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\ AMNBRICAN
ENTOMOLOGY,
OR
Descriptions Li Way
Arms 30,1940
OF THE
INSECTS OF NORTH fae heey
ILLUSTRATED BY
COLOURED FIGURES
FROM
ORIGINAL DRAWINGS EXECUTED FROM NATURE.
BY THOMAS SAY,
Curator of the American Philosophical Society, and of the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia; Correspondent of the Philomathique Society of Paris; and Professor of
Natural History in the University of Pennsylvania, and of Zoology in the Philadelphia
Museum,
“ Each moss,
Each shell, each crawling insect, holds a rank
Important in the plan of Him who fram’d
This scale of beings.”
STILLINGFLEET.
Philadelphia Museum:
PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL AUGUSTUS MITCHELL.
FOR SALE BY ANTHONY FINLEY, CORNER OF FOURTH AND CHESNUT ST.
William Brown, Printer.
1824. +
SPLEID AT.
o ALAS Tae 1 4 Pe TOO RUS A
| Aoi ame a HY LA SOPS
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1p tallewet ey a tebe will
, pio letvie# wht le .itieg Tai
dere vllvniiieR en tee
* 2 é : . ’ bene
Livg ah het git: A VER ¥
Jc
im S. BARBER
COLLECTION
&. National wey
TO
WILLIAM MACLURE,
PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF
PHILADELPHIA, AND OF THE AMERICAN
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY,
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,
&e. &e.
Distinguished as a successful cultivator, and
munificent patron, of the Natural Sciences, this
Work is respectfully inscribed,
By his much obliged,
and most obedient servant,
THE AUTHOR.
“ As there is no part of nature too mean for the Divine Pre-
sence; so there is no kind of subject, having its foundation in
nature, that is below the dignity of a philosophical inquiry.”
Harris.
Beelace.
Tue author’s design, in the present work, is
to exemplify the genera and species of the in-
sects of the United States, by means of coloured
engravings. He enters upon the task without
any expectation of pecuniary remuneration, and
fully aware of the many obstacles by which he
must inevitably be opposed.
The graphic execution of the work will ex-
hibit the present state of the arts in this country,
as applied to this particular department of natural
science, as no attention will be wanting, in this
respect, to render the work worthy of the encou-
ragement of the few who have devoted a portion
of their attention to animated nature.
To such persons, as well as to those whose
information is sufficiently comprehensive to en-
vi PREFACE.
able them duly to appreciate the various depart-
ments of human knowledge, this book is more
especially addressed; and the author would hap-
pily profit by their friendly co-operation in the
correction of any errors that may appear, in the
enunciation of new facts in the manners and
economy of insects, or in the addition of species
and localities.
It is not possible, in the present state of our
collections, to publish all the species in regular
systematic succession; and the Entomologist will
therefore observe, that although the specimens
are somewhat indiscriminately described and
figured, yet care has been taken that species of
different genera be not represented in the same
plate. The pages are not numbered, and the
enumeration of the plates, which is on the in-
ferior margin of the impression, is referred to
beneath the text. This arrangement will admit
of the work being bound up, when completed,
agreeably to systematic order in the succession
PREFACE. vii
of genera, without any apparent confusion of
numerals.
In order that the descriptions may be under-
stood by those who are not conversant with the
science, we subjoin an explanation of the tech-
nical terms used in Entomology, illustrated by
elementary plates.
Six plates of the present volume, together
with their accompanying text, were printed off
in the year 1817, but as they were never pro-
perly published, it has been thought advisable to
include them in the present work.
With these preliminary notices, the first vo-
lume of the American Entomology is submitted
to the patrons of science; and whatever may be
its merits or its defects, we must observe, that it
is the first attempt of its kind in this country.
It is an enterprise that may be compared to that
of a pioneer or early settler in a strange land,
whose office it is to become acquainted with the
various productions exhibited to his view, in
Vill PREFACE.
order to select such as may be beneficial, either
as regards his physical gratification, or his moral
improvement, and in order to counteract the
effects of others that may have a tendency to
limit his prosperity. From the novelty of the
surrounding objects, or the imperfection of his
implements, it is vain to suppose that his selec-
tion would be unerring, or his system of culture
invariably judicious. But unabating industry and
zeal remove obstacles that for ever bar the ad-
vance of indolence or timidity; and if our utmost
exertions can perform only a part of a projected
task, they may, at the same time, claim the
praise due to the adventurous pioneer, of remov-
. ing the difficulties in favour of our successors.
Ware
PAPILIO.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne terminating in a conic-ovate or elon-
-gate-ovate, somewhat arquated club; palpi pressed.
closely to the front, hardly reaching the clypeus,
the terminal joint obsolete or very minute; feet
all formed for walking, armed with simple claws
at tip; superior wings somewhat falcate; inferior
wings often tailed at tip, and on the inner mar-
gin excised or folded to admit of the free motion
of the abdomen.
OBSERVATIONS.
The Caterpillars in this genus are destitute of
a hairy or spiny armature; but, when disturbed,
they suddenly project from the anterior and su-
perior part of the neck a soft bifid appendage,
which diffuses a strong odour. This singular
organ, although somewhat formidable in appear-
ance, is yet perfectly harmless; it may, however,
serve the purpose of repelling the enemies of the
PLATE I. B
larva, rather, perhaps, by the odour it emits, than
by its menacing aspect.
The pupe or chrysalids are, for the most part,
of an angulated form, with two processes or lobes
before; they are secured in an upright position
by a silken thread, which passes transversely
around the body.
The perfect insects are considered by many
observers as the most beautiful part of the crea-
tion.
PAPILIO PHILENOR. Fuabr.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Wings tailed, green-black ; posterior pair green,
polished, with seven fulvous subocellar spots be-
neath.
SYNONYMS.
Papitio Astinous. Drury, vol. i. tab. 11, fig.
1.4. Cramer, Ins. tab. 208, fig. A. B.
P. Parmenor. Fabricius, and of Smith and Ab-
bot’s Insects of Georgia.
PLATE I.
DESCRIPTION.
Head black; eyes red-brown, posterior orbits
yellow; palpi yellowish before; a white dot be-
hind the base of each antenna; neck with two
dots before, and a band of four dots behind.
Thorax black, immaculate: breast dotted with
yellow; feet black, anterior trochanters with an
obsolete yellow dot; superior wings dark green,
sometimes blackish, with whitish crene; four or
five white spots on the margin, more conspicuous
beneath, often obsolete above; inferior wings
highly polished, green; six pearl-white spots be-
fore the margin; crene white; beneath with a
yellow spot at base, brownish, with a very broad
polished green border, upon which are seven
large fulvous spots, each surrounded by a black
ring, and marked by a lateral white spot; on the
mner edge about six small white dots.
4bdomen green, a little brassy above; a lateral
double row of whitish dots; first segment with a
single larger spot conspicuous above.
Femae larger, colour of the wings brown,
with cupreous reflections.
The Philenor is one of the most beautiful ee
PLATE I.
our butterflies, and is, at the same time, very
common.
The plate represents the male in two posi-
tions.
PLATE I.
Pyar
Aine ks
Prawn by LR Peale 2 Engraved by Clie
STIZUS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Thorax with the first segment transverse
linear: feet short or moderately long: labrum
entirely exserted, short, semicircular: palpi fili-
form, maxillary ones longer, six-jointed; labial
palpi four-jointed: ocelli very distinct: superior
wings not folded longitudinally: radial cellule
one, elongated; cubital cellules three, the second
narrowed before, and receiving the two recurrent
nervures; the third not attaining to the end of
the wing.
OBSERVATIONS.
Latreille formed this genus for the reception of
many species of the tribe Bempecipes, distin-
guished by the above recited characters. These
species had previously been placed in the genus
Bempex by Fabricius and Olivier, in that of
Crapro by Rossi and Fabricius, in Larra by
illiger and Fabricius, in Spuex by Villers, in
Meuiimvs by Panzer, in Liris and Scour. by
PLATE II.
Fabricius, and by Latreille, in his earlier works,
in MonepuLa. |
Of all the genera which form the order Hy-
MENOPTERA, the present genus is the most closely
allied to those of Monepuna and Bempex, in
the general appearance of the insects of which it
is composed, as well as in the distribution of the
nervures of their wings. This affinity is so
striking in many species of these groups, that it
becomes necessary to inspect the form of the
labrum, in order to decide upon their respective
appropriate genus. A very remarkable difference
is observable in this organ, which, in those
genera, is much elongated and triangular, but in
Srizus it is short and semiorbicular. Nearly all
the species have three spines at the extremity of
the abdomen, as in the genus Scoxza, but they
cannot be considered as Scoliz, as their eyes are
entire, and the form and number of the wing
cellules are altogether different.
PLATE II.
STIZUS GRANDIS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Segments of the abdomen, each with a yellow
band, and lateral blackish spot.
SYNONYM.
Stizus Granpis. Nobis. Western Quarterly
Reporter, vol. ii. p. 77.
DESCRIPTION.
Antenne black, the three basal joints rufous:
front and labrum yellowish: thorax with a yel-
Jowish spot on the anterior angle, and first seg-
ment margined with yellowish: scutel ferrugi-
nous: wings ferruginous, dusky at tip: feed
ferruginous: fergwm ferruginous, each segment
with a yellow band, and lateral, blackish, oblique,
sublinear spot; venter with an obsolete margin on
the second segment, and obsolete lateral triangles
on the remaining segments, yellowish.
Mauer. Head, thorax, base of the three or
four terminal, and of the abdominal segments,
PLATE II.
and beneath, black; bands of the abdomen unin-
terrupted ; lateral spot of the first band obsolete
or wanting ; anal spines none. Length to the tip
of the wings, one inch and a fifth.
Femate. Ferruginous; basal band of the ab-
domen, and sometimes the second and third
bands, interrupted in the middle; lateral spot of
the first abdominal band very oblique. Length
to the tip of the wings, one inch and three-
fifths.
OBSERVATIONS.
