered; they feed chietiy upon the foliage of plants. The Genus PJu/llotocus contains about 27 described species of small reddish brown beetles with long black or yellow legs: some species are yery abundant about Sydney, swarming over the flowers of native shrubs; they even come to the garden plants to feed upon the honey. Pliyllotocus maclem/i has eve
. Australian insects. Insects. 156 COLEOPTERA. common species, is about half the length, and is dull brown, with the bosses on the elytra more regular and ridged. The Melolonthides are mostly small beetles with the tip of the abdomen not always coyered; they feed chietiy upon the foliage of plants. The Genus PJu/llotocus contains about 27 described species of small reddish brown beetles with long black or yellow legs: some species are yery abundant about Sydney, swarming over the flowers of native shrubs; they even come to the garden plants to feed upon the honey. Pliyllotocus maclem/i has even been found swarming round bee-hives, probably attracted by the smell of the honey. It is a smooth, shining, yellowish brown beetle about ^s of an inch in length, with the apical portion of the wing covers blackened. P. marginatus is smaller than the last, and of the usual dull reddish colour; the head, centre of thorax, and stripe down the centre of the wing covers black; the whole lightly clothed with fine hairs. Diphucephala auridenta, typical of another group of bright, metallic coloured, broad. Fig. 67-—Dijihucephidu aurulcnta (Kirby). The Metallic Green Wattle Beetle. In Tasmania it damages young apples by eatinpr off the skin. ("Agricultural Gazstte," ) bodied beetles, measures 14 of ^^ inch in length, and has the dorsal surface of a rich reddish-copper tint, thickly and coarsely punctured; the under surface and legs are deep green, clothed with fine grey hairs. It is common upon the foliage of the black wattle about Sydney. D. rufipes, a smaller beetle, is coppery green with reddish legs; is not uncommon about Sydney. D. colaspidoides, a southern species, is metallic green; the thorax smooth; the elytra deeply and thickly marked with punctured striae. Maechidiiis tibialiSy representing another group, is a flattened, reddish brown beetle over ^3 of an inch; the head is produced into two shell-like flanges in front of the eyes; the thorax is finely punc
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