WITH COMPLIMENTS OF O. LUGGER. \ FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE . 7> ENTOMOLOGIST OF THE State Experiment Station OF THE University of Minnesota, To the Governor, FOR THE YEAR 1899. / BY OTTO LUGGER, Professor of Entomology, university of minnesota. ST. PAUL: McGill-Warner Company. 1899. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. State Experiment Station, ) University of Minnesota. }• December 31, 1899. J To His Excellency, John Lind, Governor of Minnesota: Sir — In accordance with the law, I have the honor to present herewith my fifth annual report as Entomologist of the Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota for the year ending December 31, 1899. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Otto Lugger. FINANCIAL REPORT. 1S98. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 1899. Jan. No. of Vouchers. Amount. To salary and labor for August, 1898 1-4 $145.00 postage 5 15.00 bill of Art Engraving Co 6 1 7.50 ." "J. H. Herbst 7 2.05 " " Noyes Bros. & Cutler 8 .90 " " Zimmerman Bros 9 9.50 " " F. Beer 10 4.15 trips to Mankato and Owatonna 11-12 10.54 express, ice and expenses 13-14 7.55 salary and labor for September, 1898 1-3 115.00 bill of Art Engraving Co 4 20.00 " "C.T.Leonard 5 .60 " "J. H. Fough 6 3.30 " " N. Y. Entomological Soc 7 4.00 " " Art Engraving Co 8 22.35 trips to Pipestone, Duluth, Randolph, Rochester 9-10 17.49 express 11 .60 bill of Zimmerman Bros 12 19.33 St. Anthony Park Ice Co 13 2.00 trip to Fergus Falls 14 6.50 meat and expenses 15 5.20 salary and labor for October, 1898 1-4 120.00 bill of Art Engraving Co 5 22.35 " " Brooks Bros 6 2.67 " " stamps 7 5 00 trip to Pipestone 8 3.50 bill of Zimmerman Bros 9 3.00 freight 10 2.25 bill of G. Fock 11 10.90 salary and labor for November, 1898 12-14 90.00 bill of G. E. Stechert 15 24.23 •' " Art Engraving Co 16 32.40 " •' Zimmerman Bros 17 3.12 " " Whitall, Tatum & Co 18 35.15 expenses 3.15 salary for December, 1898 1-3 90.00 bill of Art Engraving Co. (ill. for Report). 4 67.00 1899. No. of Vouchers. Amount. Jan. 1 To bill of A. L. Quaintance 5 1.50 1 " " " American Stamp Works 6 2.40 1 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 7 5.41 1 " " " Hansen Bros 8 10.25 1 " " " Ballard City Expr 9 8.20 1 " " "J. B.Colt & Co 10 26.45 1 " " " freight 11 1.50 1 " " " John A. Schlener & Co 12 11.70 1 " " " Art Engraving Co 13 61.00 1 " " " Ben. S. Benton 14 1.70 1 " " " expenses 6.10 1 " printing 4th Annual Report ( McGill-War- ner Co.) 1,456.00 Feb. 1 " salary and labor for January, 1899 1-4 105.00 1 " bill of Bausch and Lomb Optical Co 5 63.39 1 " " " N. Y. Entomological Soc 6 4.00 1 " " " St. Anthony Park Ice Co 7 5.50 1 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 8 2.68 1 " " " Art Engraving Co 9 44.00 1 Gesner & Washburn 10 5.22 1 " " " Zimmerman Bros 11 7.35 1 " " "J. B.Colt & Co 12 50.00 1 " express and expenses 13 5.60 1 " bill of G. E. Stechert 14 13.50 Mch. 1 " salary and labor for February, 1899 1-4 72.50 1 " stamps 5 15.00 1 " express 6 6.20 1 " trip to Champaign, 111 7 60.05 1 " " " Randolph 8 1.80 1 " bill of McGill-Warner Co 9 100.00 1 " expenses 1.95 April 1 " salary and labor for March, 1899 1-4 85.00 1 " stamps 5 15.00 1 " trips to Lake City and Randolph 6-7 5.46 1 " bill of Zimmerman Bros 8 5.60 1 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 9 7.00 1 " " "H. F. Wickham 10 12.00 1 " " " Allen Bros 11 2.50 1 " express, meat and expenses 12-13 6.47 1 "S.E.Olson Co 14 .50 30 " salary and labor for April, 1899 1-3 85.00 30 " bill of Noyes Bros. & Cutler 4 43.39 10 " " " A. Boss 5 11.02 30 " express 6 3.70 30 " bill of Zimmerman Bros 7 6.86 30 " " " Bausch & Lomb Optical Co 8 13.70 30 No. of Vouchers. Amount. To bill of Canadian Entomologist 9 3.00 30 " trip to Eureka and expenses 10 4.60 May 31 " salary and labor for May, 1899 1-3 85.00 bill of Richards & Co 4 24.99 31 31 " " " Gruenhagen Bros. 31 5 1.15 4.00 4.00 1.00 White Manuf. Co 6 3L " " " Am. Ent. So " 31 " " " Bausch & Lomb Optical Co 8 31 " " " Mpls. Paper Co 9 31 31 31 31 30 " trip to Fergus Falls i6 30 " expenses in Fergus Falls 1? 30 " bill of Zimmerman Bros 19 30 " expenses July 31 " salary and labor for July, 1899 1-5 31 " stamps 31 " bill of G. E. Stechert 7 31 " bill of Kennedy Bros e 31 " " " Noyes Bros. & Cutler 10 31 " " " Zimmerman Bros H 31 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 12 31 " " •' W. F. Lindig 13 18.70 3.00 .20 1.57 5.90 6.30 M.J.O'Neil 19 300 Bausch & Lomb Optical Co 11 6-25 Zimmerman Bros 12 St. Anthony Park Ice Co 13 31 " " " Kennedy Bros 14, 31 " " " Herbst Bros 15 31 " " " J. A. Standen 16 31 " " " express and freight 17-18 31 " trips to White Bear and expenses 19-20 5.00 31 " bill of G. E. Stechert 21 16.36 June 30 " to salary and labor for June, 1899 1-5 330.00 30 " to trip to Randolph 6 5-40 30 " stamps 7 150° 30 " trip to Friesland 8 3-25 30 " expenses and express 9-10 5.90 30 " bill of G. E. Stechert H 16-94 30 " " " W. M. Sitnms 12 1-18 30 " " "W. F. Lindig 13 3 00 30 " " " W. Boss I4 2-00 30 " " " C. Faber 15 8-90 14 16 3.50 30 " trip to Winnepeg 18 10.50 14.90 2.50 330.00 15.00 41.83 31 " expenses and express 4.00 1.30 4.36 5.70 2.00 31 " trip to Miller and expenses 14 $4,455.58 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Letter of Transmittal ii Financial Report iii Table of Contents vii Introduction xiii Beetles Injurious to our Fruit-producing Plants 1 Structure, Metamorphosis, etc 1 Classification 12 I. Coleoptera (Typical or True Beetles) 12 1. Isomera (Similar Joints) 12 A. Carnivorous Beetles (Adephaga) 14 Family Cicindelidas or Tiger-beetles 14 Family Carabidx or Ground-beetles 17 Family Dytiscida? or Predaceous Water-beetles 24 Family Gyrinidx or Whirligig-beetles 26 B. Club-horns (Clavicornia) 27 Family Hydrophilidne or Water-scavenger-beetles 28 Family Silphidae or Carrion-beetles 29 Family Scydmaenidx and Pselaphidx 30 Family Staphylinidx or Rove-beetles 32 Family Coccinellidae or Lady-bugs 33 Family Endomychidfe and Erotylidas 37 Family Cucujidse 37 Family Dermestidas or Larder-beetles, Carpet-beetles, etc... 39 The Raspberry Fruit-worm (Byturus unicolor Say) 41 Family Histeridae 41 Family Nitidulidas or Sap-beetles 42 Family Trogositidai or Cadelles 43 C. Saw-horns {Serricornia) 44 Family Elateridx or Snapping, Clicking or Spring-beetles... 45 Family Buprestidae or Flat-headed Borers 50 The Divaricated Buprestis (Dicerca divaricata Say) 52 The Flat-headed Apple-borer (Chrysobothris femorata Fab.) 53 The Red-necked Blackberry-borer (Agrilus ruficoHis Fab.) 58 Family Lampyridse or Fire-flies and Soldier-beetles 62 Family Cleridx or Checkered-beetles 64 Family Malachiidar 66 Family Ptinidae or Death-watch; Cigarette-beetles 67 The Apple-twig Borer (Amphicerus bicaudatus Say) .... 69 Page. The Red-shouldered Sinoxylon (Sinoxylon basilare Say) 70 D. Leaf-horns (Lamellicornia) 72 Family Lucanidx or Stag and Pinching-beetles 72 The Stag-beetle (Lucanus dama Thunb.) 73 Family Scarabxidx or Lamellicorn-beetles 75 The Rose-ehafer or Rose-bug (Macrodactylus subspin- osus Fab.) 80 The Silken Serica (Serica sericea 111.) 82 The May-beetles or June-bugs (Lachnosterna spec.) 83 The Light-loving Anomala (Anomala lucicola Fab.).... 90 The Spotted Vine-chafer (Pelidnota punctata Linn.).... 93 The Goldsmith-beetle (Cotalpa lanigera Linn.) 94 The Southern June-beetle or Fig-eater (Allorhina nitida Linn.) 99 The Indian Cetonia (Euphoria inda Linn.) 101 The Melancholy Cetonia (Euphoria melancholic a Gory) 103 The Hermit Flower-beetle (Osmoderma erewicola Knoch) 104 IS. Plant-eaters (Phytophaga) 106 Family Cerambycidx or Long-horns 107 The Broad-necked Prionus (Prionus laticollis Drury)... 109 The Grape-vine Phymatodes (Phymatodes amccnus Say) Ill The Belted Hickory-borer (Chion cinctus Drury) 112 The Oak Pruner (Elaphidion paralellum Newm.) 113 The Apple-tree Pruner (Elaphidion villosum Fab.) 115 The Two-spotted Hickory-borer Tylonotus bimacu- latusKald.) 117 The Two-spotted Molorchus (Molorchus bimaculatus Say) 117 The Painted Hickory-borer (Cyllene pictus Drur}') 118 The American Currant-borer (Psenocerus supernotatus Say) 121 The Beautiful Hickory-borer (Goes pulchra Hald.) 123 The Long-horned Borer (Leptostylus aculiier Say) 124 The Apple Lepturges (Lepturges facetus Sa}r) 125 The Twig-girdler (Oncideres cingulatus Say) 126 The Round-headed Apple-tree Borer (Saperda Candida Fab.) 126 The Raspberry Cane-borcr (Oberea himaculata Oliv.).. 131 Family Chrysomelida? or Leaf-beetles 133 The Asparagus-beetle (Crioceris asparagi Linn.) 135 The Dominican Case-bearer (Coscinoptera dominicana Fab.) 136 IX Page. The Grape-vine Fidia (Fidia longipes Mels.) 138 The Grape-root Worm {Fidia viticida Walsh) 139 The Strawberry Root-worms (Paria canella Fab. and ,, v 141 others) The Cloaked Chrysomela Glyptoscelis crypticus Say)... 145 The Plum Leaf-beetle (Nodonota tristis Oliv.) 145 The Cherry Leaf-beetle (Adimonia lemoralis Melsh.).... 152 The Grape-vine Flea-beetle (Haltica chalybea 111.) 