This remarkably fine and new species is very
distinct from the spectosus of Drury, and is some-
what larger than that common insect. When
descending along the bank of the Arkansa river,
with a detachment of Major Long’s exploring
party, I had frequent opportunities of observing
this species. It generally occurred upon flowers,
in company with many other interesting HymEn-
opTERots insects. It is highly probable, that,
like the speciosus, the grandis nidificates in the
earth, and feeds its larvae with the dead bodies of
Cicaps.
The speciosus, grandis, and a few other large
species, ought to constitute a distinct division in
PLATE I.
this genus, distinguished by the want of spines at
the tail of the male.
The upper figure represents the female, and
the lower left figure the male, both of the natu-
ral size.
STIZUS UNICINCTUS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Black, opaque; abdomen polished, with a ru-
fous band above; wings dark violaceous.
SYNONYM.
Stizus unicrnctus. Nobis. Western Quarterly
Reporter, vol. i. p. 77.
OBSERVATIONS.
A broad, bright rufous band occupies the basal
half of the second segment of the tergum. The
wings are blackish-violaceous, and the anal spines
PLATE II. c
are prominent. ‘The length of the male is half
an inch.
This species occurred on the banks of the
Arkansa river, in company with the preceding
insect.
The lower right figure magnified, and beneath |
is an outline showing the natural size.
PLATE Il.
A Rae
i
rls
si
Ne a)
HK
i
LYTTA.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Tarsi entire; nails bifid; head not produced
into a rostrum; elytra flexible, covering the
whole abdomen, linear, semicylindric ; wings
perfect; maxilla with two membranaceous laci-
nie, the external one acute within, subuncinate ;
antenne longer than the head and thorax, recti-
linear ; first joint longest, the second transverse,
very short; maxillary palpi larger at tip.
OBSERVATIONS.
To this group of insects belongs the celebrated
“Spanish fly,” distinguished in the healing art for
its vesicating virtue. The species were placed
by Linné in his genus Mexoe; Geoffroy, De-
geer, Olivier, Lamarck, Latreille, and Leach,
distinguished them by the name of Canruanris ;
and Fabricius, Marsham, and Dejean, apply the
designation I have adopted.
The larve live in the earth, and the perfect
insect is often gregarious, feeding on leaves.
PLATE III.
It is highly probable that all, or nearly all, of
the North American species, are endowed with
the same properties that have so long rendered
the L. vesicatoria almost indispensable to the
practice of medicine; and it is certain that a suf-
ficient quantity may be collected in the United
States to supply the demand of the shops, to the
complete exclusion of the foreign insect.
LYTTA NUTTALLI.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Bright green, varied with golden; elytra
golden purple; feet black, thighs blue, trochan-
ters armed with a spine.
SYNONYM.
L. Nourrauur Nobis. Jour. Acad. Nat. Scei-
ences, Vol. ili. p. 300.
DESCRIPTION.
Body glabrous: head deep greenish, varied
PLATE III.
with golden; front punctured, subimpressed, and
with a small rufous spot; antennex robust, sur-
passing the base of the thorax, black, opaque ;
joints turbinate, approaching to moniliform, the
margin of the tip rounded; second joint two
thirds the length of the third ; terminal joints
largest near the middle, and rapidly attenuated
to an acute tip: eyes oblong-oval, emarginate :
pal black: clypeus and labrum obscure: thorax
golden-green, polished, with unequal, minute,
sparse punctures; a longitudinal, dorsal, im-
pressed line, and a transverse basal one; base
bluish, anterior angles prominent: scutel blue.
obtuse behind: elytra red, or golden-purple,
somewhat rugose: two indistinct elevated lines
on the disk, and a submarginal one: beneath
green, polished: feet black; thighs beneath blue
or purplish; trochanters armed with a conic
spine near the inner base, obsolete or wanting in
the female.
OBSERVATIONS.
This noble species, which in magnitude and
splendour surpasses the far-famed vesicatoria,
has, I understand, been labelled in a British cabi-
net with the name which I have here adopted.
PLATE III.
in honour of Mr. Thomas Nuttall, who disco-
vered. it.
Although this insect certainly belongs to this
genus, yet the proportional length of the second
and third jomts of the antenne, is somewhat
similar to that of the genus Zonirts, as defined
by Latreille in the Regne Animal. In common
with several other American species, the antenne
increase a little in thickness towards the tip, but
are much shorter than in Zonitis. These cha-
racters, combined with the form of the terminal
joint, seem to prove a close alliance with the
genus Myuasris, but the antenne are not ar-
quated at tip, and are of a more considerable
length; the habit also differs, the form of the
body being more elongated. ‘The species, then,
possessing the form of antenne above noted,
seem to have the habit of Lyrra, combined with
a form of antenne allied to that of Mynasris.
They cannot be referred to Zonrris, as the
palpi are not filiform, and the habit does not
agree.
The nuttallii seems to be limited to the west-
ern region. In company with Major Long, I
observed it, for the first time, near the base of
the Rocky Mountains. A very numerous flock
had there taken possession of the few diminutive
PLATE III.
bushes that occurred within the space of a hun-
dred yards, every spray of which was burdened
with their numbers. After passing this limited
district, not an individual was seen during the
remainder of our journey. On the recent expe-
dition of the same officer to the river St. Peter,
I obtained but a single specimen, which was
found one evening at an encampment in the
North West Territory.
The upper left figure, natural size.
LYTTA ALBIDA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Black, covered with dense whitish hair.
SYNONYM.
L. Atsma. Nobis. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sciences,
vol. iii. p. 305.
PLATE III.
DESCRIPTION.
Body black, entirely covered by dense, short,
prostrate greenish or yellowish-white hairs: head
with a longitudinal impressed line: antennz sub-
glabrous; first and second joints rufous, the latter
nearly equal in length to the third joint: clypeus,
labrum, and palpi pale rufous: farsi black.
OBSERVATIONS.
Another remarkably fine species, which I dis-
covered within about a hundred miles of the
Rocky Mountains, during the progress of Major
Long’s expedition over that vast desert. It ap-
peared to be feeding upon the scanty grass, in a
situation from which the eye could not rest upon
a tree, or even a humble shrub, throughout the
entire range of its vision, to interrupt the unifor-
mity of a far outspreading, gently undulated sur-
face, that, like the ocean, presented an equal
horizon in every direction.
The upper right figure, natural size.
LYTTA MACULATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Black, covered with cinereous hair ; elytra
spotted with black.
SYNONYM.
L. macunata. Nobis. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci-
ences, Vol. iil. p. 398.
DESCRIPTION.
Body black, invested with cinereous, prostrate
hairs: head with an impressed, longitudinal line:
antennx, joints cylindrical, and, with the labrum
and palpi, glabrous: maxillary palpi much dilat-
ed at tip; eyes elongated, retuse behind the an-
tenne, and behind the insertion of the maxille :
thorax subquadrate, narrower than the head, a
Jongitudinal impressed line, and a_ transverse
basal one: elytra with numerous, orbicular,
black dots, irregularly placed, sometimes con-
fluent, and are the effect of the absence in those
PLATE III. D
parts of the cinereous hair: tarsi, tips of the
tibia and thighs, glabrous.
OBSERVATIONS.
This insect is much smaller than the preced-
ing ones, and the spots of the elytra distinguish
it in a remarkable manner. Numerous speci-
mens were brought by Mr. Nuttall from Mis-
souri.
The lower left figure; the lie represents the
natural length
LYTTA SPHARICOLLIS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Dark green, tinged with brassy; thorax round-
ed, convex.
SYNONYM.
L. spHericotus. Nobis. Jour. Acad. Nat.
Sciences, vol. iii. p. 299.
PLATE III.
DESCRIPTION.
Body glabrous, blackish-green, slightly tinged
with brassy: head punctured: antennz robust,
black, hardly attaining the base of the thorax;
joints short, conic, acute at the edge of the tip;
second joint rufous, subglobular: eyes oval, not
elongated: labrum and palpi blackish: thorax
subglobular, punctured, punctures sparse, not
profound: elytra green, slightly tinged with
olivaceous and brassy, somewhat rugose; two,
rarely three, obsolete, longitudinal lines on the
disk, and another near the external margin:
beneath blackish-green.
Variety, a. Body green, destitute of the brassy
tinge.
Variety, 6. Head and thorax black; elytra
bluish.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species is less robust than the preceding,
and may be readily distinguished from others by
the rounded thorax and very short antenne, the
remaining characters of which latter agree with
PLATE III.
those of the nuftalli. Many specimens were
brought from Missouri by Mr. Nuttall.
In a future volume of this work, we propose
to give some account of the American species of
this genus, as related to medicine.
The lower right figure ; the lme shows the
natural length.
PLATE III.
ies
SAE Ti
i heal ivy
Heit PAH IRAN AL
ay AR
eye
ali
i
Petar!
aU y,
SCARABAUS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne ten-jointed, the club composed of
oblong-oval lamellae, which have an almost com-
mon insertion; body ovoid, convex; mandibles
with their external edge crenulated ; maxille
corneous, dentated; labrum entirely concealed ;
palpi filiform.
OBSERVATIONS.
The genus possessed of the above characters,
retains the Linnean name of ScaraBzus in the
system of Latreille, and corresponds with the
genus Greorrupss of Fabricius; whilst the ge-
nus ScaraBpzus of the latter author, is the same
with Georrvures of Latreille. Although, in the
small portion of the present work, printed in the
year 1817, I adopted the Fabrician designation,
yet as Entomologists have generally chosen La-
treille’s nomenclature in this respect, I have
thought it necessary to acquiesce in their de-
cision.
PLATE IY.
This genus comprehends some of the largest
insects of the order CoLEorTERA, and, amongst
others, the noble species known by the name of
S. Hercules, of which the truly absurd story has
been related of its clasping a branch of a tree
between the corneous projections of the head and
thorax, and, by flymg round the limb thus in-
cluded, finally succeeds in separating it from
the tree; and that the insect then becoming
inebriated with the fluid that exudes from the
wound, falls apparently lifeless to the ground.
SCARABAUS TITYUS. Linn.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Thorax three-horned, the lateral ones short,
subulate, middle one bearded with yellow hair
beneath, projected forwards, and bifid at tip;
horn of the head recurved, subemarginate on the
back near the tip.
