Phyllopertha horticola. The garden beetle. It is thus described by Mr. Curtis: - "It is about four lines and a half long, and three broad. Its elytra, or wing cases, are reddish-brown, shining, and do not reach quite to the extremity of the body; the head and thorax are dark green. It appears on the leaves of the apple and pear in June, feeding on the very young fruit. When alarmed it feigns death, by falling on its back, and extending its legs in a stiffened manner, and in different directions. The female deposits her eggs in the earth, and the larvae feed on the roots of plants.

The only method we are acquainted with of lessening the numbers of these beetles, is to collect and destroy them early in the morning, or late in the evening, when they may be found sticking to the plants, and they can readily be seen from their colour and size. During the day, and particularly if the weather is hot, they fly about with great swiftness, and are not easily caught." - Gard. Chron.