157 The Lesser Grape-vine Flea-beetle (Haltica ignita 111.).. 159 The Apple-tree Flea-beetle {Haltica foliacea Lee.) 160 The Red-headed Systena (Systena frontalis Fab.) 165 The Rosy Hispa (Odontota nervosa Panz.) 167 The Tortoise-beetles 168 Family Bruchidx or Pea-weevil Beetles 170 2. Heteromera (Different Joints) 171 Family Tenebrionidse or Darkling-beetles 172 Family Mordellidx 175 Family Meloidie or Blister-beetles I76 II. Rhynchophora (Snout-beetles; Bark-beetles) I78 Family Rhynchitidx Family Attelabidx or Leaf-rolling Snout-beetles 180 Family Otiorhynchidse or Scarred Snout-beetles 182 The Imbricated Snout-beetle (Epicserus imbricatus c N 182 Say) The Gray Anametis (Anametis grisea Horn) 183 The Pitchy-legged Otiorhynchus (Otiorhynchus ovatus Linn.) 184 The Fuller's Rose-beetle (Aramiges Fulleri Horn) 186 Family Curculionidx or Genuine Snout-beetles 186 The New York Weevil {Ithycerus noveboracensis For- ster) 187 The Plum-gouger (Coccotorus scutellaris Lee.) 193 The Apple Curculio (Anthonomus quadrigihbus Say)... 196 The Cranberry Curculio (Anthonomus suturalis Lee.).. 199 The Strawberry Curculio (Anthonomus signatus Say). 199 The Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst.).... 201 The Walnut Curculio (Conotrachelus juglandis Lee.)... 207 The Quince Curculio (Conotrachelus era txgi Walsh).... 207 The Strawberry Crown-borer (Tyloderma fragariee Ril.) 209 The Grape Curculio (Craponius imequaiis Say) 210 The Grape-vine Gall-beetle (Ampeloglypter Sesostris Lee), 212 The Chestnut Weevil (Balaninus caryatrypes Boh.) 215 Family Brenthidx or Brenthids 2i6 Family Calandridie or Bill-bugs; Grain-weevils 217 Page. Family Scolytidx or Bark-beetles; Engraver-beetles 220 The Apple Bark-beetles [Monarthrum mali Fitch) 222 The Pear-blight Beetle {Xyleborus pyri Peck) 226 The Fruit Bark-beetle (Scolytus rvgulosus Ratz. ) 229 The Hickory Bark-beetle (Scolytus 4-spinosus Say) 231 Family Anthribidx or Fungus-beetles 234 COLEOPTERA OR BEETLES. INTRODUCTION. The fifth annual report of the Entomologist of the State Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota, respect- fully submitted to His Excellency, Governor John Lind, con- tains an account of all beetles found in Minnesota which in their larval and adult stages are destructive to our fruit- bearing trees, shrubs and canes, and which frequently cause considerable losses to our fruit-growers. As orchards are now established in many parts of the state, and as the insects destructive to the plants are not as well known to our horticulturists as they are to those in the older settled regions of the United States, where horticul- ture as a business has been carried on for many years, a re- port describing and illustrating these insects, and giving the best remedies to prevent their injurious influence, is much needed. It was, however, impossible to describe all the numerous and destructive insects found in our orchards in one single report, and for this reason only the very import- ant order of beetles is described in the following pages. Since the equally important order of butterflies and moths has been treated in a similar manner in the fourth annual re- port, the present one may be called a continuation of the same, and it is the intention to describe the rest of the in- sects injurious to the same plants in the next report. It would, perhaps, have been best to have the insects de- scribed in this report arranged according to their food- habits, but to make it also useful to students of our public schools, etc., the insects are arranged according to the class- ification of Coleoptera usually adopted, and the different families have been described in a few words. There remains for the Entomologist the pleasant duty of expressing his sincere thanks to all persons that have aided him in many ways in his work. Especial thanks are due to His Excellency, Governor John Lind, who always took great interest in the work of the Entomologist, and also to the different newspapers, who with unfailing courtesy published all articles written for the instruction of the farmers in re- gions infested by injurious insects. The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, the St. Paul and Duluth,the North- ern Pacific, the Minneapolis and St. Louis, the Great North- ern, and the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Rail- road Companies also deserve thanks for their liberality in furnishing free transportation over their roads whenever such was asked. The descriptions of many of the insects given are taken from a number of sources, but mainly from the excellent works of Saunders, Smith, Comstock, Forbes, and of the Annual Reports of the Division of Entomology. Most of the illustrations are old, and many were kindly loaned by Dr. L. 0. Howard, Chief of the Entomological Division of the Department of Agriculture. The Art Engraving Co., of St. Paul, prepared some of the illustrations for the printer, and deserves credit for its good work. Otto Lugger. BEETLES (Coleoptera) INJURIOUS TO OUR FRUIT-PRODUCING PLANTS. This extensive Order of insects embraces over 80,000 differ- ent kinds of beetles, of which over 11,000 species are found in North America north of Mexico. A very large number of de- structive beings is placed in this order. They are not alone in- jurious to the foliage and fruit, but also to the very trunks and roots of trees. Some of them exist freely exposed in all their stages, while many more live hidden in infested plants, in fruit, in seeds, and in the soil near by. Notwithstanding the various forms at home in all conceivable places, they are readily recog- nized as beetles, and only a very few rare species may give the farmer trouble in placing them in the Order to which they belong. In a few words the following definition will describe all kinds of beetles : they possess a pair of horny wing-covers called elytra, which meet on the back in a straight line, i. e., do not overlap, and beneath these horny organs are the true -wings, composed of more or less delicate membranes. The mouth-parts are formed for biting, not for sucking. The metamorphosis is complete, or, in other words, the different stages do not resemble each other, and the pupa is inactive, neither moving about nor taking food. Any insect possessing the above characteristics is a beetle, and in Minnesota there need be no difficulty in recognizing it as such. The scientific term Coleoptera is derived from two Greek words : coleos, a sheath, and pteron, a wing. This name character- izes these insects very well, as the horny and sheath-like elytra or wing-covers protect the delicate true wings below. Sometimes these elytra cover the whole upper part of the abdomen as well. Although they occupy the position of the fore-wings, they are, perhaps, not true wings at all, as in all events they are not used for flight. The hind-wings are membranous and excellent organs for flight, being mostly very large, with few but strong support- ing veins. When not in use these wings are snugly folded be- 2 BEETLES. neath the horny wing-covers. To enable the heetle to fold such large organs beneath the very much smaller elytra they are not only folded lengthwise like a fan, but also crosswise, which is made possible by a sort of hinge or joint beyond their middle. The structure of both elytra and true wings can be best studied by Fig. 1. — Upper surface of Necrophorus americanus: a, mandible; b, maxillary palpus; c, labrum; d, clypeus; e. antenna'; f, front; g, vertex; h, occiput; /' n — DS, dorsal segments of abdomen; J, vena tnarginalis; //, vena mediastina; III, vena scapuHris; V, vena externo-media; VII, vena cubitalis, IX, vena interno- media; XI, vena analis. After Ganglbauer. beetles, and all others in their earlier stages, in case they are not forced to search for their food or when surrounded by some pro- tecting material, as soil, wood, or fruits, are usually softer; their outer covering, which is composed of chitine, a horn-like sub- stance, is in such cases soft, frequently very much so. Such a pliable skin is very important in the early stage of a beetle, as it enables the larva to stretch during its rapid growth, and to form the organs of the adult insect while changing to a pupa. The biting mouth-parts are well developed in all true beetles, and we do not find some of them enlarged at the expense of others, as in the case of butterflies and moths. The upper lip or BEETLES. labrum is usually distinct ; the mandibles are strong jaws which can be used for gnawing and for seizing the prey; the complicated maxillae are also well developed and are composed of several pieces; the maxillary palpi are usually prominent; the lower lip or labium is composed of several pieces, and bears prominent labial palpi. All these parts are shown in Figs. 2, 4. 