THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
PRESENTED BY
PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID
-
BRITISH BEETLES.
.Plate. 1.
BRITISH BEETLES
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF OUR
INDIGENOUS COLEOPTERA.
BY E. C. RYE,
MEMBER OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF FRANCE AND STETTIN
AND EDITOR (FOB COLEOPTEEA) OF THE 'ENTOMOLOGIST'S
MONTHLY MAGAZINE.'
LONDON:
LOVELL REEYE & CO., o, HENEIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN
1866.
J. E. TAYLOR AND CO., PRINTKBS,
LITTLE QUEEN STBEET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS.
If the practical spirit of the present age did
not despise such empty compliments as dedica-
tions, I would inscribe this little Volume to
EDWARD NEWMAN;
whose great and disinterested love for the
Insect World is scarcely excelled by his un-
wavering attachment to the Cause of Truth.
E. C. E.
M352897
PREFACE.
THE large amount of subject matter and the compara-
tively limited space at my disposal render it impossible
that the present volume should assume the most useful
form, viz. that of a complete Dictionary. Neither is it
desirable that it should be a mere Grammar, consisting
solely of dry rules. It must, therefore, be somewhat on
the scheme of a Delectus ; combining extracts from the
biographies of individual objects with principles of clas-
sification and hints for obtaining further knowledge.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to introduce the
" popular element " (so attractive a bait for study) into
a book treating on Beetles. Unlike butterflies and
moths, they are not familiar objects ; or, if so, are not
considered friendly : nor is much known of their earlier
stages, on account of the difficulty of rearing them in
Viii PREFACE.
confinement; damp, darkness, and quiet being neces-
sities for their development. Neither do they, like bees,
ants, etc., exhibit any wonderful instincts in their per-
fect state : so that little remains to notice beyond their
actual structure ; which is, luckily, so varied and adapted
to their numerous ways and means of life as to afford a
never-ending subject for discovery, instruction, and de-
light. Here, however, we are met by fresh difficulties
in the path of investigation ; since the two points of
size and colour, usually of primary importance to be-
ginners in any study of natural objects, are of less help
than usual in the Order Coleoptera, owing to their fre-
quent instability ; and the detail of minute differences
necessitates the use of peculiar terms, incapable of con-
version into " plain English/'
Nevertheless, the field for observation is so exten-
sive, the cost of implements so small, the collection
of material alike so easy and so conducive to health,
and the material itself so readily manipulated (owing to
the hard integuments of most species of beetles), and
affording scope for so many interesting observations,
that few who have commenced can abandon the pleasing
labour.
The student desiring further acquaintance with the
principles of classification, etc. (too generally neglected
PREFACE. IX
by English Coleopterists), will do well to consult the
works of Lacordaire and Westwood mentioned in the
present volume ; from which authors the majority of
the characters in it are taken .
E. C. RYE.
284, King's Rood, Chelsea, London, 8. W.,
February, 1866.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
ON THE RELATIONS AND DIVISIONS OP THE CLASS INSECTA . 1
CHAPTER II.
EEMAEKS UPON THE STEUCTUEE, METAMOEPHOSES, ETC., OF
COLEOPTERA 9
CHAPTER III.
ON THE TEEMS USED IN DESCRIPTIONS OF COLEOPTEEA . 16
CHAPTER IY.
ON THE EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF THE COLEOPTEEA ... 21
CHAPTER V.
BOOKS USEFUL TO THE STUDENT OF BRITISH COLEOPTEEA . 29
CHAPTER VI.
INSTEUMENTS, ETC., EEQUIEED FOR COLLECTING, MOUNTING
AND PEESEEVING COLEOPTERA . 31
CHAPTER YII.
HINTS ON COLLECTING 38
CHAPTER VIII.
ON THE SECTIONS AND FAMILIES OF THE COLEOPTERA . . 41
CHAPTER IX.
THE GEODEPHAGA, OR LAND CARNIVOEOUS BEETLES ... 43
,
Xll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X. PAQB
THE HYDRADEPHAGA, OE AQUATIC CARNIVOROUS BEETLES . 60
CHAPTER XI.
THE BRACHELTTRA, OR " ROVE-BEETLES " 68
CHAPTER XII.
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES 92
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LAMELLICORNES, OR " CHAFERS " . . 110
CHAPTER XIV.
THE STERNOXI, OR " SKIPJACKS " AND THEIR ALLIES . . 126
CHAPTER XV.
THE MALACODERMI 135
CHAPTER XVI.
THE HETEROMERA 152
CHAPTER XVII.
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR " WEEVILS " 174
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE LONGICORNES 201
CHAPTER XIX.
THE EUPODA, OR PHYTOPHAGA 211
CHAPTER XX.
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA 226
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOFTERA 241
INDEX . . 271
LIST OF PLATES.
PLATE I.
1. Cicindela sylvatica.
2. Lebia crux-minor.
3. Brachinus crepitans.
4. Clivina collaris.
5. Carabus nitens.
6. Licinus silphoides.
PLATE II.
1. Callistus lunatus.
2. Anchomenus sexpuncta-
tus.
3. Pterostichus piciraaiius.
4. Amara fulva.
5. Dichirotrichus obsoletus.
6. Bembidium pallidipeune.
PLATE III.
1. Dytiscus punctulatus
(male).
2. Agabus maculatus.
3. Hydroporus rivalis.
4. Haliplus obliquus.
5. Pelobius Hermanni.
6. Gyrinus bicolor.
PLATE IV.
1. Atemeles emarginatus.
2. Bolitobius atricapillns.
3. Quedius cmentus.
4. Creophilus maxillosus.
5. Xantholinus fulgidus.
6. Paederus caligatus.
PLATE V.
1. Dianous cserulescens.
2. Oxyporus rufus.
3. Homalium planum.
4. Phloeobium clypeatum.
5. Prognatha quadricornis.
6. Micropeplus margaritSB.
PLATE VI.
1. Necropborus mortuorum.
XIV
LIST OP PLATES.
2. Eumicrus tarsatus.
3. Anisotoma cinnamomea.
4. Hister bimaculatus.
5. Soronia punctatissima.
6. Cicones variegatus.
PLATE VII.
1. Cryptophagus scanicus.
2. Mycetophagus multipunc-
tatus.
3. Byn-hus fasciatus.
4. Helophorus rugosus.
5. Hydrobius fuscipes.
6. Trichius fasciatus.
PLATE VIII.
1. Phyllopertha horticola.
2. Typhous valgaris.
3. Aphodius inquinatus.
4. Dorcus parallelopipedus.
5. Agrilus biguttatus.
6. Melasis buprestoides.
PLATE IX.
1. Elater sanguinolentus.
2. Dictyopterus Aurora.
3. Drilus flavescens (male).
4. Telephorus clypeatus.
5. Clems formicarius.
6. Hyleca3tus dermestoides
(male).
PLATE X.
1. Hedobia imperialis.
2. Crypticus quisquilius.
3. Helops pallidus.
4. Orchesia undulata.
5. Notoxus monoceros.
6. Khipiphorus paradoxus
(male).
PLATE XI.
1. Sitaris muralis.
2. (Edemera cserulea (male).
3. Rhinosimus viridipennis.
4. Brachy tarsus scabrosus.
5. Bhynchites aequatus.
6. Phytonomus trilineatus.
PLATE XII.
1. Otiorhynchus picipes.
2. Balaninus villosus.
3. Cryptorhynchus lapathi.
4. Cleonus blattariaB.
5. Cossonus linearis.
6. Hylesinus vittatus.
PLATE XIII.
1. Xyloterus lineatus.
2. Platypus cylindrus.
3. Callidium alni.
4 . Acanthocinus sedilis (male) .
5. Saperda scalaris.
6. Molorchus umbellatarura.
PLATE XIV.
1. Strangalia armata (var.).
2. Haemonia Curtisii.
LIST OF PLATES.
XV
3. Crioceris asparagi.
4. Cryptocephalus bilineatus.
5. Chrysomela distinguenda.
6. Calomicrus circumfusus.
PLATE XV.
1. Phyllotreta ochripes.
2. Apteropeda graminis.
3. Cassida sanguinolenta.
4. Tritoma bipustulata.
5. Coccinella 22-punctata.
6. Endomychus coccineus.
PLATE XVI.
1. Corylophus cassidoides.
2. Ptenidium apicale.
3. Lathridius lardarius.
4. Pselaphus Heisii.
5. Euplectus namis.
6. Claviger foveolatus.
BRITISH BEETLES,
(COLEOPTEEA.)
CHAPTER I.
ON THE KELATIONS AND DIVISIONS OF THE CLASS
INSECTA.
As this volume is intended solely for the use of beginners
in entomology, and especially those who desire to be ac-
quainted with the leading groups and peculiarities of
structure, etc., of Beetles (or Coleoptera), as exhibited
by our British species, it is perhaps advisable to com-
mence with a brief statement of the relative position in
the scale of creation held by the class Insecta, in which
the Coleoptera are usually accorded the place of honour.
To begin, then, at the very beginning. The Animal
Kingdom is divided into two great sub-kingdoms : the
VERTEBRATA, or animals with a spinal column (compris-
ing Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, and Pisces ; or Beasts,
Birds, Reptiles, and Fishes) ; and the INVERTEBRATA,
wherein the spinal column is wanting. The separation
is at once so decided, and apparently natural, that no
2 BRITISH BEETLES.
difficulty can well arise about it, except, perhaps, in the
case of the Tortoises (Chelonia) among the Reptiles, which
might puzzle a superficial observer; their shell, however,
is merely an abnormal development of the ordinary ver-
tebrse, ribs, and chest-bones.
The Invertebrata are again composed of three sec-
tions, the Mollusca, Articulata (to which insects be-
long), and Radiata, with which the animal kingdom
terminates, as far as we know.
The Mollusca (whereof the Cuttle-fish, Nautilus, Snail,
Whelk, Oyster, and Ship-worm are familiar examples)
are comparatively mere lumps of muscular fibre, mostly
contained in a shell, which is either single, bivalve, or
tubular; they have no articulated limbs or solid lever
points except their shells ; their blood is either devoid
of colour, or slightly bluish, circulation being effected by
a muscular heart, with a system of arteries and veins ;
the nutritive organs occupy the greater part of the body,
through which the nervous system is vaguely distributed ;
and in habit they are both terrestrial and aquatic, the
land species breathing air, and those that live in the
water having branchiae, or gills ; the latter are by far the
most numerous portion, some inhabiting salt water,
others fresh.
The Articulata have the body and limbs composed
of different segments or rings, to the inner side of which
the muscles are attached, in short, they may be said to
carry their skeletons outside. Most of them have hard
outer coverings; but in the lowest class the body is soft,
formed of skin folded into many rings, and sometimes
not possessing any distinct head or jaws, wherein they
differ from the other articulated animals. It is remark-
able, by the way, that the jaws of the Articulata open
RELATIONS AND DIVISIONS OF INSECTA. 3
from side to side always, and not up and down, as in the
Vertebrata.
There is no head-brain in this section, but a series of
nervous ganglia (or "depots"), connected by thin double
cords of nerves running along the abdominal surface,
and giving off nervous radiations on each side. In the
lowest conditions there is a separate ganglion to each
segment (connected as above), so that there is a centre
of vitality in every division of the body, hence the mar-
vellous tenacity of life in worms, etc., and the capability
of reproducing limbs, when mutilated, in the other
classes. From the circumstance of the nervous cords
running along the ventral surface in the *Articulata, they
have been said to walk on their backs, as the spinal co-
lumn is dorsal in all the Vertebrata. The classes of
Articulata are the Crustacea, Araclmida, Insecta, My-
riapoda, and Annelida.
The Crustacea have a distinct heart and white blood ;
they breathe through branchiae or branchial plates, ge-
nerally situated at the base of the legs or lower jaws ;
their body is covered with an integument, varying from
an earthy hardness to a leathery texture, and in the for-
mer case, composed chiefly of carbonate of lime; they
have jointed limbs, and are invariably wingless ; and the
head, nearly always merged in the thorax, has four ari-
tennse and two mandibles, with other jaws varying in
number, often ten. Some have but one eye, the rest
only two (which are frequently elevated on a retractile
foot-stalk), and the legs are generally ten, but sometimes
more ; finally, the sexes are distinct, in which they differ
from some Mollusca. The Crab, Lobster, Cray-fish,
Prawn, Shrimp, Wood-louse, and Brine-shrimp, are
well-known members of this class, which has inhabitants
of the sea, fresh water, and dry land. B 2
4 BRITISH BEETLES.
The members of the next class, Arachmda, have mostly
eight legs, though some have ten ; their body is com-
posed of two distinct parts, the head (or cephalo -thorax]
and abdomen, in some cases even these being joined so
closely as scarcely to admit of distinction. In others^
the Scorpions, etc., the abdomen is composed of many
rings, and the palpi are developed so as to look like two
additional legs. They are all without antennae, and
wingless, arid do not undergo the complete metamor-
phoses of insects, being mostly hatched at once from the
egg, and growing afterwards only in size ; they breathe
either through internal air-gills (pulmonary sacs), or by
radiated tracheae, varying from two to eight in number,
and opening into spiracles (or breath-holes) on the lower
part of the abdomen or sides of the head ; their covering
is mostly leathery (but harder in the Scorpions), and
their eyes vary from two to eight, being placed in dif-
ferent positions on the head (or cephalo -thorax] ; the
heart is long and large, circulation taking place by
means of arteries and veins, and the sexes are always
distinct, as in insects ; they mostly possess the peculiar
faculty of reproducing their limbs when mutilated, and
they engender more than once during life, both which
circumstances assist in separating them from the latter
class. Spiders, Scorpions, and Mites are well-known
representatives of the Arachmda.
The Insecta, by far the most numerous in species of
any corresponding group throughout the animal king-
dom, have in their perfect state six legs only (although
in these, as in other organs, some are often abnormal or
undeveloped), two antennae, and two compound eyes,
composed of many facets. They differ from the Crus-
tacea in always breathing atmospheric air through late-
RELATIONS AND DIVISIONS OF INSECTA. 5
ral spiracles by ramified tracheae (or air- pipes); from the
Arachnida in having the body divided into three distinct
portions, head, thorax, and abdomen, and also for the
reasons above given; and from the Myriapoda by the
typical number of the segments of the body being only
thirteen ; these segments really exist, and are more easily
seen in the larval state,, but they are united to form the
three distinct parts above mentioned in the perfect con-
dition. Insects pass through different metamorphoses
before arriving at the perfect state, and have mostly
wings, four being the typical number, varied by the al-
teration in structure or imperfect development of either
the upper or under pair ; and lastly, the sexes are always
distinct.
The Myriapoda (called also Ametabola, on account of
their not undergoing a perfect metamorphosis) have, as
their name implies, many legs ; they are wingless, hav-
ing mostly hard cases, and always two antennae; they
merely cast their skins when growing, thereby acquiring
an increased number of legs and segments, but of course
they all originally come from eggs.
The Centipede arid Millipede are the best known
forms of this class, in which some naturalists place the
Thysanura and Anoplura, both of which are only six-
legged, the former containing the Spring-tails, Lepismi-
midcB and Podurida (of which the Sugar-louse is a
well-known species), and the latter being composed of
the Pediculidce (Lice) and Nirmidce (Bird-lice) . Dif-
ference of opinion, however, exists as to this arrange-
ment.
The last class, Annelida (Worms, Leeches, etc.), com-
prises species without hard coverings, but possessing cy-
lindrical retractile bodies, folded into many rings. Some
6 BRITISH BEETLES.
of these have short feet armed with hooks ; others, merely
rows of minute, bristling appendages, serving for foot-
hold ; and in the remainder the extremities of the body
are furnished with suckers. The head is occasionally
distinct, with antennae and eyes ; and they have mostly
red blood, circulating by a double system of complicated
vessels. They live in the ground (sometimes in calca-
reous tubes), and in fresh or salt water, some being am-
phibious ; and the greater number lay eggs from which
the young are hatched, but the leeches and earth-worms
deposit sacs containing many of the young.
There remains one other great division, the Radiata ;
but, as none of its members can be mistaken for any of
the Articulata, we can dismiss it without further notice
than that it contains the very lowest of the animal king-
dom, such as the Sea-urchin, Star-fish, Sea-anemone,
Polyps, and Infusoria. These may be shortly charac-
terized as composed of similar parts radiating from a
central nucleus; with circulation and nervous system
either absent or at best very obscure ; and possessing no
fixed standard as to sexes, growth, or organs of nutri-
tion.
The word insect, meaning " divided," is applicable to
all the Articulata, so far as a name extends, but it has,
in all languages, been given to the class to which it now
belongs; the Latin insecta, Greek entoma, French in-
secte, and German Insecten, having all the same signifi-
cation. At one time the Crustacea, Arachnida, and
Myriapoda were included with the Insecta under the
same name, as they possess characters in common, apart
from their articulated bodies; both Insecta and Crus-
tacea being oviparous, and the circulatory and respi-
ratory systems nearly the same in the Insecta, Arach-
RELATIONS AND DIVISIONS OF INSECTA. /
nida, and Myriapoda ; the complete metamorphosis un-
dergone by the former is, however, a good distinguishing
feature from the other classes. In no other animals do
so many external changes take place ; first the egg, then
the caterpillar, moulting its skin and changing appear-
ance and size several times, next the pupa or chrysalis,
and finally the imago or*perect insect.
It may be remarked that the great number of species
of insects, their multiplicity of form, and the high de-
velopment of parts in some, accompanied by the habitual
exercise of the most profound instinct, would almost
seem to warrant their holding a better rank than at pre-
sent accorded to them ; but it must be remembered that
the highest type of a group is often more developed than
many of the lower examples of the next above it, for na-
ture does not work in a continuous and even line.
Many divisions of the Insecta have from time to time
been proposed, but perhaps the following orders are now
most usually recognized, viz. Coleoptera, Euplexoptera,
Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera, Hy-
menoptera, Strepsiptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera (sub-
orders, Heteroptera and Homoptera), Aphaniptera, and
Dipt era.
It will not be necessary to notice any of these but thci
first, except perhaps the Strepsiptera, which are by
many now considered to belong to the Coleoptera, The
insects composing this order are small in size (the
largest not being a quarter of an inch long) , and soft ;
with forked antennae ; large cellular eyes ; mouth with
two rudimentary jaws, and a pair of two-jointed palpi ;
the prothorax and mesothorax very small and collar-
like, the latter having two narrow, curved appendages,
variously considered as balancers or false elytra; the
8 BRITISH BEETLES.
metathorax much developed, and bearing two very large,
fan-like wings ; and the tarsi having from two to four
joints. Their worm-like, footless larvae are found in
the bodies of various wild bees, upon which they are
parasitic ; and this habit is one of the chief reasons for
their being considered coleopterous, as there are certain
species of the Meloidce (with somewhat abnormal elytra)
which are also parasitic upon bees, etc. The subject
is one of great interest and difficulty, as these insects
have been placed by various authors in the Hymenoptera,
Coleoptera, and Diptera, and even considered by some as
allied to the Hemlptera, Orthoptera, and Lepidoptera.
Nevertheless, the extremely minute development of their
prothorax seems to be much against the correctness of
their location among Coleoptera, in which that part is
always conspicuously large.
CHAPTER II.
REMARKS UPON THE STRUCTURE, METAMORPHOSES,
ETC., OP COLEOPTERA.
THE Coleoptera, or Beetles, have two horny or leathery
elytra (wing-cases), two membranous under-wings, and
the mouth with transverse jaws. In their pupa state
they are not covered by a uniform hard case, as in the
Lepidaptem, nor active, as in the Hemiptera, but exhibit
all the parts of the future insect in a rudimentary con-
dition, covered by a continuous, tight-fitting outer skin,
which renders them incapable of motion by means of the
limbs. In the most perfect forms the elytra are hard,
reaching to the end of the body, and, in repose, meeting
straight down the back, with an evenly-joined suture,
the wings, which are very large, folding beneath
them ; but in those of less development, the elytra are
often shortened, lapped over each other and soft, or hard
and soldered together, and the wings frequently absent.
They pass through the ordinary metamorphoses of
egg, larva, and pupa, before arriving at the perfect state.
The eggs, which are usually oblong, or oval, and soft,
are laid in places where the larva, when hatched, will be
likely to obtain proper food, according to the habits of
the different species. The larvae are mostly worm-like,
10
BRITISH BEETLES.
with a horny front and head, the
latter having strong jaws, rudi-
a inentary eyes, antennas, and palpi ;
they have mostly six hard front
legs, and appendages on the upper
side, with a fleshy tubercle on the
under side, of the last segment.
The legs are sometimes wanting
entirely, or replaced by fleshy tu-
bercles. The body is composed of
the head, and, usually, twelve seg-
ments, to the first three of which
the horny legs are attached, one
on each side ; and there is usually
a spiracle, or breathing-hole, on
Fig. i. each side of all the segments, ex-
Full-grown larva of v y - ce t th secon d third, and last.
ttscus marginalis, a com- *
mon Water Beetle (nat.size). The number of these segments is
"' Gr0 o U n P eof th C e el ^e f s. rming reduced in the perfect insect, as
some of them are incorporated in
the generative organs, etc. In some larvae, also, only
eleven segments appear, owing to the non-development
of the apical one ; e. g. in Dytiscus mar-
ginalis the twelfth segment is formed into
two mere appendages. I have remarked,
moreover, in this larva, that the lateral
spiracles (which are not fully developed,
owing to respiration taking place at the
tail) are abnormally placed, there being
none on the first segment, two on the
second, on the under surface of the body,
in front of the second pair of legs : none
Pupa of D. war- , .
(nat.size). on the third, one on each side of the
STRUCTURE, ETC., OF COLEOPTERA. 11
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth,
and one on each side of the apex of the eleventh, near
the anal opening. The pupa is generally soft, and formed
underground, often in a cell or case; but any peculia-
rities in the early conditions of species will be noticed
hereafter, when the families in which they occur are de-
scribed. It may be here stated that the best way to
rear either the larvae or pupae of beetles is to endeavour
to keep them in as nearly as possible the same condition,
etc., as that in which they are found. They should not
be kept in-doors, but exposed to the natural tempera-
ture; and are best kept in large porous earthenware
vessels, containing damp earth, etc., and covered either
with glass or perforated zinc. Larvae, however, are hard
to rear, as they live for so long a time, in some cases
nearly three years.
Want of space prevents us from detailing the nume-
rous interesting points of the internal anatomical struc-
ture in the Coleoptera : it will perhaps be sufficient to say,
that their nervous system is composed of a series of ner-
vous ganglia, united by two cords of nerve, as in the
other Articulata (vide p. 3) ; that their digestive or-
gans consist of a gullet, pouch, gizzard, and stomach,
formed by different divisions of one tube (of greater or
lesser length) which commences at the mouth, and, after
forming the stomach, assumes the usual convoluted in-
testinal form, ending at an orifice in the last segment ;
that there is a circulation of a cold, clear fluid, by
means of the alternate contraction and dilatation of se-
veral reservoirs or " hearts," joined by one canal; and
that air is taken into the system through spiracles, or
breath-holes, in the sides, which communicate with two
tubes running along the body, one on each side, and
12 BRITISH BEETLES.
having numerous branched, radiating vessels, extending
internally.
The attachments and development of the muscles of
the Cockchafer, a good type of the beetle tribe, are ad-
mirably' described and figured in Strauss-Diirckheim's
" Considerations generates sur P Anatomic comparee des
Animaux articules ' (Paris, 1828).
Presuming that the student now has a general idea
of what is signified by the word Coleoptera, we will,
before entering more fully into the subdivisions of that
order, proceed to make some observations upon certain
points which it will be necessary for him to master,
such as the definition of a species, etc., the terms used
in descriptions, the names of external parts of the
body, the best books of reference, and the instruments
required, etc.
A " species," the most simple lasting alliance of spe-
cimens that is usually recognized (commonly termed
a "sort" or "kind"), may be defined as an imaginary
congregation of individuals, possessed, during all the
stages of their existence, of an identity of habit and
structure, and of which the sexes confine themselves to
each other in breeding, These characters, nevertheless,
cannot always be strictly relied upon; since, under different
circumstances, such as the greater or less supply of their
natural food or necessary temperature, insects palpably
identical as species will often exhibit slightly unusual
habits, and (apart from mere sexual variation) minute
deviations from their normal form in size, colour, out-
line or sculpture. When presenting such accidental dif-
ferences (which, by the way, are continuous when their
causes remain) they are termed "races;" and a single
specimen is called a " variety," when it has any unusual
STRUCTURE, ETC., OP COLEOPTERA. 13
marking or development. It is the evident possibility
of a change, however slight, being effected, that gives so
much support to the prevalent theories as to the "origin
of species," discussions upon which most interesting
subject are not in the scope of the present work, and
would certainly not be of any use to a beginner, who
will find work enough in determining for himself points
upon which doctors do not disagree. One thing seems
sure, viz., that if changes do commence, they require
more than any man's lifetime to become permanent;
and the chances of any great alteration in the tempe-
rature or formation of our island are luckily too remote
to cause any apprehension on this score. With regard
to any departure from the natural laws of breeding, it
may be observed that hybrids, even of species most
closely allied, are of excessively rare occurrence, and are
never perpetuated ; indeed, most, if not all, of the re-
corded instances have occurred in confinement.
A "genus" consists of an assemblage of such species,
usually somewhat alike in habits, as possess in common
either one well-defined structural character, or several of
a minor nature, unaccompanied by any radical points of
separation.
In a similar way, subfamilies, families, tribes, sec-
tions, orders, and classes are constituted ; the points of
affinity in each become more and more remote as the
groups are wider in extent, but all uniting in some par-
ticular characters by which they may be known from
other portions of the animal kingdom. It is true that
all these relations and differences are purely artificial,
and may be upset at any moment by the discovery of
new combinations of forms, also that it is idle to expect
to tabulate creation correctly; nevertheless, the divisions
14 BRITISH BEETLES.
are of the greatest use for reference, and many of the
characters detected by naturalists cannot fail to be very
nearly approaching to the truth.
The beginner must in a great decree dismiss size and
colour from his mind in investigating Beetles critically,
and rather rely upon structure and sculpture, as the
former are bad guides, though good companions. An
examination of the number and shape of the joints of
all the tarsi, and the structure of the antennae and
palpi, will usually afford a sufficient clue as to the sec-
tion in which any individual species should be placed :
further characters are to be sought in the relative
length of the thorax and elytra, the development of
the different limbs, the existence or non-existence of
wings, and, above all, in the parts of the mouth. These
latter vary so much in different genera even, as to re-
quire the strictest examination. They may be dissected
in a fresh specimen, or in an old one which has been
first left for a day or two in laurel (as hereafter ex-
plained) or soaked in cold water (or weak alcohol and
water) for a day ; few instruments are needed, a cou-
ple of fine pins, hooked at the point, and mounted in
thin holders (such as paint-brush sticks) will be enough
for ordinary species ; but a dissecting knife, with a very
fine point, will be found most useful. The head of the
beetle may be removed from the thorax, and a fine pointed
piece of wood thrust into the occipital hole, to act as a
firm basis ; the jaws can then readily be opened, and
the smaller parts taken out and gummed on card.
Both hands are needed for this, so that it is well to get
accustomed to working without a glass ; for small in-
sects, however, a lens mounted on a stage, so as not to
require to be held, is very useful; and, for the very
STRUCTURE, ETC., OF COLEOPTERA. 15
minute ones, the compound microscope is needed,
demanding, nevertheless, much practice and nicety of
touch.
The compound microscope is often, also, indispens-
able for the mere superficial examination of exceedingly
small beetles ; and such points as the sexual characters,
form and number of the joints of the tarsi and palpi,
etc., are best seen under it when damped with clean
water or benzine.
The scrutiny of specific characters is at once more
general and more close than for any other purpose, and
necessitates inspection and comparison of the form of
many parts of the body ; the relative length and breadth
of joints of the limbs, the degree of punctuation gene-
rally, the amount of pubescence, the greater or less
elevation, depression, angulation or rounding of the
thorax and elytra, the structure of the surface, and the
sexual characters, being the chief points to be noticed.
Species, also, that resemble each other very much on
the upper side frequently differ considerably on the
under surface. Occasional differences, owing to want
of maturity, accidental abrasion, or slight varieties,
the frequent want of similarity in sexes of the same
species, and the absolute difficulty of seeing minute
specimens in the same light and level, do not tend to
decrease the natural difficulties of this branch of the
study.
16
CHAPTER III.
ON THE TEEMS USED IN DESCRIPTIONS OF
COLEOPTEEA.
BEFORE acquiring a facility of noticing what are termed
the salient diagnostic characters of a Beetle, it will be
necessary, for the purposes of comparing notes with
other observers, to know the usual meaning given to
certain terms of description, and the parts of the ex-
ternal anatomy of the perfect insect : we will there-
fore now give a short list of such words as are either
not usually met with in common parlance, or have a
particular signification. These will be kept separate
from the parts of the body, which will be sufficiently
explained by the cuts. For a very full dictionary of
the terms used in this branch the student can refer to
Kirby and Spence's ( Introduction to Entomology '
(original edition), but the following will be enough for
our present purpose.
Ab, in composition, means a departure from.
Aciculate. As if scratched with a needle.
Aculeate. Produced to a point.
Alutaceous. Covered with minute cracks j like mud, or
mosaic.
TERMS USED IN DESCRIPTIONS OF COLEOPTERA. 17
Anal. Relating to the extreme end of the abdomen.
Apex. The extremity.
Apical. Relating to the extremity.
Apterous. Wingless.
Articulation. Joint.
Base. The root or bottom. In the thorax, that part
next the elytra ; and vice versd.
Basal. Appertaining to the base.
Bi-, in composition, means a reduplication.
Calcar. A spur, strong spine, or pointed process.
Castaneous. Chestnut-coloured.
Catenulate. Chain-like.
Ciliate. Fringed with hairs ; as the eyelid.
Clava. The club, knob, or apex of antennae, usually
more or less abrupt.
Clavate. Clubbed.
Concolorous. Uniform in colour ; used in comparison of
parts.
Conic. Tapering, like a cone, from base to apex.
Connate. Soldered together.
Cordate. Heart-shaped.
Coriaceous. Leathery.
Cost ate. With elevated ridges.
Crenate. Cut into segments of small circles.
Crenulate. The diminutive of crenate.
Cretaceous. Chalky. %
Cursorial. Adapted for running.
Deflexed. Bent down.
Dentate. Toothed.
Disc. The middle, most elevated part.
Emarginate. Notched.
Entire. Without notch or projection,
Farinose. Mealy.
18 BRITISH BEETLES.
Ferruginous. Brick-red; rust-red'.
Filiform. Thread-shaped.
Flabellate. Fan-shaped.
Fossorial. Adapted for digging.
Fovea. A large depression in the surface.
Funiculus. The joints between the base and club of the
antennae.
Fuscous. Brown.
Fusiform. Spindle-shaped.
Geniculate. Elbowed, or kneed.
Gibbous. Hump-backed.
Glabrous. Unpunetured, smooth, and hairless.
Granulate. With small rounded-off elevations.
Gressorial. Adapted for walking.
Hirsute. Set with thick long hairs.
Hispid. Set with short bristles.
Humerus. The shoulder.
Humeral. Relating, or near to the shoulder.
Hyaline. Glassy.
Jncrassate. Thickened.
Interstices. The spaces between punctures or striae.
Iridescent. Exhibiting prismatic colours.
Laminate. Plated.
Lateral. Appertaining to the side.
Linear. Line-like ; narrow, elongate.
Lineate. Striped longitudinally.
Lobe. A lappet or division.
Lunulate. Crescent-shaped.
Maculate. Spotted (not necessarily with round marks) .
Margin. Outer edge.
Moniliform. Bead-shaped.
Natatorial. Adapted for swimming.
Necrophagous. Feeding on dead animals.
TERMS USED IN DESCRIPTIONS OF COLEOPTERA. 19
Normal. Usual or natural.
Ob-y in composition, means reversed, the thickest part
in front. *
Obsolete. Indistinct.
Ocellus. An eye-like spot.
Ocelli. Small eyes, usually on the top of the head.
Ocellated. Marked with spots having a round centre
and a lighter-coloured outer ring.
Ochraceous. Brownish-yellow.
Ovate. Egg-shaped.
Palmate. Widened and divided like the hand.
Patella. A little cup.
Pectinate. Toothed like a comb.
Phytophagous. Plant-feeding.
Pilose. Hairy.
Pitchy. Brown with a tinge of black.
Pubescent. Downy.
Punctate. Impressed with punctures.
Puncture (or Punctuation) . A small depression in the
surface, often round.
Pygidium. The end of the body, containing the genera-
tive organs, usually not covered by the wing-cases.
Quadrate. Square.
Raptorial. Adapted for preying.
Reflexed. Bent up.
Reniform. Kidney-shaped.
Rufous. Red tinged with yellow.
Rugose. Wrinkled.
Rugulose. Slightly wrinkled.
Saltatorial. Adapted for leaping.
Scansorial. Adapted for climbing.
Scape. The long joint at the root of the antennae.
Scutellar. Appertaining, or near to the scutellum.
Securiform.. Hatchet-shaped.
20 BRITISH BEETLES.
Serrate. With teeth like a saw.
Setaceous. Gradually diminishing to the tip.
Setose. Set with stiff bristles.
Simple. With no unusual addition; un-spined, un-
notched, un-dilated, as the case may be.
Sinuate. Slightly waved.
Spiracle. Breathing-hole.
Squamose. Scaly.
Stria. An impressed or elevated line, usually the former.
Striate. With thin longitudinal grooves : usually ap-
plied to the elytra.
Strigose. Streaked or scratched.
Sub-, in composition, means almost.
Subulate. Suddenly pointed and lessened.
Sulcate. Furrowed.
Superficies. Upper surface.
Suture. Junction of the wing-cases.
Testaceous. Yellow with a tinge of brown ; not a bright
yellow.
Tomentose. Cottony.
Transverse. Broader than long, or across.
Truncate. Abruptly cut straight across.
Tubercle. A small abrupt elevation : usually like a blunt
tooth.
Typical. That which presents the best abstract idea of
any particular thing.
Unicolorous. Of one colour.
Versicolorous. Variously coloured.
Very many of the above terms are used in conjunc-
tion with each other, and then have a modified mean-
ing, the predominating part of which rests with the last
word used; thus " pitchy -testaceous " means a yellow
colour with a tinge of dark -brown.
21
CHAPTEE IV.
ON THE EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF THE COLEOPTEEA.
IT will be necessary to enter somewhat fully into the
position and names of the various parts of the external
anatomy of Beetles, as they are constantly referred to
in all works, either of description or classification ; and
the common Water-beetle (Dytiscus marginalis] , before
alluded to, will act very well as a type, owing to its large
size, and the well-defined outline of its component
parts : it cannot, however, be taken as a perfect stan-
dard, as its paraglossse and metathoracic epimera are
obsolete, and its hinder coxae are enormously developed.
The body is usually considered to be divided into three
segments, with their respective appendages : viz. the
head, with the eyes, antennae, and mouth- appar atus ;
the thorax, with the elytra, wings and legs; and the
abdomen, with the organs of generation. These seg-
ments are in reality composed of numerous separate
parts, which we will now proceed to mention ; there is.
however, no occasion to enter very fully into the details
of external structure, for which the student can refer to
the works of Burmeister, Kirby and Spence, etc, : but
the principal parts of the body, with the names by which
they are now usually known, must be enumerated,
22 BRITISH BEETLES.
it being absolutely necessary to understand them in
working from descriptions.
The head, bearing the eyes, antennae, and organs of
mastication, etc., is the first to be considered. The
accompanying cut of the head
of a Water- beetle will show
the chief points to be no-
ticed on the upper side : here,
a is the labrum or upper
lip; b, the clypeus or shield
of the mouth, often bearing
tubercles or even horns ; c
or d are the mandibles or
upper jaws (these are dis-
Fig. 3. sected out in the figure, and
Upper side of head of D. margi- rf i s reversed) : 6, the CVCS ;
nalis (highly magnified). L^L
f, the base of the antennae ;
g, the vertex or crown, and h the occiput.
The mandibles are hard and sharp, often (as in the
male of the Stag-beetle) very much developed. The
eyes, which are composed of many facets, situated on
the side of the head, and usually large, are normally
two in number, being however in some cases aberrant ;
for instance, in Dorcus (the small Stag-beetle), each
eye is almost divided into two, being interrupted by
the lateral ridge of the head ; and in the Gyrini (the
"Whirl wigs "), it is distinctly divided by a deep broad
channel, containing the antenna, so that the insect is
four-eyed, having two on the upper and two on the
under surface, an admirable structure for species that
pass their lives on the top of the water, arid need extra
sharpness of vision, partly to save themselves from foes
above, and partly to detect their own food below.
EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF THE COLEOPTERA.
23
There are also in some few beetles two ocelli, or addi-
tional eyes, small, and noj; composed of facets, on the
back of the head ; these are especially noticeable in
Omalium, a genus of the Brachelytra. The antennae
are long flexible instruments, through which the insect
certainly receives a considerable amount of sensation,
either by actual contact or atmospheric influence. They
are nearly always composed of eleven joints, though
some of them are often indistinct, being clubbed to-
gether, and in a few species the absolute number varies ;
for instance, in the male of Ischnomera melanura there
are twelve joints, though the normal number is found
in the female. They are inserted into a cup-like socket
in the head, and have often the first or basal joint long,
and the second short ; but their variations in structure
are too numerous to be specified here.