PLATE IY.
SYNONYMS.
Scaras. T1ITYus. Linn. Syst. Nat.
Amoenit. Acad. vol. vi. p. 391.%
Jablonsky Coleopt. p. 257. pl. 4. fig. 2.
Oliv. Ins. vol. i. p. 9. pl. 10. fig. 31. b.¢.
Palisot de Beauv. Ins. p. 137. pl. 1. ¢.
fig. 4, 5.
Le Scarase’ tityvus. Hncy. Meth. Ins. pl. 137.
fig. 7.%
Geotrures TiTyus. Labr. Syst. Eleut. vol. i.
p. 10.
SCARAB. HERCULES MINOR. Voet. Coleopt. p. 24.
pl. 12. fig. 99.
SCARAB. MARIANUS. Linn.?
Fabr. in his earlier works ; omitted in
his Syst. Eleut
OBSERVATIONS.
This insect is so extremely rare in Pennsyl-
vania, that the late Rev. F. V. Melsheimer, the
parent of Entomology in this country, and a
very industrious collector, found but two indi-
viduals in eighteen years. An instance has
however occurred, in which the appearance of a
considerable number of them occasioned no little
PLATE IY.
surprise in the neighbourhood where they were
discovered. A mile or two southward of Phila-
delphia, and near the river Delaware, an old
cherry-tree was blown down by a violent cur-
rent of wind, and my informant saw the remains
of numerous individuals, in and about a cavity
of the tree, laid open by the shock of its fall.
That there might be no mistake as to the spe-
cies, he exhibited the thorax of a male he had
chosen from the mutilated fragments.
I think it highly probable the ¢ityus is more
especially a native of the southern states, as my
friend, Mr. J. Gilliams, presented me with seve-
ral specimens in high perfection, collected by
himself in Maryland; and from these, the draw-
ings for the annexed plate were made.
The length of the male, exclusive of the
horns, is two inches, and the greatest breadth
one inch. In colour it resembles the S. Her-
cules, being glaucous with brown spots, or brown
with glaucous spots. These spots vary consider-
ably in size, figure, position and number, being
sometimes confluent, and exhibiting a clouded
appearance. ‘The elytra of one specimen in my
collection are entirely chesnut-brown, immacu-
late, and the larger thoracic horn frequently
occurs simple, or undivided at tip, as exhibited
PLATE IV.
in the figures given by Jablousky and Olivier ;
to the latter author we are indebed for a know-
ledge of the specific identity of the fityus and
marianus.
The female is generally somewhat smaller
than the male, and unarmed, excepting a small
tubercle on the head.
Tiryus, in the heathen mythology, was a
gigantic son of Jupiter and Elara, whom Apollo
_ killed for offering violence to his mother Latona.
The upper figure of the plate represents the
male, and the lower the female.
PLATE IY.
paotetll
.
* 4
+
2
rox
1
se Ag
‘e
ry
f fe Ny
ith 7
Aiag set
n hy
rity
y
Engravi by G.
y)
Drawn by TRFeale 2
ACRYDIUM.
GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Thorax elongated behind, often longer than
the abdomen; elytra very small; pectus with a
cavity for the reception of the inferior part of
the head; tarsi three-jointed, destitute of pul-
villi; antenne thirteen or fourteen jointed, not
half the length of the body; oviduct not exsert-
ed; posterior feet formed for leaping.
OBSERVATIONS.
This genus was established by Fabricius under
the name which, with Thunberg, I have adopt-
ed. lLinné included the species in his genus
Grvyuivus. Lamarck distinguished them by the
name of Acuera, and Latreille by that of 'Txr-
Trix. ‘The species are nearly all small, and
several are common. ‘They may be very readily
distinguished from “ grasshoppers” of other ge-
nera, by the remarkable elongation of the thorax,
which is continued backward so as to cover the
abdomen wholly or in great part.
PLATE V.
ACRYDIUM ORNATUM.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Whitish; beneath fuscous; thorax nearly as
long as the wings, spotted with black.
DESCRIPTION.
Head blackish; vertex with an elevated longi-
tudinal line, which extends down over the front
where it is grooved, but this groove does not
reach the acute ridge which divides the vertex
from the front; thorax flattened, somewhat gra-
nulated and whitish, laterally projecting a little
over the origin of the hemelytra, a slightly elevat-
ed longitudinal central line, and two abbreviated
oblique elevated lines near the head; a velvet
black spot each side over the tip of the hemely-
tra: pleura, hemelytra and pectus black-brown.
Length to the tip of the wings, half an inch.
OBSERVATIONS.
I am indebted to Mr. Lesueur for this inte-
PLATE V.
resting species, which he caught at Kaign’s
Point, in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The in-
sects of this genus vary much in their sculpture,
size and colour, which renders it difficult to dis-
tinguish the species, of which we seem to have
several. In the above description I have pur-
posely avoided a minute detail of colours and
markings, noting such only as will probably
prove to be permanent, or nearly so, and charac-
teristic of the species.
The left hand figures of the plate; natural
size and magnified.
ACRYDIUM LATERALE.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pale brownish-testaceous, with a lateral broad
fuscous line; thorax shorter than the wings.
DESCRIPTION.
Vertex with an elevated longitudinal line, com-
mencing near the tip, and extending down over
PLATE V.
the front, where it is canaliculate the whole
length, and terminating beneath the antenne:
-antenne reddish-brown, blackish at tip: thorax
flattened, with small longitudinal lines or wrin-
kles, and a more obvious, continuous, elevated
central line, extending the whole length: wings
brown on the anterior margin towards the tip,
and extending at least the twentieth of an inch
beyond the thorax: plewra with a dilated black-
ish-brown line or vitta, beginning at the eye,
and including the abdomen above and each side:
Jeet brown, more or less annulated with pale:
venter pale yellowish or testaceous.
Length to the tip of the wings, nine-twen-
tieths of an inch.
OBSERVATIONS.
I obtained this insect in Georgia and East
Florida, where it is not uncommon.
The upper and right figures of the plate;
natural size and magnified.
PLATE V.
I
Weel
Te ih
Drawn bv LR Fale 6 Lngravd be CT
LAPHRIA.
GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Body elongated; wings incumbent: antenne
divaricating, approximate at base, three-jointed ;
third joint inarticulate, obtuse, and destitute of a
style: front impressed: hypostoma with long
rigid hairs: proboscis horizontal, short, without
dilated labia: poisers naked: abdomen with
seven segments: posterior tibia arquated: tarsi
terminated by two nails and two pulvilli.
OBSERVATIONS.
The genus Larurtia, of Meigen, is perfectly
well distinguished from its neighbouring groups
by the above stated traits, and has received the
approbation of all recent authors who are willing
to keep pace with modern discoveries. ‘The ar-
rangement of the nervures of the wings, particu-
larly of those of the anterior margin, is very
similar to that of the wing nervures in the genus
Asiuus, as restricted by the same author; but
the form of the antennz, in this case, at once
PLATE VI.
decides the genus, those of Lapuria being
simple at their termination, whilst those of Ast-
Lus are furnished with a very distinct, and gene-
rally elongated, setaceous style.
These insects fly swiftly, and the force with
which the wings strike upon the air, produces a
loud humming sound. They are predaceous,
and pursue with voracity smaller and weaker in-
sects, which they seize, and then alight to suck
out their fluids. Many species inhabit the Unit-
ed States. Of these, the thoracius of Fabricius,
and another which I described under the name
of tergissa, in consequence of the form of body
and sounding flight, have been very frequently
mistaken for humble-bees, (Bombus.)
The larve live, probably, in the earth.
LAPHRIA FULVICAUDA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Black, with cinereous hair; wings blackish ;
tergum fulvous at tip.
PLATE VI.
SYNONYM.
LApHRIA FuLVicAuDA. Nobis. Journ. Acad.
Nat. Sciences, vol. iii. p. 53.
DESCRIPTION.
Body black, with long cinereous hair: head
large, transverse; eyes deep black: thorax varied
with black and cinereous, and with short, black
hair; two distinct, longitudinal, dorsal, black
lines, with a more obvious cinereous band in the
middle, which is interrupted by the dorsal lines ;
two cinereous obsolete points each side behind:
wings blackish: halteres pale at tip: abdomen
depressed, above and beneath subglabrous, hairy
each side; the two terminal segments of the ter-
gum with a common fulvous spot.
Length about three-fifths of an inch.
OBSERVATIONS.
I obtained it at the settlement of Cote sans Des-
sein, on the Missouri river, during a short stay of
Major Long’s exploring expedition at that place.
Lower right figure.
PLATE VI. F
LAPHRIA SERICEA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Above with golden-yellow hair; beneath with
pale hair; thorax, beneath the hair, dark blue.
SYNONYM.
Laryria sericEA. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat.
Sciences, vol. iil. p. 74.
DESCRIPTION.
Head black; hypostoma and gena with gray-
ish hair, that of the former tinged with dull yel-
lowish ; vertex and occiput with black hair :
thorax dark blue, with golden-yellow hair, ra-
ther longer and somewhat more dense behind; a
fringe of longer black hairs over the insertion of
the wings: pleura blackish; a few long, pale
hairs near the poisers: potsers pale: pectus and
feet black, hairy; hair of the former long; hair
beneath the anterior and intermediate feet whit-
ish: scutel dull chesnut: wings hyaline; ner-
PLATE VI.
vures fuscous, broadly but faintly margined with
yellowish-brown, as well as the inner edge:
tergum dark chesnut-blue, thickly covered by
golden-yellow, silky hair: anus black, naked:
venter black-brown, nearly glabrous, with a few
whitish hairs, the segments pale on their poste-
rior margins: abdomen cylindrical, depressed.
Length four-fifths of an inch.
OBSERVATIONS.
The nervures of the wings are arranged like
those of L. ephippium, Fabr. Meig. It is an in-
habitant of the United States generally.
Lower left figure.
LAPHRIA DORSATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blue-black ; head and feet with cinereous hair ;
nervures of the wings widely margined with
fuscous.
PLATE YI.
DESCRIPTION.