5 and 7. BEETLES. Fig. 4. — Under surface of male Cicindela: a, antenna or feeler; lbr, anterior mar- gin of labrum; mrf, mandibula; mx. maxilla; p. mx, maxillary palpus; m, mentttm; p. 1., labial palpus; s. g., gular suture; st, prosternum; st?, mesosternum; sf3, metasternum; epsi, eps2. epss. episterna ol pro-, meso- and meta-thorax; epm1, epm2, epimera of pro- and meso-thorax; v-vf . ventral segments of forceps; c1, c-, c3, coxae; tri, tr2, tr3, trochanters; fi, ft, fS, femora; tiW-,tib\ tibs, tibiae; U, t?. t 3, tarsi. After Ganglbauer. Btj ct Fig. 7. — Head and thorax of Gyrinus from the side: ant. antennae or feeler; cl, clypeus; lbr. 1at>rum; p. L, labial palpi; m. mandible; sr, prosternum; c, coxa of front leg: each compound eye is divided into two parts, one above the antenna- and one below. Afcer oanglbauer. The Snout-beetles, which form the suborder Rhynchophora of the order Coleoptcra, have the head more or less prolonged into a snout or beak called the rostrum, which is in some cases longer 6 BEETLES. than the rest of the body. Such beaks, as may be seen in the fig- ures illustrating snout-beetles, vary greatly, being sometimes broad and short, long and thin, or straight or curved. At the very tip of this beak we find the sharp jaws, at least when the antenna compoundeye. ABDOMEN. Fig. 5. — Division of body; separated to show parts. adult insect is still very young and has only shortly left the pupa. The slender feelers or antennae, elbowed in the middle, arise from the sides of the beak, and frequently fit into grooves, so as to be well protected when the beak is inserted into food. Fig. 6.— Byes of beetles: A, of Calosbm ;i; B, of Chrysobothris; C, of Prionus, D, of Tomicus; E, of Geotrupes; F, of Tetropium. BEETLES. 7 The compound eyes (Fig. 6) of most beetles are prominent, and are of various forms : round, oblong, kidney-shaped, curved, or in one case even divided in the middle, thus giving the impres- sion that the insect possesses four instead of two eyes (Fig. 7). Each eye is composed of many six-sided facets, varying in number from a few to many hundreds. Some beetles found in caves have ^yy^xxrx&QXji Fig. >i — Serrate Antennae and modifications: 1, serrate; 2, pe.'tinate; 3, bi- pectinate; 4. flabellale; 5. plumose; tf, 7, 8, irregularly serrate, approaching the Clavicorn type. After Leconte and Horn. a /-Q Fig. 9.— Clavate Antennae, 1-10; Capillary and Vetticillate, 11; Moniltiform, 12; Lamellate, ld-15; Irregular, 16. After Leconte and Horn. no eyes at all. Ocelli, or single eyes, do not often occur, though some beetles have two or even only one ocellus. The compound eyes of snout-beetles are usually small and round. The feelers or antenna? of beetles possess various forms, some of which are exceedingly singular and beautiful, resembling feath- ers. A number of such feelers are shown in Figs. 8 and 9. To S BEETLES. give space to the numerous sense-organs located in them, the feel- ers, usually composed of eleven joints, are either lengthened out very much , are feather-like, or are like the leaves in a book, and ill this manner have the entire surface greatly enlarged. The form of the feeler serves to a great extent as a basis for classification, hence its different shapes have received special names, as may be seen by consulting the illustrations. Like other insects, beetles possess a thorax composed of three pieces, closely soldered together (Fig. 5). In most insects the sur- face of all three pieces can be seen from above ; in beetles, how- ever, only the anterior piece, the usually broad pro-thorax, is visi- ble on the back. The two other pieces are hidden below, with the exception of a small wedge-shaped piece, a section of the meso- thorax, which is termed the scutellum. This is, in most cases, plainly visible where the sutures of the elytra join near the pos- terior margin of the pro-thorax. A study of the illustrations will explain the anatomy better than a mere description. The abdomen joins the thorax by a wide base ; the former is in many cases en- tirely hidden and protected by the wing-covers, hence is rather soft. But whenever these wing-covers are short, then the sur- face of the abdomen not covered by them is hard and horny, as it always is on the unprotected lower surface. When not covered, the abdomen is not only soft, but also light in color; all exposed parts are darker, and frequently beautified with markings of vari- ous colors and patterns. Besides the wings already mentioned the adult beetles have as organs of locomotion six legs, which vary greatly in size and shape, as may be seen in Fig. 10. Beetles which live in water have them adapted for swimming; those that have to run about in search of other insects possess very long legs to enable them to catch their prey. Others again, which live upon plants, have their legs arranged to hold on as tightly as possible, so as not to be blown down by even a heavy wind, and still others, which hide in the ground, have at least their front legs so arranged that they can burrow with great ease. In fact, by looking at the legs of a beetle the observer can soon judge what the habits of that insect arc. In most cases the legs are the principal organs of locomo- tion, and only in a limited number of beetles are. both legs and BEETLES. 9 wings used with equal facility. At all events it is with but few ex- ceptions easier for a beetle to run than to fly, simply because, in preparing to fly, it is forced first to lift the wing-covers out of the way to permit the folded true wings to come into action. Who- ever has watched a June-bug, which, attracted to the light, had dropped upon a smooth table, and has seen it try to escape by flight, has also noticed how awkward it is, and that it has first to crawl upon some elevated object to be able to unfold the true wings at all. First the heavy wing-covers are lifted right over the head, then the true wings are unfolded, and after a sort of pumping mo- Fig. 10. — Natatorial Legs. 1-2; Fossorial, 3. Tibia?: urguiculate. 4; mucro- nate, 5; clo-ed corbels, 6; open corbels, 7. Tarsi: lobed beneath 8; lobed and with onychium. 9. CI iws or Ungues: pectinate, 10; serrate, 1 1; toothed. 12; toothed and serrulate. 13; clelt. with eq'ial movable parts, 14; unequally c'eit, 15; bifid also toothed, 16; cleft and divaricate, 1 7; connate at base, 18; with mem- branous appendages, 19; chelate, 20. After Leconte and Horn. tion the beetle eventually flies away, perhaps against the lamp to repeat the ludicrous performance over and over again. The legs of adult beetles are horny, and usually very strong. Each is com- posed, as may be seen in the illustrations, of a number of joints, i. e. the coxa, trochanter, femora, tibia and tarsus. The number of joints in the tarsus or toes — if we can call such organs arranged lengthwise by such a name — varies from three to five, the last one terminating in most cases in a pair of sharp claws. The classifi- cation of beetles depends largely upon the number of such toes, which are, however, not always easily seen. In some cases the terminal two are soldered together, or the last one is sunk in the one above it, and sometimes it requires close study to detect the real number of these useful organs. The lower surface of some 10 BEETLES. or of all the tarsi, is clothed with small pulvilli, looking like velvet, which arc used almost like sucking disks to enable its owner to adhere to smooth surfaces. The beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis. The eggs, usually soft, white or colored, are deposited by the mother upon or near the food required by the young. These eggs soon hatch into larvae, which are commonly called "grubs," as, for instance, the well-known, "white grub." Other larvae are covered with a thick integument, as the young of our common click-beetles, best known by the name "wire-worms." Most of the larvse are soft and clumsy looking objects, with darker and horny heads, and three pairs of rather awkward looking, sprawling legs on the first three segments of the body, the thoracic segments. No false legs, as we have them in the caterpillars of the butterflies and moths, are found, but in many cases there is a sort of pro-leg on the last joint of the body. The name pro-leg is rather poorly chosen for an organ found in such a position. Sometimes the larvae possess one or two rows of fleshy projections or tubercles along the sides, or on the upper or under surface, by means of which they can move in tunnels in the ground or elsewhere. The )arva?t of aquatic beetles possess numerous oar-like or- gans along their sides, which assist them in swimming about. But all larvae of beetles which live enclosed in wood or fruit, upon which they feed, have no legs at all, simply because being sur- rounded by plenty, they have no use for them. As a general rule larvse of beetles which have to be active in searching for food, or which have to cling tenaciously to food obtained, whether it con- sists of leaves or living insects, have longer and stronger legs well adapted for such purposes. As all growth of a beetle takes place in the larval stage, the larvse have to eat much, hence are always hun- gry. They have to take food not simply to grow, but also to form and to store up material for the future organs possessed by the adults alone, and not found in the larvse themselves. Such larvae have to throw off their old skin from time to time to enable them to reach their full size, since their skins can not grow. After a number of such changes or molts, the greedy grub has reached its full size, and is then filled with a large amount of fatty ma- terial, a store of surplus food. It now changes to a pupa. This BEETLES. 