Fig. 4 shows the
under side of the
head ; , b y and c
forming the labium
or lower lip, where-
of a is the mentum
or chin, b the ligula
or tongue, and c c
the labial palpi or
lip feelers ; d d are
the maxilla or lower
jaws (which are
dissected out, and
show the upper and
under sides), com-
posed of the following pieces : d 1 , the inner or palpiform
lobe; d 2 , the maxillary palpus or jaw feeler; d 5 , the
Fig. 4.
D. marginalis, (highly
24
BRITISH BEETLES.
lacinia or blade ; d 4 , the palpifer ; d 5 , the stipes or stalk,
and d 6 , the cardo, base, hinge, or insertion, by which
the lower jaw is attached to the inner side of the head.
There are two small organs,
the paraglossce, which in
Dytiscus are soldered to the
sides of the ligula : these are
very conspicuous in many
Coleoptera, and will be seen
in Fig. 5 (the labium, or lower
lip, of Pterostichus niger, a
very common black ground-
Fig- 5 - beetle), in which a is the
Labium of Pterostichus niger. , -, /_ ,1 7-7
mentum, and b the ligula ;
c c are the paraglossse, and d the labial palpi.
The next segment is the thorax, which is divided into
three parts, the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax.
The first of these, the prothorax, is considered to consist
of two portions, the upper side, called pronotum, and
the under side, or prosternum. The pronotum is that
part to which the word thorax
is exclusively applied in descrip-
tions, and is much developed in
the Coleoptera. In Fig. 6, a is
the anterior, b the posterior,
and c the lateral margin ; d, the
medial line (of which the front
extremity is called the apex,
and the hinder the base] ; e e
are the anterior, and / / the posterior angles, and g
the disc.
Both this and the following upper thoracic segment
are considered each to be normally composed of four
Fig. 6.
Pronotum of thorax of
JD. marginalia.
EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF THE COLEOPTERA.
25
Fig. 7.
Prosternum of thorax of
D. marginalis.
separate pieces, the prcescutum, scutum, scutellum, and
post-scutellum ; but these are
all joined together, with no
trace of suture in the prono-
tum of the Coleoptera.
The prosternum bears the
two front (or anterior) legs,
and is divided into three parts,
viz. (Fig. 7) a, the sternum;
b b, the episterna, and c c,
the epimera. The coxa, or
hinge-plate of the leg, is seen
at d] e is the trochanter ; f, the femur, or thigh; g, the
tibia, or shank ; and h, the
tarsus, or foot, of which the
joints are separately num-
bered. The first three joints
in the male of Dytiscus mar-
ginalis are widened into a
round plate, provided with
suckers beneath, as will be
seen by Fig. 7 ; in which,
with the other cuts of the
thoracic segments, only one
of the limbs is represented.
All these figures are, of
course, considerably mag-
nified.
The mesothorax, which
bears the wing-cases, or ely-
tra, and the intermediate " Flg ' 8<
. , ,, . , .A. Mesothorax of D. marginalis,
Or middle pair Of legs, IS seen vertically.
also divided into two por- B. Ditto, seen from above.
26 BRITISH BEETLES.
tions the upper, or mesonotum, and lower, or mesoster-
num. In Fig. 8, B is the mesonotum, seen from above,
a being the scutellum referred to in descriptions. Strictly
speaking, there is a scutellum to each of the three seg-
ments of the thorax; but it is the scutellum of the
mesonotum which is invariably meant by this word, when
no other reference is made. The mesonotum is also seen
sideways at /, in Fig. 8, A, with one of the elytra, of which
ff l is the base, g^ the apex, g 3 the lateral margin, cf the
suture, and g the disc. On the other side is the alula, or
winglet, h, which is attached to the body and the under
side of the base of the wing-case : it is a thin membrane,
exposed in flight, and either covering, or a continuation
of, the mesothoracic spiracle.
The mesosternum, to which the middle pair of legs is
attached, is composed of similar pieces to the prosier-
num, viz. (8, A), a, sternum; b b, episterna ; and c c,
epimera (the two last being the thin side-pieces of B in
Fig. 8) ; d is the coxa } and e the trochanter of one of the
legs.
The metathorax, likewise divided into upper (metano-
tum) and lower (metasternum] surfaces, carries the wings
and hinder legs.
Fig. 9. Metanotum of thorax of D. marginalis.
The metanotum (Fig. 9) is composed of the usual four
dorsal pieces, and bears one of the wings on each side
EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF THE COLEOPTERA.
these wings are membranaceous, often very large, and
lie in a small compass under the elytra when not required
for flight, the membrane being thickened where contact
takes place on the wing being folded.
The metasternum (Fig. 10) is usually composed of the
sternum (a), the episterna
(b b), and the epimera ; but
in Dytiscus (and some Geode-
phaga) the latter are want-
ing, being replaced by the
largely developed CQX& (d d)
of the hinder legs, of one of
which e is the trochanter.
The parapleura, or paraptera
(c c}, are side-pieces, which
in some beetles are very con-
spicuous.
The remaining part is the
abdomen, the upper side of
which, being covered by the
elytra, is softer than the lower,
or ventral surface ; the apical
segments on the upper side,
however, where not covered
by the wing-cases, are much harder than the protected
portion of the abdomen, and are called the pygidium.
The entire abdomen is divided into rings or segments,
fitting like those of a telescope, and usually nine in
number: in Fig. 11 only six are visible, the extreme
apical one, comprising the generative organs, being re-
tracted within the sixth (which, in the male, is usually
notched, or otherwise altered in outline and surface),
and the remainder being only seen on the upper side. The
Fig. 10.
Metasternum of thorax of
D. marginalis.
28
BEITISH BEETLES.
abdomen also contains the greater number of spiracles,
or breathing-holes, situated in
a row on the upper surface of
the sides ; these spiracles, nine
or ten in number, are placed
as follows : one, the largest,
between the prothorax and
mesothorax; another between
the mesothorax and metathorax,
covered in repose by the wing-
cases, but exposed in flight;
a third between the metatho-
rax and first segment of the
abdomen, and the remainder
between every two of the other abdominal rings, with
the exception of the last pair.
Fig. 11.
Under side of abdomen of
D. marginalis.
29
CHAPTER V.
BOOKS USEFUL TO THE STUDENT OF BEITISH
COLEOPTEKA.
WITH regard to the books likely to be of real use to
the student, it is to be regretted that there are none on
British Coleoptera exclusively, or in English, that can be
recommended. There is, indeed, a ' Manual of British
Coleoptera/ by J. F. Stephens (London, 1839, one vol.),
purporting to describe all our species; but it is so full
of error, and the nomenclature is so confused, as to be
of little or no use. The ' Illustrations of British En-
tomology : Mandibulata/ (1828,) by the same author,
with plates, comes under the same heading ; and there
only remains the ( Genera of British Insects/ by Curtis,
of which the letter-press is of little use, but the figures
remain unrivalled for beauty of finish. There are, how-
ever, many scattered papers by English authors, of
great value; and these, with descriptions of limited
groups by foreign writers, will be noticed hereafter.
For general information and reference, the ' Intro-
duction to the Modern Classification of Insects/ by
J. O. Westwood (London, 1 839), is still unequalled, and
must be consulted by all beginners ; and Burmeister's
1 Manual of Entomology/ translated by Mr. Shuckard
(London, 1836), will be found of great service on struc-
30 BRITISH BEETLES.
tural points, whilst descriptions of all the known genera
of Beetles are being published in Lacordaire's ' Genera
des Coleopteres' (in the 'Nouvelles Suites a Buffon'),
Paris, of which four volumes have been published as yet.
The standard works on the Coleoptera of the northern
parts of the Continent must be consulted for descriptions
both of the species recorded as British, and of those
likely to occur here ; this course requires a knowledge
of French, Latin, and German, but is, unfortunately,
indispensable. The following are most useful :
f Insecta Suecica : Coleoptera sive Eleuterata/ by L.
Gyllenhal, 1808-27, 4 vols. (Latin.)
' Die Kafer der Mark Brandenburg/ by W. F. Erichson :
Berlin, 1837, 1 vol. (Latin and German.) This work
was never completed.
' Naturgeschichte derlnsectenDeutschlands: Coleoptera/
by Dr. Erichson, Dr. Schaum, Dr. Kraatz, and H. von
Kiesenwetter : Berlin. Still in progress. (Latin and
German.)
' Skandinaviens Coleoptera/ by C. G. Thomson : Lund,
1859. Still in progress; 6 vols. published. (Latin
and Swedish.)
' Fauna Austriaca : Die Kafer/ by L. E/edtenbacher :
Vienna, 1858, 1 vol., 2 plates. (German.)
1 Faune Entomologique Fra^aise : Coleopteres/ by
MM. Fairmaire and Laboulbene : Paris, 1854. Not
completed ; 3 vols. published. (French.)
(N.B. Most foreign publications can be obtained of
Messrs. Williams and Norgate, Henrietta Street, Covent
Garden.)
Many descriptions occur also in the Berliner and
Stettiner Entomologische Zeitschriften; the 'Annales'
of the French, and Transactions of the English, Ento-
mological Societies.
31
CHAPTER VI.
INSTRUMENTS, ETC., REQUIRED FOR COLLECTING,
MOUNTING, AND PRESERVING COLEOPTERA.
THE instruments required by the Coleopterist for cap-
turing his game are very few, and may be briefly summed
up as follows :
A stout folding " umbrella" net, to fit in a glazed
cover. This may be purchased at any of the dealers in
objects of natural history, Cooke, of New Oxford Street,
being, perhaps, the most trustworthy. A net of this
kind is indispensable for beating into ; and, if the side-
pieces are made of metal, instead of whalebone, will
also serve for sweeping.
A small round sweeping-net should, however, be ob-
tained also. Its frame may be of stout iron wire, and
made to screw into a strong stick. As the screw is apt
to become worn out before long, it is, perhaps, better to
have the ends of the frame soldered together into a plug,
which fits into a stout hollow ferule or tube fitted on the
stick ; a hole can then be drilled through the ferule and
plug, and the net secured by a piece of copper wire being
passed through both, the wire having one end twisted
into a knob, and the other bent round a little after being
passed through. By these means the net can be taken
32 BRITISH BEETLES.
out and carried in the pocket or bag. The net itself
(and also the beating-net) should be made of stout
" Irish/' or sheeting, or the canvas-like material used for
" crinoline," and be sufficiently long to avoid the un-
pleasantness of turning inside out, with its contents,
when trailed along the ground.
A water net, larger than the sweeping- net, of much
stouter wire, and with a flat front for scraping close
along the bottoms and sides of ponds, etc. This may
be fastened to the stick as above described, and should
be made of very strong " sampler canvas." The friction
is so great, and decay is so much assisted by the water,
that it is a good plan to sew, or otherwise fasten, the net
to a thin wire of the same size as the stout frame, and
attach it to the latter on its lower edge with rings of
wire. The stick used should be both long and very
strong.
A stick to beat with, which can be cut out of any
hedge when the hunting-ground is reached.
A strong knife, with blade fixed to the handle, and
carried in a sheath, for cutting tufts of grass, etc.
A very stout steel ' ' pick ;" or, if that cannot be got,
a long and strong chisel for ripping off bark and pene-
trating wood. If the collector really meditate doing
any good with wood-feeding beetles, no weapon of at-
tack is too large or strong.
A sheet or two of stout brown paper, upon which tufts,
etc., can be shaken.
A square piece of mackintosh or India-rubber cloth,
to kneel upon when working in wet places.
A collecting bottle or two of stout clear glass, with
no internal bottom elevation, and wide-mouthed. If
one side be pasted over with paper, it considerably
INSTRUMENTS, ETC., REQUIRED. 33
S
lessens the chance of fracture. It should have a good
cork, which must be perforated by two or three inches
of a wide quill ; this, quill may project slightly below
the lower end of the cork, and of course very much on
its upper side, and may be kept tight by sealing-wax
round its insertion. Through the quill a soft wooden
plug is passed, not reaching below the lower end, and
having a knob at the top, which can be seized in the
teeth when both hands are occupied : specimens can
then be bottled without the risk of losing those already
captured ; and it is best to give the quill a tap before
withdrawing the plug, so as to dislodge any would-be
fugitives. The safest way in taking small insects is to
touch them with a wet finger, transfer them to the back
of the hand, and get the mouth of the quill (which may
be cut obliquely) over them while they are drying their
legs, etc. One bottle of the sort above mentioned
should have blotting-paper or a piece of muslin put into
it, so as to afford foot-hold and hiding places for the
captives ; if this be done, they will seldom attack each
other. Another and rather larger bottle should be also
taken ; this should be half filled with the bruised and
cut-up leaves of the young shoots of the laurel, which
will almost instantly kill most of the larger and more
rapacious species. Great caution must be taken in col-
lecting, for any of the Geodephaga, or larger Brache-
lytra, or Telephori, if put into the bottle without laurel,
would maim or destroy all its other occupants. Both
bottles are best secured by fastening one end of a long
piece of string round their necks, and tying the other
to the button-hole of the coat. Collectors usually also
take with them one or two strong little test-tubes, with
corks fitted, in which to place any very choice captures.
D
34 BRITISH BEETLES.
A depot of the above-mentioned laurel leaves should
be kept in a wide-rnouthed tightly corked bottle, or
earthenware jar, or in a tin canister, into which the
beetles are put, after being killed, on returning from
an excursion. Those in the first-mentioned bottle can
be turned into boiling water, taken out as soon as possi-
ble with a wide camelVhair brush, and laid to dry on
blotting-paper. It is as well, also, to put the beetles out
of the other bottle into the boiling water ; as some of
the larger species, and many of the weevils, etc., are not
always effectually killed by the laurel, especially if it be
not fresh. The more delicate specimens, and especially
those with long pubescence, should be mounted at
once ; the remainder can be placed in little muslin bags
or screws of paper, and placed in the laurel depot or
relaxing-jar, with a note of the localities, etc., of capture.
The effect of the laurel is to preserve them from decay,
and in a good condition for mounting, for a long period ;
but, if left too long, they get discoloured, half rotten,
and too weak to handle with safety. It should be re-
marked that beetles killed in laurel become very stiff,
and impossible to mount, until they have been kept for
three or four days in laurel, when the rigidity of their
muscles relaxes.
For mounting or setting out the specimens, the fol-
lowing apparatus is necessary :
A frame with canvas or perforated- zinc back and
door for setting-boards, which are oblong pieces of wood
covered with cork and fitting into grooves ; in the bottom
may be a drawer for pins, etc.
A bottle of gum tragacanth (called also " gum dra-
gon ") . The thin clear pieces are the best, and can be
obtained at any chemist's. Two or three bits, of the
INSTRUMENTS, ETC., REQUIRED. 35
size of the thumb-nail, with a very few small pieces of
clear gum-arabic to give consistency, if put into a wide-
mouthed bottle and covered with cold water, will swell
to a very large bulk ; more water can be added at dis-
cretion, and the gum stirred until it appears melted;
it should be quite white, and too stiff to come out of the
bottle readily. By making a little at a time, it keeps
its colour, not having time to get dirty or sour before it
is used.
Some camelVhair brushes, fine-pointed but stiff.
" Setting-needles," made either of fine pins slightly
hooked at the tip, or " bead " needles. These may be
stuck into paint-brush sticks, or have a knob of sealing-
wax at their upper end for a handle.
Small pins, and good white card of moderate stout-
ness ; if too thin, it curls up with the gum, and should
then be damped on the under side.
When setting out specimens, a glass of cold water
and some clean blotting-paper should be kept handy, to
be used in cleaning them. They should be placed on
their backs, and their legs brushed out with a clean
brush ; some gum is then to be put 011 the card (which
can be either cut into long narrow strips of the required
depth, or into straight-sided narrow pieces, one for each
beetle) and the insect placed on it, when the legs, an-
tennae, and palpi must be put into the desired position
with a clean brush or the setting-needle. The body
should not be touched with the gum brush, and care
taken to get the head, thorax, and elytra straight on the
card ; the limbs ought to be properly set out, but no
part should be pulled to an unnatural extent. After
being mounted, the specimens must be left on the setting-
board for at least a fortnight; thorough drying being
36 BRITISH BEETLES.
essential for their preservation. The larger insects can
be pinned through the right wing-case, and their legs
kept in position with smaller pins whilst drying. Some,
such as the Oil-beetles, require stuffing ; and many
others of the very large species dry all the better for
having the contents of the abdomen removed, and the
cavity dried with bits of blotting-paper and filled up
with cotton wool. Each specimen should have a number
written on the under side of the card or on a small
label attached to the pin, by means of which a record
can be kept in a journal of the date, place, and circum-
stances of its capture.
Examples of both sexes of each species should, where
practicable, be mounted on their backs, to show the un-
der side ; it is, however, very easy to float off specimens
set in the ordinary^ way, and reverse or recard them as
desired.
When the insects are quite dry, they should, if
mounted in a row, be separated, and all superfluous
card cut away from each specimen, care being taken,
however, to leave ample room behind for the pocket-
glass to go all round the body. Not more than one
example should be allowed on one card, and the cards
(which look best when those on which the specimens of
any one species are mounted are all of the same size)
should be oblong, with parallel ends and sides; and pinned
in the middle of, and close to, the hinder margin. If
elevated about three parts up the pin, they are more
secure from dirt and mites, and easier to examine ; and
No. 8 pin (Edelsten and Williams, Crown Court, Cheap-
side) is perhaps the most useful size.
For examining specimens, a good pocket-glass of two
or three powers is necessary, and a Stanhope or Codding-
INSTRUMENTS, ETC., REQUIRED. 37
ton lens will be required for the very minute species.
A square bung to stick the pins into is very handy, and
a pair of insect pliers almost indispensable.
Insects that have become dry, or old specimens, may
be relaxed in a jar of damp sand ; they can then be s.et by
gumming them on card, and as soon as the gum is dry,
damping one side only, and putting the limbs out ;
afterwards serving the other side in the same way. If
required, the body or any of the limbs can be kept in
position by small card-braces with pins through them.
" Benzine " is most useful in cleaning old beetles,
restoring their colours, and removing grease; which
latter is very apt to appear in imperfectly dried speci-
mens, especially if they have been left for too long a
time in laurel.
The collection should be arranged in corked store
boxes (containing a little camphor to keep away mites),
until sufficient material is acquired to render the pur-
chase of a cabinet necessary; and a catalogue of our
British species, printed on one side for labelling, can be
obtained of Mr. Waterhouse, at the British Museum.
38
CHAPTER VII.
HINTS ON COLLECTING.
IN the body of this work the most usual haunts of the
different families will be pointed out ; but a few general
remarks on collecting may also be of service.
The best time for beating is at the end of May and
beginning of June, and the most productive trees are
young oaks, hazels, poplars, and sallows. Sweeping
commences when the beating-net is no longer useful,
and continues all through the summer and autumn;
patches of wild flowers on the edges of woods and fields,
damp meadows, and water plants, being all good for
this work. In early spring and summer many good
things are to be found in sand-pits, especially if they
have straight cut sides; the reason being that the in-
sects fly in the evening wildly, hit against the steep
banks and fall half-stupefied.
The very best times in the year for collecting are in
the early warm days of spring up to the middle of June,
and late in the autumn, at the end of September : this
is easily accounted for, as most insects come out of the
pupa condition about the latter time, hybernate during
the winter months, and come out again in the next
spring. Hence there are absolutely more beetles to be
HINTS ON COLLECTING. 39
had in December (though of course in a state of inac-
tivity) than in July; during which, and the other hot
months, the spring insects die away, and those coming
to maturity are either in the pupa state or not yet suffi-
ciently hardened.
In the winter, very many beetles can be obtained by
cutting isolated tufts of grass, pulling moss, etc., and
shaking them over brown paper ; the proceeds need not
be examined on the spot, but can be taken home in a bag
and carefully investigated indoors at leisure. In this
way, by a judicious selection of likely -looking spots, a
few hours' work out of doors will often furnish occupa-
tion for several evenings.
In the autumn, examining fungi and puff-balls, and
sweeping among dead leaves under trees are very pro-
ductive ; and later still, the leaves (especially the black,
damp, bottom layers) may be sifted or shaken over the
brown paper with great results. On the sea-shore,
heaps of decaying seaweed harbour many species, and
dead fish or birds become capital traps ; but a " keeper's
tree " in a wood, with dead vermin nailed to it, is the
luckiest thing to find. Many species come to the
running sap of the stumps of felled trees, and a great
number haunt the wet burrows of the caterpillar of the
Goat Moth in the solid wood ; whilst ants' nests, both in
woods, tree trunks, and sandy places, produce an enor-
mous number both of specimens and species, many of
them being very rare.
Tapping rotten twigs and sticks, and shaking the
damp bottom layers of grass and rubbish heaps and
hay-stacks, will produce many species in profusion.
It is, however, manifestly impossible to give full di-
rections, in our limited space, for the pursuit of a race
40 BRITISH BEETLES.
so numerous and varied in habit : the young collector
will soon acquire the requisite "cunning" by diligent
observation, and the natural habitats of the different
groups will be alluded to in their proper places.
Finally, with regard to localities, it may be remarked
that a chalky or sandy soil is very productive, whilst a
clay basis is usually quite the reverse ; that woods,
marshes, mountains, and heaths are far better for col-
lecting purposes than cultivated lands ; and that beetles
are more plentiful in the extreme south, north, and
coast-lines of our island, than in the midland counties.
41
CHAPTEK VIII.
ON THE SECTIONS AND FAMILIES OF THE COLEOPTERA.
As an order, the Coleoptera are generally placed at the
head of the Insecta, owing to their highly developed
organs, complete metamorphosis, and great number of
species ; some idea of which may be obtained from the
fact that in Great Britain alone there are about 3000,
to which additions are steadily being made.
Many systems of classification have been propounded
for them, based upon all imaginable points of structure,
etc., but perhaps that most usually adopted, under
various modifications, is founded on the number of
joints of the tarsi ; thus many allied families, the most
fully developed, possessing five joints to all the tarsi,
have been termed the Pentamera ; those with five joints
to the front and middle legs, and only four to the
hinder, Heteromera ; those with apparently only four to
all the tarsi, Tetramera ; and those with apparently only
three to all the tarsi, Trimera.
This arrangement, although well marked, and in
most cases apparently natural, cannot be strictly ad-
hered to; as in the first section there are numerous
species not possessing five joints to all the tarsi, and in
the two last there is really a small joint at the articula-
42 BRITISH BEETLES.
tion of the apical joint of the tarsi, which escaped the
notice of the original founders. Nevertheless, nearly
every one of the species in the arrangement followed in
this work, from Cicindela to Octotemnus, will be found
to he pentamerous; the Heteromerous section is pre-
served ; the species of the Rhynchophora, Longicornes,
and Eupoda answer to the Tetramera, and the remainder
constitute the Pseudotrimera of Westwood, equivalent
to the three-jointed beetles above mentioned.
It will be seen, then, that our Coleoptera are divided
into eleven great sections, viz. the Adephaga or Carni-
vorous Beetles ; the Brachelytra, " Rove-Beetles " or
"Devil's Coachhorses ;" the Necrophaga, or Carrion-
feeders (equivalent to the Clavicornes and Palpicornes
of French authors) ; the Lamellicornes, or Chafers and
their allies ; the Sternoxi ; the Malacodermi ; the Hete-
romera ; the Rhynchophora ; the Longicornes ; the Eu-
poda, and the Pseudotrimera. These again are divided
into subsections, families, etc., whose characters will be
given in due order.
43
CHAPTEE IX.
THE GEODEPHAGA, OR, LAND CARNIVOROUS
BEETLES.
SECTION I. The ADEPHAGA possess an inner or
palpiform lobe to the maxillse, in addition to the four-
jointed maxillary palpi (Fig. 4, d l , p. 23), and are readily
separated into two subsections ; the first of which, the
GEODEPHAGA, contains terrestrial, and the second, the
HYDRADEPHAGA, aquatic species.
Subsection 1. GEODEPHAGA, M'Leay.
This subsection, although not employed in the most
recent Continental systems of classification (wherein its
families are not distinguished, as a group, from those of
the Hydradephaga, its aquatic representative), will be
retained in the present work, being generally used in
British catalogues, etc., and forming a natural division,
of which the members are readily separated from other
beetles.
It consists, as the name imports, of the predaceous
ground-beetles, recognizable by their hard well-deve-
loped mandibles or jaws; their legs eminently con-
structed for rapid movement combined with strength,
and with all the tarsi five-jointed ; and by their antennae
44 BRITISH BEETLES.
being slender, nearly always lessened towards the tip,
and rarely inclined to be moniliform (i.e. with the joints
like beads) : they have, also, the mentum (or chin) more
or less deeply notched (Fig. 5, a, p. 24) ; an inner or pal-
piform lobe to the maxillae divided into two joints; and
the coxae of the hinder legs extended inwards, and be-
coming transverse on approaching the middle legs. In
the males, the basal joints of the front tarsi (i. e. those
nearest to the tibiae) are nearly always widened.
Superficially, the Geodephaga may be known by their
active habits, slaughtering propensities, thin legs and
antennae, and hard outer covering. They are the highest
in development, and may be considered as the Carnivora
of the beetle race ; passing their lives, both in the larval
and perfect state, in the pursuit and destruction of their
weaker insect brethren. Their chief haunts are wet
marshy places, salt and fresh ; on the banks of streams
and ponds ; under stones, bark, and felled trees ; in the
cracks of mud-banks and chalky cliffs, and on sands
and dry heaths.
The greater part, and the larger species, are nocturnal
feeders, prowling about on the ground and up the trunks
of trees in search of their victims and victual, and con-
cealing themselves by day : some few, however, are
pure lovers of sunshine, being most active in the greatest
heat. They are usually provided with ample wings,
which are readily used by those of diurnal habits ; but
several of the dark-loving species (especially the true
Carabi) are apterous, and in that case often have the
wing-cases soldered together. It may be remarked that
this wingless condition does not always afford an indica-
tion of the habits of the members of a genus ; since, of
two species, closely allied, and found under similar con-
GEODEPHAGA. 45
ditions, one will often be apterous and the other winged :
as a rule, the former may be- known by the sloping
shoulders and flattened upper surface of its wing-cases.
Such species as live under bark or in the cracks of
dried mud or cliffs are very thin and flat; others fre-
quenting plants (in pursuit of vegetable-feeding insects),
have their tarsi widened and adapted for climbing;
some, again, whose life is passed in wet sands, are nar-
row, cylindrical and smooth, with strongly toothed and
widened front legs for burrowing; briefly, nature in
all has fitted the instrument for the purpose in a degree
more or less evident to our limited perceptions.
Most of the active day-feeding species are metallic,
shining and brightly coloured, some also being prettily
banded or spotted ; a few are clothed with scales or
scanty hairs, but the majority have plain suits of ar-
mour, more or less polished, and in some cases elegantly
sculptured longitudinally : the prevailing tints are, how-
ever, black, dark brown, obscure red and dull green,
with occasional metallic reflections.
For detailed English descriptions of the species of
this section found in our islands, the student must re-
fer to Dawson's 'Geodephaga Britannica' (1854, Van
Voorst) , and notices of those added since that work will
be found in the ( Entomologist's Annuals ' (Van Voorst)
for the subsequent years.
There are descriptions (in Latin and German) of most
of the North European species in Dr. Schaum's ' Cara-
bici/ forming part of the ' Insecten Deutschlands;' and
also in the beginning portions of the other works al-
luded to at p. 30.
The larvae of the Geodephaga are but little known;
they are, however, mostly found in the same places as
46 BRITISH BEETLES.
the perfect insects, and are equally carnivorous and
active. A singular exception is nevertheless afforded
by Zabrus piger, the larvae of which have been stated
to feed during the night upon young shoots of wheat,
burying themselves by day. It is, however, somewhat
doubtful whether their normal food may not be the
grubs of a species of Cockchafer found at the roots of
the wheat.
A Geodephagous larva is usually flat, elongate, pa-
rallel-sided, fleshy, with the head and first segment hard ;
the eyes are rudimentary, usually being compounded
of six small ocelli grouped together ; the legs are horny,
six in number, and situated on the first three segments ;
there are short jointed antennae and palpi, and powerful
sickle-shaped jaws, and the apex of the body has usually
two horny or fleshy appendages on its upper surface, the
lower part being lengthened into a membranous supple-
mental leg.
The pupa is generally (if not always) formed in a cell
underground, and is rarely met with.
The Geodephaga are divided into two families, the
Cicindelida and Carabida ; the former being represented
by one English genus, and the latter separated into eight
sub-families, to be noticed hereafter.
1. The CICINDELID^l (commonly called "Tiger-
beetles," on account of their rapacity) are distinguished,
among other characters, by having their maxillae ending
in a small moveable hook, the ligula very short, hidden
beneath the men turn, with the labial palpi free, and the
front tibiae not notched on the inner side. The sole
English genus, Cicindela, may be known by its strongly
arched and pointed jaws, prominent eyes, and very
slender legs and antennae. All our species are mode-
GEODEPHAGA. 47
rately large, averaging half an inch in length, of rather
flattened appearance, and more or less bright in colour,
being green or olive-brown with metallic reflections ;
their elytra are shagreened in texture,, with white or
cream-coloured spots, or interrupted bands, and their
legs long and hairy.
The larva of the common green Tiger-beetle (C. cam-
pestris) is found during the summer months in the same
situation as the perfect insect, viz. hot sandy places.
It is a whitish, soft-skinned grub, with a darker, horny,
flat, broad head and first segment, the former being
armed with strong sickle-shaped mandibles. The eighth
segment of its body is larger than and considerably
elevated above the rest; with two curved, hook-like,
spines, surrounded by stiff bristles on the top : this
gives the entire larva a zigzag shape, and affords a strong
support when it is on the look-out for prey in its cylin-
drical burrow, which is a foot deep (or more) in the sand,
and perpendicular at the entrance. The larva digs with
its flat head ; and, as the work gets below the surface
scrambles up the shaft, by its hooked segment, to eject
the dirt : when the pit is completed, it takes a firm hold
with the hooks inside, and fills up the mouth with its
broad head and first segment, which are kept level with
the surface, the sharp jaws ready to seize any passing
insect. The victim, when captured, is immediately
dragged to the bottom of the den and devoured, the
larva finally closing the mouth of the burrow, and
turning into a pupa.
The Cicindelte frequent hot sandy banks and shores,
flying and running alternately with great rapidity.
One species only, C. germanica, the smallest and most
elongate, is found in marshy places (especially at Black
48 BRITISH BEETLES.
Gang Chine, Isle of Wight) ; it never takes to the
wing, but runs with great rapidity over the wettest
places, like an Elaphrus. The commonest is the above-
mentioned C. campestris, plentiful round London, arid
indeed almost everywhere, in sandy places : it is half an
inch long, with the head and thorax much narrower than
the wing-cases ; bluish-green above, with six round white
spots on each elytron. When handled, it often emits a
smell of roses. The largest species, C. sylvatica (Plate
I., fig. 1) is found on the " Bagshot sand," and at
Bournemouth.
2. The CARABID^E, distinguished from the Cic'm-
delidae by the maxillae not having any articulation at the
tip, may be divided into the following subfamilies :
Lebiides, Scaritides, Carabides, Chlteniides, Feroniides,
Harpalides, Trechides, and BerMdudes, which will now
be noticed seriatim. Many others are sometimes em-
ployed, but these will be found sufficient for the classifi-
cation of our species.
The LEBIIDES have a constant character in their wing-
cases not reaching to the end of their abdomen, and
being cut straight off at the apex. Their front tibiae
are notched on the inner side. In most of them the
ligula and paraglossae are united, and the basal joints of
the front tarsi are not widened in the male; and in
some the first joint of the antennae is very elongate.
The body is never very convex, but usually more or less
depressed; none are very large, and most of them small.
Their chief habitats are in and under reeds, etc., in clay
and mud-cracks, under bark, and beneath stones and
shingle. The type, and most elegant of the family,
Lebia crux-minor, is very rare; only occasional speci-
mens having been found, in different parts of the country,
GEODEPHAGA. 49
until some numbers were taken in moss at Holme Bush,
near the Devil's Dyke, Brighton. It is about a quarter
of an inch long, with the thorax, legs, base of antennae
and the elytra (which are broad) orange-red, and the
head and a broad cruciform mark on the wing-cases
black (Plate I, Fig. 2).
Another allied species, L. chlorocephala, is not uncom-
mon about the broom-plant at times ; it is rather smaller
than crux-minor, and has brilliant blue or green elytra
and head, the thorax and legs being red. The Dromii,
small, elongate, flattened beetles, often ornamented with
four white spots, are found mostly under or in the
chinks of bark, where they subsist upon other sub-
cortical insects.
Odacantha melanura, a narrow, cylindrical species,
with head and thorax bluish-green, and reddish elytra
and legs (the apex of the former, and joints and feet of
the latter, being blue-black), is found in the stems of
reeds in the Cambridgeshire fens and elsewhere ; Drypta
dentata, occasionally taken in some numbers out of clay-
banks at Alverstoke, Hants, is conspicuous for its lovely,
silky, azure clothing, and the very long basal joint of
its antennae ; and Lionychus quadrillum, an obscure little
bronze-black insect, with two dull lighter- coloured spots
on each wing-case, is noteworthy from its haunting wet
shingle and stones on the coast, in Devonshire and at
Southend.
The species most likely to have been seen by casual
observers is the tiny Blechrus maurus, which may be
noticed darting rapidly over sun-dried pathways, remind-
ing one of an animated grain of gunpowder; and the
one which has made most noise in the world is the
' Bombardier/ Brachinus crepitans, a moderately small
50 BRITISH BEETLES.
rusty-red fellow, with dull blue-black wing-cases, and a
narrow head and thorax (Plate I, Fig. 3) . It is abun-
dant on the south coast, especially under chalk, on the
banks of the Thames below Gravesend ; where, in the
month of August, a dozen may be found under one
stone, the explosion of whose ' stern-chase ' guns sounds
like a Lilliputian battery. The noise is caused by a
peculiar acid secreted by the insect, which, being emit-
ted from its lower extremity, volatilizes on coming into
contact with the atmosphere. On being irritated, the
Bombardiers will repeat their rear-volleys for some few
times, but with diminishing noise.
The SCARITIDES (represented in England by a few
small species) may be distinguished by their elongate,
cylindrical shape; the separation of their thorax from
the elytra by a neck; the enlargement and palmation of
their front tibiae, which are toothed on the outer edge ;
the non-dilatation of the basal joints of the front tarsi
in the male ; and the shortness, and comparatively bead-
like joints, of their antennae. We possess only two
genera of this family ; one, Clivina (Plate I, Fig. 4, C.
collaris), the species of which frequent garden refuse;
and the other, Dyschirius, consisting of minute, brassy,
cylindrical, sand-burrowing beetles. None of these are
either conspicuous, likely to be casually observed, or
peculiar in habits ; except, perhaps, that some of them
live in large colonies on the seashore, and appear to
be often found with Bledius (a genus of Brachelytrd) ,
upon small species of which they are supposed to prey.
An exhaustive monograph has been written by Mons.
J. Putzeys (Mon. des Clivina, etc., 1846) upon these
insects.
The CARABIDES are known by their anterior tibiae not
GEODEPHAGA. 51
being notched on the inner side, differing from the
Cicindelidte, the only other family which exhibits a
similar structure in this respect, in not having their
maxillae terminated by a moveable hook. It is worthy
of notice, also, that in both the Cicindelida and Cara-
bides the unnotched anterior tibiae are accompanied by
the absence of the metathoracic epimera; whereas all
the other Geodephaga, in which the anterior tibiae are
notched, possess both episterna and epimera to the
metathorax.
This family contains the giants of the section, some
of them being very large and convex, and a few small and
flat. Two or three of the species of the genus Carabus,
often called " garden " or " ground " beetles, are well
known, being abundant in gardens and cultivated grounds,
where they should be encouraged (and not destroyed), as
they devour all manner of insect pests, and never touch
vegetable produce. On being handled they emit a pecu-
liarly acrid black liquor, which is sometimes squirted for
a considerable distance. Perhaps the most often noticed
are C. violaceus, monilis y and nemoralis, all of which are
about an inch in length, and of a long oval shape.
Violaceus is nearly smooth, dull blue-black, with the
sides of the thorax and elytra bright purple; monilis,
coppery- green, with three series of slightly elevated and
interrupted lines, separated by three elevated striae, on
each wing-case; and nemoralis (rather broader and
shorter than the other two) has a purplish thorax and
coppery or brassy elytra. All three of these may be
seen dead on pathways in the suburbs early in the
morning, having been trodden upon in the dark, in the
course of their nocturnal roamings, seeking what they
may devour. Another, and much rarer species, C. nitens,
52 BRITISH BEETLES.
found in mossy bogs, and on the Lancashire sands, is
brilliant golden-copper on the head and thorax, with
silky green wing-cases, each of which has three elevated
ridges, and the margins reddish-copper. It is, perhaps,
the most brilliant and effectively coloured beetle we
possess (Plate I, Fig. 5).
Calosoma sycophanta, the largest Geodephagous insect
taken in England, has blue-black or violet head and
thorax (the latter with the margins greenish), and very
broad, rich metallic green wing-cases, the green changing
into gold and orange-red as the position of the beetle is
altered. It is found on our shores occasionally, but can
scarcely be considered a true British species, though one
or two instances have occurred of its being found inland.