Head black; anterior orbits with a white line:
mystax cinereous; vibrisse black; stethidium
blue-black, with slight dark cinereous hair ;
wings, nervures widely margined with fuscous,
obscuring the anterior part of the wing, and
leaving the middle of the cellules on the inner
margin almost hyaline: feet black, tinged with
purplish, and with cinereous hair: poisers black-
ish, paler at base: fergum blue-black, with a
coppery or purple gloss.
OBSERVATIONS.
It was taken near Philadelphia. The back of
the abdomen, although of a dark colour, in a cer-
tain light reflects a brilliant coppery or purplish
tint. The short nervure which terminates at the
apex of the wing, is not only bifid at its origin,
as in the albibarbis, Meig., but the upper branch
joins the nervure above, as well as the lower
branch joins the nervure immediately below.
Upper figure.
PLATE VI.
NEMOGNATHA.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne longer than the thorax, with the first
and third joints nearly equal, the second a little
shorter, terminal one fusiform, abruptly termi-
nated by a short point; palpi filiform; maxille
very much elongated, filiform, curved; elytra
elongate, linear; tarsi with entire joints.
OBSERVATIONS.
This genus was formed by Illiger for the re-
ception of such species of the Linnean genus
Menor, as are distinguished by the remarkable
and striking character of elongated mazxille.
Fabricius included them in his genus Zonirts.
The maxille of these insects have the closest
analogy with the spiral trunk of the Leprpopr-
TERA, and every point of comparison induces the
supposition that this organ is applied to the same
uses. The species are found on flowers.
PLATE VII.
NEMOGNATHA IMMACULATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lemon-yellow, immaculate ; elytra pale yel-
lowish, with scattered punctures ; maxille not
longer than the thorax, and, with the antenne
and palpi, black.
DESCRIPTION.
Antenne black, basal joint pale testaceous ;
eyes, maxille, palpi, and tips of the tarsi, black ;
elytra irregularly punctured, naked, polished.
OBSERVATIONS.
It inhabits the plains of Missouri, and was
captured by Mr. Thomas Nuttall, on a species
of thistle (Carpuus); I have since observed
it in some plenty in the same locality. It
seems to be allied to the Zoniris PALLma of
Fabricius, judging by his description of that
insect.
PLATE VII.
The smaller figure of the plate denotes the
natural size, and the figures beneath it exhibit
magnified representations of some of the oral
organs, &c.
Fig. 1. Antenna.
2. Mandible.
3. Tongue and labium supporting the
labial palpi.
4. Labial palpus.
5. Maxilla with its palpus, verticillate
with short hairs.
PLATE VII.
Fy
at to. St
ean
Dry Be FR Pk 0 a,
Drawn bv LR Pale OG Lungraved by CLicboti
XYLOTA.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne three-jointed, inserted on a frontal
elevation, nutant; third joint suborbicular, com-
pressed, with a naked seta placed behind the
dorsal middle; ocelli three; proboscis with fleshy
lips; hypostoma above impressed, near the mouth
a little elevated, retuse and subtuberculated: pos-
terior thighs dilated, spinous beneath; onychii
two; abdomen with five segments; wings in-
cumbent, parallel.
OBSERVATIONS.
For this genus we are indebted to Meigen.
Linné, Gmelin, Degeer, Schranck, and others, re-
ferred the species to Musca; Fabricius and Pan-
zer to Syrpuus and Mivesra. In his Systema
Anthatorum Fabricius, with Latreille and Fal-
lén, included them in the genus Mixesia; and
a few species were scattered in the genera ME-
RopON, Sc#va, Erisranis, and Tuereva, by
several authors.
PLATE VIII. G
The species are frequently found on flowers,
and the larva is supposed to inhabit decaying
wood.
XYLOTA QUADRATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish; tergum with four dilated subequal
ochraceous spots; posterior thighs with a promi-
nent angle near the tip.
DESCRIPTION.
Head golden-yellow, black at base of the an-
tenne and in a line proceeding to the mouth:
hypostoma very slightly indented, carinated :
antenne ochraceous: eyes chesnut: thorax dark
brassy; with two cinereous lines confluent be-
fore, attenuated behind, and abbreviated behind
the middle; an obsolete interrupted line each
side over the wings: scutel on the posterior mar-
gin ochraceous: pleura and pectus with a pale
glaucous covering: feet ochraceous, thighs black
at base; posterior pair black-brassy, their thighs
PLATE VIII.
dilated, with spines beneath, placed irregularly ;
a prominent projecting angle near the tip: ¢er-
gum black; basal segment on the lateral margin
ochraceous; second segment with a large sub-
quadrate, ochraceous spot each side, approaching
the middle where it is longer than on the mar-
gin, posterior edge ochraceous ; third segment
with also a large subquadrate, ochraceous spot
each side, approaching the middle where it is
longer than on the margin, it reaches the basal
suture, posterior edge ochraceous ; fourth seg-
ment ochraceous at tip: venter yellowish-white,
blackish at tip.
OBSERVATIONS.
The specimen is a female, and was captured
in Pennsylvania. By its form of body, and the
character of the hypostoma, it approaches the
genus Eumerus, Meig.
The upper right figure of the plate. -
PLATE VIII.
XYLOTA EJUNCIDA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish ; tergum with four semioval, sub-
equal, ochraceous spots; posterior thighs rather
slender, with two series of black spines beneath.
DESCRIPTION.
Head silvery: antenne ochraceous: eyes ches-
nut: thorax greenish-brassy, with a grayish spot
each side before: poisers and scale whitish: feet
whitish, two last joints of the tarsi black; thighs
piceous with a slight brassy tinge, posterior pair
not remarkably dilated, exterior series of spines
nearly equal from near the base to the tip; pos-
terior tibia piceous at tip: fergwm black, with a
slight tinge of green; basal segment polished,
immaculate ; second and third segments each
with. a large semioval ochraceous spot on each
side, approaching the middle and attaining to
the lateral edges, but not reaching either the
base or tip of the segment; fourth segment ob-
PLATE VIII.
scure, brassy, polished: venfer yellowish-white,
black at tip.
OBSERVATIONS.
The specimen is a male. I caught it on the
banks of St. John’s river, in East Florida, during
a short visit to that country in company with
Messrs. Maclure, Ord, and T. Peale. A speci-
men, in the collection of Mr. William W. Wood,
was taken near Philadelphia.
=
The upper left figure.
XYLOTA PROXIMA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish ; tergum about six-spotted ; posterior
thighs dilated, with a large rufous spot on the
middle.
DESCRIPTION.
Head yellowish-silvery: vertex black: antennz
PLATE VIII.
ochraceous: thorax blackish, two gray oblong-
triangular spots on the anterior margin, connect-
ed with a lateral line that extends nearly to the
origin of the wings: poiser and scale whitish :
pleura and pectus silver-gray: feet ochraceous ;
posterior thighs much dilated, with a very dis-
tinct rufous spot each side, and another at base,
posterior half of the inferior edge more promi-
nent, spines extending from near the base to the
tip; posterior tibia blackish, rufous in the middle
and at base: fergum black; first segment with
an ochraceous lateral margin and basal edge;
second segment with a large semioval ochraceous
spot each side; third segment with a small trans-
versely semioblong-oval ochraceous spot each side
at base; fourth segment with a transverse pale
ochraceous line each side at base, and posterior
margin: venter yellowish-white, blackish at tip.
OBSERVATIONS.
Very common in the neighbourhood of Phila-
delphia, on flowers. I obtained a variety in
Virginia, of which the spots of the tergum are
grayish-glaucous. ‘The two sexes are similar in
colour. .
It is closely allied to Syrphus pipiens of Fabri-
PLATE VIII.
cius; but the posterior thighs of that species, if
we may rely upon Panzer’s figure, are widest in
the middle, whereas in this species they are
widest near the tip, and the rufous band is on
the inside as well as on the exterior side.
The lower left figure.
XYLOTA HAHEMATODES.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Brassy-black ; abdomen rufous; wings fuli-
ginous.
SYNONYM.
Mixesia Hezmatopes. Fabr. Syst. Anil. p. 193.
DESCRIPTION.
Head black-brown: hypostoma and front, in a
certain light, silvery: vertex polished: thorax
brassy-black: Aumerus, in a certain light, sil-
very: scutel, colour of the thorax: wings fuli-
PLATE VIII.
ginous: pleura and pectus nearly black, polished:
Jeet, anterior pairs tinged with brownish: pos-
terior thighs much dilated, immaculate, spines
short: ¢ergum bright rufous, basal segment
black, second segment with a longitudinal black
line at base: venter paler rufous.
OBSERVATIONS.
A native of the southern states. I obtained
two specimens in East Florida, one of which is
represented on the annexed plate. It was first
described by Fabricius, in his Systema Antliato-
rum, from the collection of M. Bose, but no
figure has been hitherto given of it.
The lower right figure.
PLATE VIII.
6)
————H
————+t
i
a : ,
8) Engravd by Ca
Praun bv 7
CALANDRA.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Body elliptic-oval, above somewhat depressed ;
eyes immersed, oblong, encircling the head be-
neath; antenne geniculated, inserted at the base
of the rostrum; rostrum dilated at the insertion
of the antenne; elytra plain, not covering the
anus above; anus acutely prominent; tarsi re-
flected to the inner side of the tibia.
OBSERVATIONS.
Such of the individuals, as were known to
Linné, of almost the whole of the vast tribe of
insects now distinguished from the other tribes
by the name of CurcuLionipEs, were included
by that author in his single genus Curcunio.
So extremely numerous were the species, thus
combined together, as to offer a very serious in-
convenience to Entomologists. They soon per-
ceived that the continual accessions of species,
7 resulting either from the more critical and accu-
rate observations of numerous investigators, or
PLATE IX. H
from the contributions of those who were occu-
pied in the adventurous task of exploring remote
and unknown regions, had so far augmented the
obstacles already existing, that the hand of refor-
mation became absolutely necessary. Accordingly
Olivier, Herbst, Fabricius, Latreille, Germar, Me-
gerle, and other distinguished systematists, under-
took to separate the Linnean genus CurcuLio
into numerous smaller assemblages, and thus to
bring this part of the system into a more inti-
mate alliance with the order observed by nature
in the distribution of species.