11 change takes place in many ways, which will be mentioned later, when describing the different noxious insects. The pupa can no longer move about, but is helpless, and does not take any food. In this condition it already shows all the ex- ternal organs of the future beetle, but all of them are still enclosed or encased in separate sheaths. Such a pupa is called an obtected ptipa. While apparently quite inactive, wonderful changes are being silently wrought, and all the stored-up food is being utilized for this purpose. At last the pale, almost white pupa becomes darker and darker, and the colors of the future beetle commence to show themselves through the semi-transparent pupal skin, which eventually ruptures, and a weak beetle with wings still small ap- pears. The wings soon harden, the other members stretch them- selves to their full length, and the adult can now enjoy life and liberty. At first quite weak and pale, it soon becomes strong enough to eat, court, mate, and die. As a general rule beetles remain in the egg-stage but for a few days ; as larvae they eat and grow from a few weeks to several years. The pupal stage also generally lasts but a short time; the adults in most cases are short-lived, but others hibernate as per- fect beetles. Beetles and their larvae feed upon all kinds of vegetable and animal substances; some may eat parts of the rarest flowers, others enjoy the rank-smelling carrion; some eat fruits of all kinds, and even the most pungent spices do not escape their hungry jaws. Still others are decided cannibals and eat other insects. Not- withstanding their immense numbers, the order as a whole is not very destructive, at least not in a state of nature. As a general rule the wood-boring kinds prefer sickly or dying trees and thus they act as scavengers, and by removing the dead material make room for new growth. Many, if not most insects of this order, feed upon plants that are of no use to man, and they even injure or destroy weeds, hence can become our friends. But those kinds that devote their attention to eating plants we grow for our own use, or which destroy useful timber or manufactured goods, or which invade our houses to eat material we wish to use our- selves, all these are our enemies, and have to be treated as such. Especially is the grower of fruit greatly troubled by such insects, 12 BEETLES. and it will be the aim of the following pages to describe the nox- ious, kinds, illustrate them, tell about their life-histories, and give the most approved methods for killing them or for preventing their ravages in other ways. The beetles discussed in these pages are all, or nearly all, either directly injurious or beneficial. They are arranged not ac- cording to their food-plants, but according to the classification of beetles, so that those interested in such matters may also find some- thing of interest to them. As far as a classification of beetles is concerned, it would of course be impossible to give one that would include all the 11,000 beetles found in the United States, or even those occurring in Min- nesota alone. Nor is it the office of the entomologist to give one in these pages, his main object being to describe beetles injurious to fruit-producing plants, and to give the proper remedies against them. For this purpose no attempt will be made to give even a description of all the families that compose the Order of Coleop- tera, and the reader will understand the reason when he learns that the beetles of North America, exclusive of Mexico, are ar- ranged in about eighty distinct families, representing upwards of seventeen hundred genera. Our recognized authorities in this order of insects make the following primary divisions : BEETLES. (Order Coleoptera). I. Coleoptera (Typical or True Beetles), in which the mouth- parts are all present, and in which the front of the head is not elongated into a beak or rostrum. i. Isomera (Similar joints). The beetles contained in this division have, with rare exceptions, the same number of tarsi in all their feet. A.% Adephaga (Carnivorous beetles). These beetles possess thread-like feelers with distinct and cylin- BEETLES. 13 drical joints. Here belong the Tiger-beetles, Ground- beetles, Carnivorous Water-beetles, Whirligigs. B. Clavicomia (Club-horns). These beetles have the feelers thickened gradually or abruptly toward the tip. Here belong the Burying-beetles, Rove-beetles, Lady- bugs, Carpet-beetles. C. Serricornia (Saw-horns). These beetles have the feel- ers toothed or serrated. Here belong the Snapping or Click-beetles, the Saw-horned Borers, the Fire-flies, the Soldier-beetles. D. Lamellicomia (Leaf-horns). These beetles have the knob of the feelers composed of several leaf-like or blade-like parts, which can be closed together at will. Here belong the Stag-beetles, "Tumble-dungs," May- beetles, Flower-chafers, Rhinoceros-beetles. E. Phytophaga (Plant-eaters). Most of these beetles possess thread-like feelers, which are frequently very long, or shorter and slightly thickened towards the tip. The fourth and fifth joints of the tarsi are consolidated, and the former is minute, and sometimes difficult to de- tect. Here belong the Long-horned Borers, the Leaf- feeding beetles, the Seed-beetles. 2. Heteromera (Different joints). The beetles contained in this division have five-jointed tarsi in each of the front and middle legs, and only four in each of the last pair. This section requires no division into tribes. Here belong Oil-, Blister-, and Meal-beetles. II. Rhynchophora (Snout-beetles), in which the front part of the head is more or less drawn out into a beak or rostrum ; the labrum is not distinguishable, and the palpi are reduced to minute points without joints. In this sub order belong a number of families, some contain- ing but a very few genera or even species. Here, belong the Broad-snouted beetles, the True Snout beetles, such as the Nut-weevils, the Rice and "Bill-bugs," the Leaf-rollers, and the Bark-beetles. 14- TIGER-BEETLES. COLEOrTERA (TRUE BEETLES). Among" the true beetles we possess a large number of friends, and, as it is just as important to know our friends as to know our foes, so as to protect the former and combat the latter, a descrip- tion of them should find a place in these pages. I. TSOMERA. (Similar joints). A. CARNIVOROUS BEETLES. ( Adephaga ). Beetles of this group are numerous, and a number of species will be described and illustrated. Most of these insects prey upon others, and destroy large numbers of plant-eating insects. A few of them have, however, a mixed diet, and also eat the pollen of flowers, seeds of grasses, grains still in the milky state, and similar substances. Such exceptional beetles can usually be recognized by their form, which is quite stout and heavy. In fact they must have more space in their stomach, and must have longer intestines to accommodate such bulky food than beetles that live on the concentrated food obtained by eating other in- sects. But the former also eat insects, when not as adults they do so as larva?; hence they are friends, though they are not so beneficial as those having a strictly animal diet. A number of families belong to the Carnivorous beetles. FAMILY TIGER-BEETLES. (Cicindelidae) . These are most active beetles, which use wings and legs with equal rapidity and facility. They are active only during the sunny and warm portions of the day, and are so swift in all their mo- tions, either in flight or running, that they are not readily seen. During the night, and also during dark and rainy days, they hide TIGER-BEETLES. 15 under loose pieces of bark and flat stones, or burrow in the sand, sometimes to a depth of four or five inches. A few species are strictly nocturnal, but some others are found running about in the sun during the day and may also be attracted to lights at night. As a general rule tiger-beetles prefer sandy spots or sandy roads, over which they run very swiftly, and as their senses are very alert, they discover approaching persons very soon, and escape molestation by running or flying away. But they run or fly but a short distance, never leaving the sandy spots, so that the eyes of the observer can follow their motions, and he can ap- proach closer by taking the proper precautions. Their alertness is shown by the fact that when settling again after a short flight thev almost invariablv face the intruder. Thev are of medium Fig. 1 1 . — Tiger beetles, all stages. Enlarged. After Brehm. size, frequently less than three-fourths of an inch long, and pos- sess brilliant metallic colors. Their wing-covers are usually spotted with white. Their popular name, "Tiger-beetles," is a well-chosen one ; they are veritable tigers on account of their fero- cious habits, their swift movements, the markings on the elytra, and the stealthv manner in which their larva? lie in wait for insects. 