In Silesia, and elsewhere on the Continent, it frequents
pine forests, feeding on the caterpillars of various moths,
and being especially attached to colonies of the " pro-
cessionary " and " gipsy " moths, of which it devours
both the larvae and pupae in the most gluttonous manner.
It has ample wings ; and, being a robust insect, is thought
to come across the Channel.
The species of Blethisa arid Cychrus have both been
observed to make a squeaking noise, caused probably by
the friction of the tip of the abdomen against the under
side of the elytra. Cychrus rostratus also, is remarkable
on account of its elegant shape; having a slender
stretched-out head (with the last joints of its palpi very
large and hatchet- shaped), delicate antennae, contracted
waist, and convex, oval, finely granulated wing-cases.
It is about three-quarters of an inch in length, dull-
black in colour, relieved by its polished black legs,
suture and margins; and is found under dead leaves,
among stones, but not very commonly.
GEODEPHAGA. 53
The Elaphri exhibit a likeness in miniature to the
Cicindelce, owing to their thin legs, large eyes, and
general build ; they frequent very wet places, running
daintily almost in the water, and are curiously marked
with circular depressions; and, lastly, the Notiophili
may be worthy of notice, as some of the species are
likely to be seen running over dry hot paths, even in
the metropolis ; they are the smallest of this family, of
obscure copper or bronze colours, with shining flattened
bodies, very large eyes, and strongly wrinkled fore-
heads.
The Chlaeniides have usually three (sometimes only
two) basal joints of the front tarsi in the male widened ;
and these widened joints are almost square in shape,
with slightly rounded corners (never heart-shaped or
elongate), and densely spongy beneath. Many of the
species are gaily coloured, being variegated with red and
black markings ; some are clothed with short silky down,
and all are more or less elegant either in shape or struc-
ture. The majority live in wet places, under reeds, etc.,
but a few are to be found under chalk-stones in exposed
situations.
The species of the typical genus Chltenius are very
beautiful, presenting somewhat the appearance of oxi-
dized metal ; reddish-copper or bluish-green being their
prevailing tones about the head and thorax, and their
elytra being more or less shagreened or granulated,
generally rich green or brown, with thick golden pubes-
cence, which imparts a " shot-silk" like lustre. They
are of moderate size, and rather robust in the body.
The commonest, C. vestitus, has the sides and apex of the
elytra, and the legs and antennse yellow ; it is about five
lines in length, and may be found abundantly in very
54 BRITISH BEETLES.
wet places, such as reedy spots on canal banks, etc.,
near London.
The palm .of beauty must, however, be conceded to
Callistus, as its name implies, "the fairest of the
fair." Our single species, C. lunatus, is about a quarter
of an inch long ; its head metallic, bluish or greenish-
black ; its thorax heart-shaped, orange-red; its elytra
oval, orange-yellow (when alive, rose-pink), with a
shoulder spot and two transverse bands deep black ; its
legs are yellow tipped with black, and the entire insect
has a delicate velvety appearance (Elate II, Fig. 1). It
frequents chalky districts, and may sometimes be found
under stones on the downs near Croydon. Under simi-
lar circumstances at Box Hill, and on the south-coast
downs, the species of Licinus may be taken. One of
them was, I believe, at first only known to be a Brit-
ish species from a single specimen having been caught in
Cheapside, whither it must have had a long flight from
its chalky haunts. This insect, L. silphoides (Plate I,
Fig. 6), superficially resembles certain members of the
genus Silpha in the Necrophaga : from which the be-
ginner may distinguish it by its long slender antennae,
those organs in Silpha being short, with an abrupt knob
at the tip. It is about half an inch in length ; broad,
flat, deep dull-black in hue, and distinctly wrinkled,
punctured and striated. The two basal joints of the front
tarsi in the male are very strongly and widely dilated.
Loricera, a small bronze-coloured insect, is remark-
able for its antennae being adorned with long stiff hairs ;
the Panagm have red elytra, marked with a large black
cross ; and the species of Badister, found usually in the
cracks of wet mud or clay banks, are recognizable by the
rounded front of their heads.
GEODEPHAGA. 55
The FERONIIDES have the elytra nearly always sinuate
at the apex; the paraglossee almost always free; and
the dilated basal joints of the front tarsi in the male
almost heart-shaped or elongate, and set beneath with
two rows of short bristles.
This family comprises several species, the most often
seen (and the most puzzling to the young student) being
the " Sunshiners," which are members of the genera
Pterostichus (subgen. Pcecilus) and Amara (Plate II,
Fig. 4; A. fulva, found in sandy places).
These insects may often be seen running rapidly over
hot paths in the early summer, and are frequently to be
met with on the wing, and even darting about the pave-
ment in London, on the first really warm spring day ;
when the sun's rays tempt them from their winter
quarters, and incite them to search for food and their
mates. The species of Amara (to kill one of which, ac-
cording to childish superstitions, is to call into operation
the drum and cone of the late Admiral Fitzroy) exude
a peculiar acrid fluid when handled; a strong-smelling
habit, common (though in a less disagreeable degree) to
most of the Geodephaga, and intended doubtless to be a
weapon both of defence and offence : the secretion is
probably owing, also, to the constantly carnivorous pro-
pensities of the beetles in question.
To the Feroniides belong the " Cellar- beetles/ ' not
the lazy, foul-smelling Blaps, which will be mentioned
in the section Heteromera, active, black insects of the
genera Sphodrus and Pristonychus ; the former having
its hind trochanters prolonged in the male into a spike.
Pterostichus picimanus (Plate II, Fig. 3) is found in
cracks of tanks, and under stones, near water.
The Pogoni, narrow, brassy species, delight in salt or
_
56 BRITISH BEETLES.
semi-saline marshes ; and the Anchomeni mostly gre-
garious, small, and of elegant shape frequent very wet
spots, abounding at the roots of old willows, etc., near
watercourses. One of them, A. sexpunctatus, is found
in boggy places on heaths, sometimes being plentiful on
Wimbledon Common ; it is about a quarter of an inch
long, with its head and thorax very bright green, and wing-
cases coppery-red with green margins (Plate II, Fig. 2) .
It is a most brilliant creature, and darts about in the
hot sunshine over the wet peat, looking like a live coal.
A great contrast to this elegant insect is afforded by
the heavy hippopotamo'id Zabrus gibbus, whose broad,
convex, black carcase may sometimes (especially near
Brighton and Croydon) be found trodden on, in the
paths of cornfields. It has been accused of devouring
wheat, owing in all probability to its having been seen
on or near that plant, where its instinct leads it to
pursue vegetable-feeding insects. Allied to this species
is the giant Broscus, an opaque black, elongate monster ;
with large head, and thorax contracted behind : it is
found rarely inland, but abundantly on the coast, where
it burrows under stones and tidal rubbish, devouring
ruthlessly everything that comes in its way, even its
own species. Lastly, Miscodera arctica, a near but
small relation to the above savage, dwells on our highest
moors and mountains, and is but rarely taken. It is
very shining and entirely brassy, with its globose thorax
and dilated elytra separated by a neck. The two last-
mentioned genera have much the appearance of Dys-
chirius in the Scaritida ; from which the dilatation of
the basal joints of the front tarsi in the males, and the
want of a tooth on the outer side of their anterior legs,
will serve to separate them.
GEODEPHAGA. 57
The HARPALIDES have usually the four basal joints of
the front and middle tarsi (but sometimes only those of
the front tarsi) dilated in the male, and densely spinose.
Their paraglossse are free at the apex, the first and
second joints of the antennae quite smooth, and the
mentum obsoletely toothed. Several of the species are
slightly pubescent ; and in the genera Diachromus, Di-
chirotrichus (Plate II, Fig. 5 ; D. obsoletus, a salt-marsh
insect) and Anisodactylus the widened joints are densely
hairy beneath, this hair being replaced in the others by
slightly elevated transverse ridges.
Very few are likely to obtrude themselves upon the
notice of the casual observer, on account of their hiding
by day, and generally frequenting retired places, viz.
bottoms of cliffs, sand-pits, stones on moors and sea-
shores, etc. Harpalus ruficornis, the most abundant of
the tribe, is, however, found commonly in gardens, and
may be seen when mould is dug up, etc.; it is rather
more than half an inch long, robust, dull black, with
reddish legs and aiitennse, and its wing-cases covered
with a very short greyish-yellow down.
Visitors to Hastings should look about for the very
rare Diachromus germanus, which is occasionally found
running on paths in that part of the south coast. It is
not quite half an inch long, ovate, with very short downy
hairs; its head, legs, and antennae are reddish-yellow,
thorax dark-blue or green, and elytra reddish-yellow,
with a large blue or green patch at the apex.
The TRECHIDES are closely allied to some of the
smaller members of the preceding family, but have only
two of the basal joints of the front tarsi in the male
widened, and triangular in shape ; the ligula and para-
glossse' are ciliated, the latter being much longer than
58 BRITISH BEETLES.
the former, which is wide; the last joint of their palpi
also is conic, acute, and scarcely smaller than the pre-
ceding, which is nearly conic.
This family contains only three British genera of
small species; one, Trechus, not in any way remarkable;
the next, &pys, being composed of two very minute,
flat, yellowish insects, found absolutely under the tide-
mark at mouths of rivers, under stones, and in salt-
marshes, in Scotland, Ireland, Devon, Isle of Wight,
etc.; and the last, Blemus, represented by a single
species, areolatus, another very small pitchy-black beetle,
which is found rarely on sands at the mouths of rivers,
in Wales, etc.
The last of the Geodephaga, the BEMBTDIIDES, may
readily be known by the end joint of their palpi being
acute, needle-shaped, and extremely small, the preced-
ing joint being large and club-shaped. The two first
joints of the front tarsi are sometimes widened in
the male ; but often the front tarsi are simple in both
sexes.
The members of this family are all very small, the
largest not being a quarter of an inch in length, and one
ef them, Bembidium bistriatum, three-quarters of a line
long, is the smallest British Geodephagous insect. They
occur generally in very wet places, such as the seashore,
banks of ponds, rivers and streams ; in reedy marshes,
and under stones in bogs, etc. Their prevailing colour
is brassy-green or bronze, many being black ; and there
is a tendency in the majority to assume a pattern of four
white or yellow spots on the wing-cases. Several
species emit an acrid, nasty-smelling, milky fluid, on
being captured.
B. flammulatum, found commonly in marshes, is one
GEODEPHAGA. 59
of the prettiest in marking, being greenish- bronze, with
variegated yellow transverse zigzag bands ; and B. palli-
dipenne (Plate II, Fig. 6), which occurs in great numbers
on the Lancashire coast, though not met with often else-
where, is also worthy of observation ; having a metallic
head and thorax, and straw-coloured wing-cases, with
a transverse indented darker fascia, which varies in in-
tensity of colour and extent in different specimens. The
species placed last in our lists, B. paludosum,smdiTachypus
flavipes and pallipes, present a considerable likeness to
the Elaphri and Cicindelte, at the beginning of the
section; their large eyes, slender legs, elegant shape,
and semi- aquatic habits, encouraging the notion of their
relationship, which is, however, prevented by their
structural differences, the needle-pointed apical joint of
the palpi in Bembidium being sufficient for a diagnostic
character.
60
CHAPTER X.
THE HYDRADEPHAGA, OR AQUATIC CARNIYOEOUS
BEETLES.
Subsection 2. HYDRADEPHAGA, M'Leay.
THE members of this subsection, the predaceous Water-
beetles, are the aquatic representatives of the Geodephaga,
exhibiting, in many respects, a similarity of structure,
with modifications adapted to the change of element.
Their body is nearly always smooth, depressed or ovate,
with a continuous outline ; the parts not being conspi-
cuously separate, but for the most part fitting into each
other closely. The eyes do not project; the antennae
are mostly slender, and, with the front and middle legs
(which are close to each other), pack securely against
the body. The hinder legs are removed from the middle
pair, so as to allow of an extended " fore and aft " move-
ment in rowing ; they are, in nearly all, strong, broad,
and shallow their width being in a transverse direction,
and strongly fringed with hairs on the inner side.
The hinder coxae are much enlarged, and soldered to the
metasternum, thus allowing a greater internal surface
for the attachment of the propelling muscles (Fig. 10,
dd; p. 27).
The mentum is emarginate, and, in nearly all the
HYDRADEPHAGA. 6l
species, strongly toothed in the middle ; the ligula
horny, quadrate, with the paraglossse soldered to its
sides ; the palpi are mostly thread-like ; the maxillae are
fringed on the inner side ; the scutellum is either very
small, or not visible : the basal joints of the front tarsi
are widened in the males, and all the species have stout
and large wings.
Their larvse are also aquatic, and very predaceous ;
they are mostly elongate, somewhat cylindrical, and
tapering to the tail, and with a broad head armed with
two strong, pointed jaws. They generally construct
hollow cells in banks of ponds, etc., and turn into pupse
underground, near their native element.
Our species may be divided into two families, the
Dytiscidae and Gyrinida ; in the former of which the
antennse are either thread-like or straight, and in the
latter broad, short, and elbowed.
1. The DYTISCID^E are separated into four sub-
families, the Haliplides, Pelobiides, Hydroporides, and
Dytiscides.
Of these, the HALIPLIDES form a good connecting link
with the Bembidiides in the Geodephaga, their legs not
being widened, and formed for swimming, as in the othei
Hydradephaga, but thin, slender, and adapted for walk-
ing; indeed, the species though of aquatic habits swim
but feebly, frequenting weeds, etc., and running readily,
with an alternate motion of the legs. The basal joints
of their front tarsi, also, are not dilated in the males,
a character found in some of the Bembidiides, and very
rare in the Hydradephaga, some members, of which
afford, perhaps, the greatest known development of this
structure. Their head is not so sunk in the thorax as
in the majority of their allies - } and, lastly, in the genus
62 BRITISH BEETLES.
Haliplus, the apical joint of the palpi is very small and
needle-pointed, as in Bembidium.
Their antennae are ten-jointed, and the coxae of the
hinder legs not enlarged in front, but produced behind
into a semicircular flat plate, which in Haliplus covers
three (and in Cnemidotus six) segments of the abdomen.
They are all small, ovate, and convex ; mostly light-
yellow in colour, varied with obscure darker patches.
One species, H. elevatus, is more elongate and flatter than
the rest, and is also more distinctly marked ; it has strong
longitudinal ridges on its elytra, and long straggling
legs, and may be found in running streams, clinging to
stones and weeds. Another, H. obliquus (Plate III, Fig.
4), is prettily spotted; it occurs in stagnant water.
Descriptions of our species are to be seen in a paper
by Dr. Power, published in an early number of the
' Zoologist/
The PELOBIIDES, represented by one species, Pelobius
Hermanni (PlateIII.Fig.5),have the antennae 11-jointed,
the hinder coxae not produced into a plate, but enlarged
in front, the scutellum distinct, tarsi all five-jointed, the
head stretched out, and the legs adapted more for walk-
ing than swimming. This insect, commonly known
as " the Squeaker " (about half an inch long, convex,
dull black and red in colour) is found somewhat plenti-
fully in stagnant ponds near London, clinging to weeds,
and grovelling in mud : it makes a sharp noise by
rubbing the hard reflected margin of the last segment
of its abdomen in a groove under each wing-case.
The HYDROPORIDES are all small, with no visible scu-
tellum, only four joints to the front and middle tarsi
(often much widened) and the posterior coxae enlarged
in front. Some gaily-spotted species (Hyroporus rivalis,
. HYDRADEPHAGA. 63
Plate III, Frg. 3) are found in running waters, but the ma-
jority frequent ponds and lakes. Many have pubescent
elytra ; and the surface is usually bright in the males
and dull in the females, a character also found in many
Geodephaga.
Hyphydrus ovatus, common near London, affords a
good link to Pelobius, on account of its globose form,
and the basal joints of its tarsi being very long, as well
as wider than the apical joints. I have noticed that
fresh specimens of this insect have a smell something
like that of honey.
The Dytiscides have the antennae eleven -jointed, and
all the feet five-jointed, the basal joints of the front legs
in the male being widened either simply or into round
plates, and the coxae of the hinder legs very large in
front and reaching sideways to the elytra. In the
genera Dytiscus, Cybister, Hydaticus, and Acilius, the
three basal joints of the front tarsi in the males assume
the form of a round sucker, fringed with hairs, with
little cups on the under side ; and in the first and last,
also, the females have the wing-cases deeply furrowed
longitudinally, the furrows reaching in Dytiscus half-
way down, and in Acilius to the apex of the elytra.
These two peculiarities of structure are evidently to
assist the sexes in pairing. The females of Dytiscus are,
however, sometimes found without these ciorsal furrows ;
and somewhat analogous instances of what is termed
" sexual di-morphism " occur rather frequently in the
genus Hydroporus, etc.
The true Dytisci are well known, being ' ' the Water-
beetles " of the aquarium. They are large, olive-brown,
with a yellowish side-band, and very rapacious, attacking
all that comes in their way. They swim rapidly, diving
64 BRITISH BEETLES.
with great quickness, and may be often seen at the
surface of the water, with their tail upwards, taking in
air, which thus reaches the spiracles. D. punctulatus
(Plate III, Tig. 1) is entirely black beneath.
When ponds, etc., are dried up in the summer, the
Dytiscides take to the wing, flying by night or at the
evening in search of fresh waters ; it is astonishing, how-
ever, with what a small supply of damp they will exist,
and the greatest "hauls" of specimens are often made
out of the merest cupful of muddy water, the residue
of some large pond, in which all the beetle occupants
are congregated. They have been known, in flight, to
dash against glass or lights, possibly mistaking them for
water.
Water-beetles, as a rule, are fond of gathering round
reeds and water-plants in the middle of ponds; and, in
dragging for them, the net should be scraped along
banks, round any projecting wood or stones, and through
and under weeds. After doing so, it is a good plan to
go over the same water again, in a reverse direction, as
many specimens get dislodged, but not captured, by the
first operation. In running streams, the beetles often
congregate in little pools caused by eddies and back-
waters, and shelter themselves on the quiet sides of
arches. To show how readily they fly, it may be re-
marked that holes in gravel pits, when converted into
pools by heavy rain, are soon tenanted by the large
Dytisci.
The species of Dytiscus exhibit a great family like-
ness, but are separated chiefly through the greater or
less width, length, and sharpness of the forked pro-
cesses of the coxse at the base of the two hinder legs.
They are mostly found in stagnant waters, but many of
HYDRADEPHAGA. 65
their allies delight in running streams, and these latter
are usually more metallic and variegated with light spots
(Agabus maculatus, Plate III, Fig. 2) .
The larva of the common D. marginalis (Fig. 1, p. 10)
is, when full-grown, about two inches long, dirty brown
in colour, and tapering to the tail, which is provided
with two thin appendages fringed with hairs. The
larva suspends itself in the water, head upwards, with
these appendages at the surface, and thus obtains air ;
for the ordinary breathing-holes on the sides are closed
up, and the air-vessels are reached by means of two
spiracles at the apex of the eleventh segment near the
fringed extremity. Its head is large and oval, with com-
posite eyes (Fig. 1 a, p. 10), rudimentary antennae, and
very long, sickle-shaped, pointed jaws, which are chan-
nelled so as to allow the larva to extract the juices of
its prey, there being no opening at the mouth. It is
very rapacious, and is often called "Fresh-water Shrimp."
Cybister, reputed British, has its wing-cases widened
behind, and not furrowed in the female. Acilius sul-
catus, a moderately large, common, flat, grey species,
has been observed to make a considerable humming
noise, apparently produced by the action of the air upon
the alulae or winglets, two small circular membraneous
plates at the base of the elytra (Fig. 8 h, p. 25).
The genera Laccophilus and Noterus, which have no
visible scutellum, appear to point towards the next
family, their hind legs being much widened. Noterus,
also, has the antennae short, and much thickened ; being,
moreover, of a somewhat similar build to Gyrinus, and
having similar "jerky" habits. Species of both genera,
also, occur in brackish water, a habitat of some of the
Gyrini.
F
DO BRITISH BEETLES.
2. The GYRINID^E differ vastly in structure from
all the above. They have four eyes ; two on each side,
one above and one below (Plate III, Fig. 6 a ) ; the ordi-
nary single eye being divided by the cup formed for the
articulation of the antennae : the palpiform outer lobe of
their maxillae is wanting, except in the genus Gyrinus,
where it is extremely small, slender, and rudimentary ;
their antennae are short, robust, and stiff, the second
joint being very large and ear-like, with the third and
remaining joints jammed together and inserted in its
middle (Plate III, Fig. 6 b ). The anterior legs are long
and slender, and the intermediate and hinder pair close
together, removed from the front, and extremely com-
pressed, with the femora, tibiae, and basal joint of the
tarsi very broad and triangular (Plate III, Fig. 6 C ) . The
Gyrini, commonly known as " water-fleas," " whirlwigs,"
or " whirligigs," may be seen in fine weather forming end-
less " figures of 8 " on the surface of both running and
still waters. They are small, metallic, shining black,
elongate beetles, exceedingly wary and quick in their
movements, and with a power of exuding a very nasty-
smelling acrid milky fluid, from nearly all parts of the
body apparently, when handled. This fluid is analogous
to that secreted by some Geodephaga, which it resembles
in evil odour. The female lays small cylindrical eggs,
end to end, in level rows, on water-plants, the larvae
proceeding from which are very peculiar, being narrow
and flattened, with a long slender filament rising out of
each side of all the segments except those bearing the
legs. These filaments act as air-conductors, and give
the animal the look of a Centipede. When full-grown,
it ascends water-plants, and forms a small oval cocoon,
of a substance like grey paper, in which it assumes the
pupa state.
HYDRADEPHAGA. 67
Gyrinus bicolor (Plate III, Fig. 6), the narrowest and
most elongate of our " whirlwigs," is found plentifully
in brackish water at Southend, and elsewhere on the
coast.
Orectochilus villosus, one of this family, differs from
the others in being hairy: it is supposed to be less
gregarious than the true Gyrini, though instances occur
when it is found in great numbers. Unlike the light-
loving whirlwigs, it hides itself in banks by day, and
mostly performs its evolutions on the water by dark.
Its larva forms a white silky cocoon, which has been
found under willow-bark, and in a freshwater shell.
Good Latin descriptions of most of our Hydradephaga
will be found in Eriehson's ' Kafer der Mark Branden-
burg' ; and M. Aube's ' Species Gen. des Hydrocan-
thaires et des Gyriniens/ published at Paris in 1838,
comprises all the then known species in this subsection.
68
CHAPTER XL
THE BEACHELYTEA, OE " EOVE-BEETLES."
THE Brachelytra, or Staphylini (of which perhaps only
one species, the ' ' DeviFs Coach-horse," Ocypus olens, is
known to casual observers) constitute a very large group,
and are readily distinguished by their elongate abdomen,
of which usually six or seven entirely horny segments
are exposed, and their extremely short and straightly
sutured wing-cases, beneath which the many folds of
their ample wings are hidden. The least typical forms
have, however, the wing-cases somewhat elongate, and
present a considerable likeness to certain of the smaller
Geodephaga ; from which, apart from other characters,
the absence of a palpiform lobe to their maxillae will
separate them.
Many of them, especially the larger species, are emi-
nently predatorial ; and must on no account be placed
in the collecting-bottle with other insects. A great
number also (including some of those which attack
living insects), are carrion feeders, abounding in the
dead bodies of small animals, etc. ; very many habitually
frequent the dung of our domestic quadrupeds ; others
swarm in fungi, especially when rotten ; and the re-
mainder may be briefly described as living in decaying
BRACHELYTBA. 69
vegetable matter, or haunting very wet places. Among
the exceptions to these habitats, it may be remarked
that a few species live under bark, in flowers, in sand
or shingle, sometimes beneath the tide-mark, or as pa-
rasites upon insects of the order Hymenoptera.
Many authors place this section at the extreme end
of the Coleoptera, either with the idea of a circular
system, coming back to the Geodephaga at the begin-
ning through Dromius and Omalium, or wishing to
establish a link with the Dermaptera, or Earwigs. Such
a position, however, if only by removing it from its close
ally, the section of Necrophaga, seems directly opposed
to the natural affinities of its members.
The Brachelytra are nearly always of an elongate,
linear, and flattened shape ; rarely convex ; moderate in
size, the majority being very small, and some exceedingly
minute ; dull, or slightly metallic in colour, occasionally
ornamented with red or yellow spots on the elytra, and
but rarely exhibiting bright tints. Some are very po-
lished and destitute of hairs, but the greater part are
clothed with a fine short pubescence, which is in a few
instances long and thick.
Among the points to be noticed in discriminating be-
tween closely allied forms, the following will be found
most worthy of attention : the relative length and
width of the joints of the antennae and tarsi, the degree
of punctuation and pubescence, the length of the elytra,
the markings (if any) on the thorax, and the sexual
characters afforded by the sculpture, etc., of the under
side of the terminal segments of the abdomen in the
males of very many species.
This sculpture usually takes the form of a more or
less angulated or deeply impressed notch in the hinder
70 BRITISH BEETLES.
margin of the last segment but one, which notch is in
some families much increased, and armed with lateral
teeth, etc., on the ante-penultimate segment ; the greater
part of the lower surface of the abdomen being some-
times affected by somewhat similar alterations of struc- ,
ture, and in a few cases adorned with curls of hairs.
In some of the smaller species the penultimate seg-
ment of the male exhibits a notch, or one or more
tubercles or ridges (or both) on its upper side.
The tarsi of the Brachelytra are for the most part five-
jointed, though there are many of them in which the
Heteromerous character is reproduced and reversed, the
posterior and intermediate tarsi having five joints, and
the anterior only four ; some also are entirely four-, and
a few three-jointed..
The coxse, especially of the anterior legs, are much
increased in size, and capable of extension from the
body ; thus allowing considerable freedom of action to
those limbs.
Their antennae are nearly always composed of eleven
joints, and filiform, sometimes a little thickened towards
the tip, or even slightly clavate ; and in one genus,
Micropeplus (a very aberrant form, which has been
placed by some authors among the Clavicornes), deci-
dedly abruptly knobbed. The basal joint is occasionally
elongate, the antennae then somewhat resembling those
of the Rhynchophora.
The remark before made, as to the development of
the eyes in such species of Geodephaga as frequent very
wet places, applies also ta Brachelytra of similar habits ;
and in the Omalidae, besides the ordinary compound la-
teral eyes, there are two small simple eyes, or ocelli, on
the back of the head (as in the Hymenopterd) ; but it is
BRACHELYTRA. 71
doubtful whether these are of any assistance to the sight.
One of the Proteinida (Phlceobium) has a single ocellus
in the same position.
The parts of the mouth are well developed, though
not quite so highly as in the Adephaga ; the labrum
very often has a membraneous margin, and is sometimes
furnished with appendages, or fringed or clothed with
hairs; the mandibles vary according to the habits of
their possessors, but are often strong, curved, and sharp ;
the maxillae have no outer palpiform lobe, and are not
toothed at the apex, their palpi being four- join ted, with
the apical joint often very small and subulate ; the la-
bium is well denned ; the ligula being distinct, narrow,
and linear, often bifid at the extremity, and with its
paraglossse frequently conspicuous.
The abdomen is often furnished at the apex with two
fleshy papillae, from which a disagreeable odour is emitted
when the insect is handled. It is, in nearly all, so long
as to be capable of being bent forward and used in ar-
ranging the folds of the wings under the elytra. There
are usually seven segments distinctly visible on the lower
surface, but there is also another, by which it is articu-
lated to the metathorax, and which is only visible on
the upper side, when the elytra and wings are removed.
In Erichson's descriptions the sixth segment means the
last but one, which is termed the seventh by Dr. Kraatz ;
the latter being in reality correct, though the former
seems to be right.
The larvae of the Brachelytra somewhat resemble the
perfect insects, being of elongate, narrow shape; and
are found under similar circumstances. They differ but
little in general structure among the different species,
and may be distinguished from those of the Geodephaga
72 BRITISH BEETLES.
by their mandibles not being toothed on the inner side,
their closed-up mouth, the single claw at the apex of
their tarsi, and their two double-jointed anal forks,
which are beset with stiff hairs, The extremity of the
body is also produced into a fleshy tubular support.
They are very active and voracious, using their sharp
jaws with great effect, and sucking the juices of their
prey through them, after the same fashion as the larvae
of the Hydradephaga.
Descriptions of the European species of Brachelytra
are to be found in the works of Kraatz, Thomson, and
Fairmaire above alluded to ; and an indispensable help
to the student of this group is afforded by the ' Genera
et Species Staphylinorum ' of Dr. Gr. F. Erichson (1839-
1840). This book contains descriptions, entirely in
Latin, of all the then known Brachelytra ; and is con-
spicuous for the way in which its lamented author seizes,
as if by intuition, upon those characters most useful in
comparison, and for the exact application of his varied
terms for differences of structure and colour.
The beginner will find the insects of this group diffi-
cult both to determine and to set out properly. Care
must be taken in mounting them, not to rub off the pu-
bescence, gum the upper side, or distort the parts, as a
specimen thus maltreated is additionally hard to make
out. They are best set out soon after being killed ; and
must not be left in laurel, or else their limbs come to
pieces very readily on being manipulated. It is neces-
sary to have the abdomen displayed in its proper pro-
portions ; and this is no easy matter, as the rings usually
contract within each other at the instant of death : the
best way to counteract this, is to gum only the head,
thorax, and breast on the card at first, and, when these
BRACHELYTRA. 73
are securely dried (which may be in about a quarter of
an hour, or less) to damp the abdomen slightly on its
upper and under sides; the setting needle may then be
inserted into the opening at the extremity of the body,
and the segments gradually and gently pulled out by its
slightly hooked point. Another, and less secure way
is to drag out all the segments by piercing the last one
through its under surface after inserting the point of the
needle ; but this is apt to destroy or distort the end of
the abdomen. In either case the abdomen must not be
left with the articulating surfaces of the segments ex-
posed, or unduly elongated ; and a good supply of thick
gum on each side, after the first gum is dried, is neces-
sary to retain it in its place. Sometimes even a small
card brace is required to prevent it from again contract-
ing, or losing its hold on the card.
A level position of the head and thorax is best ob-
tained by placing the two front legs rather backwards
than forwards, otherwise the great development of the
anterior trochanters often gives trouble in setting.
A specimen of each sex should be mounted on its
back, to show the abdominal characters beneath.
The British species of Brachelytra (nearly 700 in
number) may be considered as divided into thirteen
families, viz. the Aleocharidte, Tachyporidce, Quediida,
Staphylinidce, Xantholinida, P&derida, Stenida, Oxyte-
lidce, Omalida, Proteinidae, Phloeocharida, Piestidce, and
Micropeplidte. These families, the members of which
(except perhaps in the Aleocharidte) preserve a certain
family likeness amongst themselves, are chiefly sepa-
rated by the place of insertion of their antennae, and by
the hidden or conspicuous position of their first (or pro-
thoracic) pair of stigmata or spiracles, which are situated
74 BRITISH BEETLES.
on the under side of the " thorax," behind the coxae of
the front pair of legs.
The ALEOCHARID^;, extensive in numbers and puzzling
to determine, have the prothoracic spiracles conspicuous,
and the antennae inserted in front, close to the inner an-
terior margin of the eyes. The apical joint of their
maxillary palpi is very small and needle-pointed, and
the labial palpi have mostly 3, though in some (Aleo-
chara) 4, in others (Autalia, Gyrophana, etc.) but 2,
and in a few (Silusa, Myllcena, etc.) no joints.
Their front coxae are conic and prominent, being only
joined to the prosternum at their upper extremity, and
the posterior trochanters are somewhat elongate, run-
ning along the base of the femur.
Their tarsi vary in the number of joints, having either
5 or 4 joints to all the feet, or 4 to the front pair and 5
to the intermediate and hinder ; and the anterior tarsi
are never dilated in the male, which may be known from
the other sex generally by the penultimate segment of
the abdomen on the upper side having a tubercle or
ridge, or an assemblage of tubercles, or a thickened or
notched hinder margin. There is, sometimes, in the
male a tubercle on the anterior part of the abdomen,
and the penultimate segment beneath is often produced
in the middle : the antennae, also, are frequently more
elongate and robust.
In habits they are very varied, mostly, however, fre-
quenting decayed vegetable matter. Some species (Au-
talia, Bolitochara, Gyrophana, etc.), are found in fungi;
others (Ocyusa, Tachyusa, Myllana, etc.), haunt very
wet places ; many (Ischnoglossa, Phlceopora, etc.) , occur
under bark, and some in sandy localities ; members of
the great genus Homalota are found in all these habitats.
BRACHELYTRA. 75
The true Aleocharai feed in animal matter (hence their
name), or in the dung of animals or putrifying seaweed ;
but perhaps the most curious habit of any of the family
is that of parasitism; Thiasophila, Homwusa, Dinarda,
Lomechusa, Atemeles, Myrmedonia, and some Oxypoda
and Homalotte, being constantly found in the nests of
certain species of ants, and Haploglossa in those of the
sand-martin.
These Myrmecophilous (or ant-loving) species occur
not only in the <c runs " and purlieus of the nests, but
also in the most inner sanctuaries, where they appear
perfectly at home, and are never molested by their mul-
titudinous hosts. The terms of the agreement between
these landlords and tenants have never yet been satisfac-
torily determined; nevertheless, it is certain that the
ants must be much attached to the beetles. I have seen
Atemeles emarginatus (not uncommon in nests of For-
mica fusca) being carried about tenderly in the mouth
of an ant much less than itself. This curious species
(Plate IV, Fig. 1), like others of its allies, coils itself
up almost into a ball; and one is much astonished to see
the length of leg and antenna which it unfolds on en-
deavouring to escape. Myrmedonia funesta, abundant
in nests of F. fuliginosa, is strikingly like that ant in
appearance; and, with others of its genus, acquires a
very pungent odour, from constantly living in an atmo-
sphere impregnated with formic acid. It is possibly
from this cause that these species so often stain with
purple the card on which they are mounted.
The species of Ilyobates, Callicerus, etc., are specially
remarkable for the development of their antennae, of
which the terminal joint is often of great length in the
male. They occur rarely in sand-pits, etc.
76 BRITISH BEETLES.
Tachyusa constricta, a slender, graceful insect, found
in wet shingle on the banks of rivers (especially the
Mole, near Leatherhead) , has a peculiar appearance,
owing to its very " pinched-in " waist ; when alive, like
the greater part of this family, it curls its abdomen up-
wards and forwards, and runs with great quickness.
Perhaps, however, the most curious instance of this
curling propensity is afforded by Encephalus complicans,
a small black species found in rotten fungi, etc., and
about as unlike the insect last-mentioned as possible,
being extremely ' c squab " and flat : it is not very com-
mon, and may be easily passed over by a novice, on ac-
count of its turning its abdomen entirely over its back,
and thus (when not in motion) looking more like a small
black seed than a beetle. The species of Gyrophcena,
minute bright- coloured insects, also occurring (gre-
gariously) in fungi, and very closely allied to Encephalus,
have a similar habit, though in a rather less degree :
they are difficult to determine, but may generally be
distinguished inter se by the rows of punctures on the
thorax. Full English descriptions of our species, by
Mr. G. R. Waterhouse, are to be found in the Trans-
actions of the Entomological Society of London, 3rd
series, vol. i. (1861).
The genera Oxypoda and Homalota, comprising many
small species, and very troublesome to beginners, exhibit
a considerable likeness to each other : the former may,
however, be known by all its tarsi being five-jointed (the
front tarsi in Homalota having only four joints) ; the
more elongate basal joint of its hind tarsi (except in the
instance of Homalota gr eg aria, which has a similar for-
mation in that respect) ; its usually more convex form
and stouter antennae ; and the greater sinuation of the
BRACHELYTRA. 77
outer hinder margin of its elytra. Lastly, Mylltena and
its allies, very much contracted behind, and clothed with
a short, dense, silky pubescence, are noteworthy from
the anomalous jointless structure of their labial palpi,
before alluded to.
The TACHYPORID^ (so named on account of their
rapid movements) are composed of usually bright-
coloured species, found principally in fungi, moss, or
dung, and considerably contracted at both extremities,
especially behind, the front being more obtuse. The ab-
domen is usually elongate and pointed ; but, when the in-
sects are dead, the segments run up frequently, as in a
telescope, so that it is by no means easy to preserve the
correct facies of the insect in a dried specimen. The best
way in mounting them is to put gum arabic (with which
a little white sugar has been melted) under the tail ; and,
as soon as that is dry, gum the entire last segment over
with tragacanth, keeping the abdomen from contracting
(if you can) with a card brace. They should not be dried
quickly.
Their prothoracic spiracles are conspicuous, and their
antennae inserted towards the hinder part of the side
margin of the forehead, before the eyes. Their maxillary
palpi have the apical joint subulate in some species ;
and the antennae are filiform and eleven -jointed in most,
but ten-jointed and thickened in one genus, Hypocyptus,
comprised of very small shining globular insects, which
have somewhat the appearance of the Agathidia, in the
next section. The legs are usually spiny, and the tarsi
have five joints in all except Hypocyptus, which has but
four. The anterior tarsi are widened at the base in the
male, and both sexes often exhibit very striking cha-
racters at the apex of the abdomen, both on the upper
and under sides.
78 BRITISH BEETLES.
Trichophya and Habrocerus are conspicuous from
their hair-like antennae, which are adorned with slender
rings of hairs, resembling microscopic Equisetum : the
former is found plentifully in the corridors of the Crystal
Palace at Sydenham, whither it flies from its haunts
among the fir-trees at Shirley, etc.