The labours of these naturalists eventuated in
the construction of more than one hundred addi-
tional genera, but the characters of many of
these genera appear to be too obscure, and of
others not sufficiently important to justify their
collective adoption. By far the greater portion
of them, however, will probably tend to the elu-
cidation of this difficult part of the system, and
amongst these may be ranked the genus CaLan-
pra of Clairville, distinguished by obvious and
striking traits.
The history of many species of this group is
highly interesting and important, and we pro-
pose to represent, in a future volume, those that
are so destructive to the wheat, rice, and maize.
PLATE IX.
CALANDRA TREDECIM-PUNCTATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Above sanguineous ; five spots on the thorax,
four on each elytrum, and scutel, black; head and
all beneath black.
SYNONYMS.
RYNCHOPHORUS TREDECIM-PUNCTATUS. flerbst,
vol. vi. p. 10. pl. 60. fig. 5.
CaLANDRA cripRARIA. Fabr. Syst. Eleut. part
Q. p. 434.
CurcuLio TREDECIM-PUNCTATUS. Melsheimer’s
Catalogue, p. 28. No. 597.
DESCRIPTION.
Body punctured, beneath black, with a cine-
reous shade in a particular light, and with
numerous large punctures; head black; rostrum,
dilated portion not longer than broad, but more
dilated at tip, and with an impressed longitudinal
line; thorax sanguineous, with five black spots,
PLATE IX.
of which two are orbicular, and placed on each
side, and one is central, fusiform, sometimes
rounded; scufel black; elytra sanguineous, with
punctured striz, interstitial lines flat, with dilat-
ed punctures; four black spots on each elytrum,
placed 1, 2, 1, the latter largest.
Length seven-twentieths of an inch, exclusive
of the rostrum.
OBSERVATIONS.
We introduce this familiar insect, and a va-
riety of it, chiefly for the sake of comparison
with another species, which has many characters
in common with it. A slight mspection of the
plate will, however, at once disclose the differ-
ences by which we will always be enabled to
distinguish them from each other.
The tredecim-punctata, which does not appear
to be injurious to any useful plant, may be found
in considerable numbers on the milk-weed, or
wild cotton (Asclepias syriaca), which is very
common in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia,
growing on the banks of streams of water. The
insect seems to be a pretty general inhabitant of
the United States; I have found it in Missouri,
Arkansa, and the North West Territory, as well
as in Pennsylvania.
PLATE IX.
Lower right figure; the line represents the
natural size, with a lateral enlarged view of the
head.
CALANDRA'TREDECIM-PUNCTATA, Var.
DESCRIPTION.
Body punctured; beneath black, with a cine-
reous shade in a particular light, and with nu-
merous large punctures; head black; rostrum,
dilated portion longer than broad, but more
dilated at tip, and with a deeply impressed punc-
ture at its base above: thorax sanguineous, with
five black spots, of which two are placed on each
side, the posterior one larger and generally ob-
lique, and one is central fusiform: scufel black:
elytra sanguineous, with punctured striz ; inter-
stitial lines flat, with dilated punctures; two
small marginal spots; a large common transverse
spot on the middle, and a common tip consisting
of about one-third of the length of the elytra,
black.
PLATE IX.
OBSERVATIONS.
The spots of the elytra appear at first view to
be formed and located differently in this from
those of the preceding, yet by dilating the two
central elytral spots of the preceding insect trans-
versely, and enlarging the posterior spots in a
posterior and transverse direction, we shall be
able to exhibit an arrangement precisely con-
formable to that of the present variety.
The spots of the elytra in this variety are sub-
ject to some variations; the transverse spot on
the middle of the elytra is divided into two on
one of my specimens; the posterior common
spot is subcordate, being much narrowed behind
in another, and in a third is a black spot on each
elytrum, insulated from the common terminal
spot which is much narrowed.
This insect is a native of Missouri and Ar-
kansa, as well as of the atlantic states.
The lower left figure: the natural size is re-
presented by a line, above which is an enlarged
view of the head.
PLATE IX.
CALANDRA QUINQUE-PUNCTATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Black ; thorax sanguineous, with five black
spots; elytra with a sanguineous exterior sub-
margin.
DESCRIPTION.
Body punctured, beneath black, with a very
slight cinereous reflection in a particular light:
rostrum, dilated portion longer than broad, but
wider at tip, and with a deeply impressed punc-
ture at base above: thorax sanguineous, with five
black spots, of which two are on each side, the
posterior one larger, oblique, and generally con-
fluent along the basal margin with the opposite
basal spot, the central spot is dilated and elon-
gated, fusiform: scutel black: elytra black, with
punctured striz; interstitial lines flat, punctured,
penultimate lateral one and ultimate one at base
sanguineous: thighs with a dull sanguineous
spot on the middle, obsolete on the posterior pair.
Size of the preceding.
PLATE IX.
OBSERVATIONS.
I observed this species to be very abundant on
the Southern Sea Islands of Georgia ; many spe-
cimens also occurred in East Florida, but I can-
not learn that it has ever been taken further
north than that state, neither does it seem to in-
habit the western region.
The upper right figure; the natural size is
exhibited by a line, above which is an enlarged
representation of the head.
CALANDRA COMPRESSIROSTRA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Castaneous black; rostrum compressed; a pro-
found frontal puncture: thorax with two punc-
tured lines converging to the scutel.
SYNONYM.
CALANDRA COMPREssIROSTRA. JVobis. Journ.
Acad. Nat. Sciences, vol. iii. p. 319.
PLATE IX.
DESCRIPTION.
Body dark chesnut-brown, passing into black-
ish: head with small distant punctures, larger
ones on the base of the rostrum, which decrease
in size to the tip; a profoundly impressed large
puncture between the eyes: rostrum very much
compressed, acutely carinate above: antennzx at
the tip rufous: thorax with larger punctures on
the side, on the anterior impressed submargin
and on two indented lines which originate each
side of the middle and converge to the suture :
elytra with crenate striz ; interstitial lines each
with a series of punctures: fibia with a very
robust obtuse spine and sete below the interior
middle.
OBSERVATIONS.
This singular species occurred near the Rocky
Mountains, on the banks of the Arkansaw river.
It is widely distinct from either of the preceding
species, as well by the much compressed form of
the rostrum, as by the more obvious dissimilarity
of colour.
PLATE IX.
The upper left figure; the natural size is
represented by a line, and an enlarged view of
the head and part of the thorax is added.
PLATE IX.
ANTHICUS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne with conic joints, the second and
third nearly equal, terminal one ovate-oblong ;
labial palpi terminated by a small truncate joint;
thorax subcordate, often strangulated near the
middle; penultimate tarsal joints bilobate ; nails
simple.
OBSERVATIONS.
The type of the insects which now constitute
the genus Anruicus of Fabricius, was included
by Linné in that of Metor, by Geoffroy, Oli-
vier and Illiger in that of Noroxus, and by
Marsham in that of Lyrra. I formerly adopted
Geoffroy’s designation, but that name has since
been adopted by European naturalists for a very
different genus of insects.
PLATE X.
ANTHICUS BICOLOR.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish, thorax with a projecting horn, and
with the feet testaceous, immaculate.
DESCRIPTION.
Head very dark testaceous; front and vertex
covered by short incumbent hair of a silky
lustre: eyes black; thorax testaceous, immacu-
late; horn obtusely dentate each side, and some-
what bicarinate above ; scutel small, black ;
elytra purplish-black ; breast and abdomen testa-
ceous, sericeous; body with short imcumbent
hair ; feet naked.
OBSERVATIONS.
In the forests of New-Jersey, I have found
this little insect in the month of June, on the
leaves of the hickory (Jucuans tomentosa, Mi-
chaux), and of some other plants. The Rev.
John F. Melsheimer, an able Entomologist, in-
PLATE X.
formed me that he obtained many specimens
from the garden carrot. This species is allied
to the Noroxus serricornis of Panzer, fascicle
32, pl. 17.
The upper figures of the plate, of which the
smaller one indicates the natural size.
ANTHICUS MONODON. Fabdr.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Testaceous ; elytra with a black band and
spots.
SYNONYM.
Antuicus monopon. Fabr. Syst. Hleut. 1, p.
289.
DESCRIPTION.
Body above hairy: head with the vertex silky:
eyes fuscous: thorax with a lateral obscure spot :
horn obtusely dentate each side: scutel small:
PLATE X.
elytra with a black band on the middle; each
marked by two black spots at the base, of which
one is near the scutel, and the other on the
humerus; a black obsolete one near the tip:
abdomen silky. -
OBSERVATIONS.
Not uncommon. I have found it in June, on
the oak and other forest trees: it very much re-
sembles AnTuicus monoceros, of which Marsham
observes, “Thorax recta antrorsum exiens in
cornu nigricans ultra caput entensum, unde vere
monstrosa et insectis insolita facies.” 4. mono-
don was first described by Fabricius, but it has
not been hitherto figured.
Lower figures, of which the smaller indicates
the natural size.
PLATE X.
Engravd by Cu
SYRPHUS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne separate at base, shorter than the
head, advanced, nutant, triarticulate; third joint
orbicular or oval, compressed, with a seta near
the dorsal base; hypostoma tuberculated, but
not very remarkably prominent ; feet simple
and slender; wings incumbent parallel, central
transverse nervure placed almost perpendicu-
larly. 3
OBSERVATIONS.
This genus was included by Linné in his com-
prehensive genus Musca. In the Systema .Ant-
hatorum, Fabricius constructed a separate genus
under the name of Sczxva, for the reception of
many insects that he had formerly placed in his
genus Syrpnus. But it is now ascertained that
nearly or quite all the species retamed in the
latter belong to other genera, and particularly to
those of VoxtuceLua and Sericomyra. The
name SyrpHus being therefore disengaged, has
PLATE XI.
been very properly restored to its old species,
and, as far as I can learn, the name of Sc#va is
rejected by Meigen. Consequently, the nine
new species which I described in the Journal of
the Academy of Natural Sciences (vol. iii. p.