16 TIGER-BEETLES. The illustrations (Fig's. 3 and 4) give both upper and under sur- face of one 1 >i these beetles, dissected in part to show the details ; Fig. 1 i shows the earlier stages of this beetle. The larvae of tiger-beetles are as ugly as the mature insects are beautiful; they live in vertical holes in the ground, usually in places similar to those in which the adults display themselves. Such burrows are often a foot or more deep, and are not infrequently found in sunn}- spots in an orchard. Such larva?, with large and dirty col- ored heads and equipped with immense jaws and long and sprawling legs, usually watch at the mouths of their burrows for any approaching insect, and thev are always ready to seize it when it walks over such living traps, hidden by the watchful larvae, which almost entirely fill the entrances with their formidable heads. In addition to its six legs the larva possesses another peculiar organ, which assists it in climbing up and down in its burrow. This is a hump on the fifth abdominal segment, upon which are Fig. 12, — Tiger-beetle, adult, larva and pupa. After Brelim. two hooks curving backwards (Fig. 12). The larva thus anchored ran not readily be drawn out of its trap by the contor- tions even of large caterpillars that it may have caught. If cap- tured the caterpillar is dragged into the burrow and is eaten at leisure. When we thrust a straw into one of these traps, and then dig it out with a spade or trowel, we usually find the fero- cious hermit at the lower end of the burrow, biting savagely at the straw. Sometimes by introducing a straw we can even pull the vicious larva to the surface, since it is so tenaciously fastened to it that it will act like a bulldog tearing at the throat of another dog. By singing into the holes the larvae are sometimes induced to GROUND-BEETLES. 17 come to the entrance of the pit, not to listen to the sweet sounds produced by the inquisitive boy, but to capture the imaginary in- truder. The pupa is also found in such burrows ; it is of the usual form, foreshadowing- the future insect. Tiger-beetles, and especially their larvae, are sometimes very beneficial to owners of fruit-producing plants. The writer has in one instance counted nearly a hundred such burrows in the vicinity of a single large and isolated apple-tree, and many fat caterpillars were devoured by the always hungry trap-dwellers. Of course much of the food consumed consists of insects habitu- ally running over the ground. FAMILY GROUND-BEETLES. ( Carabidae) . This popidar name is in the majority of cases a good one, as most of the beetles belonging to this family are found upon the surface of the ground in their adult stage. It is a large family, containing, in the United States, about 1,200 species. Yet, not- withstanding this large number, they are not seen as often as might be expected, simply because the great majority of them are nocturnal in their habits. This accounts for their dark color. Others, however, are very brightly colored, some are metallic, some blue, green, or almost white, the color depending on the general color of the surroundings. By this is not meant that the insects have the power of changing their color, like a tree-toad, but that they are only found in such, places as blend with their colors. Some of these predacious beetles may occasionally be seen running over the ground in gardens, orchards, and in fields, or they may be seen even in the trees themselves, searching for food. But most of them hide during the day under stones, boards, or dead leaves, and they do not leave these shelters until night. Like the tiger-beetles, the ground-beetles possess thread-like feelers, which taper gradually towards the tip, and are composed of 18 GROUND-BEETLES. joints which are nearly uniform in thickness throughout their length. The legs, with but few exceptions, are adapted for run- ning, which some of them do with amazing rapidity. In fact all the senses of these heetles are very acute. Ground-beetles are dis- tinguished at a glance from the tiger-beetles by having their heads narrower than the pro-thorax. They depend more upon their legs for locomotion than upon their wings, and but very few fly readily. Some have lost their true wings almost entirely, and in such cases the elvtra are soldered together at the surface on the back. Fig. 15. — Calosoma frigid urn. Kirby. Original. Fig. 13. — Calosoma calidtim, Fab., and a larva of another species. The larvae (Fig. 13) are mostly long, flattened grubs, with a body of almost equal breadth throughout. The latter is usually protected on top with horny plates, and ends in a pair of conical and bristly appendages. Most of the larvae exist in the same obscure situations in which the adults live, and they burrow just beneath the surface of the earth. Here they de- stroy large numbers of the soft leaf-feeding insects, which have entered the ground for transformation. Like the adults, they are predacious. Others may, perhaps, also feed upon some vegetable food like the adults, but they cause no losses of any great economic importance. When fully grown they trans- form to pupae under ground, where they have formed small cells for this purpose. Soon afterwards the pupae change from almost white to the distinguishing colors of the adults, and leav- GROUND-BEETLES. 19 ing the old pupal skin behind, the young beetles reach the sur- face. Among the most useful of the ground-beetles several de- serve special mention, since they help us greatly to reduce cer- tian injurious insects. The Caterpillar-hunter, (Calosoma scrutator Fab.), is one of them. It is one of our largest and most beautiful ground-beetles, having metallic green wing-cov- ers, margined with reddish ; the rest of the body is marked with violet, blue, gold, green, and copper. It is shown in Fig. 14. s- "" t.A.« It- /?.- - Fig. 14. — Calosoma, similar to C. scrutator, Fab., below a Carabus. After Brehni. This insect ascends trees in search of caterpillars, and wherever the tent-caterpillars, frequently so destructive in Minnesota, are found in large numbers, the beetles will make war upon them ; but few other insects care to attack and eat such hairy worms. It is a pleasure to a person interested in the well-being of his trees to watch this beautifully armored warrior catch a cater- pillar, and holding the squirming object in its powerful jaws, suck out its life-blood. The empty skin of the victim is dropped, and another unlucky worm is caught and treated in the same man- 20 GROUND-BEETLES. ner. The appetite of the beetles is truly without limit, and they eat all day if they have an opportunity to do so. It is too bad that they are not more numerous in all our orchards and forests in the north ; they are confined to the more southern parts of the state. Another species of caterpillar-hunters, (C frigidum Kirby), is, however, very numerous in the northern part of Minnesota. It climbs trees as well as the one described, but it is of a black color, (Fig. 15). Wherever canker-worms abound large num- bers of these beetles congregate, and they climb trees in search of them- They detect such worms some distance away, and rushing over twigs and leaves, frequently succeed in catch- ing them before their victims have an opportunity to drop and hang suspended by silken threads. It is amusing to observe, if unsuccessful, how the baffled hunters try to grasp such a thread with their front feet in which not infrequently they succeed. Others are stationed below the tree, and many of the worms that descend from the defoliated branches to enter the ground for pupation are caught before doing so. The larvae of both the above described beetles are also equally active and beneficial. Though they do not climb trees they do good work above and below the surface of the soil, always hunting about to find some insects to eat. Another beetle of the same genus, the "Fiery Hunter" (C. calidum Fab.), is frequently seen search- ing for cut-worms and other food in the grain-fields in our open prairies. It is readily recognized by its black wing-covers with rows of reddish or copper-colored pits. It is illustrated in Fig 13, with its larva. When we turn over loose stones and boards lying about the edges of fields and orchards, we frequently discover rather large black beetles having thorax and wing-covers bordered with blue. They seem to be very slow in their actions, and do not usually attempt to escape. But not everyone likes to pick them up with the fingers, as they have a sort of dangerous look about them, possessing very formidable jaws. These insects are very useful, and locust-infested fields contain them in large num- GROUND-BEETLES. 