The Tachini, moderately large, flat, and stout-looking
(but fragile), abound in rotten fungi and dung, being also
often taken at the fermenting sap of cut-down trees.
They present admirable characters for specific dia-
gnosis in the very pronounced teeth and notchings of the
upper and under sides of the sub-apical segment of the
abdomen, which is different in the two sexes. In order
to obtain a clear outline of this structure, it is as well to
remove the extreme apical segment of specimens showing
the upper and under surface of each sex.
The species of Tachyporus, small, shining, flattish,
and more or less yellow marked with black, exhibit some-
what similar sexual characters. They are difficult to de-
termine, owing to their want of punctuation, and are
generally abundant in moss and wet places. The Boli-
tobii, gaily coloured (Plate IV, Fig. 2, Bolitobius atrica-
pillus) and very active species, occur in profusion in
fungi in the autumn. English descriptions of all our
species will be found in the first volume of the ' Ento-
mologist's Monthly Magazine/ by the present writer.
Lastly, the members of the genus Mycetoporus, smaller
and narrower than the Bolitobii, are found sometimes in
moss, but more usually in sand-pits, etc., during the
early spring. The position and number of certain deep
punctures on the elytra and sides and front of the thorax
will assist in determining the species of this genus.
The QUEDIID,E (usually considered a subfamily of the
BRACHELYTRA. 79
Staphylinidte) have the mandibles not very prominent ;
the labial palpi filiform (with two exceptions) ; and all
their tarsi five-jointed. They present a certain resem-
blance to the Philonthi, in the next family, but have the
sides of the thorax simple (with no marginal line), and
more rounded; and their head is broader at the base.
Their antennae are inserted at the front of the side mar-
gin of the head, and their prothoracic spiracles conspi-
cuous, as in the former families.
Euryporus and Astrapaeus have the third joint of the
labial palpi hatchet- shaped (the enlargement being more
evident in the male) ; and the anterior tarsi are dilated
in the latter, and simple in the former, in both sexes.
They are both very rare, Astrap&us being, indeed, du-
bious as British, and Euryporus (in which the head is
small) occasionally occurring in moss.
Acylophorus, taken under cut reeds, etc., at Merton,
by Dr. Power, is conspicuous as well from its rarity as
the band of testaceous colour near the apex of its abdo-
men, the elongate basal joint of its antennae, and its
cylindrical anterior tarsi, of which the apical joint is as
long as the four preceeding, and armed with strong
claws; the posterior tarsi having the basal joint the
longest, and the apical with small claws.
The species of Heterothops closely resemble the smaller
Quedii, from which they may be known by the subulate
apical joint of their palpi. They are found at the bot-
toms of haystacks, under seaweed, etc.
Quedius comprises several species, of varied habits and
sizes, and is divided into two sections ; the first having
the part of the prosternum behind the anterior coxae
horny, and the second having the same part membra-
neous. The number of punctures in the dorsal rows
80 BRITISH BEETLES.
of the thorax (never exceeding three in each) also assists
in separating these insects. Q. dilatatus, a very large,
broad, black species, with slightly iridescent abdomen
and serrated antennse, is found occasionally in hornets'
nests, and also in the burrows of the larva of the goat-
moth, being evidently parasitic in its habits. Another
(and much smaller) species, Q. breuis, with red elytra,
tail, antennse, and legs, is of similar social propensities,
being found in ants' nests. Q. later alis, next in size to
Q. dilatatus, found in rotten fungi and dung in the
autumn, is shining-black, with the reflexed side-margins
of its elytra yellowish. Q. truncicola, cruentus (Plate
IV, Fig. 3), stilus, and l&vigatus, are all subcortical
species ; the latter, a flattened, polished insect, occurring
under pine-bark in Scotland.
The remaining species (with the exception of the
little Q. auricomus, conspicuous from its abdomen
being striped with rows of fine golden or silvery pu-
bescence, and which is found in wet moss, etc., near or
in waterfalls) offer no peculiarity of structure or habit :
they are mostly dull in colour, though sometimes having
red elytra, and occur in moss, haystacks, dead leaves,
dung, etc.
The STAPHYLINID^E (the giants of the section) have
the prothoracic spiracles conspicuous ; the antennse dis-
tant at the base and inserted in front, within the base of
the mandibles ; and the thorax with a lateral marginal
line, both on the upper and under side. Their man-
dibles are generally large, the maxillary palpi filiform,
the ligula small and rounded, entire in Philonthus, but
emarginate in the other genera, and with the paraglossse
always long. The males are usually known by their
larger heads and dilated anterior tarsi, and by the penul-
BRACHELYTRA. 81
timate segment of their abdomen being slightly notched
on the under side. The different species are found under
stones, in dung, carrion, or decaying vegetable matter,
or flying in the hot sunshine.
Creophilus maxillosus, a common large carnivorous
insect, may often be seen in dead animals. It runs
rapidly and flies strongly, and is elegantly mottled with
short grey pubescence ; the head and mandibles some-
times attaining a very large size in the males (Plate IV,
Fig. 4). A variety (ciliaris, Leach) with golden-brown
hairs is found sometimes in Scotland.
The very rare Emus hirtus, so thickly clothed with
long yellow hairs as to look somewhat like a humble-
bee on the wing, flies in the hot sunshine, and has been
captured in cow-droppings_, where it is supposed to feed
on dung^loving beetles.
The true Staphylini are (with the exception of S. c&-
sareus, which may often be seen settling on hot path-
ways in the spring) of rare occurrence, and have mostly
red wing-cases, their abdomen being often adorned with
golden spots. S. erythropterus, found in the north of
England, closely resembles the above-mentioned S. ccesa-
reus, from which it may be known by its golden-haired
scutellum. Ocypus contains several large (and mostly
black) species, one of which, 0. olens, is well known,
being the " Devil's Coach-horse " par excellence. This
rapacious monster, of fetid smell, with extended jaws,
elevated head, and turned-up tail (from which two yel-
lowish vesicles protrude), may often be seen in pathways
or gardens ; its larva seems to be equally savage, having
somewhat similar habits to that of Cicindela, and not
sparing even its own species. The perfect insect is quite
fearless, and will seize upon anything, however large.
82 BRITISH BEETLES.
that is placed in its path. The pupa appears to have a
fringe of long hairs on the front of its thorax.
Two species of this genus, morio and compressus, are
distinguished by the want of any inner tooth to their
mandibles, which are simply sickle-shaped.
The great number of Philonthi, black or brassy in-
sects, with the elytra sometimes spotted or suffused with
red, are divided into sections, characterized by the longitu-
dinal row of punctures on each side of the middle of the
thorax ; those of the first section having the disk smooth,
and the others increasing from two rows of three punc-
tures each, until the thorax is entirely thickly punc-
tured, with the exception of a smooth middle line. Some
little caution, however, is required in separating speci-
mens by this character, as there are sometimes irregular
punctures, interfering with the proper dorsal rows, and
often not alike on both sides.
The XANTHOLINID^E have the prothoracic spiracles as
in the Staphylinida ; but their antennae are inserted be-
fore the base of the mandibles, and are not more distant
from each other than they are from the eyes. The
species are mostly very long and narrow, with the basal
joint of the antennae elongate (whereby the antennae
become elbowed, as in thePhyncophord), the middle legs
rather longer than the others, and the elytra uneven
and rather lapped over at the suture ; the genus Othius,
however, has the antennae of the usual structure and the
suture straight.
The members of this family are found in moss, decay-
ing vegetable matter, sandpits, etc., one species, Lepta-
cinus formicetorum, occurring in ants' nests ; and they
are not conspicuous for variety of colour, being at most
black, slightly relieved by yellow or red.
BRACHELYTRA. 83
The species of Xantholinus have a peculiar habit of
curling (or rather " doubling ") themselves up in repose,
their linear shape and free joints allowing numerous
angular bends; their head is very elongate, not con-
tracted at the base, with small eyes placed near the
front, which is deeply furrowed and connected with the
thorax by a small cylindrical neck, and they may
generally be separated by the dorsal punctuation of the
thorax, which varies considerably in amount and degree.
A variety (with the thorax entirely reddish) of the pret-
tiest species, X. tricolor, occurs not rarely at the seaside
in the south ; and the type-form, which is rufo- testa-
ceous, with the head, base of the thorax, and the abdo-
men pitchy, has been taken under refuse in Scotland,
where (and, indeed, all over the country, also) Baplolinus
alternans, a flat, broad-headed, gaily-coloured insect, is
found under bark.
Xantholinus fulgidus (Plate IV, Fig. 5), a shining black
species, with bright red elytra, lives in hotbeds, vege-
table refuse, dead wood, etc.
The ~PMVERIVJE have the prothoracic spiracles hidden,
and the antennae inserted under the apex of the lateral
margin of the forehead ; the space behind the anterior
coxae is membranous, and the posterior coxae are conic.
Their maxillary palpi are more or less elongate, with the
apical joint subulate or pointed and very small; the
labrum and ligula both bilobed (the apex of the latter
being tridentate in Scopteus}, the apical joint of the
labial palpi small and pointed, and the paraglossse linear
and ciliated on the inner side. The mandibles are
slender, sharp, and long; the head either attached to
the thorax by a slender neck, or distinctly pedunculated ;
and the tarsi, which are all five-jointed, have the fourth
G 2
84 BRITISH BEETLES.
joint simple, except in Paederus and Sunius, where it is
bilobed.
The species of Paederus are all very brightly co-
loured; red, bluish- or greenish -black, and yellow, in
sudden contrast, being their usual tints ; and they are
especially noteworthy for the very deep notching of the
penultimate segment of the abdomen beneath in the
male.
P. caligatus (Plate IV, Fig. 6), hitherto exceedingly
rare, has recently been found in profusion in very wet
mossy places on Wimbledon Common.
Lathrobium comprises certain elongate, flattish, marsh-
loving insects (some, also, occurring in sand-pits), of
which the most gaily coloured have merely half the elytra
stained with red, and which afford no subject of remark,
except that good characters for their specific discrimi-
nation are to be found in the notching, etc., of the under
surface of the penultimate abdominal segment in the
males.
Achenium, found in the cracks of mud-banks and under
stones, has a wide, but very thin body, eminently adapted
to its habitat ; and a departure from the normal form of
antenna, in this family, is afforded by the light-footed
Crypt obium fracticorne (in which the basal joint is much
elongated), found in thick wet moss.
The species of Stilicus, living in dead leaves and moss,
present a considerable family- likeness to each other, on
account of their slender long legs, and dull head and
thorax, the former of which is wide and orbiculate, and
separated by a neck from the latter, which is narrowed
in front. The males in this genus exhibit strong diffe-
rences, as in Lathrobium; and the coloration of the
apex of the elytra and legs assists materially in making
BRACHELYTRA. 85
out the species, one of which only, the "red-neck"
(S.fragilis), departs from a level obscurity of tone.
The STENID^E have the prothoracic spiracles hidden,
with the space behind the anterior coxae horny ; the an-
tennae inserted between the eyes or at the anterior mar-
gin of the forehead ; the anterior coxae minute, and the
posterior conic; the basal joint of the maxillary palpi
elongate, and the apical joint so small as to be scarcely
perceptible; the paraglossae membraneous, soldered to
the ligula in Ev&sthetus and Dianous, and free, with
rounded ends in Stenus ; and the tarsi five-jointed, except
in the former genus, wherein they are four- jointed.
They live in wet places for the most part, sometimes
occurring in the water itself; Dianous caerulescens (Plate
V, Fig. 1) being taken under stones and in moss in
waterfalls, etc.
The quadrate mentum, longer antennae, smaller eyes,
and finer punctuation of this species, added to the vesi-
cles at the extremity of its abdomen, at once distinguish
it from any of the Steni, to some of which it bears con-
siderable resemblance.
Stenus (in which the ligula with the paraglossse and
labial palpi are so slightly articulated to the mentum,
which is triangular, that, when suddenly killed, they are
often thrust out adhering to the end of the gullet, and
form a kind of proboscis) comprises a great number of
species, of great family-likeness, owing to their cylin-
drical shape, strong punctuation, dull colour, and promi-
nent eyes ; in the latter point affording another instance
of the remark before made as to a similar development
in water-frequenting Coleoptera. They are divided into
two sections, in which the fourth joint of the tarsi is re-
spectively simple or bilobed ; and these are again formed
86 BKITISH BEETLES.
into subdivisions, having the abdomen (seven segments
of which are distinctly exposed) either with or without
a lateral marginal ridge. Some of the species in both
sections are also spotted on the elytra, and the males
exhibit good distinctive characters in the notching, etc.,
of the terminal segments beneath ; S. Rogeri having a
strong row of curled yellow hairs turned inwards, on
each side of the middle of the lower surface of the abdo-
men, besides certain notches and elevations at the apex.
Those with bilobed tarsi are often found crawling
slowly on plants, whilst many of the other section run
quickly in dry places ; S. Guynemeri, found in the north
and west of England, lives almost (if not entirely) in the
water, especially in mountain streams.
English descriptions (by the present writer) of all our
species will be found in the first volume of ' The Ento-
mologist's Monthly Magazine/
The OXYTELID.E have the prothoracic spiracles hid-
den ; the antennae (which are more or less elbowed, on
account of the elongation of the basal joint) inserted
under the elevated lateral margin of the forehead ; the
thorax beneath membraneous behind the anterior coxse,
which are elongate, subconic, and prominent, the poste-
rior pair being transverse ; the ligula membraneous,
with the paraglossse either soldered to it or entirely
absent (Oxyporus and Bledius) ; the apical joint of the
maxillary and labial palpi generally subulate; the an-
terior and intermediate tibiae spinose in all except Tro-
gophlwus ; and the tarsi with only three joints (of which
the apical one is much the longest), except in Oxyporus,
which has five.
This genus seems to be not satisfactorily placed in
its present position ; its five-jointed tarsi, the bicuspid
BRACHELYTRA. 87
apex of its mentum, the lunated apical joint of its labial
palpi, and filiform maxillary palpi, absent paraglossse (in
which, however, it resembles Bledius), porrect mandibles,
one of which the left is toothed on the lower side,
and the articulation of its middle legs to the sides of the
mesothorax, appearing to remove it from any of the
Oxytelidcs.
Oxyporus rufus (Plate V, Fig. 2) is conspicuous for
its robust build, bright colours, sharp elongate jaws, and
the large size of the head in the male : it is found on
fungi, eating transverse galleries through the " gills " on
the lower side, and runs with great swiftness.
The species of Bledius are mostly gregarious, fre-
quenting the sea-sands, banks of rivers, sandpits, etc.
They are elongate and cylindrical in shape, as might be
expected from their burrowing habits, and have the
front tibiae thickened and strongly spined. In the males
of some, the head bears two erect horns, and the thorax
also has one in the middle, pointing forwards : these horns
are much developed in the large males; but, in the
smaller specimens, are of more feeble build. The Bledii
pass all the stages of their existence in the sand, and are
often preyed upon by some of the Dyschirii (Geode-
phaga) ; they fly readily towards the evening, and have
been observed to remain in their burrows beneath the
tide for some time.
Platystethushas the apical joint of the labial palpi not
subulate, and its members (all of which are small, black,
and shining) live in dung or the cracks of mud-backs.
The true Oxyteli abound in dung, at the fermenting
sap of felled trees, under rotten seaweed, etc. ; they are
all more or less flat, dull-black, with the parts of the
body somewhat loosely articulated; the thorax with
88 BRITISH BEETLES.
three longitudinal furrows, and the abdomen shining;
the males have the apical segments of the abdomen be-
neath sinuated, notched,, and tuberculated ; the females,
also, exhibiting a tendency to similar irregularities.
The species of Trogophlceus, diminutive, cylindrical,
dull-black, pubescent insects, with very short tarsi,
occur in mud-banks and wet places, and have usually a
deep impression at the back of the thorax. Syntomium
(Bneum, a small, metallic, " stumpy " beetle, very strongly
punctured and slow of foot, and with three apical joints
of its antennae suddenly thickened, may be found under
dead leaves in sandpits. Lastly, the rare Acrognathus
and Deleaster, larger, rufo-testaceous species, live in
very wet places, in rotting leaves at the edges of ponds ;
the former is very sluggish, and seems swollen with the
water in which it soaks, but the latter flies readily, and
runs with great swiftness.
The OMALID^; have five-jointed tarsi; the protho-
racic spiracles hidden; the thorax membraneous be-
neath, behind the anterior coxae; the antennae inserted
under the lateral margin of the forehead, which margin
is not elevated ; the anterior coxae almost conic and ex-
serted, and the posterior transverse ; the maxillae armed
with a horny hook at the apex ; the elytra reaching be-
yond the metathorax, and rounded at the outer hinder
corners ; and two ocelli on the middle of the head. They
are mostly somewhat depressed, with long, slender
antennae ; and live in wet places, under seaweed, stones,
and bark, and in flowers.
The species of Anthophagus, Geodromicus, and Lesteva,
on account of their long slender legs, long elytra, and
somewhat heart-shaped thorax, present considerable re-
semblance to certain of the smaller Lebiides in the Geode-
BRACHELYTRA. 89
phaga ; and one of the former genus, A. alpinus, has the
head of the male (which sex is very rare) enlarged, with
a spine on each side in front, and strong, curved, promi-
nent mandibles.
Acidota, found under pine-bark and in moss, has very
stoutly built legs, and spiny tibiae; the species, also, are
somewhat larger, linear and shining. Olophrum and
Lathrimceum, on the contrary, are convex and short;
and the little black Micralymma brevipenne, with very
short elytra, is noteworthy from living far below high-
water mark on the coast in all its stages. Eusphalerum
and Anthobium sometimes abound in flowers, the latter
occurring on Umbelliferce in woods, and the former in
primroses.
The species of Omalium, in which the four basal joints
of the tarsi are equal, and scarcely so long as the apical
joint alone, are varied in habits ; many are found under
bark, others in flowers, some at sap, or in marshy places,
and one or two in profusion under decaying seaweed.
O. planum (Plate V, Fig. 3) is, perhaps, as good a type
of a subcortical insect as could be seen.
The PROTEINID.E have the prothoracic spiracles hidden;
the antennae inserted under the lateral margin of the cly-
peus ; the anterior coxse cylindrical, not prominent (some-
what like those of the Nitidulides), and the posterior
transverse; the tarsi five-jointed; the thorax horny
beneath, behind the anterior coxse ; the paraglossse dis-
tinct, and in Megarthrus longer than the ligula.
The species of Proteinus, which are very small, flat-
tish-oval, and black, are found in rotten fungi, etc.,
often in great numbers ; they may be distinguished inter
se by their antennae, of which the basal portion varies in
the number of its light-coloured joints.
90 BRITISH BEETLES.
The Megarthri, living in fungi, under bark, and in
vegetable refuse, have the thorax deeply channelled and
notched at the sides and hinder angles ; the hinder and
intermediate femora and tibiae are also more or less
curved, thickened or toothed in the males.
Phlosobium clypeatum (Plate V, Fig. 4), found in tufts
of grass, etc., has similar sexual differences, and is worthy
of remark on account of its possessing a single ocellus on
the back of the head.
The PHLCEOCHARID^E have the pro thoracic spiracles
hidden ; the antennae inserted under the lateral margin
of the forehead ; no ocelli ; the anterior coxae conic and
prominent, the posterior transverse and the tarsi five-
jointed; the thorax membraneous beneath, behind the
anterior coxae ; and the abdomen widely margined.
We posses but two genera, each containing a single
species. Phlosocharis subtilissima, a very small dark-
brown, dull-looking insect, with the maxillary palpi subu-
late, found in dry dead sticks and wood ; and Pseu-
dopsis sulcatus, occurring rarely in haystacks and vege-
table refuse near London, and conspicuous on account of
its elongate shape, dull black colour, and very strong
longitudinal furrows and elevations.
The PIESTID.E, represented in England by one genus
and species, Prognatha quadricornis, have the prothoracic
spiracles hidden ; the thorax entirely horny below ; the
anterior coxae globose, not prominent, and the posterior
transverse ; the tarsi five-jointed ; and the apical seg-
ment of the abdomen inconspicuous.
P. quadricornis (Plate V, Fig. 5) is found under bark,
sometimes in considerable numbers ; it is elongate, flat,
and narrow, pitchy-black and shining, with the elytra,
antennae, legs, and apex of abdomen reddish. In the
BRACHELYTRA. 91
male the head is much enlarged, the forehead hollowed,
with a horn on each side stretching forwards, and the
mandibles also armed each with another horn, larger than
itself.
Occasionally specimens of the male occur in which
these characters are developed to an inordinate extent.
Lastly, the MICROPEPLID.E, also represented by a single
germs, have the spiracles hidden and thorax horny, as in
the last family ; the anterior coxae not prominent, and
the posterior globose ; the front and hind legs distant at
the base ; the tarsi three-jointed ; and the antennae nine-
jointed, knobbed, and fitting into grooves.
Their sculpture is very remarkable, the entire upper
surface being strongly costated or divided by longitu-
dinal ridges ; on account of which, added to their knobbed
antennae and short compact form, they have often been
classed among the Nitidulida, somewhat resembling also
certain species of Onthophilus.
Micropeplus mar garlics (Plate V, Fig. 6), found like
its congeners in vegetable refuse, is not uncommon ;
and M. tesserula, the rarest species, taken in Scotland,
may be known by its polished appearance.
CHAPTER XII.
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAYICORNES.
THIS section comprises groups of very different appear-
ance and habits, answering for the most part to the
genera Silpha, Dermestes, and Byrrhus of old authors,
and including the Philhydrida (Palpicornes of the French
entomologists), the aquatic representatives of the Lamel-
licornes. Its members (which feed principally upon de-
caying animal or vegetable matter) have the antennae
clubbed or incrassate at the apex, sometimes elbowed or
with a longer basal joint, and inserted near the mandi-
bles, which are usually strong ; the inner lobe of the
maxilla is not palpiform ; the tarsi are mostly 5-jointed,
and the tibiae spurred; the scutellum large, and the
elytra nearly always covering the sides of the abdomen
(the apical segments of which are often exposed), and
occasionally truncate. It may be considered as divided
into eighteen families, the Silphida, Scydm&nidcK, Aniso-
tomidce, Scaphidiida, Huterida, Nitidulida, Trogositidce,
Colydiida, Cucujidte, Crytophagidce, Mycetophagida,
Dermestidce, Byrrhida, Heterocerida, Parnidce, Georys-
sidce, Hydrophilida, and Sphaeridiidce but it must b,e
acknowledged that there is considerable difference of
opinion as to the affinities of these insects.
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 93
The SILPHID,E exhibit a considerable affinity to the
Brachelytra ; having the elytra more or less truncate,
with the apex of the abdomen exposed and the coxae
free, the anterior pair being exserted. Their larvae,
also, are much alike, differing principally in the posses-
sion of a labrum by those of the Silphidce. They are
divided into two subfamilies, the Silphides and Cholevides;
having the mandibles strong and reaching beyond the
labrum, which is distinct; the antennae not elbowed;
the tarsi, with one exception, five-jointed, and mostly
with the front pair widened at the base in the male ;
and the posterior coxse approximated, with the trochan-
ters projecting. The SILPHIDES comprise the well-
known " Sexton " or " Burying " beetles, found in dead
animals; which, if not too large, they contrive to drag
beneath the ground, several individuals of both sexes
often uniting in the work, and the females laying their
eggs in the buried carcase. Some of them are also
occasionally found in fungi, or in decaying fish on the
seashore. They belong to the genus Necrophorus, the
largest in size of all the section (except Hydrous), and
have strongly- clubbed ten -jointed antennae, being often
adorned with orange-coloured bands (Plate VI, Fig. 1,
N. mortuorwn). They fly strongly, smell somewhat of
musk, and exude a fetid black fluid from the mouth.
Their larvae, also carrion-feeders, have cylindrical fleshy
bodies and weak legs.
The Silpha are smaller, flat, with less strongly clubbed
eleven-jointed antennae, and broad, flat, horny, active,
strong-legged larvae.
The CHOLEVIDES are all smaller and narrower insects,
occurring gregariously in decaying animal or vegetable
matter. Their tibiae are not armed with spines on the
94 BRITISH BEETLES.
outer side, and their head is short and sunk in the tho-
rax. Our species of Choleva (having the antennae but
little clubbed, and with the eighth joint very small) are
described in Murray's monograph of the genus Catops
(Annals and Magazine of Nat. Hist., July, 1856), and
the members of the rarer, smaller, and closely allied
genus Colon (in which the antennae have the eighth joint
nearly as large as the ninth, and the hinder femora of
the males are often very strongly and sharply toothed on
the lower side) are described by Dr. Kraatz, in the
Stettin Ent. Zeit., 1850, and also by M. Tournier in
the French Annales, 1863 : in this genus the front tarsi
are not always widened in the male. The little Adelops
and Leptinus are conspicuous from their want of eyes ;
the former, also, having but four joints to the anterior
tarsi. Both of our single species of these genera are
very rare, and live in rotten vegetable matter. The
metallic, Hister-\ike Sphcerites has the basal joint of the
antennae long, and is found in the north of Scotland, in
dead animals, etc.
The SCYDM^ENID^: are all extremely small, and more
or less pubescent, living in vegetable refuse and muck-
heaps : the largest, Eumicrus tarsatus (Plate VI, Fig.
2) is common in cucumber frames, etc. They are ap-
terous, with the elytra covering the abdomen (which has
six segments) ; the tarsi five-jointed; the coxae conic;
the hinder legs widely separated; the maxillary palpi
long, and the eyes strongly granulated. Descriptions
and figures of most of our species are to be found in
Denny's t Monographia Pselaphidarum et Scydmsenida-
rum Britannise/ 1825, Norwich.
The ANISOTOMID^E differ from the Silphidte chiefly
in having the posterior trochanters small and not pro-
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 95
jectiug from the femora; they are also more convex
(some, indeed, being quite globular), with short legs and
antennae, the posterior coxae close together, the tarsi
variable in number of joints, and the mandibles with a
blunt tooth at the base. They are never found in ani-
mal matter, but chiefly in fungi and dead leaves and under
rotten bark, being mostly commoner towards the north,
and more readily found in the evening about autumn,
especially near fir-trees. The males frequently have the
hinder femora dilated and toothed, the hinder tibiae
elongated and curved, the basal joints of the front tarsi
widened, or the left mandible elongated, hooked, or even
bearing a horn ; in all these cases, however, individuals
of smaller development often exhibit intermediate con-
ditions, sometimes not even differing from the females
in these particulars.
The number of joints in the tarsi is very variable : thus,
in Hydnobius all the tarsi are five-jointed; in Anisotoma
and Cyrtusa the two front pairs have each five joints,
and the posterior only four ; Colenis has the four hinder
pairs four-jointed and the anterior five-jointed ; and in
Agaricophagus the front pair are four-jointed, whilst the
two hinder pairs have only three joints. All the above
genera have the same number of joints in both sexes, but
in Liodes, Amphicyllis, and Agathidium, the males have
five joints to the two front pairs and four to the hinder
pair ; the females of Liodes and Agathidium having
either four joints to all the tarsi, or five to the front
pair and four to the two hinder pairs, and of Amphi-
cyllis, four joints to all the tarsi. The club of the an-
tennae, also, varies from five to three joints.
Anisotoma cinnamomea (Plate VI, Fig. 3, male), the
largest of the family, is found in truffles, and by sweeping
96 BRITISH BEETLES.
under trees among dead leaves ; the species of Liodes are
not uncommon in the black dust of old fungoid growth on
trunks of trees, etc., in the north of England ; and the
Agathidia are conspicuous from their habit of rolling
themselves up into black shining balls.
The SCAPHIDIID^ are represented in England by three
species of two genera, Scaphidium and Scaphisoma, the
former, found under logs of wood, in fungoid growth;
and the latter in agarics and decomposing wood. Both
are very agile, convex on the upper and under sides; rather
boat-shaped ; hard, shining, with very long and slender
legs, the intermediate and hinder pairs of which are far
apart ; the antennse, also, are exceedingly delicate in the
latter genus, the members of which are very small and
black ; Scaphidium being larger, with four red spots.
The parts of the mouth are not conspicuously deve-
loped, the palpi (especially the labial pair), mandibles,
and labrum being small ; both lobes of the maxillae are,
membraneous ; the head is small and deflexed ; the
thorax fitting close to the elytra, and in Scaphisoma en-
larged behind in the middle so as to cover the scutellum ;
the elytra truncated obliquely at the tip, leaving the
apex of the abdomen exposed, having a sutural and
lateral stria, and being covered with irregular scratches ;
the anterior coxae exserted and approximated, the tarsi
5 -jointed, and the first segment of the abdomen very
large.
The HISTERID.E are hard, polished insects, usually
square and stout in build, thick, but flat, or at most
slightly convex ; never pubescent ; generally black, though
sometimes spotted with red ; and having the head re-
tractile, and the antennae and legs capable of being closely
packed to the body. The antennae have the basal joint
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 97
very long, and are strongly clubbed ; the mandibles are
very strong, and, with the labrum above, and mentum
below, nearly close up the mouth ; the paraglossse long
and divergent; the elytra truncate at the apex, leaving
two segments of the abdomen exposed ; and the legs wide
and flat, the separate parts packing one upon another,
and the tibiae being strongly dentate or spinose exter-
nally ; the middle and hinder pair, moreover, are widely
apart, and the tarsi in all (except Acritus, which has four-
jointed posterior tarsi) are five-jointed. The abdomen has
five segments, of which the first is usually much the
widest, and the wings are ample. The true Histers,
from Platysoma to Paromalus inclusive, have the proster-
num produced into a chin-piece, for the protection and
reception of the head, which is wanting in Saprinus and
the rest of the family.
They are found chiefly in dung or decaying vegetable
matter ; some species, however, preferring dead animals,
others frequenting ants' nests, and a few living under
bark or in wood. They fly strongly, and, when handled,
often simulate death, from which habit their name
Hister (histrio, a mimic) is derived.
One of the prettiest species, Hister bimaculatus (Plate
VI, Fig. 4), is not uncommon in cow-dung, under stones,
etc. ; and with it the rounded, deeply sculptured, Ontho-
philus striatus may be found.
The larvae appear to be found in similar situations to
the perfect insects; they are linear, depressed, nearly
smooth, soft, and dirty white in colour, except the head
and first segment, which are harder and darker ; the
legs, antennae, and palpi are short, and mandibles sickle-
shaped and prominent ; there appear, also, to be various
impressions and transverse rows of hairs on the ventral
H
98 BRITISH BEETLES.
segments, with a fleshy tubercle on the under side of the
apex.
M. de Marseul has published an admirable monograph
of this family in the Annales of the French Ent. Soc.
(ser. 3, i. p. 131 et seq.}.
The NITIDULID^E have the head (except in Rhizo-
phagus) much sunk in the thorax ; the antennae not
elbowed ; composed of eleven (except in Rhizophagus,
which has ten) joints, of which the two or three last
form a knob ; the tarsi, with five joints (rarely with only
four to the posterior in the male), of which the last but
one is very small ; the elytra usually truncate behind,
and the abdomen with five or six segments, free. The
species are mostly small, flat, and rather wide, a few
being convex, and one genus (Rhizophagus) linear. They
chiefly frequent flowers, but, dead animals, sap of trees,
fungi, decaying vegetable matter, and ants' nests are
also haunted by many species. They may be divided
into six sub-families, the Brachypterides, Carpophilides,
Nitidulides, Cychr amides, Phalacrides, and Ipides.
The BRACHYPTERIDES have the two or three apical
segments of the abdomen exposed, and two lobes to the
maxillae. Our species occur in the flowers of Antirrhi-
num, Spirted, etc., and are in no way remarkable, except
that the male of Cercus pedicularius has the two basal
joints of the antennae much enlarged.
The CARPOPHILIDES have the abdomen exposed, as in
the last subfamily, but possess only one lobe to the
maxillae. One genus, Carpophilus, is found in Europe ;
and we possess but two species ; one of which, hemipte-
rus, an oblong, depressed insect, with very short elytra,
which are spotted with yellow at the apex, is pro-
bably imported, being cosmopolitan, and mostly occur-
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 99
ring in houses; and the other rests on very slender
grounds.
The NITIDULIDES have the pygidium (or apical seg-
ment) alone exposed, and that sometimes only in part j
a single lobe to the maxillse ; and the base of the elytra
not covered by the thorax. The genera from Epurcea
to Omosita (inclusive) have no elongation of the proster-
num between the anterior coxae, which prolongation is
found in the remainder of this sub-family ; the furrows
for reception of the antennae are also different in certain
of the genera. The species of Epuraea, mostly yellowish
in colour, chiefly frequent flowers and the exuding sap
of trees, and also live under bark : whilst the Meligethes
are exclusively to be found in flowers. The latter are
very puzzling to determine, owing to their uniformity
of size and build, and want of difference of colour and
sculpture ; they may, however, be separated by the varia-
tion in pattern and degree of the toothing on the outer
edge of the front tibiae, especially near the apex. Soronia
punctatissima (Plate VI, Fig. 5) is found in and about the
burrows of the larva of the goat-moth in willow -trees,
feeding on the frass and exuding sap caused by the
ravages of the latter in the solid wood. The larva of
S. yrisea, a commoner willow-bark species, is dirty white,
nearly oval, narrowed behind and rather flat, with a
small horny head, bearing three simple eyes on each
side, two large horny prothoracic plates, and a transverse
row of small plates on each of the remaining segments,
which have also a lateral projection terminating in a
bristle ; the last segment has two pairs of horny hooks
on the upper side, and a cylindrical anal tube.
The (British) CYCHRAMIDES have the prosternal elon-
gation very short, the prothorax covering the base of the
100 BRITISH BEETLES.
elytra, and the three basal joints of all the tarsi widened.
We possess one genus only, Cychramus ; the species of
which, brown, broad, and very pubescent, abound in
May-blossom and fungi.
The PHALACRIDES (by many authors entirely removed
from the Nitidulidae) differ from the other sub-families
in having their coxae approximated ; the anterior being
globose instead of nearly oval and transverse, and the
posterior transverse, semicylindric, and close together,
instead of being separated by an elongation of the first
ventral segment of the abdomen. Their tarsi, also, have
the three basal joints velvety beneath; their palpi are
filiform, instead of short; they have two lobes to the
maxillae (as in the Br achy pter ides) ; and the elytra are
convex, covering the whole of the abdomen. Our species
are all small, shining, and found chiefly on flowers.
The IPIDES have a single lobe to the maxillae; the
front of the head produced so as to cover the labrum ;
and the fourth joint of the tarsi very small ; the elytra
(except in Cryptarcha) not entirely covering the abdo-
men; the antennae (except in Rhizophagus) eleven-jointed,
and the tarsi five-jointed, except in the male of the last-
named genus, of which the posterior tarsi have only four
joints.
Cryptarcha (which very much resembles certain of
the Nitidulides, and is found at the sap of trees, espe-
cially if Cossws-infected) has its mesosternum covered
by an elongation of the prosternum ; which elongation is
not so evident in other genera. Ips, flat, elongate,
shining, and mostly black with red spots, frequents
freshly- cut pine-trees, etc., beneath the bark of which
its larvae are found. M. Ferris (' Annales/ ser. 3, i.
p. 598 et seq.) states that /. ferrugineus enters into the
THE NECROPIIAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 101
holes made in the wood of fir-trees by certain species of
Xylophaga, and lays eggs in their galleries; its larvae
feeding on those of the latter insects, and, being of
slower development, taking more than a year to trans-
form.
The females in this genus, as in Cryptarcha, have the
elytra rather pointed at the apex.
The species of Rhizophagus appear from the differences
above mentioned to be very aberrant from the others of
this sub-family ; the cavities into which their coxae fit are,
moreover, completely closed behind, and the male has
a small additional segment to the abdomen. They are
small, linear insects ; chiefly found under bark, though
some occur in ants' nests, and others in bones, etc. The
larva appears to be like that of Soronia grisea above
described, in miniature. M. Ferris states that he has
observed the larvae of R. depressus to have similar habits
to those of Ips ferrugineus ; and that more than once he
has seen two or three of the larvae with half their bodies
plunged into the larvae or pupae of Hylesinus or Hylastes,
devouring them. He has also taken home the larvae of
both Rhizophagus and Hylesinus, and often not one of
the latter escaped being eaten.
The Rhizophagus appeared to turn to pupa in the
ground, and not under the bark.
The TROGOSITID.E have two lobes to the maxillae;
the tarsi five-jointed, simple, and with the first joint
very small; and the elytra covering the abdomen. The
apical joint of the tarsi is also very long, and has between
its claws a small and slender styliform lobe, terminated
by two diverging bristles. The tibiae are unspined on
the outer side, but have a more or less hooked spur at
the apex of the anterior pair. Nemosoma elongata, a
102 BRITISH BEETLES.
linear narrow species (with ten joints to the antennae),
very rare in England, is found on the Continent, under
bark, with Hylesinus varius and vittatus-, which, with
their larvae, it appears to destroy. Trogosita maurita-
nica, a flat, black insect, has evidently been imported in
merchandise ; and Thymalus limbatus, almost a Casslda
in shape, found under bark in the New Forest, has a
horny hook at the apex of its maxillae, and all its tibiae
armed at the tip with very small simple spines.