88.) under the name of Scxva, must now be
considered as belonging to the genus Syrpuus.
As it now stands, this genus is closely allied to
Minesra. Not one of our numerous species
was known to Fabricius.
The larve feed on Aphides or Plant-lice ;
the body is in the shape of an unequal cone,
large behind, attenuated to a point before, and
destitute of distinct feet. In order to suck out
the juices of their victim, they raise it from the
surface of the plant on which they rest. When
about to enter the pupa state, they attach them-
selves by a glutinous secretion to a fixed object,
the body contracts, and the anterior portion,
which was previously attenuated, becomes the
most dilated part.
PLATE XI.
SYRPHUS CYLINDRICUS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish, varied with yellow; abdomen, ex-
cepting the base of the tergum, yellow-ferrugi-
nous.
DESCRIPTION.
Mate. Head yellowish-white, somewhat sil-
very, polished ; anfennez more deeply tinged
with yellow; tubercle of the hypostoma a little
dusky at tip; eyes chesnut: thorax dark green-
ish-olivaceous, spot before the wings and scufel,
yellow: pleura black with yellow spots: pectus
black: feet, including the cox, pale yellow:
tergum yellowish-ferruginous ; first segment and
base of the second black; tip of the second seg-
ment either dull ferruginous or blackish; third
segment dull yellow, somewhat ferruginous at
base and tip: venter yellow at base, ferruginous
towards the tip.
PLATE XI.
OBSERVATIONS.
I have seen but two specimens, which are
both males, taken near Philadelphia. In form
of body it resembles the S. scalaris, Fabr., and
teniatus, Meig., of Europe. |
The upper figure of the plate.
SYRPHUS OBSCURUS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish-green; tergum with lateral full cu-
preous triangles.
DESCRIPTION.
Mare. Head metallic black, tinged with
green : antenne, third joint dull testaceous :
stethidium entirely blackish-green, polished, im-
maculate: feet dull testaceous, thighs blackish
at base: ¢ergum velvet-black, slightly tinged
with green; second segment with a dull coppery
semioval spot on the middle of the lateral mar-
PLATE XI.
gin, extending on the edge to the base and tip;
third and fourth segments each with a large dull
coppery triangular spot on each side at base, ap-
proaching closely towards each other on the
basal margin, and extending on the lateral edge
nearly to the tip; an obsolete, longitudinal, cen-
tral, dull coppery line, widely outspread on the
posterior margin, so as to attain to the posterior
angles: venter purplish or dusky, highly po-
lished.
OBSERVATIONS.
Of this also I have seen but two specimens,
both of which are males; one was taken near
Philadelphia, and the other at Chinquoteage,
Virginia.
The lower figure of the plate.
PLATE XI.
SYRPHUS OBLIQUUS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Thorax green-bronze, with a yellow dot be-
fore the wings; tergum bounded and spotted
with yellow. :
SYNONYM.
Sczeva ospiiqua. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sei-
ences, Vol. iil. p. 89.
DESCRIPTION.
Head yellow, a dusky line above the antenne ;
orbits yellow to the vertex; antennx blackish on
the superior edge: thorax dark green-bronze; a
yellow spot before the wings: scutel bright yel-
low: feet whitish; anterior tibia and tarsi a
little dilated, the latter with short joints; poste-
rior thighs with one obsolete band, their tibia
two banded; extremity of all the farsi dusky:
tergum black; first segment with a yellow basal
edge; second segment with a band at base, inter-
PLATE XI.
rupted into two oblong triangles, and a broader
one on its middle, yellow; third segment with
one arquated band; fourth and fifth segments
each with an oblique oblong-oval spot each side,
and two longitudinal lines on the middle, yel-
low.
Variety ¢ Band of the third segment of the
tergum interrupted into four small spots.
OBSERVATIONS.
A very pretty insect, not uncommon in gar-
dens on flowers, leaves, &c. The sexes are alike
in colour and markings.
The left figure of the plate. (This figure
represents the variety.)
PLATE XI.
SYRPHUS POLITUS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Thorax with a yellow line each side, and a
cinereous dorsal one; tergum with elie bands
and quadrate spots.
SYNONYM.
Sceva pouira. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sei-
ences, Vol. ill. p. 88.
DESCRIPTION.
Head yellow, above the antenne dusky sil-
very: thorax somewhat olivaceous, a yellow line
above the wings, and a dorsal cinereous one:
scutel dusky yellowish, with a paler margin: feet
whitish: fergum black; basal segment with the
basal and lateral edges yellow; second segment
with a transverse yellow band on the middle ;
third and fourth segments with a band and lon-
gitudinal line, each side of which latter is a
large, transverse, subtriangular spot, yellow ;
PLATE XI.
fifth segment with the yellow spots and _ base,
but destitute of the longitudinal line.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species, like the preceding, is very agree-
ably ornamented with the yellow lines and spots
that characterize it, and like that species it is
not unfrequent, yet I have but two imperfect
specimens, which are both females.
The right figure of the plate.
PLATE XT.
Hy at
nies aii 1
Dt hh
IGS
Hoh
uy
~ SS Ws) x
Drawn tv TRL cade 12 Engraved 6
SMERINTHUS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Tongue very short; antenne serrate; palpi
contiguous, short, terminal joint tuberculiform,
very short; anterior wings angulated ; anus
simple.
OBSERVATIONS.
Latreille constructed this genus to receive
such Linnean Sphinges as have a very short or
indistinct tongue. The species, although closely
allied to those of the genus from which they
were separated, are yet distinguishable by their
form of body and habits of life. ‘They are short,
robust, and generally remarkable by a hand-
some display of colours. ‘They are never seen
to shoot, like meteors through the air, from
flower to flower, balancing the body at each, in
order to extract sweets from the nectary, but,
unlike the Sphinx and Humming-bird, their
flight is heavy and reluctant, and they receive
food only in the state of repose.
PLATE XII. L
The larve are generally elongated, with late-
ral, oblique, coloured lines, and a prominent horn
on the upper part of the posterior extremity of
the body. They feed on leaves, and undergo
their change to the pupa state in the earth, with-
out the care of constructing any regular coccoon.
SMERINTHUS GEMINATUS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Inner angle of the posterior wings with a large
black spot, in which are two blue spots.
DESCRIPTION.
Head tinged with ferruginous before; vertex
white: antenne whitish, pectens brown; thorax
whitish, with a dark brown disk rounded before
and gradually dilating behind: superior wings
varied with brown and cinereous; a dark semi-
oval spot at the tip is obvious and remarkable :
inferior wings yellowish, with a red disk, and a
large deep black spot of a similar shape to that
of the thorax, including two blue spots.
PLATE XII.
OBSERVATIONS.
Closely allied to the ocellata of Europe, and
to the myops and excaecata of our own country,
but it may be distinguished from either by the
double blue spot in the black patch on the pos-
terior wings. The excaecata I have not seen,
and have therefore to rely on Abbott’s drawing
of that insect, as given by Smith in his splendid
work, the “Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia,”
where it is represented with a single large blue
spot, in the place of the two that exist on each
posterior wing of the present species. These
two spots seem to be constant as well as common
to both sexes.
The plate represents two views of the natural
size.
PLATE XII.
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ihe.
Ue wth
ony
(
Ray ee
WIS IE fh
Ip,
on!
—-—4
Engraved by CTibout
LEPTIS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne short, approximate, at base, triarticu-
late; basal joint cylindric; second cyathiform ;
third conic, not annulated, and terminated by a
long seta; stemmata three, situated on the ver-
tex ; proboscis and palpi exserted, the latter
pilose, with its second articulation elongated ;
wings divaricated ; halteres naked ; onychii
three; abdomen consisting of seven segments.
OBSERVATIONS.
The species were arranged by Linné in his
genus Musca. Fabricius, Meigen and Latreille,
in their earlier works, removed them from
Mosca, to form a distinct group, to which they
applied the name of Ruacro, including, as it
then stood, some species that have been since
separated, and now stand under the name of
Atuerrx. Those authors, in their subsequent
publications, finding that the appellation of Rua-
cio presented the inconvenience of a collision
PLATE XIII.
with that of a Coleopterous genus (RHAGiuM),
united in rejecting the word, and supplied its
place with that of Lepris, which I have adopted.
Some of the species are common; they are
predaceous; the larve are cylindrical, apodal.
with a small horny head, and live in the earth.
LEPTIS ORNATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Velvet-black ; thorax and abdominal bands
with whitish hair; wings hyaline; feet white.
SYNONYM.
Leptis oRNATA. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sei-
ences, Vol. ill. p. 34.
DESCRIPTION.
Hypostoma and front with silvery white hair:
thorax, particularly on its lateral margins, with
silvery hair very slightly tinted with yellow:
pleura, pectus and coxe black: feet pale yellow-
PLATE XIII.
ish: farst, except at base, fuscous: pozsers pale
yellow: fergum on the basal segment nearly
covered with silvery hair; remaining segments
each with a silvery band behind, occupying
nearly one half of its length, and interrupted in
the middle: venter immaculate.
OBSERVATIONS.
The specimen is a male. The species is an
inhabitant of Pennsylvania, and probably also of
several of the neighbouring states. It is very
closely allied to the thoracica of Fabricius, with
which it has probably been hitherto confounded ;
but it differs from that beautiful species by its
pellucid wings, pale tibia, broader bands of the
tergum, colour of the thoracic hair, and by hav-
ing silvery hair on the hypostoma and front. It
belongs to the second division of the genus, in
which the palpi are cylindrical, or slightly cla-
vate and recurved.
The upper left figure of the plate.
PLATE XITIT.
LEPTIS ALBICORNIS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pale testaceous; tergum with a dorsal series
of black spots; wings spotted and tipped with
fuscous.
SYNONYM.
Leptis ALBIcorNis. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat.
Sciences, vol. iii. p. 38.
DESCRIPTION.