21 bers. The. writer has counted a great many hundreds in a small space in a ditch adjoining a field invaded by the army- worms. Here they were resting from the night's labor of eating such worms. Fig. 1 6 shows one of the largest kind, the Western Pasi- machus californicus Chd., and Fig. 17 a related smaller species, entirely black, the ( livina impressifrons Lee. Fig. 16. — Pasimachus californicus Chd. After Leconte. Fig. 17. — C livina impressifrons, 'Lee. Enlarged. Alter Forbes. To the carnivorous beetles belong also the "Bombarding- beetles," (Brachinits species), which have a red head, thorax and legs, with dark blue or greenish-blue wing-covers; they are quite abundant in some moist places, where they hide under loose stones. Such beetles (Fig. 18) are frequently mailed to the of- fice of the Entomologist to find out their names and life-history; but thus far they have never been received labeled "Kissing- bugs," although almost all other queer looking or queer acting insects have been received as such. These bombarding-beetles possess little sacs at the hind end of their bodies, in which a bad- smelling fluid is secreted, which is used as a means of defense. 22 GROUND-BEETLES. In fact most of the Carabida? are well protected by strong odors, as those handling them have found out to their sorrow. But in this case the beetles squirt the nasty fluid at their enemies, and as it changes to a gas on contact with air, it looks as if the beetles Fig- 18. — Brachinus species. Enlarged. After Brehtn. Fig. 19. — Lebia grnnclis, Hentz. Division of Entomology, IT. S. Department of Agriculture. were shooting in a wrong direction. A puff of smoke and a faint pop is the result of such an explosion. This fluid colors the fingers a persistent red, which shows that it is of an acid nature. Of course this sort of defense is very effective, and we may call these beetles "six-legged skunks." Fig. 20— Amara. obesa, Say. a, larva; b, pupa; c adult d, e, f, g, details o) larv*. After Riley. GROUND-BEETLES. 23 A similar beetle, illsutrated in Fig- 19, is the Lebia grand is Hentz. This similarity extends, however, only to the coloring of the insect, not to its method of defense. The beetle is very useful, and sometimes becomes quite numerous in potato fields infested with the Colorado potato-beetle. It eats their eggs as well as the young worms ; other small soft-bodied insects are also pleasing to its taste. There are other useful beetles belonging to this division, which deserve a passing notice. In fields filled with eggs of locusts we find numerous oval-shaped black beetles (A mora obesa Say), Fig. Fig. 21*. Harpalus herhivagus, Sav. After Riley. larva; 6. head of same. Enlarged. 20 which run about very diligently in search of food. They deposit eggs in the ground, from which yellowish-white worms, also shown in the illustration, hatch in due time. These worms search for the eggs of locusts, and devour immense numbers of them. The larvae of another beetle, shown in Fig. 21. are also found in similar places, and also do similar good work. They transform in time into black beetles, the Harpalus licrbivagus Say. A related beetle, the H. pcnnsylvanicus DeG., which is frequently *In case the illustrated is enlarged, the true size is usually given by a fine lint- near the figure. 24 GROUND-BEETLES. found in orchards eating the larvae of the codling- moth and of the plum-curculios, is also shown in Fig. 22. It would take too much space to even mention all the beetles belonging here. Most of them are useful, though a few may oc- casionally cause some damage. The insect illustrated in Fig. 23, (Agonoderus pallipes Fab.), is one of them, as it sometimes eats into the sprouting seeds of corn. This insect is at times ex- ceedingly common, as people who have strong electric lights in Fig. 22. — Harpalus pennsylvanicus. lie G. a, anterior tarsus and part of tibia showing notch; b. beetle; A, larva, reduced size; B, head; c-j, details. After Riley. Fie. 23. — Agonoderus pallipes. Fab., and beetle inside of corn. After Riley. front of their houses are apt to find out. Immense numbers of them and of other insects are attracted, and sometimes they are so numerous as to cover the sidewalk with their dead and dying bodies. Rooms with open windows, and illuminated with lamps, are sure to attract multitudes of them ; they seem to be of a de- cidedly inquisitive nature, as they run over our bodies, possibly in search of hiding places, and in doing so cause a sensation very far from being pleasant. In a general way nearly all such insects are either beneficial, or at least harmless, hence are our friends and should be known as such. FAMILY PREDACEOUS WATER-BEETLES. (Dytiscidac). Predaceous Water-beetles are simply ground-beetles modi- fied to live in water. They have the same blood thirsty instinct WATER-BEETLES 25 as their relatives in drier places. Such beetles are also very numerous, and are readily observed when we quietly approach a pool of stagnant or standing water. We can detect their oval and flattened bodies hanging head downwards, with the tip of their abdomen at the surface of the water. When disturbed they dive, and in doing so carry with them a bubble of air, which looks like a liquid drop of silver, and which is utilized to sustain respi- ration until the beetle feels safe again and rises to the surface. Such beetles are well adapted for swimming, possessing a boat- shaped body, usually quite polished, and having their long hind legs broadly flattened and fringed with stiff hairs, so that they can be used as oars. Such a leg is shown in Fig. 10, and it will be noticed how admirably it is adapted for swimming. The feelers of such beetles are long- and thread-like. The males of Fig 24-. — Sucking di9k of male Dytiscus. Highly magnified. After Miall. some kinds possess a very remarkable sucking-disk (Fig. 24), which is produced by dilating the first three pairs of the front tarsi ; the females sometimes have the elytra furnished with deep fur- rows. Both structures are of use during the mating season. All the water-beetles, and still more so their dangerous looking larvae, which possess powerful scissor-like jaws, kept in con- stant motion, are savage and greedy, feeding upon tadpoles, 26 WATER-BEETLES— APPLE-SMELLERS. small fish and aquatic insects. They have no direct bearing upon horticulture, except, perhaps, by destroying large numbers of the larvae of mosquitoes, which annoy fruit-growers as well as other people. The illustration, (Fig. 25), gives an idea of the form of such beetles and their larv;e. The larvae, though aquatic, leave the water when ready to change to pupae. This is performed in an earthen cell made for this purpose in adjoining dry soil. Fig. 25.— Carnivorous Water Beetles. After Brehm. FAMILY WHIRLIGW-BEETIJES OK APPLE-SMELLERS. (Gyrinidae) . This family is mentioned here not because its members smell like apples, the act which gives it its name, nor because they are fond of that fruit, but simply to show how certain organs can be modified for specific purposes. In these beetles we find that the eyes are completely divided by the margin of the head, so that they appear to possess the unusual number of four eyes (Fig. 7) ; they are also remarkable for their long front legs, which are used for grasping their food. The other legs seem to be absent, but this is not so, as they are simply folded up in the smallest pos- sible space when not in actual use. Every one knows these social black and shiny beetles, small in size, which, however, sometimes crowd together in such numbers on the surface of our CLUB-HORNED BEETLES. 27 Fig. 26. — Gyrin us ma rinus. Gyll. Hind leg and tarsal joints of same separated and extended. Highly magnified. After Miall. lakes, especially in quiet water near the shore, that they cover many square yards. If disturbed, all dart away, tracing graceful curves on the surface of the water. The legs and the adult insect are illustrated in Figf. 26- B. CLUB-HORNS. (Clavicornia). Club-horned beetles are very numerous, but the character expressed by the term "club-horns" is not always easily de- tected. These beetles are divided into numerous families (32), and some of them are of very great benefit to orchardists. Most of them, however, are scavengers, and subsist upon dead or de- caying material. Some live in water, others are inhabitants of ant-nests, some prefer dung as food, others dead fungi and wood, or woolen garments and dried meat, and even collections stored in museums do not escape their hungry jaws. One family at least enjoys nothing 1 tetter than leaf-lice and scale-insects, the great enemies of our fruit-producing plants. It is impossible even to mention the names of the numerous families of beetles belonging here, and only a very few of the more destructive ones will be given, so that something about the classification of beetles may be learned. 