The COLYDIID^E are composed of a somewhat hete-
rogeneous alliance of species, with the parts of the
mouth but little developed : their antennae have either
ten or eleven joints, and are not elbowed, being either
clavate or knobbed; the front and middle coxae are
globose, and the hinder transverse and semicylindric ;
the tarsi four-jointed and simple, and the abdomen com-
posed of five segments, of which only the last, or the
last two, are free. They principally affect wood, but
also occur in vegetable refuse, ants' nests, and sandy
places. Cicones variegatus (Plate VI, Fig. 6) is found
under bark of beech, but is very rare : it has been taken
at Bromley, Mickleham, and elsewhere. Sarrotrium has
strong spindle-shaped antennae; Colydium, found in
burrows of Platypus in the New Forest, is very elongate ;
Anommatus is eyeless ; Cerylon very much resembles a
small Hister, and has the penultimate point of the palpi
large, and the apical point needle-pointed ; and Mono-
toma, of which the species are mostly gregarious, and
especially abound at the wet bottoms of haystacks, can
scarcely be said to be certainly located in its correct
position; authors differing as to the number of joints in
its tarsi. Its antennae, also, which are usually consi-
dered to be ten-jointed, have only the last joint clubbed ;
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 103
but this club appears to be a compound of two joints, so
that the normal number of eleven is accounted for.
The CUCUJID^E have five ventral segments to the ab-
domen, all of which are free ; the tarsi either all five-
jointed in both sexes, or with four joints to the posterior
in the male, and their antennae filiform or with a club
at the apex. They mostly live under bark, and are ge-
nerally rare ; the little spotted Psammaechus, however,
occurs commonly in marshy places ; and Silvanus and
Nausibius (both very like Monotomd) comprise species
for the greater part introduced here from abroad. The
diminutive Lamophlcei (in which the maxillae are hooked)
are found (often gregariously) in small twigs, and under
bark.
The CRYPTOPHAGID^E have the antennas eleven-jointed
and clubbed ; the legs far apart, with the anterior coxse
globose, and the posterior cylindric; the tarsi either
five-jointed in both sexes, or with those of the hinder
legs four-jointed in the male ; the elytra entire ; and the
abdomen composed of five segments, all of which are
free, the first being rather longer than the others.
The species are all small, mostly oblong or elliptic, and
generally pubescent. The Cryptophagi (Plate VI, Fig.
1, Cryptophagus scanicus) are found in vegetable refuse,
fungi, and flowers ; they are difficult to determine, but
good characters are to be found in the anterior angle of
the thorax, and in the position and development of a
tooth on the side between that angle and the base. The
species of Atomaria are very small : they also occur in
vegetable refuse, often harbouring in dry dung, and
have been described by Mr. T. V. Wollaston in the
Transactions of the Entomological Society of London
(vol. iv. n. s., part iii. 1857).
104 BRITISH BEETLES.
The MYCETOPHAGID^: are either oblong or oblong-
oval, moderately convex, and clothed with a depressed
pubescence, being also mostly gaily coloured or prettily
variegated. Their anterior coxae are subglobose and
free, the posterior being subcyliudric and transverse;
they have no paraglossae to the ligula ; the segments
of the abdomen (5) are all free, and the tarsi are four-
jointed, the anterior pair in the males having only three
joints.
The species are all found in fungi or fungoid growth,
and are generally abundant when discovered. Mycetopha-
gus multipunctatus (Plate VII, Fig. 2) is one of the pret-
tiest, occurring in fungi on rotten oak, etc. The irregu-
larly-punctured genus Triphyllus has the club of the
antennae distinctly formed of three joints, and the little
yellow delicately- striated Typhasa is found in profusion
at the bottoms of haystacks.
The DERMESTID^; have straight, short, clubbed an-
tennae, inserted in front and sometimes fitting (in re-
pose) into grooves in the sides of the prothorax ; the
head small and retractile, and often received into a pro-
longation of the prosternum ; the parts of the mouth
little prominent ; the anterior coxae conic and exserted ;
the tarsi five-jointed, and the elytra covering the abdo-
men. All of them, except Dermestes, have a smooth
eye-like spot on the forehead.
They are found in dry dead animals and skins for the
most part, the "bacon beetle," Dermestes lardarius,
being well known as a ravager ; some, however, occur in
flowers. They partially retract the legs, and counterfeit
death on being frightened. The larva of Dermestes is
long, with leathery plates on the upper side, which is
clothed with long scattered hairs ; and there is a pair of
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 105
short spines on the last segment, which has also a fleshy
protuberance on the under side. The dry cast skins of
this larva may often be seen.
The BYRRHID^E are conspicuous from their faculty
of packing up their limbs ; the head (except in Noso-
dendron) being retractile, and immersed in the thorax,
against the sides of which the antennae are placed ; the
tarsi are received into the tibiae, which, again, pack tight
to the femora, the entire legs fitting into excavations on
the lower side of the body. The antennae have eleven
joints, except in Limnichus, which has only ten ; the
parts of the mouth are not prominent, the ligula having
no paraglossse, and the maxillae not being toothed. The
species are usually oval and very convex, clothed with
short silky pubescence, and sometimes apterous. The
Byrrhi (B. fasciatus, Plate VII, Fig. 3) are not uncom-
mon in sandy places, etc., in the spring : the other genera
are principally found in moss, and under stones on sandy
banks.
They simulate death readily, and are hard to set,
owing to their retractile limbs.
The HETEROCERID^E, comprising a single genus, Hete-
rocerus, have the antennae short, the last seven joints
forming a flattened club; the parts of the mouth
not hidden, the ligula being very projecting ; the legs
adapted for digging, with four simple joints to the tarsi ;
and the elytra covering the abdomen, which has five
segments, the apical one only being free. The species
are all depressed, broad, and clothed with short thick
silky pubescence, which probably keeps the water near
which they live away from their body. Their head is
very robust, and the prothorax capable of considerable
freedom of motion. They live in mud-banks, etc., at the
106 BRITISH BEETLES.
sides of rivers and ponds, and will frequently come up
out of the damp mud in great numbers on the collector
treading about ; and if the sun be shining, will fly readily.
Some species form galleries under stones, etc., near semi-
saline waters, and most of them appear to be gregarious.
All those found in Britain have been described by
Mr. G. R. Waterhouse, in the Trans. Ent. Soc., vol. v.
n. s., part 4, 1859.
ThePARNiD^E are aquatic or sub-aquatic in their habits,
and are divided into two sub-families, the Parnides and
Elmides, both having the head received into a prolon-
gation of the prosternum, and the anterior segments of
the abdomen soldered together; differing, however, in
their anterior coxae, which are cylindrical and transverse
in the first, and almost globular in the latter. In the
PARNIDES the body is clothed thickly with short hairs,
and the second joint of the antennae assumes a widened,
ear-like form : the species are found near or in running
water, on stones or water plants.
The ELMIDES (which are much smaller) have the
antennae very little thickened at the apex, no tooth to
the mandibles (which are, however, bifid) ; scarcely any
pubescence on the body, which is often metallic and
frequently caked with dirt ; and the last joint of the
tarsi very long, with exceedingly strong claws. They
cling to the rough undersides of large stones in strongly-
running waters, especially delighting in such as are un-
der or close to a fall of any kind; and may be found at
a considerable depth from the surface. They are grega-
rious in habit, many examples of different species (or
even genera) being sometimes found together.
The GEORYSSID^: (comprising one genus and species,
which is very small, apterous, and almost globular)
THE NECROPHAGA, OB CLAVICORNES. 107
have the antennae of nine joints, of which the three last
form a club ; the prosternum membraneous ; the front
and middle legs close to each other ; the anterior coxae
projecting and approximated, the intermediate oval, and
the posterior transverse, the two latter pairs being
widely separated between themselves; and the tarsi
slender and four-jointed.
Georyssus pygmaus is found in wet places, especially
on the seacoast; it often burrows in the ground, and nearly
always bears a little heap of dry mud or caked sand upon
its back. When cleaned, the elytra exhibit very coarse
punctuation for so small an insect.
In the HYDROPHILID^E (often called PMlhydrida) ,
which, with the next family, constitute the Palpi-
comes of the French entomologists, the palpi are as
long as, or longer than, the antennae, which have from
six to nine joints, the basal one being elongate and the
apical (usually three) forming a club; the mentum is
large and unnotched, the maxillae terminate in two un-
toothed lobes, and the mandibles are very short. The tarsi
are always five-jointed, and the hinder legs formed for
swimming in some species : in short, the members of
this family, which are all found either in or about water,
and are not carnivorous in the perfect state, are the
aquatic representatives of the Lamellicornes, and pro-
bably of other families. They are fully described by
Mulsant, Hist. Nat. des Col. de France; Palpicornes :
Paris, 1844.
In Spercheus emarginatus, the inner lobe of the
maxillae is coriaceous, and the outer horny, slender, and
ending in a pencil of hairs ; the antennae are six-jointed ;
the thorax is narrower than the elytra, and the hind
legs are not natatorial. The female makes a small bag
108 BRITISH BEETLES.
containing eggs, which she carries attached to her ab-
domen, and from which, in about ten days, the larvae
are disclosed; in a few hours another sac being formed.
This insect is now supposed to be extinct in England,
formerly occurring at Whittlesea Mere. It appears to
be rare on the Continent, in spite of the fertility of the
female. It lives in stagnant water, at the roots of
aquatic plants.
In Helophorus and its allies the tarsi are not natato-
rial, and have the first joint very short and often scarcely
distinct from the second. Some of them are slightly
metallic, and most of the species live close to the water,
among stones, etc. ; one or two, however, often occur in
dry places (H. rugosus, Plate VII, Fig. 4) . The Hydrance
and their allies, in which the last joint of the maxillary
palpi is shorter than the penultimate, frequent stones
half immersed in the water or the water-line of muddy
banks; the species of the remaining genera living ab-
solutely in the water. One of these, Hydrous piceus,
often seen in aquaria, and known as the "harmless
water- beetle," is perhaps the largest British beetle ; the
female makes a paper-like, pear-shaped sac, containing
eggs, which is fixed on some aquatic plants at the
surface of the water. The larva is, when full grown,
extremely long and stout, of a leathery texture, wrinkled
transversely, and dirty-brown in colour ; the head is
horny, flat on the upper side, and with strong projecting
sharp mandibles; the legs are short, and the body con-
tracts behind, having two openings at the extremity of
the last segment, being the terminations of two great
lateral tracheal tubes, through which the insect breathes.
These larvae are very voracious, feeding on other insects,
etc. ; they swim well, bending themselves into an arch,
THE NECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNES. 109
and often placing the head backwards on to the body :
when handled, they become flaccid, and emit a fetid
black fluid from the end of the abdomen. The pupa is
formed in a cell in the wet earth of the banks of ponds.
A smaller species, Hydrobius fuscipes (Plate VII,
Fig. 5), is very common in stagnant waters.
The SpHvERiDiiDJE are mostly terrestrial in their
habits, though many frequent damp situations ; the ma-
jority, however, are found in the dung of cattle.
Their tarsi are not natatorial, and have the first joint
of the posterior pair much longer than the others ; their
antennae have either eight or nine joints, and the second
joint of their maxillary palpi is more or less inflated.
The species are nearly all very small, black, and convex,
being at most variegated with dull red spots. Cyclono-
tum, the largest, is aquatic and very globose; and the
species of Cercyon abound in cow-droppings, etc. The
allied Megasternum and Cryptopleurum are distinguished
by their very large prosternum and metasternum ; and
the former may be known from Cercyon by the notch at
the apex of the outer edge of its front tibiae.
110
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LAMELLICORNES, OE " CHAFERS."
THE Lamellicornes , which (with the exception of the
Trogida] are exclusively vegetable or dung-feeders, are
divided into ten families the Cetomida, Rutelidce,
Melolonthidae, Sericida, Hoplidce, Geotrupida, Copridce,
Aphodiidce, Trogida, and Lucanida. It should, how-
ever, be remarked that these (and similar) divisions, and
the characters given for them in the present volume,
apply for the most part only to the British species.
They are chiefly distinguished by the club of their
antennae, which is composed of transverse lamellated
joints, varying from three to seven in number -, and, ex-
cept in the Lucanidce, moveable like the leaves of a book.
Their antennae are short, usually nine or ten jointed
(the Geotrupida alone having eleven joints), with the
basal joint enlarged or lengthened, and always inserted
in front of and near the eyes, under a reflected margin
of the head.
Their legs, and especially the anterior pair, are formed
for digging ; with all the tarsi five-jointed, the posterior
coxae moveable, and the front acetabula (or pits for the
reception or articulation of the anterior coxae) enclosed
by a rim on every side.
OR " CHAFERS." Ill
Internally, they appear to be distinguished by the
peculiar disposition of their central nervous system;
which, as far as has been yet observed, consists of a
large ganglion (or depot) situated in the thorax, without
any trace of abdominal ganglia; the Lucanida, how-
ever, possess these latter, as well as, and distinct from,
the thoracic mass.
They exhibit, also, a difference in their respiratory
organs from the other Coleoptera, in the possession of a
multitude of vascular tracheae annexed to the main
canals of the ordinary tracheal tubes. It is (as M.
Lacordaire remarks) doubtless owing to these reserves
of air that these insects, in spite of their heavy build,
take so easily to the wing.
Their larvae, which are found in dung, at the roots of
plants, in decaying vegetable matter, or rotten mould in
old trees, are fleshy, cylindrical, recurved behind in an
arch, with the last segment much enlarged; so that,
except when very young, they cannot extend themselves
into a straight line, but lie on their sides. They are
usually yellowish or bluish-white, with a transparent
skin, through which the dark intestinal canal can often
be seen, especially at the apex; and the segments ex-
hibit very evident transverse folds, and have the anal
orifice also transverse, except in the Lucanidte, wherein
these folds are almost entirely absent, and the orifice is
longitudinal.
Their head is brownish or yellow, horny, rounded,
with the forehead directed forwards, and the mouth on
the lower surface ; the mandibles are robust and arched ;
the antennae five-jointed ; and the eyes entirely wanting,
except in the instance of Trichius fasciatus, which (ac-
cording to the observations of M. Perris, a distinguished
112 BRITISH BEETLES.
French entomologist) possesses a smooth, spherical, red-
dish eye a little behind each antenna. The legs are
rather long, and composed normally of five joints, of
which the coxa is much developed, and the apical, or
tarsus, is sometimes wanting ; the hooks which it bears
in that case being transferred to the fourth joint, though
sometimes entirely wanting.
The pupae are formed in cocoons or cells, constructed
(usually underground) of portions of the food of the
larva, often mixed with particles of dirt; and in which
the perfect insect, after its exclusion, remains for some
time until its integuments are hardened.
The Lamellicornes are divided into two sub-sections,
founded on the position of the abdominal spiracles,
which are always seven in number on each side; the
first being at times easily seen (as in Copris and Geo-
trupes), and at times hidden between the metathorax
and abdomen, and the remainder varying as follows :
in the Pleurosticti (including the Cetoniidce, Rute-
lida, Melolonthida, Sericidce, and Hoplida) some of
them are placed in the membrane connecting the ventral
and dorsal segments of the abdomen, but the greater
number are situated on the upper side of the ventral
segments themselves, with the last spiracle at least un-
covered when the elytra are closed ; and in the Laparo-
sticti (including the Geotrupida, Copridce, Aphodiida,
Trogida, and Lucanidte) they are all placed in the con-
necting membrane, and consequently covered entirely by
the closed elytra. There is this further difference, that
in the Pleurosticti (with the exception of certain of the
exotic Hoplida) the ligula is horny, and soldered to the
mentum ; and in the larva the two lobes of the maxillae
are soldered together; whilst in the Laparosticti the
THE LAMELLICORNES, OR " CHAFERS." 313
ligula is leathery or membraneous, and distinct from
the mentum, and the lobes of the maxillse are not
soldered in the larva. In the Pleurosticti, also, the
CetoniidcB and Rutelida have the three last pairs of
abdominal spiracles diverging strongly outwards ; whilst
in the Melolonthidce, Sericidte, and Hoplida the diver-
gence outwards is very slight.
The CETONIID.E, of which the exotic species are nu-
merous, large, and beautiful, are here represented by
a very few (but not inconspicuous) insects. Their man-
dibles and labrum are hidden under the clypeus, the
former being composed of an outer horny and inner
membraneous plate ; the antennae are short, with ten
joints, the club being composed of three ; the elytra are
somewhat depressed, not reflected at the sides, and
leaving the pygidium exposed; the anterior coxse are
ovate-conic and projecting ; and the hooks of the tarsi
equal and simple.
In Gnorimus and Trichius the elytra are not sinuated
near the shoulder, at the sides, and the mesothoracic
epimera are not visible from the upper side. The species
of the former occur in all their stages in the rotten
mould of oak and cherry trees ; and one of the latter
(T.fasciatus, Plate VII, Fig. 6), found in Perthshire,
where it is called " bee-beetle," is conspicuous for its
banded body, and long, bright-yellow hairs: it flies round
thistle-tops, in the hot sunshine, like a Bombus.
In Cetonia the mesosternum is produced forwards
into a rounded knob; the elytra are deeply sinuated
externally, below the shoulder; the mesothoracic epi-
mera are enlarged, carried upwards, and conspicuous
between the hinder angles of the thorax and shoulders
of the elytra : the metathoracic epimera, also, are en-
i
114 BRITISH BEETLES.
larged, visible from above, and joined to the outer
margin of the laminated hinder coxse (of which the pos-
terior angles are acute), which form a strong tooth
about the middle of the sides of the elytra, and slightly
turned outwards, when viewed from the upper side.
This development of the mesothoracic epimera acts as a
" skid " or " break " upon the base of the elytra, and is
accompanied by a departure from the ordinary method
of flight ; for, in Cetonia, the elytra are scarcely sepa-
rated, and only elevated a little, so as to give room for
the wings to expand : in flight, also, a humming noise
is made. In Gnorimus and Trichius the elytra are, as
usual in Coleoptera, widely separated, and much elevated.
Cetonia aurata, the common " Rose-beetle," is too
well known to require description : besides being ound
in roses it occurs on elder-flowers and thistles, and at
sap, or on rotten pear blossom; another species (C.
cenea}, duller in colour, is found in Perthshire, where its
larva has been found in ants' nests, feeding on the eggs ;
the perfect insect, also, has been seen burying itself in
the nests.
The RuTELiDvE, apart from the greater divergence
of the last abdominal spiracles, differ chiefly from the
Melolonthida (to which they are allied) in always having
the ligula horny arid soldered to the mentum ; the
mandibles horny; the labrum distinct, and free from
the clypeus ; and the club of the antenna three-jointed,
and alike in both sexes. Their tarsi are robust, rigid,
prehensile, with the terminal hooks unequal, the outer
one being often forked at the apex ; and the metatho-
racic epimera always visible. In our species (belonging
to the sub-family Anomalides) the antennae are nine-
jointed ; the mesothoracic epimera do not ascend to the
THE LAMELLICORNES, OR " CHAFERS." 115
anterior part of the elytra ; the clypeus has no projection
in front, and the prosternum no elongation behind the
coxae ; the elytra, also, are lined with membrane, which
projects behind in the form of a thin rim.
Phyllopertha horticola, the small " June-bug " (Plate
VIIT, Fig. 1), is often very destructive to plants.
The MELOLONTHID.E have the outer lobe of the
maxillae strongly toothed; the mandibles robust, with
no inner membraneous border ; the labrum very promi-
nent, and deeply notched ; the anterior coxae transverse ;
the scutellum rounded; the body cylindrical, and the
ventral segments of the abdomen soldered together, with
the points of junction effaced in the middle.
In Melolontha (the common "cockchafer") the ab-
domen is produced behind into a strong point (this
structure being, however, not constant in the genus) ;
and the club of the antennae is composed of seven joints
in the male, and six in the female. The habits of this
species and its larvae are, unfortunately, too well known.
The smaller Rhizotrogns solstitialis (belonging to the
section of the genus which has but nine joints to its
antennae, for which Latreille founded the now abandoned
genus Amphimallus) , the "summer-chafer," has a three-
jointed club : it is conspicuous for the long hairs in the
front of its body, and for its habit of wheeling in flight
towards evening round any solitary tree.
The SERICID^: have the labrum entirely confused
with the clypeus ; the outer lobe of the maxillae toothed ;
the scutellum triangular ; the posterior coxae very large
and much widened outwards ; the metasternum obliquely
truncated on each side behind; the segments of the ab-
domen not soldered together; and the tarsi long and
slender.
116 BRITISH BEETLES.
Iii Serica the antennae are nine-jointed, but the club
varies in number ; our British species, S. brunnea, having
three joints, which are very long and conspicuous in the
male. This insect, cylindrical in shape, with long and
slender (but stiff) legs, of a light testaceous-red colour
with opaline or silky reflections, is nocturnal in its ha-
bits; and may be found in spiders' webs, sand-pits,
water-troughs, etc,, frequently " coming to grief" on ac-
count of its delicate structure. I have seen a red aat
dragging a disabled but living specimen along the bot-
tom of a sand-pit.
The little Homaloplia, shorter and darker in colour,
is diurnal in its habits, and may be found (but rarely)
settled in flowers near woods. It has shorter front tarsi,
and is clothed with more decided pubescence.
The HOPLID^: are here represented by a single ge-
nus and species, Hoplia philanthus, a small, robust,
dark-coloured insect, with scanty bluish-silvery scales,
remarkable for its habit of flying for only a short time
in the hottest part of the day, and then hiding in
flowers, etc. This family is subject to considerable va-
riations in form and structure, but has the labrum in-
distinct; the club of the antennae three-jointed; the
anterior coxae projecting ; the hooks of the tarsi unequal ;
and the ventral segments soldered together, the sixth
being generally indistinct. The genus Hoplia has the
hooks of the posterior tarsi simple ; and the males are
generally narrower than the females, with one tooth less
in the anterior tibiae, which are more slender, and the
hinder legs stronger, with more robust hooks to the
tarsi. H. philanthus has ten joints to the antennae.
The GEOTKUPIDJE have the antennae eleven- jointed
(the club having three joints) the eyes entirely divided
THE LAMELL1CORNES, OR " CHAFERS." 117
into two by the side margin of the head ; the abdomen
short, with six free ventral segments ; the mandibles and
labrum not hidden by the clypeus ; the body convex,
the thorax being very large ; the intermediate coxae ob-
lique and the anterior transverse ; and the pygidium not
quite covered by the elytra.
Geotrupes stercorarius, the well-known " shard-born
beetle/' " Clock/' or " Dumble-dor" (the last possibly
an inflection of the American " Tumble-dung," a name
given on account of certain of these insects rolling pel-
lets of the excrement of cattle, in which they deposit
the eggs), is common all over the country; flying
strongly, though in a blundering sort of way, towards
evening ; and often simulating death, by keeping motion-
less and stretching out its legs like pieces of wire, when
handled. Sometimes it is observed on the wing in the
hot sunshine, suggesting the idea of an owl under similar
circumstances. This insect is sometimes called te Lousy
Watchman " among the vulgar ; the qualifying epithet
being deserved from its being frequently infested on the
lower surface by several of a species of Gamasus ; though
it is not easy to comprehend how so delicately constructed
a parasite can extract a meal through the stout armour
of the beetle in question.
The strength of the Geotrupes is very great, so much
so, that it is scarcely possible to retain one in the hand :
this is caused by the great development of the thorax,
containing the muscles of the anterior spinose digging
legs. The female, usually in the autumn, digs a bur-
row, about a foot deep, into the earth beneath patches
of cow-dung, a portion of which is carried down as food
for the larva to be hatched from the egg she deposits at
the bottom.
118 BRITISH BEETLES.
The larvae afterwards ascend to the surface, having
eaten the contents of the burrow.
Typhceus vulgaris (Plate VIII, Fig. 2), an allied insect,
found in dung, or crawling about pathways, on sandy com-
mons in early spring and autumn, has the thorax in the
male armed with three strong horns, of which the outer
pair are the longest ; the female having a rudimentary
sketch of a similar structure, and small or feebly deve-
loped males exhibiting but a weak edition of the normal
projections.
All these insects hum considerably in flight, and pos-
sess the power of making a stridulating noise, which is
caused by the friction of a transversely striated elevation
on the posterior border of the hinder coxa against the
hinder margin of the acetabulum into which it fits.
Although naturally feeders on animal excrement, some
species (e. g. Geotrupes vernalis) are often found in rotten
fungi.
The CopRiDjE (to which family the " sacred beetle"
of the Egyptians belongs) have the organs of the mouth
invisible from above, being concealed by the clypeus,
which is semicircular, enlarged, and notched. Their
intermediate coxae are widely separated, those of the
posterior legs (which are near the apex of the body)
being approximated ; the four hinder legs have the tibiae
dilated at the tip, and the posterior pair are armed with
only one long terminal spur ; the tarsi usually diminish
gradually in width from the base to the apex, the basal
joint being always very long; the eyes are half divided
by the side of the head ; the scutellum is hidden, and the
pygidium exposed.
They are of squarer outline and more " squab" shape
than the Geotrujjidte ; the thorax being convex and
THE LAMELLICORNES, OR " CHAFERS." 119
wide, and, as usual in fossorial species, capable of great
freedom of motion, and the front tibiae widened and
strongly toothed on the outer side.
In Copris the basal joints of the labial palpi are dilated
with the third joint distinct ; and the metasternum is
large, flat, and in the shape of a parallelogram. C. lunaris,
a large, shining, deep-black species, clothed with scanty
reddish-brown hairs beneath and on the sides, has a long
erect horn on the head in the male ; the thorax, also, in
this sex is somewhat squarely truncated in front, and
excavated and toothed externally on each side. The
female exhibits a very slight tendency to a somewhat
similar structure ; having, also, the thorax more closely
punctured : and it is needless to repeat that the small
males are intermediate between the two extremes of de-
velopment.
This insect burrows a foot or more down into the hard
ground beneath cow-dung, two specimens being often
found at the bottom of the burrow. It flies but seldom,
and produces a considerable noise by rubbing the ab-
domen against the hinder margin of elytra. It occurs
near Greenwich Park.
The species of Onthophagus have nine-jointed an-
tennae, some of the joints of the club being concave;
the last joint of the labial palpi scarcely visible ; and
slender tarsi. They are mostly small and flattened;
with the thorax greenish-black, arid the elytra lurid -
brown chequered with black ; and are found gregariously
in dung, especially in sandy places and near the coast,
but they never dig burrows deep below the surface.
At times certain of them have been observed in dead
animals.
The back of the head in the male is often armed with
120 BRITISH BEETLES.
a broad thin horn, bent backwards ; of which there are,
as usual, modifications in size.
The APHODIID^E are all small, oblong,, and cylin-
drical ; with the organs of the mouth (except the apex
of the palpi) hidden by the clypeus ; the antennae nine-
jointed ; the abdomen with six free ventral segments ;
the scutellum visible ; the metasternum of ordinary
size ; the intermediate coxae oblique, and approximated
behind ; two spurs to the apex of the tibiae ; and the
club of the antennae flat. Their eyes are only slightly
divided by the side of the head, and their elytra almost
always entirely cover the apex of the body.
The males differ from the females in the greater de-
velopment of certain tubercles on the clypeus ; in the
greater bulk and lesser amount of punctuation of the
thorax; in the longer spine at the apex of the front
tibiae ; or in the presence of a more decided channel in
the middle of the metasternum.
The species of Aphodius are very abundant, especially
in spring and autumn ; flying readily, and occurring in
profusion in the droppings of our domestic animals.
They are usually black and shining, but sometimes livid
yellow or red, or spotted. A. inquinatus (Plate VIII,
Fig. 3), one df the prettiest, is found in profusion on the
Lancashire sandhills. In this genus the anterior margin
of the eyes is visible, when viewed from above, and the lobes
of the maxillae are leathery or membraneous, and un-
armed ; in Ammoecius (more globose behind) no part of
the eye is to be seen from above in repose ; in Psammo-
dius (of which the thorax is strongly transversely fur-
rowed) the outer lobe of the maxillae is horny and hooked ;
and in jffigialia (found in sandy places) the mandibles
and labrum project slightly beyond the clypeus.
THE LAMELLICORNES, OR " CHAFERS." 121
Several genera have been founded by French entomo-
logists at the expense of Aphodius ; but they are gene-
rally abandoned, as being dependent more upon facies
than any structural differences.
The TROGID^E have five ventral segments to the ab-
domen (except in some species of Trax, where there
is an indication of a sixth), but slightly moveable; the
anterior legs are not fossorial, the tibise not being en-
larged, or strongly toothed ; the antennae ten-jointed ;
scutellum small; the coxae contiguous, those of the
front and intermediate legs being very short (the latter
almost globose, and scarcely at all oblique) ; the elytra
entirely cover the abdomen; and the mandibles and
labrum are uncovered by the clypeus.
We possess but one genus, Trooc ; of which the species
are rather rare. They are dull black, moderately large,
oblong, of strong integuments, and usually with inter-
rupted rows of short pencils of bristles on the elytra.
When seized they make a squeaking noise by rubbing
the abdomen against the elytra, and contract their limbs.
They are found in sandy places, in half dry carcases, of
which they consume the harder portions ; in rams' horns,
etc. Some of them have imperfectly developed wings,
the others appearing to fly only in the evening; and
certain exotic species possess the faculty of contracting
themselves into a ball, after the manner of Agathidium.
The LUCANID^E have the club of the antennae com-
posed of lamellae or plates, which assume a pectinated
form, and are not capable of being closed up together,
or widely separated, as in the other families.
For this reason, added to the above-mentioned differ-
ences of the nervous system and structure of the larvae,
and the strong sexual characters afforded by the develop-
122 BRITISH BEETLES.
meiit of the head and its appendages in most of its mem-
bers, this family has been raised by M. Lacordaire to the
rank of a section, equal in value to the Lamellicornes ,
under the name of Pectinicornes. It must remain, how-
ever, for future observers to determine whether this
elevation be warranted ; for, until all the known Lamel-
licornes are dissected, it cannot be considered proved
that there exists no species of them with a nervous
system as in the Lucanida; it is moreover known that
there is a genus of the latter family (Passalus) wherein
the appendages of the head are not developed as in the
other Lucanidte, and whose nervous system is inter-
mediate between the two above-mentioned conditions;
there being also some of their larvae, which, whilst they
have no transverse folds, still have the anal orifice trans-
verse; thus uniting the two forms of difference. In
Lucanus cervus, moreover, the larva exhibits traces of
these folds on the front of its body. There is, also,
another genus (Sinodendrori) of the Lucanida, which
has an excess of development in the thorax of the male,
as in many of the species of Lamellicornes.
The Lucanidae have ten-jointed antennae, with a long
basal joint ; the ligula membraneous or leathery, bilobed,
ciliated, and situated on the inner side of the mentum,
except in Sinodendron, where it is situated at the apex ;
the mandibles exposed, and often attaining an enormous
size in the male; the outer lobe of the maxillae not
toothed, and ending in a pencil of hair ; the sides of the
elytra covering the abdominal epipleura ; the prosternum
large ; the intermediate coxae transverse ; and the abdo-
men composed of five ventral segments, with an extra
segment in the male.
Lucanus cervus, the ' ' stag-beetle," is well known to
THE LAMELLICORNES, OR " CHAFERS." 123
most inhabitants of our southern counties; the male,
with branching antlers or jaws, being often seen sailing
in a ponderous way round oak-trees in its search for the
female, or blundering in flight along country lanes about
July, especially towards evening. The males have been
noticed fighting for the possession of the other sex, whose
mandibles are very small, and which may be sometimes
observed upon pathways, on her back, sprawling out her
legs in empty air, having dropped from her leafy perch.
This species is not peculiar to the oak, but is found
sometimes on willow ; the specimens reared from the
latter tree being smaller than the oak-fed examples. It
is, however, a well-known fact, that great differences in
size are always found in species of which the larvae feed
on wood ; owing to the many variations to which they
are subject, from the good or bad quality, or too great
or too little moisture, of their food, and the long period
during which they remain in the larval state.
Some of the males of this species are very large, and
have the head very square and massive, with mandibles
of great length and thickness and bearing strong teeth ;
others, however, are smaller than the general run of the
female, and possess narrow heads, with comparatively
slight, simple jaws. It is supposed that the insect uses
its powerful mandibles for abrading young twigs, etc.,
applying its tufted ligula afterwards to the juice flow-
ing from the bruise. I possess an old male who has
evidently worn down the apex of his jaws evenly and
gradually by some such habit. Instances have been
recorded, nevertheless, of members of this family at-
tacking other beetles, and also caterpillars. Mr. G. R.
Waterhouse (Ent. Mag. vol. ii. 59) has recorded the
fact of his having kept a stag-beetle alive for some time,
124 BRITISH BEETLES.
which became comparatively tame, and nipped rasp-
berries, etc., with its mandibles, sucking the juice after-
wards with its tongue. It also frequently cleaned the
club of its antennae, by drawing it between the patch of
yellow silky pubescence at the upper side of the base of
the anterior femora and the fringe of similar hairs on the
lower side of the coxae of the same legs. In Germany
there is (or used to be) a superstition that this beetle
carries hot coals in its jaws from place to place.
The eyes in Lucanus are considerably encroached
upon, both in front and behind, by the lateral margin of
the head; and have their greatest bulk on the lower
side.
The larva of the stag-beetle takes about four years
before it assumes the pupa state : it is very large and
fleshy, of a semi-transparent yellowish white colour, with
a large reddish head. It is peculiar on account of the
anterior part of its body exhibiting certain slight trans-
verse folds, a character at variance with its allies. When
mature, it forms a cocoon of chips, in which it under-
goes its final metamorphoses ; the pupa exhibiting the
parts of the future perfect insect, which, when dis-
closed, appears to remain quiet for some time before
coming into outer air. The larva feeds in the solid
wood, usually near the bark, and reduces it to a sort of
tan : it has been considered to be the " Cossus " of the
Romans.
An allied but much smaller species, Dorcus parallelo-
pipedus (Plate VIII, Fig. 4), has each eye almost divided
into two by a similar structure. It is flat, parallel, and
very stoutly built, looking as if a broad-wheeled waggon
had gone over it without inflicting any particular damage
beyond a slight compression. Its male and female have
THE LAMELLICORNES, OR " CHAFERS." 125
been observed in company, digging holes in dead trees
wherein the latter might deposit her eggs.
Sinodendron, found in the rotten mould of old ash
and birch trees, is more elongate and cylindrical, with
its eyes entire. In the fully developed male there is a
stout horn on the head, bent backwards, and hairy be-
hind; the thorax, also, is semicircularly truncated in
front, with a rounded tooth in the middle, and the mar-
gin of the truncation denticulated. In the female the
head bears a tubercle, and the thorax, which is very
coarsely punctured, has a slight depression in front.
126
CHAPTER XIV.
THE STEKNOXI, OR "SKIPJACKS" AND THEIR ALLIES.
THIS Section, called also " Serricornes" is divided into
three families, the Buprestidce, Eucnemida, and Ela-
teridae ; in which the tarsi have five, and the antennae
eleven (except in certain of the latter, where there are
twelve) joints ; and the prosternum is elongated into
a projection behind, fitting into a cavity between the
middle legs.
In the two first families the prothorax fits tightly
against the base of the elytra, and there is no power of
jumping when the insect is placed on its back : whilst
in the last the prothorax is not applied closely to the
mesothorax, but loosely articulated, and there is nearly
always great saltatorial power.
They are all wood or vegetable feeders, with serrated,
flabellated, or filiform antennae ; mostly elongate and
cylindrical, or a little depressed ; metallic in colour, and
of hard integuments. They have no paraglossae to the
ligula ; their posterior coxae are immoveable, and trans-
verse, receiving in repose the upper part of the hinder
femora for their whole length ; the anterior coxae are
globose ; the tibiae have no rows of spines ; the penulti-
mate joint of the tarsi is often bilobed ; and the abdo-
men is five-jointed.
THE "SKIPJACKS" AND THEIR ALLIES. 127
The BUPRESTID^; have the antennae short, serrated,
and inserted in cavities ; the head buried in the thorax
up to the eyes, which are large, and vertically oblong ;
the mouth on the lower side of the head ; the labrum
small : the ligula often hidden behind the mentum ; two
fringed, lamelliforrn, toothless lobes to the maxillae ; the
mandibles short and strong; the thorax not produced
into spines at the hinder angles ; the front and middle
coxae globose, forming conspicuous cups for the trochan-
ters, and the posterior coxae lamelliform, with small tro-
chanters ; the tibiae always armed with short spurs at
the apex ; the four first joints of the tarsi with mem-
braneous plates on the under side ; the two first ventral
segments of the abdomen soldered together; and the
prosternum ending in a flat projection, received and fixed
into a sternal cavity, which in Anthaxia and its allies is
formed by the meso- and meta-sternum, and in Agrilus
and Trachys almost entirely by the latter.
In certain species there are one or two more or less
retractile additional segments to the abdomen, attached
to the generative organs.
They are remarkable for their hard integuments, me-
tallic colour, and rigidity of body ; and are usually cy-
lindrical, elongate and somewhat depressed, Trachys
only being short and " dumpy."
The parts of the mouth are small, and present but
little assistance in classification; but the conspicuous
development of certain pores in their antennae (first
pointed out by Erichson, and considered by him as ol-
factory channels) has been made use of by Lacordaire
in separating the different tribes and groups of this (ex-
otically) extensive family. These pores, which are not
found on all the joints, appear to be invisible in the
128 BRITISH BEETLES.
majority of Coleoptera, being hidden by very fine velvety
pubescence : but here they are perfectly distinct, and
are diffused over the upper and lower surface of the
joints on which they are situated, or concentrated in a
little depression situated either on the inner side, or on
the anterior part of the lower side, or on the front edge
of the joints.
