The Insect World / Being a Popular Account of the Orders of Insects; Together with a Description of the Habits and Economy of Some of the Most Interesting Species

by Louis Figuier

Fig. 426.—Goliathus Derbyana.		Fig. 427.—Goliathus Polyphemus.

The Trichius fasciatus, sometimes called the Bee Beetle, is very common in the environs of Paris. Geoffroy has described it under the rather quaint name of the "Livrée d'Ancre," because the Marquis of Ancre made his servants wear yellow coats, bordered by braid alternately crossed with green and yellow.

Fig. 428.—Goliathus cacicus, male.

Fig. 429.—Goliathus cacicus, female.

The Osmoderma eremita is a large insect, of purple colour, formerly common in the environs of Paris, and which, now-a-days, cannot be found nearer than Fontainebleau. One must look for them in earth which fills up the cavity of old willows or of pear trees. The smell of Russia leather, or of plum, which it exhales, has caused it to be called, in some places, the Plum-tree Beetle.