2R WATER-SCAVENGER BEETLES. FAMILY WATER-SCAVENGER BEETLES. ( Hydro philidae). These beetles, some of which are quite large and well known, as they are attracted to the electric lights in our streets in large numbers, even when a long distance away from ponds and lakes, are found in stagnant water, where they either cling to the plants growing on the bottom of such pools, or move about in a peculiar manner, not swimming with strokes of both hind legs, as the aquatic carnivorous beetles do, but by moving the Fig. 27. — Hydrophilus. adult, larva and peculiar egg-mass. After Brelnn. legs alternately as if walking. They possess short club-shaped feelers well hidden beneath the head, so that they are not readily detected. Their food is mostly composed of decaying material, but if they have an opportunity to catch living prey they are not slow to eat it as well. They breathe by carrying a film of air on the lower side of the body, which gives them a beautiful sil- very appearance. When they need a fresh supply of air they CARION-BEETLES. 29 come to the surface of the water with their heads first. The illus- tration, (Fig. 27), shows some of the stages of the largest of these beetles. FAMILY CARRION-BEETLES. ( Silphidae) . These well known beetles devote all their attention to de- stroying dead animal matter, even of the most putrid kind. A few are, however, partly vegetable feeders, and at least one is known in Europe as being very destructive in gardens. Most people have seen some of them at work burying dead mice and birds, for which reason they are called "burying-beetles" (Fig. 28). They are black, with large spots or bands of bright orange yellow ; some are polished, others have a thorax densely covered with yellow hairs. If such beetles discover a small dead animal, they immediately remove the soil beneath the same, and Fig. 28. — Necrophorus burying mouse, and larva. Alter Landois. 30 ANT-BEETLES. usually many individuals are seen working together and in harmony. If the carcass has been covered up, the females de- posit their eggs upon this store of food, and now leave ; the larva; feed upon the buried putrid material. The strength of such beetles is remarkable, as is shown by the fact that two of them have been observed to roll a large dead rat several feet, in order to have it rest upon a soil fit for burying. The illustration (Fig. 29), shows another of these interesting beetles, belong- Fig. 29. — Silpha and Hister. After Brehm. ing to the genus Silpha, the members of which are all very flat. The full-page illustration shows many of the different kinds of scavenger-insects upon a dead mole. FAMILIES SCYMAENIDAE AND PSELAPHIDAE. These comprise very small beetles which are usually found in ant-nests. They resemble ants in shape and color, and are Fig. 30. — Claviger petted by ants. Afttr Brehm. A feast for scavenger insects. After Brehm. 32 ROVE-BEETLES. kept, like leaf-lice, for the purpose of furnishing sweet food for their captors, the owners of the nests. Some of them are en- tirely blind, and most of them are taken care of by the ants, who even feed them. They are of no economic importance. Fig. 30 shows one of these peculiar insects tended by ants in one of their subterranean vaults. FAMILY ROVE-BEETLES. (Staphylinidac). This is a very large family of small beetles with a very elongated slender body and very short wing-covers (Fig. 31). But notwithstanding the short elytra the beetles possess ample Fig. 31.— Different kinds of Staphylinidse. After Brehm. true wings. Some of the larger species, measuring more than half an inch in length, assume a very threatening aspect when closely approached with the finger. Their abdominal joints be- ing very movable, they raise the last unarmed joints, which are frequently of a contrasting color, being yellow or red, as if to sting, and in this way they are well able to scare those that do not know them from the wasps which they imitate. Nearly all these beetles are beneficial, as they are scavengers, feeding upon decaying animal and vegetable matter. LADY-BEETLES. 33 A few of them are found in blossoms, very likely eating pol- len ; but as flowers produce an abundance of this material the beetles cause no damage, on the contrary, they may even be useful by carrying- pollen from flower to flower, thus cross-fertilizing them. FAMILY LADY-BUGS. (Coccinellidae) . These very beneficial insects are the best friends of our orchardists, as nearly all of them seem to devote their time, both as larvae and as adults, to destroying the injurious leaf-lice and scale-insects. The beetles are rather handsome, almost always of a bright red or orange color, with intense black spots ; or they are polished black with red spots. The bright colors protect them to a large extent against insect-devouring birds, since it shows them that the food is not good to eat, they having learned by experience that such bright colors coming from such insects indicate nasty odors or, perhaps, a nasty taste. At all events in- sects marked by such showy and conspicuous colors are not often eaten. The bodies of lady-bugs are usually of an oval or hemi- spherical form, very convex, and almost flat below. The short Fig. 32 — Megilla maculata, De G. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Fig. 33. — Megilla mucu lata,T)eG.; parasitised. After Division of Ento- mology, U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture. 34. LADY-BEETLES. feet and still shorter feelers are well hidden beneath the tur- tle-shaped shell and are not visible unless the beetle is in motion. Beautiful as the adult beetles are, their larvae are horrible look- ing objects, having their surface covered with long or pointed spines ; others are protected by being covered with fine white down. The pupa is not formed in the soil but inside the larval skin, which splits open at the back, surrounding the pupa like a tight-fitting over-coat with the front not closed by buttons. In other cases the larval skin is forced backwards, and remains as a little crumpled pad about the posterior end. The larval skin in the former case is tightly fastened to the plants, and remains in this position sometimes long after the beetles have left both pupal and larval skins. Fig. 34. — Hippodamia convergent, Guer. After Riley. Pig. 37. — Anatis 15 punctata, Say. After Riley. Fig. 35. — Coccinella sanguinea, Linn. After Riley. Lady-bugs are well-known, and may be seen in large numbers upon trees infested with plant-lice and scales. Both larvae and adults eat these beings very greedily, and destroy immense num- bers of them. Without their presence and assistance plant-lice increase so rapidly that in a very short time the plants would be entirely covered with them, and as a consequence might suffer very much, or would even be killed. As the life-history of all lady-bugs is very similar, it is not necessary to describe in detail all the species found upon our LADY-BEETLES. 35 fruit-producing plants. A number of them have been illustrated, and readers can learn their shape, etc., by consulting the illustra- tions (Figs. 32-39). The fruit growers of California ought to bless such insects, as they helped them to destroy a most de- structive scale-insect which threatened to ruin the fruit-growing interests in that state. For this purpose a lady-bug, ( Vedalia cardinalis), and several other kinds were imported from Austra- lia, where they were known to kill this scale, and in less than two years the pest was almost exterminated. The- "twice- stabbed lady-bugs." natives of the United States, also assisted in the good work, and one of them, the Chilocorus bivulnerus Muls, is fairly common in Minnesota (Fig. 38). The "two- r.. d e Fig. 36. — Arialia bipunctata, Linn. After Rile}'. Fig. 38.— Chilocorus bivul- nerus, Muls., and larva. After Rilev. spotted lady-bug," (Adalia bipunctata Linn.), which was rather uncommon until a few years ago, is now found everywhere in our state in many interesting variations ; it is the only one of the lady-bugs that here enters houses for hibernation, and is fre- quently mistaken for the destructive carpet-beetle, and killed on that account. It is a reddish-yellow beetle with a single black spot on each wing-cover (Fig. 36). Some species of the lady-bugs are so minute that they are barely visible, as is shown in Fig. 30. which shows some of these small black beetles, with their larvae, in the act of eating the dreaded San Jose scale, yet, notwithstanding their small size, they do much good. All the above-mentioned beetles should be protected, since they are most useful friends. 36 LADY-BEETLES. Fig. 39. — Pentilia misella, Lee. — a, beetle; b, larva: c, pupa; d, blossom end of pear eaten by the Pentilia. (Alter Howard and Marlatt), Division of Entomology Department of Agriculture. But there is one exception, one black sheep in the flock ! This exception is a plant-feeding species (Epilachna borealis Fab.), happily not as yet found in our state. But as it will doubt- less find its way to our fields we should be on our guard. This lady-bug, both as larva and as adult, feeds upon squashes, cucum- bers, and melons. The beetle is yellowish, with large black spots, Fig. 40. — Epilachna borealis. Fab. After Division of Entomology, D, S. Dept. of Agriculture. LADY-BEETLES. 