Body above rufo-yellowish: hypostoma ches-
nut: antenne yellowish-white; seta black: palpi
and rostrum white: cheeks somewhat glaucous,
with whitish hair: ¢horax three or five lined
with black, the three intermediate lines being
obsoletely separate: scutel immaculate: wings
hyaline, costal margin tinged with yellowish;
nervures, particularly those of the inner margin,
those that are transverse, stigmata and tip of the
wing margined with fuscous, more obvious and
PLATE XIII.
dilated at the tip of the wing, and on each side
of those transverse nervures that are beyond the
middle: ¢ergum with a large rounded black spot
on each segment, and a black line on the lateral
edge.
OBSERVATIONS.
Very closely allied to L. scolopacea, Fabricius,
of Europe, but it differs from that insect in seve-
ral particulars, as in the colour of the antenne,
stethidium, feet, &c. The specimen is a male.
The upper right figure.
LEPTIS VERTEBRATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pale testaceous; tergum with a dorsal series
of black spots; wings immaculate.
SYNONYM.
LEPTIS VERTEBRATA. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat.
Sciences, vol. ili. p. 38.
PLATE XIII. M
DESCRIPTION.
Head black; terminal joint of the antennz,
excepting the seta, and palpi, pale: stethidium
blackish (in the female pale testaceous, with
obscure lineations): thorax with two obsolete
cinereous lines, and a pale humeral spot: scutel
and poisers pale-yellowish: wings hyaline, costal
margin tinged with testaceous, nervures brown:
feet pale testaceous, coxx, farsi, half of the pos-
terior thighs, and posterior tibia, black (coxe of
the female colour of the stethidium): tergum
yellowish, segments each with a fuscous or
blackish spot above, and a line on the lateral
edge; the dorsal spots of the posterior segments
are extended into bands: venfer blackish on the
terminal joints.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species, as well as the albicornis, belongs
to Meigen’s first division of the genus, in which
the palpi are elongate-conic, and incumbent on
the proboscis. It resembles the albicornis, but
the wings are immaculate, &c.
The lower left figure.
PLATE XIII.
LEPTIS FASCIATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Velvet-black; thorax with golden-yellow hair ;
tergum fasciate with white; wings hyaline with
a large brown stigma.
SYNONYM.
Lertis FascraTa. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat.
Sciences, vol. ili. p. 37.
DESCRIPTION.
The fundamental colour of the fhorax is the
same with that of the other parts of the body;
hypostoma in a particular light cinereous; pleura
and pectus dark lurid; poisers fuscous, scapus
whitish; wing nervures brown, stigma rather
large, brown and distinct; ferguwm on the poste-
rior margin of each segment banded with yel-
lowish; venter immaculate ; feet whitish, thighs
reddish-brown towards their bases, farsi dusky at
tip.
PLATE XIII.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits Pennsylvania. ‘The nervures of the
Wings are arranged as in Meigen’s second divi-
sion, and the insect has much the appearance in
miniature of L. ¢thoracica of Fabricius.
The lower right figure.
PLATE XIIT.
wat
5 we
BERYTUS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne four-jointed, filiform, elongated, ge-
niculated in the middle, inserted above a line
drawn from the eyes to the base of the labrum;
first joint very long, clavate at tip; second and
third joints intimately connected so as to appear
as one; last joint short and oval; body filiform ;
feet elongated, thighs clavate.
OBSERVATIONS.
This is one of the many genera that have
been very properly separated from the Linnean
Cimex by Fabricius under the name I have
adopted, and under that of Nemes by Latreille.
It is very distinct in appearance from either of
its neighbourmg genera, and is remarkable for
its slender form of body and limbs.
PLATE XIV.
BERYTUS SPINOSUS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Obscure reddish-brown; terminal joint of the
antenne fuscous; thorax punctured; a strong
spine before the posterior feet.
DESCRIPTION.
Antenne longer than the body, terminal joint
fuscous, yellowish at base and tip: eyes black:
stemmata sanguineous, distant, placed very far
back, almost lateral: clypeus produced, conic;
rostrum as long as the thorax, inflected, and
placed in a groove beneath: thorax gibbous be-
hind, punctures large and crowded: scutel with
an elevated spine: elytra nervous, with a black
costal spot near the tip: posterior feet longest ;
a spine each side as thick as the thighs, originat-
ing before the posterior cox, curving upward
above the elytra, and abruptly attenuated near
the tip: abdomen depressed, fusiform, margined ;
margin paler.
PLATE XIy.
OBSERVATIONS.
Of this genus Fabricius has described two spe-
cies, of which the ¢ipularius appears to be very
like this insect—at least as far as I can judge
from description, having no opportunity to con-
sult a figure of either insect of the genus. One
specimen in my cabinet has the antennz rather
shorter, and on the thorax are three lines a little
elevated, one of which is dorsal and two mar-
ginal, with a two-lobed raised transverse spot be-
fore: this may be a sexual variety, or possibly
a distinct species; but, for want of sufficient
knowledge of them, I will not, at present, incur
the responsibility of separating them.
The smaller figure in the plate denotes the
natural size.
PLATE XIV.
aA {
aye
»
VIN 8G. oF
0.
Drawn év LER.Peale . f 15 f Lngravd by L Lied.
PELECINUS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne with not more than fourteen joints ;
tongue trifid; neck not apparent; posterior tibia
clavate; abdomen slender, elongated, filiform,
inserted at the posterior and inferior extremity
of the metathorax.
PELECINUS POLYCERATOR. Drury.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Black; antenne with a white annulus; pos-
terior tibia sericeous on the inside.
SYNONYMS.
IcHNEUMON POLYTURATOR. Drury, vol. ii. pl.
40, fig. 4.
PeLEecinus potyceRATOR. Fabr. Latr.
PLATE XV.
DESCRIPTION.
Head with a compressed, elevated, scale-like
tooth at the inner base of each antenna: antenne,
tenth joint and half of the ninth joint white:
wings, nervures and costal margin fuscous: fee,
two anterior pairs blackish-piceous ; posterior
pair black, polished, the tibia much dilated at
tip and much dilated on the inner side, the tarsi
piceous.
OBSERVATIONS.
A truly singular insect, not uncommon in
various parts of the United States. Its flight is
slow and awkward, and when taken it endea-
vours to force the point of the abdomen through
the skin of the hand, but its strength not ade-
quate to the task. The whole abdomen resem-
bles a much elongated pedicle, from which the
abdomen itself, or dilated portion, has been acci-
dentally removed.
The plate exhibits two views of the insect.
natural size, and a wing somewhat magnified, to
show the arrangement of the nervures.
PLATE XV.
a
tLe
Fngravad by
BLAPS.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Mentum small, or moderately large, quadrate
or orbicular ; palpi terminated by a larger joint ;
terminal joint of the maxillary palpi securiform ;_
mandibles naked to their base; clypeus termi-
nated by a straight line; labrum transverse; an-
tenn moniliform at tip, third joint much larger
than the fourth; back flat; thorax almost quad-
rate; elytra acute at tip.
BLAPS SUTURALIS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish; elytra scabrous, grooved, reddish-
brown, punctured; lateral thoracic margin re-
flected.
PLATE XVI.
SYNONYM.
Buars sururauis. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat.
Sciences, vol. iii. p. 257.
DESCRIPTION.
Body black-brown, punctured: antennz, third
joint longer than the fourth and fifth conjointly ;
fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh equal obconico-
cylindric; eighth obconic-orbicular, shorter than
the preceding ; remaining joints nearly equal to
the eighth, globose; the terminal one somewhat
conic-compressed : /abrum prominent, emargi-
nate, and with very short yellow hairs at tip:
thorax transverse-quadrate ; edge deeply concave
before ; lateral margin dilated, reflected ; lateral
edge regularly arquated, slightly excurved at
base; posterior edge slightly flexuose, nearly rec-
tilinear ; angles acute, anterior ones with a small
excurved point; punctures of the disk acute, dis-
tant; two obsolete indented spots behind the
middle: scutel impunctured, distinct, acute: ely-
tra with seven grooves, the four sutural ones
each with a single series of elevated points, re-
maining grooves with numerous points; a series
of points on each of the interstitial lines; lateral
PLATE XVI.
edge reflected, slightly elevated, acute; a sutural,
common, reddish-brown margin: epipleura sca-
brous and punctured, with four or five obsolete
impressed strie: feet scabrous, anterior thighs
slightly dilated beneath before the tip into an
obtuse angle.
Length one inch nearly.
OBSERVATIONS.
During the progress of Major Long’s expedi-
tion up the Missouri, that enterprising and excel-
lent officer entrusted me with the direction of a
small party of thirteen persons, destined to ex-
plore the country on the south side of that ex-
tended river. After encountering many obstacles
and privations which it is unnecessary to enume-
merate, the party arrived at the village of the
Konza Indians, hungry, fatigued, and out of
health. Commiserating our situation, these sons
of nature, although suffering under the injustice
of white people, received us with their charac-
teristic hospitality, and ameliorated our condition
by the luxuries of repletion and repose. Whilst
sitting in the large earth-covered dwelling of the
principal chief, in presence of several hundred. of
his people, assembled to view the arms, equip-
PLATE XVI.
ments, and appearance of the party, I enjoyed
the additional gratification to see an individual of
this fine species of Biaps running towards us
from the feet of the crowd. The act of empal-
ing this unlucky fugitive at once conferred upon
me the respectful and mystic title of “ medicine
man,” from the superstitious faith of that simple
people.
On the subsequent journey towards the Rocky
Mountains, several specimens occurred, together
with other insects of the same classical division,
till then unknown.
The upper right figure.
BLAPS ACUTA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish ; elytra scabrous, grooved ; dilated
sutural margin reddish-brown ; exterior edge
acute ; thoracic margin not reflected.
PLATE XVI.
SYNONYM.
Buars acuta. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sciences,
vol. il. p. 258.
DESCRIPTION.
Body blackish, punctured: head with larger
punctures than those of the thorax: anfennx as
in the preceding species: Jabrum prominent,
emarginate, with short yellow hairs at tip: thorax
subquadrate ; anterior edge concave; punctures
minute, separate; lateral margin not reflected ;
lateral edge regularly arquated, a little excurved
at base; posterior edge nearly rectilinear: scutel
impunctured: elytra grooved; the four sutural
grooves with a single series of elevated points ;
interstitial lines with about one series of distant
punctures ; sutural margin obsoletely reddish-
brown; exterior edge acute: epiplewra obsoletely
grooved, scabrous, punctured, and from the base
to near the middle tinged with reddish-brown :
anterior thighs dilated, and armed with a promi-
nent spine near the tip.