In the Buprestidae the scutellum is often absent or
very small ; the elytra seldom cover more than the back,
and often leave the sides of the abdomen projecting;
and the antennae, which vary considerably as to their
point of insertion, fit into cavities in the prosternum.
In tropical regions, and even in Southern Europe,
they occur in great numbers, often of large size and
splendid colours ; but in England we possess not a dozen
really indigenous species (all of small stature), although
several have been from time to time introduced into our
lists, on account of their frequently being captured alive
in this country. This arises through their larvae being
easily imported in foreign timber, etc. ; and through the
long period during which they remain without changing
to the perfect state, so that the beetle often makes its
appearance at a considerable interval both of time and
space from its introduction.
The larvae are usually smooth, slender, elongate, cy-
lindrical or depressed, and very suddenly enlarged in
front ; the head sunk in the thorax, distinctly divided
into two portions, with two short hard mandibles and
small antennae, but no eyes ; and the legs entirely want-
ing, the end of the body being furnished with a projec-
tion, which in Agrilus is prolonged into two horny toothed
lateral pieces. In the larva of Trachys, however, the
head is not sunk in the thorax, and has a kidney-shaped
THE "SKIPJACKS" AND THEIR ALLIES. 129
eye on each side ; there are six widely separated two-
jointed legs; and the body rapidly contracts behind,
each of its segments being moreover separated from its
neighbours by deep incisions, and furnished with an
upper and lower horny shield, and two lateral fringed
tubercles.
They feed either in solid wood (especially of dead or
decaying trees), or under or in the bark. Agrilus bigut-
tatus, our largest indigenous species (Plate VIII, Fig. 5),
may be taken in all its stages at Darenth Wood at the
end of June: its larvae work sinuous galleries in the
damp bark of large oak stumps in open cuttings, that
have been left for about two years in the ground, and
turn to pupae in cells between the outer and inner layers ;
the perfect insect remaining quiescent therein for some
time. This species, in common with all the Buprestida,
flies during the hot sunshine ; and, on the least alarm,
packs its limbs tight to its body, simulates death, and
rolls to the ground. The very rare and lovely emerald
Anthaxia has a similar provoking habit of vanishing
from its resting-place in the flowers of Hieracium in the
New Forest, when approached by the collector.
The species of Trachys found on sallows, in moss, etc.,
are very small, triangular, thick, and wiry-legged.
The EUCNEMID.E possess many of the characters of
the Buprestidce, but have the eyes small and round ;
the antennae inserted on the forehead, at the inner mar-
gin of the eyes, and in the British species (with two
exceptions) strongly flabellated; the apical joint of the
palpi clubbed ; the labrum obsolete ; the outer lobe of
the maxillae sometimes (in certain foreign genera) ab-
sent ; the spurs of the tibiae very small, or wanting ; the
hinder angles of the thorax produced ; and the projection
130 BRITISH BEETLES.
of the prosternum more or less received into a cavity of
the mesosternum, which admits of free motion.
In this family the puzzling genus Throscus has been
placed by some authors ; though by others it is sepa-
rated, and (with the exotic Lissomus) located between
the Buprestidce and Eucnemidce ; having been even con-
sidered to be allied to Byrrhus and Dermestes, in spite
of its globose coxse. It differs from the Eucnemidce
chiefly in the fixity of its prosternal projection in the
sternal cavity ; the existence of an anterior projection to
the prosternum (as in Hister) ; and the strong flat three-
jointed club of its antennse, which are inserted near the
eyes, and (excepting the club) received into furrows in
the prosternum. The common little T. dermestoides is
found in sand-pits and crawling on old palings it has
been said to possess the power of jumping, as in the
Elateridce, but its structure appears to be opposed to
such a habit : it certainly contracts its legs (of which
the front pair are received into cavities) and falls in a
jerky fashion when approached.
This is a most irritating insect to mount, and may be
considered as a test object for proficiency in setting,
owing to its tightly-packed legs and lop-sided pro-
clivities.
Melasis and Microrhagus, our sole undoubted species
in this family, are of considerable rarity. The latter, a
small black elongate insect, with long antennae, which
are strongly flabellated in the male, and received in
repose into slight furrows on the sides, is occasionally
taken in the New Forest ; and the former, which is
larger, more cylindrical and robust (Plate 8, Fig. 6 ;
Melasis buprestoides, male), occurs sometimes close to
London, on palings, and in old trees. The males have
THE "SKIPJACKS" AND THEIR ALLIES. 131
flabellated antennae, and are usually smaller than the
females ; and the larva closely resembles those of the
Buprestida, from which it chiefly differs in the structure
of the organs of its mouth, and in not having its head
divided into two portions : it eats galleries in recently
dead wood, and forms a cell in which to undergo its
metamorphosis; the perfect insect (and especially the
female) being frequently to be seen lurking at the mouth
of the burrow.
The structure of the larva, the insertion and different
cavities of the antennae, absence of a labrum, and more
closely fitting prothorax, accompanied by the absence of
saltatorial power, distinguish this family from the next,
to which in many respects it is closely allied.
The ELATERID^E have long antennae, which are either
serrated, pectinated, or filiform, inserted immediately in
front of the eyes, and (except in the first sub-family)
not received into prosternal grooves in repose ; the eyes
large and round ; the head (except in the Campylides)
sunk in the thorax, with the mouth very rarely on the
lower side ; the labrum always distinct ; the mandibles
normally short and somewhat semicircular, often bifid
at the apex ; the apical joint of the palpi more or less
securiform (except as above) ; the thorax produced into
spines at the hinder angles, and sloped at the base to-
wards the elytra, which are also sloped forwards; the
scutellum mostly situated in a depression ; the proster-
num usually produced into a chin-piece in front, and
always with a dagger-like elongation behind, which
moves very freely in the mesosternal cavity ; and the
tarsi often furnished with lamellae beneath.
They are nearly always of narrow, elongate, cylindrical
shape, though sometimes flattened ; and are conspicuous
K 2
132 BRITISH BEETLES.
for their power of jumping when placed on the back,
from which their common names of " Skipjacks/ 7 or
" Click-beetles/' are derived.
An Elater, before jumping, arches its body strongly,
depressing the head and thorax, and elevating the mid-
dle, so as both to free the dagger-like projection of the
prothorax from the sternal groove, and obtain a pur-
chase for its rapid re-insertion, which is accompanied by
a sharp clicking sound : the effect of this is to make the
end of the abdomen and elytra act as a lever, whereby
the insect is elevated to a considerable distance in the
air, nearly always coming on its legs, which are too
short, and too closely articulated to the body, to enable
it to reach the ground in any other way. If unsuccess-
ful in its first endeavour, it persists in skipping until it
lands itself right side up.
The wings in this family are ample, and the flight
strong ; many of its members flying in the hot sunshine,
and basking in warm places ; though others are noctur-
nal, or at least crepuscular, in their habits.
The British species are divided into three sub-families,
the Agrypnides, Elaterides, and Campylides ; of which
the first is distinguished by its antennae being received
into the furrows of the prosternum in repose. Our sole
undoubted species, Lacon murinus, a broad, somewhat
convex, and mottled-grey insect, is found in garden heaps
and grassy places. The prosternal furrows are not open
behind, and there are no lamellse to its tarsi beneath.
The Elaterides present no decided character beyond
having the antennae free in repose : they comprise a
great number both of genera and species, all possessing
a certain family likeness, but whose divisions are com-
paratively artificial. The typical genus Elater com-
THE "SKIPJACKS" AND THEIR ALLIES. 133
prises some flattish shining black insects with blood-red
elytra, and one species, E. sanguinolentus (Plate IX,
Fig. 1) having also a black mark on the suture ; it oc-
curs at the roots of heath on Wimbledon Common,
where it has also been taken copiously on the blossom
of the nettle.
They frequent grassy places, flowers, and the leaves of
trees ; some also being found in rotten wood, or under
stones on river banks.
Their larvae are very like the common " meal-worm/'
being horny, slender, and elongate ; usually almost cy-
lindrical, but sometimes more or less depressed. They
have no eyes or labrum ; the maxillae and mentum are
elongate and soldered together, with palpi which have
respectively three and two joints ; the antennae are four-
fointed and short ; the legs very short, robust, close toge-
ther, and three-jointed ; and the apical segment usually
larger and more horny than the rest, frequently with
toothed projections, and possessing an anal prolongation.
They are found at the roots of plants (the common
" wire-worm " being only too well known), or in the black
rotten wood -mould of old trees, under bark, etc. ; and
have frequently been known to destroy other subcortical
larvae, not even sparing those of their own species.
One of our most abundant "skipjacks" is Athous
h&morrhoidalis , a long chestnut-brown beetle with a
lighter-coloured abdomen, found in profusion on fern
and young hazel in the spring. Ludius ferrugineus, a
very rare, broad, flat, dull-red species (called " the rusty
gun-barrel" by one of our best working collectors), is
the largest we possess; the little Cryptohypni, found
under stones on banks, being the smallest. The members
of the latter genus appear to be gregarious : I have seen
134 BRITISH BEETLES.
a dozen of C. dermestoides (which is not superficially un-
like the Throscus with a similar trivial appellation) skip-
ping about, on removing a stone on the shore of Loch
Rannoch.
The north of England seems to be more productive of
the larger species than the south ; where, indeed, but
few of the Elateridae can be said to abound. The males
of some of the metallic species (Corymbites cupreus and
pectimcornis) have the antennae very strongly flabel-
lated ; and in Synaptus, Agriotes (the larvse of certain
common species of which are known as the " wire- worm "
above alluded to), Sericosomus, Dolopius, and Adrastus,
the head is almost vertical instead of transverse.
The Campylides have the head exserted, with the
eyes very prominent and freed from the thorax ; the la-
brum deflexed ; no chin-piece to the prosternum ; the
metasternum sharply narrowed in front, with the inter-
mediate coxae approximated ; the mandibles projecting,
straight at the base and curved at the apex; the last
joint of the maxillary palpi often oval or subcylindric ;
and the tarsi not lamellated beneath.
Our solitary species, Campylus linearis, is chiefly
noticeable from the great variation in colour often seen
in the female.
Through this sub-family the passage is easy to the
next section, by means of the Cebrionidce, and other
families not found in Britain.
M. E. Candeze has monographed the Elateridte of
the world in four vols. (Liege, 1857-63) ; and his work
is indispensable to the student of the family.
135
CHAPTER XV.
THE MALACODEEMI.
THIS section, as here employed, is of an essentially arti-
ficial nature, comprising insects of very varied appear-
ance and structure, which may be considered as divided
into fifteen families : the Atopida, Cyphonida, Eubri-
ada, Lycidae, Lampyrida, Drilida, TelephoridcBj Mely-
ridcs, Byturida, Cleridce, Lymexylonida, Ptinida, Bos-
trichidce, Lyctidce, and Cioidce. Of these, the first eight
only (and perhaps not all of them) can be considered as
strictly Malacodermi, wherein the integuments of the
body are not horny, but soft and flexible, and usually
clothed with short pubescence ; the antennae long, fili-
form or serrate, with generally eleven joints, though
sometimes this number varies to ten or twelve (the latter
occurring in certain exotic Lampyrida) ; the parts of
the mouth nearly membraneous, the mentum being often
indistinct, and the ligula with no paraglossse ; the front
coxse conic, exserted, and sometimes almost cylindrical,
and the hinder pair transverse, often approximated, and
reaching to the edge of the elytra ; the tibia? seldom
spurred at the apex; the tarsi five-jointed, though with
only four joints to those of the front legs in tne males
of certain species; the abdomen composed of six or
136 BRITISH BEETLES.
seven free ventral segments ; and the elytra very seldom
punctate-striate, and usually not covering the sides of
the abdomen.
In the remainder there is great variation in the an-
tennae, hardness of the body, etc. ; so that it is impos-
sible to couple them with the true Malacodermi ; and
yet they differ so much inter se as to require the forma-
tion of many other sections for their reception if sepa-
rated from that group, although none of their associa-
tions are equivalent in extent or distinctness to it.
The ATOPID.E are here represented by one genus and
species, Dascillus cervinus, a large, oblong-oval, convex,
hard, dull-grey, downy insect, not uncommon in flowers,
especially in chalky districts. It has prominent man-
dibles, straight and spurred tibiae, and each of the
second, third, and fourth joints of the tarsi furnished
with a bilobed lamella. Its short, flat, eyeless larva is
set with rows of long hairs, and has four-jointed an-
tennae, rather long legs, horny plates on the upper seg-
ments, and no anal prolongation : it lives in the earth
at the roots of plants.
The CYPHONIDJS are all much smaller and less oblong,
with softer integuments, and very fragile. They have
sharp mandibles, which are not prominent; the pro-
sternum linear and transverse ; the mesothoracic epimera
elongate, and those of the metathorax not conspicuous ;
the femora hollowed on the under side ; the tibiae angu-
lated ; and no bilobed lamellae to the tarsi.
Their larvae, which feed on water-plants, differ con-
siderably from those of the Atopida (which somewhat
resemble the Lamellicorn type), being more like those
of the genus Silpha.
The perfect insects are obtained by sweeping in marshy
THE MALACODERMI. 137
places, beating in sallows, etc. ; and are extremely diffi-
cult to obtain in good condition, on account of their
slender and slightly articulated limbs, which often come
to pieces on being touched with even a camePs-hair
brush in mounting. They are mostly yellowish-brown
in colour, with no sculpture, and short silky pubescence.
The rare Prionocyphon has on two or three occasions
been found in ants' nests ; though it is a mystery how
or why it got there. Scirtes is conspicuous for the great
development of its hinder femora, and the large curved
outer spur at the apex of the tibiae of the same legs ; the
inner spur being shorter. S. hemisph&ricus, a flat, black
insect, is abundant in marshy places at ^eybridge and
elsewhere ; and jumps strongly, after the manner of the
Halticida, for a member of which family it might rea-
dily be mistaken by a novice who failed to notice its
five-jointed tarsi. It has a pleasing habit of dropping
its hind legs entirely when handled; and shares the
fragility of its allies.
The EUBRIADJS (consisting of a single genus and
species, Eubria palustris, a small black insect with
rather deeply furrowed elytra) differ from the Cyphonid<e
chiefly in having the mesosternum level and square
instead of concave, and the prosternal projection not
narrow but wide and flat, gradually lessened behind, and
uniting with the mesosternum. The front and inter-
mediate coxae are transverse and sunken, with no tro-
chantina; and the hinder pair are but very slightly
enlarged on the inner side.
The LYCID^: have the antennse inserted on the upper
side between or before the eyes, and very close together ;
the mandibles very small, slender, and not toothed at
the apex; the trochanters placed in the axis of the fe-
138 BRITISH BEETLES.
mora ; and the head produced into the form of a rostrum,
and covered by the prothorax.
They are conspicuous for their flattened appearance ;
long and ample elytra, with diminished head and thorax ;
bright colours, and peculiar reticulated sculpture.
Dictyopterus Aurora (Plate IX, Fig. 2) is found, at
Rannoch, in Perthshire, on the under sides of felled
pine-trees, or among the half-rotten heaps of chips left
by the woodman. It is a sluggish species, and is readily
captured, not attempting to escape, though it flies hea-
vily towards the evening : the sexes remain coupled for
some time, the male being the smaller of the two, with
longer antennse, and having a deep semicircular notch
on the hinder margin of the last abdominal segment.
The larva of an allied species has been found under bark
of dead trees, where it feeds on other insects, etc. : it is
black, with a red tail ; elongate, very flattened, leathery,
with slender mandibles which are placed very close to-
gether, and having two recurved hooks and a retractile
prolongation at the apex of the body.
The LAMPYRID^: are closely allied to the last family,
from which they differ, however, considerably in outward
appearance ; in the mostly apterous state of the female;
and in the presence of the power of emitting phospho-
rescent light. Their palpi, also, are of different struc-
ture ; the eyes more developed ; the head more entirely
hidden by the rounded prothorax ; and the intermediate
coxse more approximated. The " Glow-worm," Lampyris
noctiluca, is the sole British exponent of this family.
The males are sometimes very slightly luminous, and
are considerably rarer than the female; they may,
however, be taken by sweeping at night in grassy places
where the other sex is found, sometimes having been
THE MALACODERMI. 139
observed to fly to a lamp, after the fashion of moths.
They are dingy in colour, with a rounded thorax hiding
the head, ample wings under their elytra, and very large
eyes, resembling those of certain dipterous insects. The
female, on the contrary, has smaller eyes, and neither
elytra nor wings ; her body is flat, soft, and broad ;
and, in short, she considerably resembles the larva from
which she sprang, from which she differs in having the
ordinary femur, tibia, and five-jointed tarsi to the legs,
eleven-jointed antennae, and a broad flat semicircular
thorax : the larva, moreover, has distinct light-coloured
corners to each segment. The pupa of the female exhi-
bits but slight differences from the larva ; but that of
the male shows the ordinary rudiments of the future
members. The insect, both as an imago and larva, de-
vours small Mollusca (snails, etc.) ; and, when in the
latter condition, uses certain radii, protruded from the
anus, for the purpose of freeing the front of the
body from the dirt and slime caused by its habits of
feeding.
The phosphorescent light has been observed in all the
stages and both sexes of this species ; but is especially
evident in the full-grown female, proceeding from the
under side of the abdomen at the apex, where certain of
the segments are lighter in colour than the rest. It
appears to be subject to the will of the insect, and is
brightest when the latter is found in damp places.
The DRILID.E have their antennae distant at the base,
and serrated or flabellated ; the mandibles bifid, and
armed with a sharp tooth in the middle of the inner
side ; the head not covered by the prothorax, but in-
serted in it up to the eyes ; the clypeus confounded with
the head (as in the Lycidae, Lampyrida, and Telepho-
140 BRITISH BEETLES.
} the prothorax strongly transverse, and the claws
of the tarsi toothed beneath.
Our solitary representative, Drilus flavescens (Plate
IX, Fig. 3), is found at Dover, near Darenth Wood, etc.,
by sweeping in grassy places, especially where snails
abound. The female, as in Lampyris, possesses neither
wings nor elytra, and is of the greatest rarity in Eng-
land.
The larva feeds upon snails (Helix nemoralis), closing
up the orifice of the shell with its exuvise whilst preying
upon its inhabitant. I once took at the base of Shake-
speare's Cliff a full-grown female larva, running rapidly
in the hot sunshine among snail shells. It was more
than half an inch long ; flat, narrow, but rather widening
behind; with a flat head, armed with two sharp and
rather widely separated mandibles, six moderately long
anterior legs, two thin tubercles on each side of the
fourth and following segments, gradually getting longer,
and clothed with stout brown bristles ; and two longer
elevated protuberances, also set with long hairs on the
upper side, with an anal elongation beneath, on the last
segment. It was nearly the colour of raw sienna ; and
had a widening row of black spots on each side, begin-
ing on the thorax. The figure given in West wood's
Introduction (vol. i. p. 247, f. 26, 18) is not correct ;
being too broad and not hairy enough .
The female preserves the appearance of the larvae to
a great extent.
The TELEPHORID^E (commonly known as " soldiers "
or "sailors") have the head free and contracted behind;
the clypeus more or less covering the mandibles; the
labrum obsolete, instead of distinct, as in the preceding
families ; the antennae filiform ; the elytra not reflected
THE MALACODERMI. 141
at the sides, flexible, liable to distortion, and rarely en-
tirely covering the abdomen ; the palpi slender ; and the
fourth joint of the tarsi bilobed.
Although their integuments, compared with those of
the families of the preceding section, are as different as
the canvas of a sculler's -boat from the plates of an iron-
clad, these insects are "Warriors" a Voutrance; and are
living disproofs of Scott's well-known lines (Rokeby) :
" Man only mars kind nature's plan,
And turns the fell pursuit on man :"
seeing that they not only prey on other beetles, but also
ruthlessly attack those of their own species. Conse-
quently the collector must remember to put them in a
bottle containing laurel-leaves, or they will infallibly
maim their fellow-captives.
Their larvse, equally carnivorous, feeding upon earth-
worms, etc., live underground ; but are sometimes found
on the surface in great numbers, even upon snow. They
are elongate, somewhat parallel, black in colour, with
white or reddish spots ; and resemble those of the Lampy-
ridae in having a single eye on each side of the head, no
labrum, and the clypeus confused with the head : they
are, however, softer, and clothed with a fine velvety
down; and have the head exposed, and the abdominal
segments rounded. Mr. G. R. Waterhouse has de-
scribed and figured the larvse of Telephorus rufus in the
Transact, of the Ent. Soc. i. p. 31, pi. 3.
The perfect insects, which fly readily in the hot sun-
shine, and have long loosely-articulated legs, which they
use with great effect, are mostly found on flowers (chiefly
Umbelliferae) , and by sweeping in damp places : it is not
easy to obtain a series in good preservation, owing to
142 BRITISH BEETLES.
their liability to distortion in drying ; the abdomen, es-
pecially in the females, being very large and soft.
Telephorus clypeatus (Plate IX, Fig. 4) is one of the
prettiest, owing to its spotted thorax ; unlike many of
the members of its genus, it does not vary in colour or
marking. Telephorus is divided into three sub-genera ;
Ancystronycha, wherein the outer claw of the tarsi in
the female has a very strong spine-like tooth; Tele-
phorus proper, wherein this tooth is less developed ; and
Rhagonycha, in which both the claws are bifid, seeming
to be split at the apex. In the latter the tibise, also, are
straighter, more slender, and with only obsolete spurs.
The species of Malthinus and Malthodes have very
long slender antennae, and short elytra, scarcely covering
two-thirds of the abdomen. They are small, very fra-
gile, and are most easily obtained by sweeping under fir-
trees. In the former genus the elytra are longer, and
the mandibles have a strong tooth near the apex, which
is wanting in the latter.
The MELYRIDJS have the clypeus separated by a suture
from the forehead (a structure, however, not very evi-
dent in the British species); the labrum distinct; the
abdomen composed of six segments ; the spurs of the
tibiae obsolete or absent ; and the tarsi not bilobed. In
Malachius (wherein the antennae, contrary to the pre-
vailing structure of the family, are inserted in the front,
instead of at the sides, of the head), Anthocomus, and
Ebceus, there are certain retractile vesicles to the pro-
thorax and abdomen ; which in some of the small green
metallic species of the former genus, assume the appear-
ance of the wattles of a cock. Their larvae are carnivo-
rous, living under bark, and in dry rotten wood, where
they feed upon other larvae, etc. The remainder of the
THE MALACODERMI. 143
family have no vesicles ; they are also more elongate and
hairy than the species of the above-mentioned genera.
The BYTURID.E comprise two very puzzling genera,
Byturus and Telmatophilus ; both of which have been
shifted about to a considerable extent by authors. The
former was originally placed by Latreille among the
Nitidulida ; then in the Melyridce by Erichson ; subse-
quently, by Redtenbacher and Lacordaire in the Derme-
stidce ; and, lastly, by Thomson, again returned to the
Nitidulidce, but associated with such heterogeneous
neighbours as Thymalus and Micropeplus.
Telmatophilus, also, has been alternately placed in the
Melyridce and Cryptophagida ; it is, also, associated by
Redtenbacher with Lyctus and Alexm, and included by
Thomson with Tritoma and Mycetaa in the Fungicola.
Byturus has the tarsi five-jointed and velvety beneath ;
the second and third joints produced into long side
lappets, the first and fourth being very small (the latter
hidden between the lobes of the third), and the fifth as
long as all the rest together, with the apical hooks much
curved, and furnished with a strong tooth at the base.
The front coxae are ovate and not exserted, and the pos-
terior approximated. The abdomen is composed of five
equal free segments ; the mandibles have a stout tooth
at the base, and are slightly toothed before the apex ;
the eyes are large, round, and prominent ; the antennae
eleven-jointed with a graduated three-jointed club ; and
the body is rather convex and pubescent.
The perfect insects are found in the flowers of the
white-thorn, strawberry, etc. ; and are entirely unlike
any Dermestes in their habits. The larvae, also, have
similar propensities ; they do not present the hairs so
characteristic of the larvae of the latter.
144 BRITISH BEETLES.
Telmatophilus, also, is found upon plants, especially
near water : its tarsi are pentamerous, with the fourth
joint almost obsolete; the second and third being bi-
lobed (the latter very strongly so), and the two first
densely pilose beneath.
The prosternum has its hinder part projecting, and
received into the anterior margin of the mesosternum,
which is nearly square. The antennae are eleven-jointed,
with a small three-jointed club; the mandibles are
finely denticulated before their extremity ; the eyes are
round and large ; and the body slightly pubescent. The
species are all small, and rather narrow.
The conflict between the facies, habits, and structure
of the tarsi, etc., in these insects makes it difficult to
locate them with any certainty.
The CLERID^S (which are mostly brightly coloured)
have the antennae often clubbed ; the labrum distinct ;
the tarsi provided with lamellae beneath and sometimes
bilobed ; often only five abdominal segments ; the pos-
terior coxae transverse, sunk, not approximated, and
covered by the hind femora ; the body oblong, usually
cylindrical, rather hard, and hairy; the eyes kidney-
shaped and notched ; and the head and thorax narrower
than the elytra. They are remarkable, also, for usually
having the labial larger than the maxillary palpi.
In Tillus, CleruSj Opilus, and Trichodes there are five
joints to the tarsi, and the pronotum is confused with
the prothoracic parapleurae, so that the thorax becomes
cylindrical ; but in the sub-family Enopliides, to which
the genus Corynetes belongs, there are only four joints
(the normal fourth joint being imperfectly developed);
and the upper part of the thorax is separated from the
sides by a more or less conspicuous ridge.
THE MALACODERMI. 145
Tillus elongatus, a narrow black insect with red thorax
(the male being rarely entirely black), perforates old
wood, and is sometimes found in elder-blossom.
Clerus formicarius (Plate IX, Fig. 5), a regular Harle-
quin, occurs beneath bark ; where its larva, dark pink and
spotted in front (figured by Ratzeburg, Forstins. vol. i.
p. 35, pi. 1, f. 7 ; and by M. Ferris, Ann. de la Soc.
Ent. de Fr., 1854), preys upon other wood- feeding larvae.
Opilus is found in old hedges and posts, its soft, pale
pink, hairy larva living under the barks of willows, and
feeding on the larvae of Anobium, etc. ; and the species
of Trichodes (of doubtful British origin), large, hairy,
blue, red-banded insects, are parasitic in their earlier
stages upon honey and mason-bees, whose larvae they
devour. Corynetes and Necrobia, small, flattish, shining,
and blue-black, with the thorax or legs red in some in-
stances, frequent dry skins, dead carcases, etc. (having
even been found in an Egyptian mummy) ; the latter is
distinguished by the more elongate apical joint of its
palpi, and the larger and flatter club to its antennae.
The LYMEXYLONID^E (Xylotrogi, Latr.) are very long,
narrow, and cylindrical, with the head free from the
prothorax, contracted behind, and having a neck; the
front and middle coxae close together, large, long, cylin-
drical, and not exserted; the posterior pair being oblique;
the prosternum not produced into a point behind ; the
spurs of the tibiae imperfectly developed or absent ; the
legs long and thin, with slender five-jointed tarsi; the
labrum small, but distinct ; and the palpi considerably
developed in the males.
Their larvae, which bore neat round drills horizontally
into solid timber, are elongate, cylindrical, recurved be-
hind, smooth, but with numerous roughnesses on the
L
146 BRITISH BEETLES.
front of the body, and a projection on the back of the
apical segment; their head is retractile into the first
thoracic segment, which is enlarged and elevated, and
they have no eyes. The pupa is formed near the mouth
of the burrow, which is enlarged by the larva; and is
thin and cylindrical, as in most wood-feeding insects.
Hylec&tus dermestoides (Plate IX, Fig. 6, male), found
at Rannoch, Sherwood, etc., differs considerably in the
size and colour of its sexes, and possesses an ocellum on
the vertex. The maxillary palpi of the male are of great
size, assuming the appearance of a fan, on account of
the third joint (which is much developed) having
numerous branchial appendages. In this genus there
are six segments to the abdomen; but in Lymexylon,
which is of the greatest rarity here, though so common
on the Continent as to commit great damage to timber,
there are only five.
The PTINID.E are conspicuous for their habit of re-
tracting their head beneath the prothorax (Plate X,
Fig. 1 a) , which forms a cowl ; their legs, also, are con-
tractile, with no spines on the outer edge of the tibiae,
which have the terminal spurs absent or very small, and
short five-jointed tarsi, of which the first and second
joints are almost equal in length. They are usually
small, of hard integuments, more or less cylindrical, and
clothed with short pubescence. Of the two sub-families
into which they are divided, the Ptinides have the
antennae inserted in the front part of the head, and the
upper part of the prothorax confused with its sides ;
whilst the Anobiides have the antennae inserted close to
the front margin of the eyes, a strong ridge separating
the pronotum from the sides of the prothorax, and the
anterior coxae rather more projecting.
THE MALACODERM1. 147
Their larvae, which resemble those of the Lamellicornes
in miniature, feed chiefly upon dead wood; though
sometimes upon living trees, bones, seeds, etc. I have
found the cocoons of Ptinus germanus in an old post ;
they were formed of a dirty silken fabric, mixed with
pieces of wood ; and contained the perfect insects, which
(as usual) do not appear to be active immediately after
their exclusion from the pupa.
Hedobia imperialis (Plate X, Fig. 1) is the only species
with any pretensions to beauty ; it occurs in old white-
thorn bushes. The Ptini are found in houses and about
old palings, often doing considerable damage to Natural-
history collections ; they have the prothorax constricted
behind, and the male usually more elongate, and with
longer antennae than the female.
Gibbium and Mezium^oih house-feeders (and, perhaps,
not truly indigenous), have entirely smooth and shining
elytra, looking much like certain small Arachnida ; the
former especially so, on account of its thorax also being
smooth, its continuous outline, slow gait, and long
sprawling legs. The latter has no scutellum ; arid both
contract their legs and antennae in repose, assuming a
globular form, which has been fancifully likened to a
drop of blood.
Of the Anobiides, the cylindrical little Ptilinus pec-
tmicorniS) whose neat round drills may often be seen
in great numbers in old willow, etc., looking as if a
volley of small shot had been discharged very cleanly
into the wood, is noteworthy from the beautiful fan-like
structure of its antennae in the male. The females
appear to remain in the galleries made by the larvae,
and the male couples from the outside.
Dorcatoma, small, round, and convex, found in old
L 2
148 BRITISH BEETLES.
rotten wood or fungi, has the antennae terminated by a
three-jointed, flat, dentated club; and the genus Anobium,
wherein the three last joints of the antennae are enlarged
or lengthened, comprises the well-known "Death-watch;"
an appellation given to certain of its species (A. tessel-
latum especially) found in old furniture, wainscoting,
etc., on account of their habit of making an audible
clicking with their mandibles against the hard wood,
possibly as a call for their mates. This noise, distinct
enough in the stillness of the night, and associated by
superstition with the advent of death, has doubtless in
olden times unstrung the weak nerves of many an in-
valid. The wood-dust ejected from their burrows in
beams, chairs, etc., may frequently be seen in country
houses. They retract the limbs and simulate death very
readily and pertinaciously.
The members of this family, and the remainder of the
section, are associated by Thomson with Cerylon, Coly-
dium, Myrmecoxenus, Sphindus, etc., in the Xylophagi of
Latreille, which he places between the Lamellicornes
and an equivalent division, Fungicola, Latr., immediately
preceding the Sternoxi.
The Fungicola are made to include genera of such
different structure as Monotoma, Lathridius, Crypto -
phagus, Telmatophilus , Tritoma, Triplax, Endomychus,
Tetratoma, Mycetophagus } Diphyllus, etc.
The BosTRiCHiDjE present considerable resemblance
to the Anobiides, from which they differ especially in
the structure of their tarsi, wherein the first joint is very
small, and the second and apical much enlarged. The
spurs to the tibiae are also more developed, especially in
the front legs; the anterior coxae are very large; the
body is harder, and not so pubescent ; the head is not
THE MALACODERMI. 149
retractile, but hidden by the great bulk of the thorax
in front ; and the elytra are often obliquely truncate at
the apex ; in which last character (and in general facies)
they are exceedingly like certain of the Scolytida, wherein
the number of joints in the tarsi is different.
Their larvse, also, appear to resemble those of the
Ptinidce, but to be less wrinkled transversely; having,
moreover, two four-jointed antennae and no eyes, whilst
the latter have exceedingly small two-jointed antennae
and very minute spherical eyes, situated in a depression
near the base of the mandibles.
The large and very rare Boslrichus capucinus has re-
cently been taken near Highgate on a felled oak ; and
the little Rhizopertha pusilla, superficially very like a
Tomicus, but in which the structure of the tarsi is exactly
the same as in the Cioidte, occurs at Glasgow and else-
where, being probably imported.
The LYCTID^E are sometimes associated with both the
next and the preceding family ; and have, also, been
placed among the Colydiadce and Cryptophagidce, to cer-
tain of the former of which they present a considerable
external resemblance. Their tarsi have five joints, the
first being very small, and the last as long as the four
preceding; the first abdominal segment is longer than
any of the rest ; the club of their antennae is two-jointed ;
and their body flat and elongate, with punctate-striate
elytra.
This assemblage of characters causes them to fit un-
easily with any of their supposed allies ; and the diffi-
culty of assigning them to their correct position has
been increased by the discovery of the larva of one of
the species, which is fleshy, arched, cylindrical, and with-
out eyes or legs; resembling, in short, those of the
150 BRITISH BEETLES.
tetramerous Scolytidae and Curculionidte : it appears to
make straight burrows in the solid wood of felled oaks.
Our common Lyctus canaliculatus, which has a de-
pression on the prothorax, is found on fresh oak palings.
The CIOID.E (described by M. Mellie in the French
' Annales/ 1848, p. 205, et seq.) have four joints to the
tarsi, of which the three first are not so long as the
apical. Their head is more or less retractile within the
thorax, the front of which often projects; the antennae
vary from eight to ten joints in the British genera, but
have always a three-jointed club ; the organs of the
mouth are but little developed, the mandibles only being
robust, and the labrum distinct ; there are no apical
spurs to the tibiae; and the first joint of the abdomen is
longer than any of the others.
They are all small, cylindrical, feebly built insects;
varying from yellow to dark brown in colour ; generally
shining, but sometimes clothed with a very short silky
down, which imparts a somewhat metallic reflection.
Their punctuation is almost always irregular on the
elytra ; and they occur gregariously in boleti, and other
fungi, especially when the latter are attached to trees.
The males are known either by the larger size of their
mandibles, or by the presence of certain little horn-like
tubercles on the head or anterior margin of the pro-
thorax.
Their elongate, cylindrical, curved, fleshy larvae are
slightly hairy, with two recurved hooks at the apex on
the upper side, and appear to resemble those of Crypto-
phayus ; and the pupa has two slight spines at its lower
extremity.
In Rhopalodontus and Cis the antennae have ten joints;
the former having the tibiae dilated at their outer ex-
THE MALACODERMT. 151
tremity and distinctly toothed, the second joint of the
antennae much longer than the third, the head toothed
in the middle, and the last joint of the maxillary palpi
more oblong. In Ennearthron there are (as its name
imports) nine joints to the antennae, and in the equally
suggestive Octotemnus but eight : the latter has no
tubercles on the head or thorax in the male, and the
tibiae are slightly toothed outside.
The largest and commonest of the family is Cis boleti,
in which the thorax has several irregular depressions;
it is found in damp fungoid wood, or the small greenish
laminated boleti on the bark of rotten trees. As in all
the rest, individuals of different degrees of maturity are
often found associated. They are all difficult to set,
owing to their small size, and the shortness, retractile
structure, and weak articulation of their limbs, and
must not be kept long in laurel, otherwise their mem-
bers part company.
152
CHAPTER XVI.
THE HETEEOMEEA.
THIS section comprises twenty families : the Blaptida,
Coniontidce, Pedimdae, Opatridte, Trachyscelida, Boli-
tophagidce, Diaperida, Ulomidce, Tenebrionidte, Helopida,
Cistelida, Lagriada, Tetratomidce, Melandryidce, Pyro-
chroida, Anthicidce, MordeUida, Meloida, (Edemeridte,
and SalpingidcR, in all of which the front and middle
tarsi have five joints, and the hinder pair only four.
Some few aberrant species in other sections also exhibit
this tarsal formula, either in one or both of their sexes ;
but they cannot easily be confounded with any of the
Heteromera, on account of their own unmistakeable
family likeness, and of wanting other characters which
are nearly always found in this section, such as the
kidney-shaped eyes, exserted and clavate maxillary palpi,
moniliform un-elbowed antennae, and bifid mandibles.
The missing joint in the Heteromera, moreover, is
merged in the elongate basal joint; whereas in other
heteromerous species it is usually the fourth joint that
is wanting or undeveloped.
We possess but a meagre list of species belonging to
this section, which is very extensively represented in
tropical countries ; and it is worthy of notice that only
THE HETEROMERA. 153
one known genus (an exotic one, Heterotarsus) departs
from the standard with regard to the joints of the tarsi ;
and in that the same proportions are preserved (4, 4, 3),
the apparently missing joints being represented by a
slight constriction.
Thomson has divided this section into two tribes,
the Globicoxas and Conicoxa ; in the former of which
(amongst other characters) the anterior coxae are globose
or ovate, and the thorax is mostly margined, whilst in
the latter, the anterior coxae are long, conic and exserted,
the thorax being very rarely margined. . The Globicoxce
comprise all except the Pyrochroidce, Melo'idce, (Ede-
merid(K, Anthicida;, and the Rhipiphorides, a sub-family
of the Mor dellidcs.
