BUPRESTIDIE, bu-pres'ti-de, a family of coleopterous insects (betties), many of which are remarkable for the splendor of their appear ance. This family is included in the pentamerous section of Coleoptera, which was formed by Latreille, and so named because the members of it have five joints in the tarsi. The char acteristics of the Buprestide are: body ovate, elongated, somewhat broad and obtuse in front, but pointed behind; eyes oval, with the antenna finely serrate inserted between them; jaws powerful. The larva are mostly wood-borers although some of the smaller species mine in leaves or galls. They walk slowly, but fly with great rapidity, especially in warm weather. They are very fond of sunning themselves on bushes or the branches of trees. When one attempts to seize them, sometimes even when one approaches them, they allow themselves to fall suddenly to the earth, or fly rapidly away. There are several hundred species belonging to this family, over 200 species occurring in North America, and the tropical species are those which are chiefly distinguished by the brilliancy of their colors. The prevailing color appears to
be green, but species are often found of a blue, red, golden or other color. The most injurious is the Chrysobothris fermorata, an apple borer. The largest are the B. Chalcophora, which bore into pines. The B. gigas of Linnteus, which is about two inches in length, and one of the largest of the family, has bright golden elytra, or wing-cases, which are often used as orna ments by the inhabitants of South America, of which continent it is a native.
a large genus of annual and perennial herbs (Buiens) of the family Asteracee, mostly natives of North America, but widely distributed in other countries, chiefly as weeds, but some as garden plants. The best-known ornamental species is B. grandiflora, a native of Mexico. Several species are common in eastern North America, where they are variously known as devil's bootjack, stick-tight, beggar-tick, Spanish needle, etc. They are especially troublesome in wool and on clothing, to which the seeds stick like burs. Some species are valuable as honey plants.