Length nearly one inch and one-fifth.
PLATE XVI.
OBSERVATIONS.
The gradually recurved form of the lateral
margin of the thorax in the preceding species,
gives to the whole thorax a somewhat concave
appearance, notwithstanding the convexity of the
disk. In this conformation the present insect is
obviously distinct, although very similar as re-
spects general colour, the form of the elytra,
feet, and abdomen. ‘The thorax here exhibits a
regular convexity, which gradually subsides to-
wards the lateral edges. 'This species occurred
in Missouri, near Council Bluff.
The upper left figure.
BLAPS OBSCURA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish ; elytra scabrous, grooved, dark red-
dish-brown, margin rounded, thoracic margin
not reflected.
PLATE XVI.
SYNONYM.
Buars osscura. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sei-
ences, Vol. Hl. p. 259.
DESCRIPTION.
This species resembles the preceding, but the
thorax is proportionally longer, the elytra are of
a dull reddish-brown colour, approaching to pice-
ous, and the lateral margin is rounded so as to
exhibit no edge.
Length more than one inch.
OBSERVATIONS.
I obtained this insect in the country bordering
the river Platte, within a hundred miles of the
Rocky Mountains.
The lower left figure.
PLATE XVI.
BLAPS HISPILABRIS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blackish; elytra scabrous, grooved; sutural
margin obsoletely reddish-brown; labrum with
black, rigid hairs. 3
SYNONYM.
Buaes uisprnABris. Nobis. Journ. Acad. Nat.
Sciences, vol. iii. p. 259.
DESCRIPTION.
In form of the elytra, their lateral curve, ro-
tundity of edge, sculpture and colour, this spe-
cies resembles the obscura; but the anterior
angles of the thorax are distinctly excurved and
acute, the posterior angles viewed from above
exhibit no excurvature; the scutel is proportion-
ally smaller and more rounded, and the labrum
is distinctly armed with many black rigid hairs
extending forward, and projecting beyond the
extremity of the labrum.
PLATE XVI.
Length more than four-fifths of an inch.
Inhabits Missouri.
The lower right figure; the figure near the
bottom of the plate is a magnified representation
of an antenna.
PLATE XVI.
oi 1
oh ase o'ipeit b- pith ony
nipitahie jae, os bes Ai PQA t§
hae
ce
i,
WG
hi
bee
; ei
Linipaved bvLONGHAE
ARGYNNIS.
Partmuio. Lin.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne terminated by a short club: palpi
divaricating, second joint compressed, broad,
hairy; third joint terminating abruptly by a
short, slender, acute joint: inferior wings sub-
orbicular; anterior feet short, feeble: tarsi with
double nails.
OBSERVATIONS.
Many species of this genus are beautifully
decorated with spots on the lower surface of the
inferior wings, resplendent with all the brilliancy
of polished silver, or rivalling the milder, but
not less attractive lustre, of precious opal. The
superior surface of the wings is varied with red
or orange, agreeably relieved by spots or lines of
black or brown. The larva: or caterpillar is
armed with spines, and the pupa or chrysalis
attaches itself by the tail to a fixed object, in
PLATE XVII.
order to pass its destined period of quiescent pre-
paration, for its change to the perfect, adult or
butterfly state.
Linné included the species in his genus Papt-
L10, but Fabricius separated them as a distinct
group under the name we have here adopted.
ARGYNNIS DIANA. Cramer.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Wings above black-brown, with a very broad
fulvous exterior margin, in which are a few
blackish spots and nervures.
SYNONYMS.
Parmro Diana. Cramer, Ins. vol. ii. p. 4, pl.
98, fig. D. E.
Le P. Diane. Encycl. Method. Insectes, pl. 35,
f. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Body above black-brown: vertex, and anterior
PLATE XVII.
sides of the thorax, ferruginous: wings on the
basal two-thirds blackish-brown; the outer third
pale fulvous, on the superior wings divided by
blackish-brown margined nervures, and marked
by two distant series of dots of a similar colour,
the exterior of which is obsolete ; on the margin
of the inferior wings the two series of dots are
hardly to be traced: beneath, on the superior
wings, the blackish-brown basal portion has from
six to eight ochraceous spots, of which the ex-
ternal ones are longitudinal, and those nearer the
base are nearly transverse; intervening between
these two sets of spots, are two opalescent spots,
placed transversely, and sometimes confluent ;
exterior third of the wing ochraceous, deeper to-
wards the anterior angle, and with two distinct
fuscous spots; inferior wings, on the basal two-
thirds reddish-brown, with two small distant
silvery spots on the anterior margin, and a series
of obsolete dull silvery lines behind the middle ;
exterior third of these wings ochraceous, with a
marginal series of seven short silvery lines.
OBSERVATIONS.
The present species, though not remarkable
for any superior gaiety of colouring, interests by
PLATE XVII.
the simple contrast of blackish and pale orange
colours, of its superior surface, as well as by the
rows of slender silvery lines which decorate the
under page of its inferior wings.
I have taken this insect in Georgia, East Flo-
rida, Arkansaw, and Missouri, but have not yet
met with it in Pennsylvania. Cramer described
his specimen, in the collection of Mr. J. C. Syl-
vius Van Lennep, and states it to have been
taken in Virginia. He has applied to it the ter-
restrial name of the daughter of Jupiter and
Latona, and the twin sister of Apollo, in pursu-
ance of the example of Linné, who thus endea-
voured to connect Entomology with Mythology
and the civil history of antiquity.
The plate represents two views of this species,
beneath which is an enlarged palpus.
PLATE XVII.
CICINDELA.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antenne filiform; clypeus shorter than the
labrum ; maxilla monodactyle, with two very
distinct palpi, of which the exterior one is nearly
equal to the labial palpi, penultimate joint of the
latter hairy; mentum trifid, the divisions nearly
equal in length; feet slender, elongated ; ante-
rior tibia without a sinus near the tip.
OBSERVATIONS.
A very natural and interesting group of in-
sects. Many species inhabit this country, the
more common of which, such as the vulgaris,
sex-guttata and punctulata, are familiar to most
persons who delight in rural scenery. They in-
habit arid situations, run and fly swiftly, and live
upon prey, which they seize by means of their
somewhat elongated and very acute mandibles.
PLATE XVIII.
CICINDELA DECEMNOTATA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Green, above tinged with cupreous; elytra
margined with bright green or bluish; four
white spots and an intermediate refracted band.
DESCRIPTION.
Labrum three-toothed, white: mandibles black,
base white: elytra with a white spot on the
shoulder, another equidistant from the first and
the band: band broad, arising from the middle
of the margin, refracted at the centre of the ely-
trum, and terminated near the suture in a line
with the tip of the third spot; this spot is large,
orbicular, and placed near the external tip of the
terminal one, which is transverse and triangular :
body beneath green: trochanters and tail purple.
OBSERVATIONS.
The specimen from which this description and
the annexed representation were taken, is a
PLATE XVII.
female, the only one I have seen: it was caught
by Mr. Nuttall, on the sandy alluvions of the
Missouri, above the confluence of the river
Platte.
Upper figure of the plate.
CICINDELA FORMOSA.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Red cupreous, brilliant; elytra with a three
branched, broad white margin.
DESCRIPTION.
Front hairy: labrum large, three-toothed :
elytra with a broad white border, anterior and
posterior branches short, intermediate one flexu-
ous, nearly reaching the suture; edge of the
elytra green: body beneath green or purple-blue,
very hairy: thighs blue, tibia green.
Length seven-tenths, breadth one-fourth of an
inch.
PLATE XVIII.
OBSERVATIONS.
A beautiful species; it was captured by Mr.
Thomas Nuttall, on the sandy alluvions of the
Missouri river, above the confluence of the
Platte.
Lower figure of the plate.
PLATE XVIII.
IN DEX.
COLEOPTERA.
Cicindela *decemnotata - - - - Puare 18.
*formosa - - - - = = = —
Scarabeus tityus - - - - - - - - 4,
Blaps *suturalis - - - - - - - - 16.
*aCUta = - = - = a) Se Sipe to
*obscura- - - = - = = = = —
*hispilabris - - - - - - - - —
Anthicus *bicolor - - - - - - - - 10.
monodon - - - - - = = —
Wytta- *nuttalli; -- - + -* -- - ~'-hieib sey e73.
*albida s —.< = 4 = > eieiae = ae
*maculata - - - - - - - = —
*sphericollis - - - - - - - —
Nemognatha *immaculata - - - - - 7%.
Calandra tredecim-punctata - - - - - 9
variety - - - - - —
*quinque-punctata - - - - - —
*compressirostra - - - - - —
INDEX.
ORTHOPTERA.
Acrydium *ornatum - - -
*lateralis - - -
HEMIPTERA.
Berytus *spinosus - - - -
HYMENOPTERA.
Pelicinus polycerator - - -
Stirzus *grandis ey ae
*unicinetus ORT E78
LEPIDOPTERA.
Papilio philenor- - - - -
Argynnis diana - - - - -
Smerinthus *geminata - = -
DIPTERA.
Leptis *ornata_ -
*albicornis
*vertebrata
*fasciata
PuaTeE 5.
14.
lari
12.
13.
INDEX.
Laphria *fulvicauda - - - - - Puate 6.
*sericea - - - - - - = = —
*dorsata - - - - - - - - —
Syrphus *cylindrieus - - - - - - = If.
ST OUSCIPUS. 0 cesses | ei at oe
*obliquus - - - - - - - —
*politus - - - = = - = - =
Xylota *quadrata
*ejuncida <)-- 0- .cy.5 = =. 2 ==
6
8
8
t)
L
4
t
a
2
*proxima - - - - - - = = —
WESTIN ALOM ESS i ee ee
In the above enumeration, asterisks are prefixed
to such species as have been first described by the
author.
END OF VOL. I.
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