The typical Heteromera (Melasoma, Latr.) are of
darkling and sluggish habits, black or obscure in colour,
hard and wingless. It has been ingeniously remarked
that the fact of the eyes in these light-shunning species
being but slightly elevated above the surface of their
head affords an indication of their habits; and this is
borne out, to a certain extent, by the utter absence of
eyes in certain cave-frequenting Coleoptera; and, per
contra, by the large size and extreme prominence of the
same organs in many diurnal species ; but in this theory,
as in many others equally good at first sight, exceptions
occur so often that it is very difficult to turn it to any
practical benefit.
Others of the section are eminently active, gaily
coloured, soft, with ample wings, and frequent flowers :
many occur in rotten wood, flour, or sandy places ; and
one or two species are parasitic in their habits. Per-
haps the best known are the "cellar-beetle" (Blaps),
" Mealworm" (Tenebrio), "Cardinal" (Pyrochroa], "Oil
154 BRITISH BEETLES.
beetle" (Meloe), and " Spanish-fly," or " Blister-beetle"
(Lytta) .
The BLAPTID.E have the last joint of the maxillary
palpi hatchet-shaped, the epipleura of the elytra wide,
and the hind femora long ; they are represented here by
one genus (Blaps) of three species, all of which are
large, somewhat flat, dull black, with the elytra soldered
together and pointed behind. They are found (some-
times in great numbers) in kitchens, outbuildings, stables,
churchyards, etc., and are very slow in their movements,
sedately lifting one long leg at a time, and only crawling
about at night. They have a peculiarly foul smell, which
is difficult to get rid of, arid are indiscriminately known
as the "churchyard beetle." Their larvae closely re-
semble the common "meal-worm;" and instances have
been recorded of their having been discharged (once in
large numbers) from the human stomach.
Our commonest species is B. mucronata, formerly
called mortisaga : the latter, however, is much rarer,
only occurring in the north of England, and readily
distinguished by the longer process at the apex of its
elytra, and by its thorax being more evidently punctured
and more contracted behind.
The CONIONTID^E are here represented solely by
Crypticus quisquilius (Plate X, Fig. 2), a small, black,
shining species found in some numbers on sandy banks
at Deal. It has slender legs and tarsi, the hinder
femora not reaching far beyond the elytra, of which the
epipleura are narrow. It is usually winged, but indi-
viduals occur in which the wings are either imperfectly
developed or absent. In this family there is a narrow
projection between the anterior coxae.
The PEDINID.E have the eyes divided into two by the
THE HETEROMERA. 155
lateral margin of the head; they include a doubtful
species of the typical genus Pedinus, and one other,
Heliopathes yibbus, abundant in hot sandy places by the
sea. The latter is deep-black in colour, shining, oblong,
of clumsy shape, with coarsely punctured elytra, the
epipleura of which are conspicuously ridged at the
shoulder, the anterior tibiae are triangular, and the three
basal joints of the front tarsi strongly widened in the
male, in which sex the posterior femora are fringed be-
neath.
The larva is filiform, cylindrical, whitish, with a brown
head and thorax, and strong fossorial front legs : the
head and tail are slightly hairy, and the apex of the
abdomen is furnished with eight erect tubercles.
The OPATRID.E have the tarsi simple in both sexes,
and present numerous other smaller differences from the
Pedinidce, with which they are sometimes associated.
Our two species have the eyes divided, and the clypeus
deeply notched (as in Heliopathes} but in Opatrum
the maxillary palpi have the last joint hatchet- shaped,
whilst in Microzoum it is almost ovate. Both are dull
black and somewhat depressed; and occur in similar
places to the Pedinidts. O. sabulosum, much the lar-
gest of the two, is common on the south coast.
The TRACHYSCELID^E never have the last joint of the
maxillary palpi hatchet-shaped ; their antennae are short,
and the projection between their coxae is triangular. In
Trachyscelis, a doubtful British genus, the antennae are
shorter than the head and distinctly clubbed ; and the
eyes sunk in the thorax, the sides of which, and the
elytra, are fringed with long hairs. In Phaleria the
antennae are longer than the head, and not clubbed ;
the eyes are more free, and there are no lateral fringes.
156 BRITISH BEETLES.
P. cadaverina, a clear yellowish convex insect, with a
suffused black patch in the middle of each elytron,,
occurs in decaying animal matter, and at the roots of
maritime plants, in sandy places on the coast; being
common at Shoeburyness, at the roots of Sedum.
The BOLITOPHAGID^E, in company with several of the
succeeding families, have their tarsi clothed on the
under side with short hairs ; a similar structure being
only exhibited by the Pedinidce among the preceding
families of this section. Their antennae are partly re-
ceived in repose into a transverse furrow of the head ;
the labial palpi are widely separated at the base ; and
the apical joint of the maxillary palpi is not hatchet-
shaped.
They live entirely on boleti, and are apparently gre-
garious.
Bolitophagus crenatus, in which the eyes are divided,
arid the thorax crenulated at the sides, is dull black in
colour, and has strong rows of punctures alternating
with linear elevations, on its elytra. It is found in the
north of England, and is much larger than the com-
moner Eledona agaricola, a convex, oval, dull dirty
browri insect, in which the eyes are of the normal struc-
ture, and the thorax is not roughened at the sides. As
in many fungus- and wood-feeders, individuals of both
these species sometimes occur in which the colour is
much lighter than usual.
The DIAPERID.E present a considerable resemblance
to certain of the Chrysomelida, from which their five-
jointed front and middle tarsi will at once distinguish
them. They are metallic, smooth, and more or less
bright in colour, with their eyes not entire and their
antennae gradually widened to the apex. In Diaperis
THE HETEROMERA. 157
the basal joint of the hind tarsi is short, whilst in the
other genera it is much elongated. D. boleti, a very
convex, shining, black species, with the apex of the ely-
tra and the two transverse bands yellow, is one of our
rarest species, no instance of its capture having been re-
corded for many years. Its larva is blind, and feeds on
boleti growing on the trunks of trees, enclosing itself
in a cell with a silky lining before undergoing its final
metamorphoses.
Scaphidema, smaller, more depressed, and brassy, has
its intercoxal projection wide, quadrangular, and trun-
cated in front. It occurs not uncommonly near London
among dead leaves, and at the bottoms of hedges. Its
larva, as in the genus next mentioned, has two minute
spines at the apex of the abdomen, and lives in Boleti
under bark, making no cell to change in. It has three
ocelli on each side of its head. Platydema, the larva of
which has four ocelli on each side, is exceedingly like
a Chrysomela, and is found in the New Forest, but
rarely.
The ULOMID^E are here represented by a few incon-
spicuous insects, of which the majority are doubtless im-
ported, being found in flour, merchandise, etc. They
have no trochantina to the intermediate femora; and
their eyes (which are in nearly all the species almost
divided into two on each side) have their greater bulk on
the lower surface, except in Hypophlwus. The perfect
insect and larvae of Gnathocerus cornutus (the male of
which has its head armed with conspicuous and sharp
projections) are often found in bakers 7 shops, where also
Tribolwm ferrugineum occurs : the latter, however, some-
times exists in its larval state in neglected collections of
insects, which are liable to attack from many other ene-
158 BRITISH BEETLES.
mies, such as Anthrenus, Dermestes, Psocus, the larvae
of certain Tinea, and worst of all the lazy, footless,
white, fat " mite," which so often cleans out all the
ligaments of specimens, leaving the mere outer husk,
ready to fall to pieces on being manipulated, and often
pierced in more than one place by its voracious tenant.
A single application of benzine to any insect supposed to
be so infested will destroy the parasite, which usually
signifies its presence by dropping a little heap of fine
yellow dust underneath the specimen on which it is feed-
ing : nevertheless, a second or third dose should be ad-
ministered on a future occasion, as the fluid has no
effect upon any eggs which may happen to have been
deposited in the body of the insect.
Both Gnathocerus and Tribolium are small, flat, yellow
beetles ; but the species of Hypophlceus are very different,
both in shape and habits, presenting a certain likeness
to Rhizophagus, on account of their linear cylindrical
form. They are found under bark, or in galleries, where
their larvse (as in the last-mentioned genus) prey on
the larvae of certain wood-feeding beetles. H. bicolor, a
pretty little red species with the apical half of the elytra
black, is found not uncommonly under elm bark, where
its larvse feed on those of certain Scolyti. The species
of Alphitoblus sometimes resemble certain of the Der-
mestidce ; they are black in colour, and are probably im-
ported, being found in warehouses, etc., where their
larvae feed in flour, etc.
The TENEBRIONID.E here are represented by one
genus, Tenebrio, the two species of which are known in
their larval state as " the meal-worm," a favourite food
for singing-birds. It has been remarked that meal-
worms obtained from the east end of London usually
THE HETEROMERA. 159
produce T. obscurus ; whilst those from the west end
produce T. molitor. The two larvae appear to be super-
ficially much alike, except that in T. obscurus the colour
is darker, and the last segment is rather longer, with
more diverging terminal projections ; the pupae are not
enclosed in a cocoon, and have the six first segments of
the abdomen furnished with flattened parallel, truncate
appendages, the last segment being bifurcate. The larva
of T. molitor is eyeless, elongate, nearly cylindrical, ra-
ther attenuate behind, light yellow in colour, with fine
thin hairs on the sides, and marked with partly con-
fluent minute dark spots on the upper side ; the apical
segment is conical, and terminates in two slightly di-
verging projections, having a minute black spine on each
side.
The perfect insects are dull pitchy-brown, elongate,
and rather flat, specimens often occurring of a light
reddish-brown colour. The inner lobe of their maxillae
is armed with a horny hook ; the apical point of their
maxillary palpi hatchet-shaped ; the eyes largest on the
under surface, and the anterior tibiae curved (especially
in the male). They sometimes fly to lamps, etc.; at-
tracted, like moths, by the light.
The HELOPID^E are in England only represented by
a single genus, Helops, in which the inner lobe of the
maxillae has no hook, the antennae are slender, elongate,
with their penultimate joints longer than their width,
and the eyes transverse and narrow. Our species pre-
sent a certain superficial resemblance in miniature to
the form of Blaps, and this is most shown in H. caruleus,
the largest of them, a slowly-moving beetle, dull blue
in colour, sometimes found in clusters under the bark
of old felled trees, where its larva (which considerably
160 BRITISH BEETLES.
resembles that of Tenebrio, and has spines on the apical
segment) feeds on rotten wood. H. striatus, by far
the most common, is abundant in woods, etc., in tufts
of grass at the roots of trees, under bark, in rotten wood,
moss, etc. ; its larva is the only one of the genus which
has been noticed to possess ocelli. Another species,
H. pallidus, (Plate X, Fig. 3,) is found at the roots of
grass, etc., in sandy places on the south coast (Southend,
etc.), often much below the surface. In all these the
males are not so robust as the females, with longer
antennae, and the basal joints of the front and middle
tarsi more dilated.
The CISTELID^E have the claws of the tarsi pectinated
on the under side; the mentum supported by a neck;
the apical point of the maxillary palpi very large ; the
mandibles with a projection on the inside of the base ;
the labrum distinct ; distinct intermediate trochantina;
long legs, slender tibiae, which are evidently spurred at
the apex ; and the penultimate joint of the tarsi often
apparently bilobed. Their eyes are kidney-shaped, and
always entirely free, not being encroached upon by the
front angles of the thorax ; and are larger in the males
than in the females; in the former sex the antennae,
also, being always the longest.
Their larvae are very slender, more or less cylindrical,
and having the apical segment hollowed beneath and
furnished with a kind of plate, directed backwards, and
ending in two slender appendages : they are found in
rotten wood.
Five of our seven species occur in flowers or on
bushes, etc., in the hot sunshine; one of the others,
Mycetochares bipustulata, a small, very agile insect,
black, with a yellow shoulder-spot to the elytra, lives
THE HETEROMERA. 161
in rotten cherry-wood, etc., and, when found (for it is
of rare occurrence) is generally seen in some numbers.
The remaining species, Eryx atra, is nocturnal in its
habits, frequenting old willow- trees, on which it is more
often seen by lepidopterists, who hunt by night for
moths, than by coleopterists. It is a dull black, oval,
convex insect; rather large, but, like all its allies, of very
delicate texture. Its larva, preparatory to undergoing
metamorphosis, forms a cell composed of woody fibres
glued together, and is the only one of this family known
to take any such precaution.
In Cteniopus and Omophlus, both found about mari-
time plants, the males have the last abdominal segment
considerably excavated ; and in Cistela the antennae are
rather strongly serrated.
The LAGRIAD^: are here only represented by one
genus and species, Lagria hirta, aii insect utterly un-
like any of its allies, being very hairy, with a narrow
thorax, a neck to the head, long black antennse and
legs, and somewhat inflated elytra, which are widest and
shortest in the female. It is very soft and sluggish,
black, with yellow elytra, and abounds towards the
middle of summer in hedges, etc. Its elongate larva,
flat and white beneath, convex and yellow above, spotted
with black, and tufted with yellow hairs along the sides,
has been found under dead leaves at the foot of old
oak-trees ; but its food is not known, though it is sup-
posed to be carnivorous.
The absence of any pectination to the under side of
the claws of the tarsi distinguishes this species from
any of the Cist elides ; its projecting, approximated,
conic anterior coxae separate it from the Tenebrionida
and their allies, and the structure of the cotyloid cavi-
M
162
BRITISH BEETLES.
ties into which these coxae fit is different from that of
all the other Heteromera, as they are not open on any
side.
The TETRATOMTD^E, also, are very unlike their neigh-
bours, having the facies of certain species of Cis, and
of some of the Dermestidae. Their antennae are termi-
nated by a distinct club of four joints; their head is
much bent down, being scarcely visible from above;
their anterior coxae are cylindrical, transverse, separated
by a projection of the prosternum, and with their coty-
loid cavities widely open behind.
All the species are small, rather cylindrical, and
strongly punctured, and are found in partly decayed
wood. One (Tetratoma Desmarestii, occurring at Coombe
Wood, and elsewhere) is blackish-green; another (T.fun-
gorum) is blue-black, with a red thorax; and the
remaining one (T. ancora, recently taken in some num-
bers in old stumps near Highgate) is testaceous, spotted
and banded with brownish-black. All of them must be
considered rare. T. fungorum superficially resembles
certain species of Triplax in the Pseudotrimera, but
the latter genus can be easily known by the three-
jointed club to its antennae, and the lesser number of
joints to its tarsi.
The position of this family is anything but firmly
established, and it appears to have been placed in its
present place chiefly faute de mieux.
The MELANDRYAD^E have the labial palpi very short,
and the maxillary palpi much developed, often with the
joints indented, and with the apical joint very large.
The cotyloid cavities for their anterior coxae are open
behind ; the claws of their tarsi are simple ; and the
upper part of the prothorax is not continued until it is
THE HETEROMEBA. 163
confused with the sides, but is distinctly separated by
a margin.
They have no neck to the head, which is bent down
and sometimes not visible from above, though the eyes
are never encroached upon by the thorax; and the
clypeus is never distinctly separated by a suture from
the rest of the head.
They are somewhat elongate, narrow, usually hard,
not clothed with much pubescence, and more or less
convex.
In Orchesia (0. uhdulata, Plate X, Fig. 4; found in
whitethorn flowers in the New Forest) the antennae are
rather thickened at the apex, the spurs to the tibiae are
very long ; the anterior coxae are not approximated ; and
the penultimate joint of the hind tarsi is very long and
entire, the two latter characters being also shared by
Hallomenus. The species of both of these genera are
bred from the fungoid matter growing on old wood, and
from boleti, in which their smooth fleshy larvae are found.
Orchesia, wherein the hinder coxae are large, flat, square,
and transverse, and the spurs to the hinder tibiae very
long and pectinated beneath, possesses the power of
skipping about in a ludicrous manner.
With the exception of Melandrya caraboides, a spe-
cies very variable in size (as in most wood-feeders), flat,
hard, blue-black, shining, with the elytra rather widened
behind, none of this family can be considered com-
mon, though many of them occur in some numbers
when they are met with. M. caraboides lives in its
earlier stages in old willow stumps ; and the perfect in-
sect may be seen with its head projecting from the mouth
of the burrow made by the larva, into which it rapidly
backs on an attempt being made to capture it. It flies
M 2
164 BRITISH BEETLES.
readily, and with a metallic sound, in the hot sunshine ;
alighting on felled trees, and readily tucking up its
legs and falling to the ground on the approach of the
collector.
The species of Abdera, small, cylindrical, and banded
with pale testaceous, have the penultimate joint of the
tarsi truncate, and very small spurs to the tibiae; they
are found in dead boughs of trees, and in the short half-
rotten stumps left on trees where boughs have been
broken off. Hypulus quercmm y a narrow, elegantly
spotted and banded insect, with robust antennae, occurs
in old wood in some numbers when found, for it is very
local ; and the fragile Conopalpus may be taken under
the same conditions as Abdera, though it has been also
found in flowers, where it might readily be passed over
for a pallid Telephorus by the incipient Coleopterist. In
this genus the antennae have only ten joints, and the
apical joint of the maxillary palpi is very narrow and
elongate.
Osphya bipunctata, exceedingly local, being only found
in flowers, etc., at Monk's Wood, has very much the ge-
neral appearance of a Telephorus, but with the hinder
femora in the male much inflated and arched, as in
(Edemera ; the two sexes, also, differ considerably in size
and colour ; the male being usually the largest and black,
and the female testaceous. As in many instances before
noticed, these marked sexual disparities exhibit several
modifications; undeveloped males occurring in which
the inflation of the hinder femora disappears, the size
is diminished, etc.
The family of PYROCHROAD^E contains two genera
which present but few points of resemblance, except in
the larval condition ; indeed, one of them (Pytho) has
THE HETEROMERA. 165
been joined to the Salpingida in order to form another
family, of which it is considered the type. In Pyrochroa
the head is very suddenly contracted into a neck, the
antennae are pectinate, the mentum is pedunculated, and
the anterior coxae are elongate, subcylindrical, and very
projecting; whilst in Pylho the head is not contracted
behind, the antennas are filiform, the mentum is not
pedunculated, and the anterior coxae are globose- ovate,
and but slightly projecting.
The species of Pyrochroa, commonly known as " Car-
dinal beetles," are bright scarlet or brickdust-red in
colour, moderately large, with acutely bifid mandibles,
elytra not covering the sides of the abdomen, and long
legs. They are very active and rapacious ; flying readily
and strongly in the hot sunshine, and often simulating
death when captured. The largest, P. coccinea, is dis-
tinguished by its black head ; it is not uncommon in
woods in the south. I have found it, in all its s,tages,
in great numbers under the bark of a felled tree at Da-
renth, in Kent.
Pytho depressus, hitherto found only in Perthshire
under fir-bark (where I have taken the larva, which has
two strong hook- like projections on the upper side of the
last segment) is very depressed, metallic, usually blue or
green, but sometimes nearly testaceous, and with two
strong depressions on its thorax. Both the perfect in-
sect and larva are carnivorous, feeding upon other sub-
cortical species.
The ANTHICID^: present a certain external resemblance
to some of the smaller Geodephaga : they are delicately
built, of slender shape ; with thin legs and antennae, the
penultimate joint of the tarsi bi-lobed, the head sud-
denly contracted into a narrow neck, the eyes entire,
166 BRITISH BEETLES.
and the hinder coxae separated by a projection of the
abdomen.
Notoxus monoceros (Plate X, Fig. 5), an elegant,
downy, little species, very variable in its markings, oc-
curs plentifully in sandy places, both at the seaside and
inland. Its thorax is produced in the middle into a
stout horn, which projects over the head (Fig. 5 ).
The species of Anthicus are all very small, and have
been fancifully compared to ants, both on account of
their colours, small size, shape, and activity. They are
most abundant at the seaside, but are often common in-
land in heaps of garden refuse, etc. One of them (A.
instabilis) has the hinder tibiae in the male suddenly en-
larged into a rounded plate at the apex.
It has been considered that Xylophilus and Euglenes
do not belong to this family, on account of their notched
eyes and the approximation of their posterior coxae ; for
which (and other) reasons they have (in company with
Scraptia, a genus of small and fragile species, very rare,
found in rotten wood, and hitherto associated with the
Melandryadce] been removed into the Pedilidce, a family
containing no other British exponents. In Euglenes the
male has very large eyes and long antennae; from which
circumstance, added to general facies and habits, it some-
what calls to mind certain of the smaller Ptinidte.
The MORDELLID^E are, perhaps, the most readily dis-
tinguishable of any of the section, owing to their strong
family likeness. They are mostly small, widest in front,
contracted behind, with the pygidium exposed, and often
ending in an absolute spine; broadest and convex on
the upper side, but shelving down to a comparative ridge
on the lower surface (resembling nothing so much in
shape as one of the small segments of a peeled and
THE HETEROMERA. 167
divided orange) ; with the thorax and head bent down,
the latter so much so as to be often quite invisible ; the
legs getting larger from front to rear, closely articulated,
flattened, and with long spurs to the hinder tibiae. They
are found most frequently in the flowers of Umbellifera.
and are very active in their movements, having an es-
pecially irritating habit of slipping away on an attempt
being made to capture them. When caught, they are
not the easiest beetles to mount on card, as may readily
be guessed from their structure.
They may be divided into two sub-families, the Mor-
dellides and Rhipipkorides, to the former of which chiefly
the above remarks apply : the latter containing here a
single genus and species, Rhipiphorus paradoocus (Plate
X, Fig. 6), a most remarkable insect, both on account of
its form and habits; and in which (and its allies not
found here) commences a certain degradation in the
development of the parts of the mouth ; the mentum
being slender and confused with the ligula, the labial
palpi apparently composed of only one joint, the lobes
of the maxillae rudimentary, and the mandibles short
and not toothed internally.
It differs from the Mordellides in having the lobes of
its maxillae soldered together at the base, with the last
joint of their palpi not hatchet- shaped, no membraneous
plate to the inner side of the mandibles, and its antennae
flabellated ; but otherwise presents numerous points of
affinity, and great superficial resemblance. It is much
larger than any other of the family ; the female being
the largest, and usually having blue-black elytra (which
are attenuated and gaping, allowing the wings to be
seen) instead of reddish-testaceous. The thorax is very
strongly arched on each side of the hinder margin, and
168 BRITISH BEETLES.
produced in the middle ; the hooks of the tarsi are bifid ;
and the third and following joints of the antennae in the
male are divided into double fan-like rays.
The perfect insect is found (according to Lacordaire)
sometimes on flowers, or at the exuding sap of trees, and
I possess a specimen taken under bark, in Scotland ; but
its real home is in the nests of the common Wasps
(Vespa rufa and vulgaris), in which, also, it undergoes
its transformations ; and it has been observed by Mr.
S. Stone (who has for a long period accurately observed
the economy of certain coleopterous parasites on Hy-
menoptera) that the larger larvae (from which the females
are produced) are found with, and feed on, the female
wasp grubs, the fact, but not the object of such asso-
ciation having been long before known.
The MELOID^: have a very abrupt neck to the head,
and each of the hooks of the tarsi divided into two, as
if with an additional and slender hook on its lower
surface.
In Meloe (the Oil-beetles) the metasternum is very
short, with the intermediate coxae overlapping those of
the posterior legs, the elytra strongly reflected at the
sides, short, overlapping, and gaping at the apex, and
no wings.
One or two of the species are well known, being often
seen in very early spring on heaths, commons, and lanes,
especially on the buttercup. They are large, blue-black,
heavy, bloated-bodied creatures, crawling slowly, and
exuding a clear yellow oil from their joints when handled,
which was formerly used for medicinal purposes. When
dried, the normal distension of the body disappears, the
abdomen shrinking up beneath the elytra in a wrinkled
unsightly knot : specimens for the cabinet should, there-
THE HETEROMERA. 169
fore, be stuffed with wool, an easy operation, if an in-
cision be made in the lower side of the body, and its
contents taken out. The males are often very small ;
and, in some cases, have the sixth and seventh joints of
the antennae enlarged and suddenly bent, so that the
apex appears deformed.
The transformations of these insects are, perhaps, the
most wonderful of any that are yet known to us ; and it
is chiefly on account of somewhat similar habits in their
earlier stages that the Stylopidce have been recently con-
sidered as coleopterous.
The female of Meloe deposits from two to four sepa-
rate batches of minute yellow eggs, some thousands at a
time, though the number diminishes with each laying.
These eggs are glued together, and deposited in small
holes in the ground, dug by the parent beetle. After
an interval of from three to six weeks, according to the
temperature, the young larvse are hatched, and are ex-
tremely like minute pediculi, or bird-lice, being yellow,
elongate, parallel, flattened, with rather long legs, and
four long hairs at the apex of the last segment. They
appear to remain torpid for some time; but, when once
roused by sufficient warmth, exhibit extraordinary acti-
vity in traversing low plants, chiefly Ranunculacece or
Chicoracece. From these they attach themselves, often
in great numbers, to the hairy covering of bees as they
settle on the flowers of their temporary lodgings ; and
also, sometimes, to certain hairy Diptera, or two- winged
flies, which closely resemble wild bees. In the latter
case it is an unfortunate attachment for the larvse; as
the Diptera make no nest or provision for their offspring,
so that the would-be parasite necessarily perishes of
starvation : and it is probably the chance of this, added
170 BRITISH BEETLES.
to the many fortunate contingencies required before the
larvae can be safely landed within reach of their food,
that causes such an enormous number of eggs to be laid
by the parent beetle. As it is, all the perfect insects of
this genus, seen by one observer in his lifetime, would
bear a ridiculously small proportion to the number of
eggs laid by one specimen.
When carried by the unconscious bee to its nest, the
Meloe larva devours the egg therein contained, changes
(without leaving the shell of the latter) into a second
form, not unlike the larva of a Lamellicorn beetle in
miniature, being arched, cylindrical, with toothed man-
dibles and stout legs, and then subsists on the food
intended by the bee for its own young. After some
time this second form of the larva changes its outer
covering, which is not entirely shed, but remains
wrinkled together at the hinder apex of its body : it
is then arched, distinctly composed of 13 segments,
attenuated at the extremities, and motionless. From
this false pupa (and probably after passing the winter)
a third form of the larva appears, similar to the second ;
but from this point it is only by analogy with the trans-
formations of Sitaris muralis, an allied insect (Plate
XI, Fig. 1), that we can form an idea of its final meta-
morphosis.
The latter insect (which has large wings) is in its
earlier ages, and indeed during all its life, a parasite
upon certain mason bees of the genus Anthophora, com-
mon in old walls near London (the Rev. A. Badger
having taken the first British specimen of the beetle
at Chelsea). In this species the larva undergoes less
vicissitudes than in Meloe, as the eggs (two or three
thousand at a time) are deposited by the female at the
THE HETEROMERA. 171
entrance of the hole burrowed by the Anthophora ; and,
after passing through the stages above mentioned, and
taking no food in its third form, changes into a pupa of
the ordinary Coleopterous type, from which, in about a
month, the perfect insect appears, the entire changes
occupying nearly two years. In the case of Sitaris, of
which the perfect beetle is always found in or about the
burrows of the bee, the entire scheme of life is readily
credible, even if it had not been accurately observed ; but
in Meloe there still remains an awkward gap for which
an account is required, viz. the passage of a heavy, slow-
going, large beetle from the nest of the bee to the common
or meadow where it is always found.
Particulars of the discoveries as to this insect are to
be found in Mr. Newport's paper in the 'Linnean
Transactions/ vol. xx. p. 297, and vol. xxi. p. 167 ; also
in M. Fabre's "Memoire sur PHypermetamorphose et
les moeurs des Meloides," ' Annales des Sciences Na-
turelles/ ser. 4, vol. vii. 1857, p. 299; and in Lacor-
daire, Col., vol. v. 2nd part, 651.
Our remaining species, the well-known " Blister-
beetle" or "Spanish-fly" (Lytta vesicatoria) , the old
Cantharis, is very different in shape, etc., to the mem-
bers of either of the preceding genera, being elon-
gate, cylindrical, with long legs and antennae, and bright
metallic- green in colour. It is occasionally taken in
the southern counties, but can scarcely be considered as
truly indigenous.
The CEDEMERiDjE are elongate, slender, with thin legs
and antennae, no abrupt neck to the head, simple hooks
to the tarsi, the mandibles flattened and bifid at the
apex, and the penultimate joint of the tarsi bi-lobed.
Their larvse live in rotten wood, and resemble those of
172 BRITISH BEETLES.
the Longicorns, to members of which section the per-
fect insects also present a certain likeness.
Ischnomera melanura, not unlike a large Telephones,
is found at the seaside; it is testaceous with the apex
of the elytra black, and is especially noteworthy from
the fact of its male possessing twelve joints to the an-
tennae, though the female has the normal number. It
flies strongly in the hot sunshine, and is often taken on
old posts on the shore; the larvae even living in timber
that is periodically covered by the tide.
Dry ops femorata, the largest of the family, is a very
graceful, slender insect, with very long and thin an-
tennae. Its male is distinguished by the peculiar for-
mation of the hinder legs, which have the femora much
inflated and arched, and the tibiae angulated at the
base. It is nocturnal in its habits, and occurs some-
what freely at ivy blossom and sallow bloom, both in
the autumnal and spring months.
In (Edemera c&rulea (Plate XI, Fig. 2), a small, me-
tallic, bright blue or green species, found abundantly in
flowers during the summer months, in the hot part of
the day, the male exhibits a similar formation of the
hinder legs to that of Dryops.
Mycterus curculionides, once taken in England (by
Mr. T. V. Wollaston), presents, in many characters,
(such as its rostrum, intermediate coxae, scutellum, etc.)
a great resemblance to the Rhynchophora ; and has been
placed in the Salpingidae. It is found abroad on flowers
(chiefly Umbelliferce] ; and it has been remarked that,
like certain of the Curculionidce, and in particular those
of the genus Larinus (to which it has some resemblance
in form), it is covered with a yellowish pubescence which
is renewable during life, after having been rubbed off.
THE HETEROMERA. 173
The SALPINGID.E, on account of some of their mem-
bers possessing a rostrum, afford a passage to the next
section, wherein such prolongation of the head is con-
stant, and with which they have been associated by old
authors.
Their antennae are thickened at the apex, the last
joint of their maxillary palpi is not hatchet-shaped,
their mandibles do not project beyond the labrum, and
their body is smooth.
They are all small and shining, and are found under
bark, or by beating dead twigs.
Rhinosimus viridipennis (Plate XI, Fig. 3) is perhaps
the most elegant of the family ; it occurs not uncom-
monly in old hedges near Darenth.
174
CHAPTER XVII.
THE EHYNCHOPHOEA, OR, WEEVILS.
WITH this section commences the large group of vege-
table feeders formerly known by the name Tetramera,
on account of their apparently possessing only four joints
to the tarsi : this name has, however, been modified to
that of " Pseudo-tetramera" or " Sub-tetramera," by
Mr. Westwood, who pointed out that they have the
normal five joints, although the fourth is so minute as
usually to escape notice ; being, with the basal portion
of the terminal joint, received between the lobes of the
third joint, which is always more or less deeply notched
at its extremity. The three basal joints are, also, always
more or less deeply cushioned beneath. The other sec-
tions possessing these characters are the Longicornes and
Eupoda (or Phytophaga).
The Rhynchophora (often termed, as a group, Curcu-
lionida) are usually convex and hard ; they have the
head elongated in front into a rostrum or beak, some-
times short and thick, and at others very long, thin, and
arched, bearing the organs of the mouth at its apex.
Their antennae are inserted on the rostrum, generally
short, and in far the greater number of species elbowed
(having a long basal joint), and clubbed at the apex;
RHYNCHOPHORA. 175
they vary in the number of their joints from eight to
twelve, and are inserted on the sides of the rostrum, in
two cavities or scrobes, which assume the form of pits or
furrows. These cavities often cause two side-pieces to
appear on the upper side of the apex of the rostrum,
called winglets, or pterygia, which are greatly developed
in Otiorhynchus and its allies. With one exception, the
parts of the mouth are, comparatively, of little assistance
in classifying these insects, the ligula and palpi (which
are small and short) exhibiting but little variation, and
the maxillae being usually single-lobed : the mentum,
however, affords a great diversity of structure, being
either abruptly truncate at its base, or provided with a
neck, and in either case received into a more or less deep
emargination of that part of the head that supports it.
This neck is wide, but of very little depth, in the species
with a short rostrum ; but in those that have a long
rostrum it is elongate, and, in proportion to its elonga-
tion, the mentum is reduced, so as to appear sometimes
entirely 'absent. The mentum, varying thus in develop-
ment, either wholly covers the maxillae (except sometimes
at their base), or leaves them free; and it is upon this
structure that Lacordaire has based his classification of
the section, which he primarily divides into the Adelo-
gnathes (in which the maxillae are entirely, or for the
greater part, hidden by the mentum), and Phanero-
gnathes (wherein they are completely uncovered).
As, however, the older system of Schonherr is generally
used in this country, and (although more artificial) is
perhaps easier of comprehension by a beginner, and
sufficient for the mere arrangement of the British species,
it will (though sure to be eventually displaced by the
wider views of the gifted French author) be followed, for
the most part, in the present work.
176 BRITISH BEETLES.
Of the remaining characters in the Rhynchophora, it
may suffice to say, that their mandibles (which are short
and robust) vary considerably in shape ; their prothorax
is very rarely margined at the sides, which are usually
merged imperceptibly with the pronotum; their tibiae
are very rarely toothed externally, and often spurless at
the apex; and their abdomen is composed of five seg-
ments, whereof the two first are very often soldered
together, and the third and fourth usually shorter than
the others.
By Schonherr (whose ( Genera et Species Curculio-
nidum/ 8 vols., Paris, 1833-1845, has long been the
text-book of Coleopterists devoted to this section), the
Rliynchophora are divided into two sub-sections, the
Orthoceri, in which the antennae are not elbowed, with
the basal point slightly elongated ; and the rostrum has
no distinct lateral grooves for the reception of the basal
joints of the antennae; and the Gonatoceri, wherein the
antennae are more or less distinctly elbowed, the basal
joint being usually elongated, and always received into
a canal at the side of the rostrum. The latter sub-
section is separated into two groups, the Brachyrhynchi,
having the rostrum short, straight, and thick, with the
antennae inserted near its extremity, and mostly twelve-
jointed ; and the Mecorhynchi, in which the rostrum is
cylindric or filiform, more or less elongated (being seldom
shorter than the thorax), and with the antennae inserted
before or near the middle, never near the mouth orifice.
The late Mr. Walton has published many papers in
the 'Annals and Magazine of Natural History' (1844),
in which are descriptions of, and useful remarks upon,
many of our species of Weevils.
As before remarked, all the Rhynchophora are vege-
RHYNCHOPHORA. 177
table feeders; and, although comparatively harmless in
their perfect state, there is not one part of any tree or
plant, or its product, that their larvae do not attack.
These larvae, of which the grub of the nut-weevil
(Balaninus nucum), so often found in filberts, etc., is a
good type, are fat, fleshy, and cylindrical ; slightly at-
tenuated in front and recurved behind, with a round
horny head, and no legs, which are represented by tu-
bercles or callosities set with short bristles. Although
usually adhering to one particular plant (whether at
tacking its leaves, flowers, shoots, roots, bark, fruit, 01
timber), they are sometimes promiscuous feeders; and
many (as the nut-weevil), on becoming full-grown, drop
to the earth, in which they undergo their final changes,
whilst others remain attached to the plant, etc., on or
in which they have hitherto existed, usually forming a
cocoon.
The aforesaid nut-weevil (but only in its larval stage),
and the corn- weevil, Sitophilus granarim (most probably
an imported insect), of the British species, and the
splendid exotic " Diamond Beetle," Entimus imperialis,
so often employed as an object for the microscope, are,
perhaps, the most generally known members of this section.
Our Rhynchophora may be considered as divided into
seventeen families; the Bruchidce, Anthribid, Attela-
bida, Rhinomaceridce, Apionida (forming the Orthoceri
above-mentioned, the remainder being Gonatoceri), Bra-
chyderida, Cleonida, Molytidce, Byrsopsidte, Otiorhyn-
chidce (the group Brachyrhynchi), Erirhimd&,Baridiad< y
Cryptorhynchida, Cionida, Calandridte, Cossonidae (the
group Mecorhynchi] , and Hylesinida, which we will notice
in their order.
The BRUCHID^E, apart from the above-mentioned divi-
N
178 BRITISH BEETLES.
sional characters, are distinguished by their antennae
being eleven -jointed, slightly thickened towards the apex,
serrated, or pectinated ; their emarginate eyes ; broad,
short, flat, deflexed, scrobe-less rostrum, which has the
labrum and palpi distinct; exposed pygidium, and thick-
ened hinder legs ; and by the basal joint of their hind
tarsi being long and curved. Our single genus, Bruchus,
comprises some small, oblong beetles, usually leaden-
black in colour, and variegated with grey or white pu-
bescence, arranged in indistinct bands or spots. Their
males are usually distinguished by the denticulation,
etc., of the inner side of the middle tibiae. One species,
B.pisi, found in peas, is in all probability imported from
abroad ; but B. rufimanus, almost equally large, abounds
in bean-fields, etc., in the south of England; all the
members of the genus, indeed, being more or less attached
to leguminous plants, and consequently noxious to man.