37 and is not as shiny as the other lady-bugs of equal size, but is covered with a fine pubescence. The larva is yellow, and clothed with forked spines, as may be seen in the illustration (Fig. 40). There is no doubt that in case of necessity, or for lack of proper animal food, some of the lady-bug's will also eat pollen, but their usual food consists of plant-lice, scale insects, and the eggs and soft bodies of other insects. Pig. 41. — Lanffuria Mozardi, Lat. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture. The families Endomychidae and Erotylidae also contain a number of brightly colored beetles with long feelers. But none are very common or destructive, with the exception of some beetles belonging to the genus Langurxa, one of which has in the larval state the bad habit of boring in the stalks of clover. It is shown in Fig. 41. FA1VI ILY CUCUJIDAE. These beetles, usually of a Hat and elongated form, are found under the bark of trees, and are believed to be mostly carnivor- ous, but others are known to feed upon stored grain. Several species have this bad habit, but the most important one is the "Corn Silvanus" (Silvanus surinamensis Linn.), shown in Fig 42. It is a dark brown and flat beetle, with saw-like edges on the pro-thorax. Tt also feeds on dried fruit- In such a case it can be killed by putting the infested fruit in a tight-fitting wooden box, and by pouring a wine-glass full of bisulphide of carbon in the larger box the fumes thus produced will kill all intruders. 38 CORN-BEETLES. Fig. 42 — Silvanus surinamensis, Linn After Division of Entomology, V. S. Department of Agriculture. There are many of these and other insects found on dried fruit, since this is palatable to six-legged beings as well as to two- legged ones. The fumes mentioned above kill all insects, with- out leaving any odor or flavor behind, but whether the infested fruit with the dead insects in it is fit for human food must be decided bv the individual who wishes to eat it. Fig. 43. — Lrfemophlseas fasciatas, Mels. Original. Another species, the Lacmophtacus fasciatus Mels., illus- trated in Fig. 43, is found under bark, but is also very common near saw-mills, especially in those in which hard wood is sawed. LARDER-BEETLES. 39 In running" over persons engaged in mills it will bite, even without provocation, and may cause bad sores. It is a small and flat beetle, of a light brown color, with highly polished wing-covers, with a light space upon each. Related beetles are found also in stores of grain and dried fruit. FAMILY DERMESTIDAE ( Larder-beetles; Carpet-beetles; etc.). Most of the beetles composing this family feed upon decaying substances, or on skins, furs, and dried animal matter of all kinds. The wing-covers completely cover the abdomen, and are not \i!< ---■-■, Fig. 44. — Dermestes lardarius, Linn. After Division of Eutomulogv, U. S. De- partment of Agriculture. shorter than it, as was the case in most of tbe scavenger beetles mentioned thus far. They are usually small, but few reaching a length of one-third of an inch. They arc oval or elongated, ornamented with pale gray, yellow, or white markings formed by minute scales which rub oft very easily, and are sometimes 40 CARPET-BEETLES. arranged very prettily. Most of the insects pretend to be dead when disturbed, and roll upon their back, on which they remain for a long time. To this family belongs the Larder-beetle, (Der- mestes lardarius Linn.), which is shown in Fig. 44. Both larvae and adults enter houses, and for no good purpose, since they de- stroy stored provisions, especially those composed of animal mat- ter, as smoked meat, hides and feathers. The Museum Pest de- stroys collections, and the Carpet-beetles (Authrenus scrophulariae Fig. 4.5.— Anthrcrms strop/iu/ar/ie, Linn. Alter Riley. Fig. 46.— Deimestidie and Ptinus at work. After Brehm. RASPBERRY-BEETLES. 41 Linn), illustrated in Fig. 45, are well named, since they eat woolen, carpets and similar material, often causing great losses. In a state of nature such beetles are useful as scavengers, as they soon remove bad-smelling and unsightly substances. A number of these beetles of similar habits are also shown in Fig. 46. But there is one exception. One beetle belonging to this family shows better taste by eating raspberries. THE RASPRERRY FRUIT-WORM. (By turus unicolor Say). This sensible insect, about three-twentieths of an inch in length, is yellowish, and is covered with short, silky, gray hair. It feeds on the flowers of the red raspberry, in which the eggs are also laid. Here the larvae, which are white and nearly naked grubs, hatch, and enter the inside of the berry, where they rapidly grow. When such a berry is picked the culprit is found inside, clinging to one of the sides of its pleasant dwelling place. The beetle is not common enough in Minnesota to be of any great economic importance; it is shown in Fig. 47. FAMILY HISTERIDAE. Members of this family of beetles are usually small, short, rounded or angular insects, of a more or less polished black, bronze, or greenish color, although some are brown or marked with red, as the one shown in Fig. 29. The elytra are finely striated or punctured, and do not cover the entire abdomen, but are cut off squarely, exposing the last two segments of the same. These are also very hard, and look like the wing-covers. Below the elytra are ample true wings. The legs, which are adapted for digging, as well as the short feelers, can be hidden in depressions, and if this is the case the entire insect looks very much like a black seed, especially as it also pretends to be dead when cap- tured. .Such beetles abound about carrion and other decomposing substances. The whitish and maggot-like larva? are found in similar material, but occur also in over-ripe fungi, fruit, and under loose bark of trees. 4-2 SAP-BEETLES. FAMILY MTIDUL1DAE. (Sap-beetles). Sap-beetles are also small, more or less flattened insects, which in most cases have the tip of the abdomen exposed beyond the wing-covers. The pro-thorax is frequently provided with wide and thin margins ; the legs are not specialized for digging purposes. The beetles, both larvae and adults, feed on decaying or fermenting sap, fruit, or fungi ; a few prefer carrion, and still others are found among stored grain. They are especially numer- ous among rotting fruit and vegetables, and about trees that have been injured by bruising, and in such places they crowd together in large numbers to obtain the fermenting sap ; beneath stored and over-ripe fruit they also gather. Fig. 47. — Byturus unicolor. Say. After Fig. 49. — Carpophilus hemipterus, Linn. Saunders. After Smith. A number of these beetles deserve a short description, as they are frequently found about our fruit-producing plants. The Carpophilus brachypterus Say (Fig. 48, plate 1), was very com- mon during the last two seasons in the flowers of the apple. Here they enjoyed a meal of pollen, which covered them to such an extent as to hide them effectually. Going from flower to flower, they no doubt do some good, but some also show their appreciation of a good thing by eating holes in the petals, not, however, causing any visible damage, as the petals soon drop off anyhow. Another species, the C. hemipterus Linn., is frequently very abundant in stored fruits, and seems to enjoy a box of figs CADELLES-BEETLES. 4-3 beyond anything- else. Tt is illustrated in Fig'. 49, to show the structure of such beetles, which could not be shown in Fig. 48. FAMILY TROGOSITIDAE. (Caddies). Ips fasciatus Oliv., shown in Fig. 50, is sometimes very abund- ant among and beneath heaps of carrots. It is a rather pretty insect, shining black with two bright, interrupted, reddish or orange bands across the elytra. None of these insects are espe- Fig. 50. Ips fasciatus, Oliv. After Forbes. cially injurious. This can not be said about the nearly related species of Tenebrioides, frequently called "cadelles." -These in- sects are found in large numbers in barns and mills, where they feed on grain, meal and flour. In mills they can cause great damage, not so much by eating the flour as by eating holes in the fine and expensive bolting silk. One species (T. mauritanica, Linn.), is shown in Fig. 51- Such beetles are sometimes found in most unexpected places. The illustration (Fig. 52) shows the work done by their larvae in some books stored in a bin. Whether these insects were after knowledge, and studied a Norwegian book or not, is left an open question. 44- CADELLES-BEETLES. C. SAW-HORNS. {Serricornia). They contain numerous families of beetles, some of which need description, as many very injurious insects belong to this group. ;- >, ->rrr,-x Fig. 51.— Tenebrioides mauritanica, Linn. AfterjDivision ol Entomology, TJ. S. Department of Agriculture. Cu Vy» to