Their larvae live in the seeds, consuming all the internal
parts, and changing to pupa within the skin ; the perfect
insect escaping through a circular hole, previously bitten,
by the larva for that purpose.
The ANTHRIBID^E have the antennae eleven-jointed,
and terminated by a short, abrupt three-jointed club,
the eyes not notched, short transverse scrobes to their
wide, deflexed rostrum, the pygidium not exposed, and
the second joint of the tarsi bi-lobed. The males are
usually distinguished by the superior length of their
antennae. These insects are all of considerable rarity,
and of some beauty, though not peculiar for delicacy of
outline. They frequent old wood, dead twigs, etc., and
are usually found in the early part of summer.
Bracks/tarsus scabrosus (Plate XI, Fig. 4) is occasionally
taken in May-blossom in the London district, also
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 179
occurring sparingly in the north, where it is replaced
by B. varius, which is not so brightly coloured, and very
rare in the south. The larvae of hoth of these species
appear to be parasitic upon Cocci.
The species of Tropideres are of great rarity here;
though sometimes beaten out of dry dead hedges, or
taken from rotten wood ; they somewhat resemble the
next-mentioned insect in miniature, but have the basal
joint of the tarsi much longer in proportion.
Platyrhinus, a large, exceedingly broad, flat, strong,
black-brown-and-white mottled insect, occurs rarely
here, and chiefly in the western counties (being not un-
common near Cheltenham) ; it lives upon Sphceria, and
other fungi growing on ash-trees, etc., burrowing also
in the rotten wood, or lurking under loose bark, and
having a particularly comical way of elevating itself by
its front legs, though usually of sedate appearance.
The little Choragus Sheppardi is peculiar, on account
of its power of jumping, although its hind femora are not
widened. It is beaten out of dead hedge-sticks at Deal,
Southend, Wickham, and elsewhere. Through its curious
appearance this insect has been at different times con-
sidered as allied to Cryptocephalus, Cis, and Anobium.
The ATTELABID^E have the head elongated between
the eyes, the rostrum more or less robust and enlarged
in front ; the antennae straight and clubbed ; the pygi-
dium exposed ; either the first two or four segments of
the abdomen soldered together, and separated by fine
straight sutures; the hooks of the tarsi soldered; and
the tibiae armed at the apex (according to sex) with
either one or two spurs.
We possess but two genera, Attelabus and Apoderus ;
the single species of each of which is red, and common
N 2
180 BRITISH BEETLES.
in woods in early summer. Attelabus curculionides , the
shorter, more convex and smooth of the two, infests
young oaks; its female rolling up their leaves into a
thimble-like mass, in which she deposits her eggs. Apo-
derus coryli is found on hazel ; its larva, conspicuous in
this section for the possession of large dorsal tubercles,
living in cylindrically rolled-up leaves of that plant.
The RHINOMACERID^E have the rostrum elongate,
slender, and enlarged in front ; its scrobes linear, super-
ficial, and reaching to the base ; the club of the antennae
elongate, with the joints more or less loosely articulated ;
the segments of the abdomen free ; the tibiae not spurred
at the apex, and the hooks of the tarsi bifid or free.
Some of these insects are exceedingly beautiful, having
the brightest metallic hues of blue, golden, green, red,
or copper, and many are very pubescent.
Rhynchites betultti, a very lovely species, found not
uncommonly at Darenth on the hazel, pierces the top
shoots of that plant so as to arrest their growth, after
having deposited an egg in them. Other species have
been observed to lay an egg in the recently-formed
fruit of wild trees, afterwards duly making an incision
below, so as to impede its proper development, the
larva finding sufficient nourishment before the fruit falls
to the ground. R. cequatus (Plate XI, Fig. 5) is occa-
sionally found in profusion in the flowers of the white-
thorn.
Rhinomacer attelaboldes somewhat resembles certain
species of SaJpingus in the Heteromera. M. Perris has
observed that its female deposits her eggs in the catkins
of the male flowers of the pine, of which the presence ol
the larva prevents the expansion. This species is found
not uncommonly in certain parts of Scotland ; it fre-
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 181
querits Conifers, and its male is remarkable for possess-
ing two little tufts of yellowish hairs on the second and
third abdominal segments.
With these insects terminates the division Isotoma
of Thomson, distinguished by the connate abdominal
segments, of which the second and third are nearly
equal, the antennae straight, etc. : his other division,
Anisotoma, has the three apical segments free, the second
being much longer than the third, the antennae usually
elbowed, etc.
The APIONID^E have the rostrum long, arched, cylin-
drical, and sometimes subulate (i. e. suddenly contracted
before the apex), with its scrobes more or less distant
from the mouth, and the antennae inserted towards its
middle, or base ; the head more or less elongate behind
the eyes ; the scutellum very small ; no wings ; the
elytra covering the pygidium ; the tibiae not spined at
the apex ; and the hooks of the tarsi free.
The species of Apion are very numerous, chiefly fre-
quenting clover, trefoil, etc. Their larvae have varied
habits, the majority living in the seeds of Leguminosa,
some forming a kind of gall on the twigs or leaves of
plants, others making galleries in their stems, and one
even attacking their roots.
The antennae in this genus are composed of twelve
joints, the club, which apparently has but three joints,
exhibiting, under a high power, a minute fourth one at
the apex. The rostrum has on the under side two deep
antennal grooves, converging from the points of inser-
tion of the antennae ; their use is to receive and protect
the basal joints of the antennae.
Certain of the yellow-legged species are usually very
troublesome to beginners, not only on account of their
18.2 BRITISH BEETLES.
minute specific differences, but because the sexes vary
somewhat. Mr. Walton (p. 39 of his paper above
mentioned) points out the assistance to be derived in
this respect from the coloration of the coxse and tro-
chanters, in which many species differ sexually. One
of the most curious in the genus is called (and rightly
so) difforme ; its male has the basal joints of the an-
tennae much dilated, the basal joint of the front tarsi
hooked, the middle legs elongate, the hinder legs bent,
dilated, flattened, and generally distorted, and a spine
to the epigastrium. It is found usually on furze, Poly-
gonum, etc.
The BRACHYDERID.E have the antennae elbowed, with
the basal joint variable in length, the funiculus usually
seven-jointed, the scrobes of the rostrum generally
linear, and directed downwards, the rostrum being short
and stout, and not received into any groove of the pro-
sternum ; the mandibles are usually slender, the scutel-
lum is absent or very small, and the elytra cover the
pygidium.
There is nothing particularly noteworthy in this fa-
mily, which consists of moderate-sized, mostly dull-
coloured insects, many of which are apterous. The
species of Strophosomus, globular in shape, with pro-
minent eyes, usually abound on hazel and oak, some
being also found on heaths ; one of these latter, C. lim-
batus, has the appearance of being entirely denuded of
scales.
The genus Sitones comprises many species, especially
noxious to clovers and trefoils, many of them abounding
at all times of the year. They are very troublesome to
beginners, and have been fully described by the author
in the ' Entomologists' Monthly Magazine/ vol. ii.
THE KHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 183
Some of the Polydrosi are beautifully clothed with
bright-green metallic scales, and are often mistaken for
Phyllobii, from which they differ in their longer and
thinner legs and antennae, and the possession of long
and distinct rostral grooves for the antennse.
The family of CLEONIDJS comprises some of our
largest and most handsome species. In it the rostrum
is rather long, stout, either suddenly or gradually bent
down, usually somewhat cylindrical, sometimes slightly
angulated, and very often thickened towards the front.
In Cleonus the rostrum is longer than the head, robust,
slightly arched, angulated, and sculptured on the upper
side, with the antennse inserted near its apex, and the
scrobes moderately separated, but not joined on the
under side ; the tarsi spongy beneath, more or less flat ;
the tibise with a dagger-like spine at the apex ; and the
body oblong, cylindrical, and pubescent. Our species
are large, variegated with grey or reddish scales, and
found in waste places ; they feed in the stems of thistles,
etc., some of them being of excessive rarity. As in all
the other members of this family, their integuments are
exceedingly hard.
Alophus triguttatus, not uncommon near London,
being often found basking in the sun on hot walls, is
conspicuous for its white V-shaped mark behind.
The MOLYTID^E have the rostrum moderately long, de-
flexed, sub-cylindrieal, rather arched, and mostly not
very stout. With the exception of Phyionomus and
Limobius, they have the tibise armed at the apex on the
inner side with a strong hook.
They are mostly of considerable bulk ; the smallest,
Tanysphyrus lemncR, found in wet marshy places, exhi-
biting a great resemblance to the structure of its larger
184 BRITISH BEETLES.
brethren. Hylobius abietis, large, black, with yellow
interrupted band-like spots, is now abundant in the
south of England, though formerly very rare; it com-
mits great ravages in pine woods, and has been trans-
ported in building-timber from Scotland, where it is
exceedingly common.
In Molytes the elytra are very convex and rounded,
the whole insect being black, shining, and smooth, or,
at most, with a few patches of yellow or grey hairs.
Both our species inhabit chalky districts.
Liosomus, a mere fraction of Molytes in size, repro-
duces exactly its superficial characters, differing, how-
ever, in the rostral scrobes, the structure of its antennae,
and the shortness of the spurs to its tibiae. It abounds
in wet places.
Plinthus, found in dry situations on chalk by the
coast (Dover, etc.), and less commonly in grass, etc.,
inland, is of very different shape from any of the pre-
ceding, being more linear, with no scutellum, the ros-
trum longer than the head, and slightly contracted at
the base, etc. ; it is very strongly and coarsely punc-
tured, the punctures being often filled up with chalk,
so that the normal dull pitchy-black colour of the insect
isdisguised.
The species of Phytonomus (Hyperd), in which the
funiculus of the antennae is seven -jointed, are often
very abundant in clover-fields, etc. ; they are moderately
large, oval, with a globular thorax, and prettily clothed
with variegated scales and hairs. P. trilineatus, found
commonly on Leguminoste at Dover and Deal, is perhaps
one of the most elegant. (Plate XI, Fig. 6.)
Their larvae live on the outer side of the leaves of
plants, of which they devour the parenchyma, and have
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 185
two or three rudimentary eyes on each side of the head.
Possessing no legs, they fix themselves to their support
with a viscous fluid secreted by a retractile process,
situate in the front part of the back of the last abdomi-
nal segment. When full grown they cover themselves
with a coarse network, composed of threads of the same
fluid, which hardens on exposure to the air. A cocoon
is thus formed (often found on water plants, etc., in wet
places, where some of the species are abundant), in which
the transformations of the insect take place.
The little Limobii exactly resemble the members of
the preceding genus, except that their antennae have but
six joints to the funiculus; and it should be remarked
that many other genera are accompanied by similar
imperfect reproductions of their structure.
The BYRSOPSID^E have a more or less distinct exca-
vation in the prosternum for the reception of the ros-
trum, the scrobes of which are linear and arched ; the
eyes large, depressed, entirely covered in repose by the
lobes of the prothorax, which are very prominent ; the
metasternum very short ; and the tarsi spinose, or hairy
beneath, never spongy.
We possess but one genus and species, Gronops luna-
tus, in which the second joint of the antennae is very
elongate ; it is a small dull-white or grey insect, strongly
ribbed, with a narrow thorax, wiry legs, and a more or
less extensive dark lunated mark on each elytron. It
is not uncommon in sandy places on the coast, and near
London. The characteristic prothoracic canal is in this
insect of a very superficial nature.
The OTIORHYNCHID^: have the basal joint of the an-
tenna? reaching beyond the back of the eyes, the funi-
culus with usually seven joints, and the rostral scrobes
186 BRITISH BEETLES.
variable, but never at the same time linear and directed
downwards, the rostrum itself being short, stout, and
nearly horizontal. In many of the genera the winglets,
or lateral projections at the apex of the rostrum, are
much developed.
Such of their larvae as are known are moderately
elongate, fleshy, feebly tuberculated at the sides, set
with short hairs, and legless ; and the pupae do not
appear to be enclosed in a cocoon.
In Phyllobius, which much resembles Polydrosus, as
before observed, the scutellum and wings are present,
the hooks of the tarsi are soldered, and the scrobes of
the rostrum are nearly always very short. The species
are very abundant on nettles, etc., and, when fresh, are
thickly clothed with bright golden green scales, which,
however, readily rub off. One of them, P. argentatus, is
a common object for the microscope, owing to the beauty
of its covering; another, P viridicollis, found in Scot-
land, is equally remarkable for all its peculiar abraded
appearance.
In Trachyphlo&us and its allies the scutellum is want-
ing, or very small, and the wings absent, the hooks ol
the tarsi are free, the antennae robust, and the scrobes
of the rostrum lateral^ deep, slightly arched, and reach-
ing to the eyes.
The species are mostly small, oval, and convex,
strongly set with short stout bristles, often arranged in
lines, and frequently thickly covered with earthy matter,
which adheres so firmly as to disguise their outline anc
punctuation. They are found in sandy places, at the
roots of grass, in moss, etc., and are very sluggish.
The species may generally be distinguished inter se by
the toothing and shape of the front tibiae.
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 187
In Otiorhynchus the antennae are long, usually slender,
and often inserted at the apex of the rostrum ; the scu-
tellum is wanting, or very small ; the wings are absent ;
the winglets to the sides of the rostrum at the apex
strong ; the scrobes deep, visible from the upper side in
front, but rectilinear and evanescent behind ; the body
convex, ovate, seldom thickly clothed with scales, and
usually dull in colour; and the tarsi spongy beneath,
with the apical joint long and the hooks free. The
males are, for the most part, smaller and less globose
than the females.
The larvae of 0. sulcatus, a common metropolitan in-
sect, have been observed to do considerable damage to
potted plants, etc., by gnawing round the upper part of
the roots.
The different species are found in hedges, under
stones, in moss, sand-pits, etc., and at the roots of grass
or sand-hills. O. picipes (Plate XII, Fig. 1) is one of
the most abundant, frequently doing considerable damage
to young trees and plants ; it may be obtained in pro-
fusion by beating white-thorn hedges in spring.
Some of our species, found in mountainous parts of
the north, and others peculiar to the south coast, are
shining black, and many of them congregate under
stones, especially on turf- walls. Dr. Stierlin, in his ' Re-
vision of the European Otiorhynchi' Berlin, has fully
described our species (amongst others).
The ERIRHINID^: (which commence the Mecorhynchi,
equivalent to the Rhynchanides of Eabricius,) consist of
a somewhat heterogeneous assemblage, Lixus,Larinus }
and Rhinocyllus being often associated with the Cleonidce,
and Pissodes with Hylobius.
Their antennae are either eleven- or twelve-jointed,
188 BRITISH BEETLES.
with the club usually four-jointed; their anterior legs
are approximated at the base, and the greater part are
winged, and have the scutellum more or less distinct.
The species of Lixus are usually very elongate, cylin-
drical, and narrow, with the grooves in the rostrum of
very variable formation, but, as in Larinus, directed
downwards, and usually commencing between the middle
and the apex. In the latter genus they meet beneath.
The Lixi are rare in this country, being found chiefly
on the south coast. They live in water-plants, etc. ;
one of them, and that the most beautiful, L. bicolor,
breeding in thistle-stems at Deal. When freshly dis-
closed this insect is clothed with very thick and bright
scarlet and yellow down, which (as in the other members
of the genus) readily rubs off, so that it is difficult to
obtain good specimens for the cabinet. Old entomolo-
gists used to pin the specimens alive immediately on
capturing them ; because, if bottled or boxed, they soon
divest themselves of their gaudy covering. According
to M. Lacordaire, they are able during life to renew
this plumage to a certain extent.
Another species, L. paraplecticus, is noteworthy on
account of its very elongate, thin, pointed appearance,
reminding one of the " walking-stick " insects. Very
different to this are the allied Larinus and Rhinocyllus ;
squat, stumpy, and ovate ; found in thistle flowers, etc.
on the coast. The latter, which is slightly hairy, was
formerly considered a specific for toothache ; the genus
Antiodontalgicus having been formed for its reception.
Pissodes, resembling Hylobius, though on a smaller
scale, frequents pine forests; one species, P. pint,
abounding in many parts of Scotland, where I have seen
the female with her rostrum deeply buried into the soft
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 189
part between the outer bark and solid timber of fresh -
cut fir-trees. In the hole thus formed an egg is depo-
sited, the larva proceeding from which eats galleries
under the bark until it is full grown, when it closes its
retreat with particles of wood, frass, etc., and changes
to pupa. The perfect insects are very prettily marked,
being rich brown with golden-yellow spots : like Hylo-
bius, they cling very tightly to the fingers when handled.
The species of Magdalinus, small, oblong, parallel,
dull black or bluish in sects, are found in the spring and
early summer about dead wood in hedges, etc., or on
young trees. They are chiefly conspicuous for the close
punctuation of their thorax, and the occasionally spindle-
shaped development of the antennae in the male. One
species has been reared from larva found in burrows
under the bark of willow -trees ; and the female of an-
other, M. carbonarius, found in Scotland, has been
observed to introduce its eggs into sickly branches of
pine-trees, the larva eating its way along the pith for a
considerable distance. After undergoing its metamor-
phosis, the perfect insect escapes by means of a gallery
gnawed by the larva through the solid wood, but not
penetrating the outer bark.
Erirhinus (sometimes divided into two genera, No-
taris, wherein, amongst other characters, the femora
are unarmed; and Dorytomus, wherein they have a
strong tooth on the under side) comprises several small
common species, mostly found in wet places or on wil-
lows, poplars, etc. The rostrum in all these is elongate
and arched, and they are usually yellowish or dull brown
in colour, slightly variegated with ill-defined lighter
spots. Their larvae are chiefly found on water-plants,
those of E. festuccB (not uncommon on the towing-path
190 BRITISH BEETLES.
near Hammersmith) living in the stems of Scirpus, of
which it devours the pith.
Those of another species (E. voraoc, common in the
perfect state on poplars, upon which it may be detected
lurking in chinks of the hark, and remarkable for the
great length of the front legs in the male) have been
found in the pods of laburnum, feeding on the seeds ;
and the larva of a third (E. taeniatus] lives in the catkins
of the sallow, which it mines for their entire length, and
forms a cocoon for itself with the silky fibres peculiar
to the seeds of that tree.
The species of Anthonomus, in which the rostrum is
slender and usually long, and the prosternum very short,
are small, moderately convex, and sometimes adorned
with short variegated pubescence of a pinkish-grey tone
relieved by a darker band. Some of them are well
known to commit great havoc upon apples and pears,
the female insect boring a hole with her slender rostrum
into the young buds, and then depositing an egg into
it, the larva proceeding from which subsists upon the
young blossom (and occasionally the fruit), and forms a
kind of cocoon with the petals, wherein it undergoes
its changes. Other species infest the elm, bramble, etc.
in like manner.
In the genus Balaninus the rostrum is very long,
slender, and arched, sometimes nearly as long as the
body, and the prosternum considerably elongate be-
tween the front coxae. To it belongs the " nut- weevil "
before mentioned, the larva of "which is so well known.
The female deposits a single egg into the nut when the
latter is very young, and has been stated to use her
long beak as a drill in that operation. The larva, which
leaves the vital part of the fruit until the last, when ar-
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 191
rived at its full growth, bores a hole through the shell
and drops to the ground, into which it burrows prior
to turning into pupa.
Other species operate in a similar way upon acorns
(B. glandium), and the kernels of certain wild Pruni
(B. cerasorum, found in the perfect state on birch).
The larvae of one of the smallest, B. brassicte, have been
observed to live in red galls on the leaves of willows,
the formation of which has even been attributed to this
insect, though it appears improbable that such could be
the case. Another, B. villosus (Plate XII, Fig. 2, head
and rostrum sideways, 2), not uncommon on the oak,
has been reared from larvae found in galls formed by a
Cynips on the leaves of that tree.
Certain insects of the genera Tychius and Sibynes .
the former found chiefly on the vetch and its allies, and
the latter in dry sandy places are conspicuous for
their dense covering of light-coloured scales, being often
beautifully spotted or banded. In the former genus the
funiculus of the antennae consists of seven joints, whilst
in Miccotrogus, which very closely resembles some of its
members, it consists of only six.
In Orchestes (so named for its jumping habits) the
head is very little projecting; the rostrum bent back on
the under surface in repose; the eyes are very close on the
upper side, and very often contiguous ; and the posterior
legs saltatorial, their femora being often enormously
developed. It has six joints to the funiculus of the
antennae, whilst in the closely allied Tachyerges there
are seven.
Their larvae are elongate, flat, with no tubercles, and
mine in the leaves of different trees, eating the paren-
chyma. When full grown they enclose themselves in
192 BRITISH BEETLES.
an oval silky cocoon, the pupa having the thorax pro-
duced in front into two strong projections, and the
abdomen ending in two double-jointed projections, with
several acute tubercles on the last segment beneath.
In Orthoch&tes and Trachodes (the former found in
moss and the latter in old twigs or in rotten wood) the
scutellum and wings are absent. Both of them are set
with stiff bristles.
The BARIDIAD^E have the front legs distant at the
base, and the breast flat. We possess but one genus,
Baridius, containing certain small, elongate, cylindrical
beetles, mostly dull in appearance, and in some cases
very slightly clothed with pubescence, which readily rubs
off. They frequent Lepidium, Reseda, etc., and super-
ficially resemble the species of Mecinus, which have but
five joints to the funiculus.
The CiiYPTORHYNCHiDjE have the rostrum bent down-
wards, and received into a more or less distinct canal
in the under side. The anterior legs are nearly always
distant at the base.
The typical genus, Crypt or hynchus, contains one
species, Lapathi (Plate XII, Fig. 3), not uncommon on
willows, into the trunk of which its larva bores, making
large cylindrical holes. It has been noticed that this
insect, when alarmed, makes a creaking noise by rubbing
the base of its prothorax against the front of the meso-
thorax.
In Cceliodes the rostrum is received into a canal be-
tween the front and middle pair of legs ; its species are
small, convex, and " dumpy ;'- one of them, didymus,
a dull greenish-grey insect, variegated with white scales,
and having a white spot on each side of the elytra, is
most abundant on nettles.
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 193
Rhytidosomus and Orobitis are both peculiar, on ac-
count of their globular form ; the latter a dark blue
shining insect, found on a pretty species of vetch hav-
ing a habit of applying its legs close to its body. Packed
up in this manner, it has all the appearance of a ripe
seed of the common wild blue hyacinth, and its size
seems much increased when it unfolds its long straggling
limbs.
Mononychus pseudacori, a larger, awkward looking,
dull black creature, with a white spot beneath the scu-
tellum, has very clumsy legs, of which the tibise are
obtusely and coarsely toothed on the outer side below
the middle, and only a single claw to the apical joint
of each tarsus. Its larva feeds in the pod of the wild
iris, and is taken in August, chiefly in the Isle of
Wight.
The species of Acalles, dull brown, slightly varie-
gated, with strong ridges and spines, are found in old
twigs, hedges, etc. They have a peculiar habit of si-
mulating death, contracting their legs continuously with
the under side of the body ; and one of them has been
observed to make a stridulating noise similar to Crypto-
rhynchus.
Bagous, Lyprus, and Hydronomus are all water-plant
frequenters, frequently found in mud or even under
water, and very often so encased with crusted dirt as to
be difficult to distinguish. They have short antennae, and
very slender tarsi, <of which the third joint is not bilobed,
and slightly (if at all) wider than the preceding, the
apical joint being long. The first and second of these
genera have the prosternum slightly excavated, whilst
in the latter it is level. For this reason they have been
separated widely in arrangements ; but they are in reality
194 BRITISH BEETLES,
very closely allied. Lyprus, which is very attenuate,
and spider-like about the legs,, has but six joints to the
faniculus.
In Litodactylus and its allies, all more or less attached
to water-plants (some even existing under water, in
Myriophyllum) , the rostrum is short and thick, the scu-
tellum inconspicuous, and the eyes large and promi-
nent ; and in Ceuthorhynchus, a very extensive genus of
small convex species, the rostrum is long, arched, and
slender, and received in repose only between the front
pair of legs, there being no groove for it in the meso-
sternum. Some of this genus (which is divided into
two sections, the first having the femora simple beneath,
whilst in the second they are toothed) are prettily varie-
gated with white scales ; others are metallic blue, or set
sparingly with short stiff bristles.
Many of them are very abundant, and do considerable
damage to culinary vegetables, either as perfect insects
by piercing holes in them, or as larvae by forming
gall-like excrescences on their roots. As is frequently
the case, there is another genus (Ceuthorhynchideus) ,
closely resembling this in which there are six instead of
seven joints to the funiculus.
The CIONID.E have the antennae ten- or nine-jointed,
short, the funiculus composed of five joints, and the club
of three or four. They are all small ; and (except Me-
cinus, which is elongate and cylindrical) " squat " and
rounded.
The species of Cionus are all beautifully variegated
they frequent Verbascum and its allies, often in grej
numbers, the different species sometimes occurring ii
company. Their larvae, which are small, convex, and
spotted, devour the entire parenchyma of the leaves, but
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 195
do not touch the ribs and stem: they appear to make
an open network cocoon. C. blattarm (Plate XII, Fig.
4) is, perhaps, the prettiest, and is not uncommon. In
repose, with its legs contracted, it affords an exact repre-
sentation of a small patch of bird-droppings.
NanophyeSy a much smaller and elegantly banded in-
sect, occurs (locally) in great profusion on low plants of
Salicaria ; and the species of Gymnetron and Miarus
especially frequent Veronica, Antirrhinum, and Cam-
panula. They are mostly small, short-ovate, dull black,
and set with rows of short yellowish hairs.
The CALANDRID^E are here represented by one genus,
Sitophilm, containing two species, granarius and oryza,
both doubtless imported, and the former being known
par excellence (or par the want of it) as the Weevil.
Here the antennae are eight-jointed, the basal joint
being long, and the apical one forming a large knob;
the rostrum is long ; the body somewhat flat ; the thorax
very coarsely punctured, the elytra scarcely covering the
apex of the abdomen, and deeply striated, and the tibiae
spined at the apex.
The " Corn-weevil " is small and pitchy-red in colour;
it bores a hole with its rostrum in the grain, in which it
lays an egg ; the young larva afterwards devouring all
the contents, and leaving merely the husk, wherein it
turns to pupa. It has been observed that if suspected
grain be thrown into water, the good will sink, while the
infected seeds will float.
The other species, distinguished by its four red spots,
attacks rice in a similar way.
The COSSONIDJE have short antennae, of which the fu-
niculus is seven-jointed, the basal joint long, and the
club either two jointed or nearly solid, so that there
o 2
J96 BRITISH BEETLES.
seem to be nine joints in all ; their rostrum, also, is some-
what deflexed; their tibiae armed at the apex with a
stout external hook, and their tarsi slender. They are
all distinguished by a certain linear, parallel, flattish, or
cylindrical habit, pre-eminently adapted for boring in
wood, or existing under bark.
Cossonus linearis (Plate XII, Fig. 5) is very local ;
but, when found, occurs in great profusion ; as, indeed,
is the case with most of this family. Mesites Tardii,
the largest, lives in the wood of ash -trees, etc., at Kil-
larney, Mount Edgcumbe, and elsewhere on the western
coast. It has very little the aspect of an English species,
and varies much in size. In the male the antennae are
inserted near the apex of the rostum, which is dull, en-
larged, and suddenly contracted behind their articula-
tion; whilst in the female it is smooth, narrow, and
with the antennse inserted close to the base.
Some of the remaining species, small, obscure, cylin-
drical beetles, are common in half rotten wood, under
fir bark, etc.
The remaining family, the Hylesinida (also termed
Scolytidte, or Tomicidte), are by some authors raised to
a sectional rank, under the name XyJophaga ; but, being
intimately allied to the Cossonida, they are generally
considered as a division of the Rhynchophora, connect-
ing that section with the next.
These insects have been fully described by Erichson,
in Wiegmann's Archiv. fur Naturg., vol. ii., 1836 (an
abstract of which appeared in the ' Naturalist ' for De-
cember of the same year), and also (with others injurious
to timber) by Ratzeburg, 'Die Forst-Insecten/ Berlin,
1837, a work of considerable value.
They have the head somewhat globular, deeply sunk
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 197
in the thorax (Plate XII, Fig. 6 a ; head and thorax of
Hylesinus vittatus] , and produced into the suggestion of
a rostrum in front ; the antennae (which have never more
than ten joints) elbowed, having a long basal joint, and
a more or less flattened club, which is either solid or
four-jointed; the front coxae globose, prominent, and
not widely separated ; the tibise flattened and widened
at the apex, hooked at the extremity, fossorial, and
usually toothed or crenulated on the outer side; the
mandibles short, robust, prominent, and triangular ; the
maxillae thin, broad, and spined internally, with their
palpi minute and conical ; the labrum obsolete ; the eyes
vertically oblong, and the third joint of the tarsi bi-lobed,
except in Tomicus and Platypus.
All the species are small, mostly black or dull brown
in colour, and usually somewhat oblong, or cylindrical
in shape, being especially convex on the upper side.
Many of them are very destructive to trees; their
larvae eating irregular galleries at right angles from a
straighter central line; and it is from their habit of
always engraving this kind of pattern in their devasta-
tions that some of them have been termed " Typogra-
phers."
The small, dull black, elongate, cylindrical species of
Hylastes occur in profusion in the tracks eaten by their
larvae under the bark of decaying or felled pine-trees ;
they have the club of the antennae scarcely flattened, the
tibiae distinctly spurred at the apex, and the prosternuin
excavated in front; whilst in Hylurgus piniperda, a
larger, more robust insect, found sometimes in still
greater profusion, and very injurious to fir-trees, this
excavation is obsolete.
The Hylesmi have an elongate oval club to the an-
198 BRITISH BEETLES.
tennae, and the tibiae obsoletely spurred ; they, also, feed
on wood. One small species, H. vittatus (PL XII, Fig.
6), is very prettily variegated.
It is, however, to the genus Scolytus that the un-
worthy distinction of destructive ability must be awarded;
one of them, the destroyer, S. destructor, being notorious
for the ravages it inflicts, both in its larval and perfect
state, upon elm -trees, especially in the London parks.
Its larvae are white, fleshy, thick, curved, and footless ;
with wrinkled backs, hard heads, arid powerful mandi-
bles ; they feed in gangs ; and, although small, are so
numerous, that the fate of a tree is sealed when once
they obtain a lodgment.
In the perfect insect, which is very elevated, stumpy,
and cylindrical, with the head bent downwards and in-
wards, the elytra are abruptly and obliquely truncate
behind ; and in some of the other species the abdomen
has a flat horizontal tooth on its second segment be-
neath.
Xyloterus lineatus (PL XIII, Fig. 1), an elegantly
striped insect, with more pretensions to beauty than its
allies, is found (rarely) in Scotland : I have seen it with
its head and thorax protruding from its neat circular drill
in the solid wood of felled pines ; but it is oftener seen
than taken, owing to its habit of backing quickly to an
indefinite depth into its burrow, on the approach of the
bark-knife. In this species the antennae have a rounded
club, whilst in the other (domesticus) the club is pointed ;
in both, each of the eyes is widely divided, the funiculus
is four-jointed, and the club solid.
The minute Hypothemenus eruditus (an insect Giles
Gingerbread, who "on learning fed") was discovered
by Mr. Westwood burrowing in the cover of an old
THE RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 199
volume, from which strange locality it derives the at-
tribute of erudition conveyed by its name. Both genus
and species were then new to science; and the beetle
has never, I believe, been found since its original capture.
The Tomici have emarginate eyes, five joints to the
funiculus, and the third joint of the tarsi simple; they
are sometimes pubescent, and always elongate, narrow,
cylindrical, and more or less truncate behind, especially
in the male, which sex also often exhibits strong spines
on the edges of the truncation. They abound in larch-
trees, elms, etc., and their larvae resemble those of Sco-
lytus in miniature ; the pupae differing, however, in the
possession of two spines at the apex of the abdomen.
Lastly, Platypus cylindrus (PI. XIII, Fig. 2), found
rarely here, and chiefly in the New Forest, departs from
the others (amongst other characters) in its very short
antennae, which have a long basal joint, a very com-
pressed four-jointed funiculus, and an extremely large,
flat, round club ; its widened and flattened front femora ;
very short tibiae, short hind legs, and extremely long
and slender tarsi, which are longer than the femora and
tibiae, and of which the basal joint is longer than all the
rest put together, and the third joint is simple. Its
larva, which feeds upon oak, differs from that of Scolytus
in being short and straight, somewhat truncate behind,
with a large head and several rows of tubercles on the
sides.
It should be remarked that the Bostrichidce, above
associated with the Malacodermi, present great resem-
blance to certain of this family ; in which, indeed, they
have been placed by Latreille and other authors. But
in the Bostrichidte the larvae have legs, which are want-
ing in those of the Hylesinida ; and, although the per-
200 BRITISH BEETLES.
feet insect appears in both to have only four joints to
the tarsi, yet in the former there are five, the basal joint
being very small; whilst in the latter the four th joint is
obsolete, or confused in the middle of the lobes of the
third : the parts of the mouth, moreover, are of a much
higher development in Bostrichus and its allies. As if
to increase the confusion, cetain other authors, while
separating these two groups widely, apply the name of
the Bostrichidce to the present family.
201
CHAPTEE XVIII.
THE LONGICORNES.
THE members of this section present a considerable
family likeness to each other, chiefly on account of their
long antennae, which are never clubbed, but at most ser-
rated, being generally filiform or setaceous, and having
a long, thickened, basal joint. Their eyes are kidney-
shaped, or strongly hollowed out in the middle of their
front side, having the antennae frequently inserted in
the excavated portion, and sometimes entirely dividing
each eye into two parts ; their mandibles stout, sharp at
the point, and usually large, the head never being pro-
duced into a rostrum in front, as in the Rhynchophora.
The mentum is transverse and short, and the labium
usually membraneous and cordate; the palpi being
moderately long and filiform, though sometimes short
or truncated; the elytra, which are broader than the
thorax, do not encase the sides of the abdomen, which
is composed of five free ventral segments; the legs are
long, having often clavate femora, with the tibiae not
bearing external rows of spines, but distinctly spurred at
the apex; and the tarsi have the three basal joints
clothed with a dense silky or spongy substance, the first
and second joints being widened, the third strongly bi-
202 BRITISH BEETLES.
lobed, generally being divided into two rounded lappets,
the (normal) fourth obsolete, hidden in, or soldered to
the centre of the third, and the apical joint long, slender,
and strongly clawed.
They are entirely plant-frequenting insects, existing
as larvae and pupae either in solid timber, or on the sur-
face of felled logs, etc., beneath the bark ; and, in their
perfect state haunting the trunks of trees and bundles of
dry twigs, or basking in flowers. Many of the gaily-
coloured species delight in the hot sunshine, flying
readily, and running with great activity up and down
the surface of timber; but some appear to be sluggish
in the warmer part of the day, and to fly readily towards
evening, often with a humming noise.
The females are less active than the males, being sel-
dom seen on the wing ; they are, also, usually larger and
heavier, and have shorter antennae, and a more or less
developed ovipositor, partly horny and partly membra-
neous, being a continuation of the end of the abdomen,
and capable of considerable elongation, somewhat after
the fashion of the tubes of a telescope. With this in-
strument, which can be thrust to some distance from
the surface into holes in wood or cracks in bark, to the
sinuosities of which its substance readily adapts itself,
eggs are placed in positions where the young larva will
be both secure and in the midst of suitable food.
The larvae, which often grow to a large size, and live
for a long time before they assume the pupa state, com-
mit much damage to trees ; steadily gnawing clean-cut
galleries or tubes through solid timber, and filling up
their track with their frass of woody fibres. On account
of this long duration of their larval condition, and of
their habit of boring deeply away from the surface,
THE LONGICORNES. 203
near which their traces are small, the gallery getting,
of course, larger as the larva increases in size, foreign
species have often been introduced into this country in
wood; and, as the perfect insects are hardy and fly
strongly, they have been caught in places far from their
original spot of landing. In this way a large North
American Longicorn has occurred near Manchester;
and may, indeed, be said to have become naturalized, as
specimens of it have been taken at considerable inter-
vals, and always in the same wood, where the original
specimen, in all probability, laid her eggs.
The larvae of the Longicornes are soft, dirty white, and
fleshy, somewhat flattened, broadest in front, the second
segment being large and flat ; with the head broad, de-
pressed, hard, retractile, and having strong mandibles,
minute retractile antennae, and rudimentary tubercular
eyes on each side. They possess six very small, jointed,
horny legs in front ; but thrust themselves along their
galleries by means of fleshy dorsal elevations, the seg-
ments being all more or less retractile.
Our species, very few in number compared with those
of most other countries, may be considered as divided
into four families: the Prlonida, Cerambycidte, La-
miada, and Lepturida ; the three last of which are again
separated into sub-families.
The PRIONID^ have the labrum obsolete or very small ;
the mandibles large and robust, especially in the males ;
the inner lobe of the maxillae obsolete or small ; the
palpi moderately long; the labium small ; the antennae
inserted close above the base of the mandibles, but with
the insertion not surrounded by the emargination of the
eyes ; the head not narrowed behind into a neck ; the
thorax subquadrate, spined or toothed at the sides ; the
201 BRITISH BEETLES.
elytra spined at the apex ; and the anterior coxae trans-
verse and wide apart.
We possess but one genus and species, Prionus cori-
arius, the largest of the section in England. This in-
sect is by no means common, occurring very rarely
near London, though sometimes taken more frequently
in woods near the south-coast. It is a very large, dull
brown, flat, clumsily-built creature, having broad, ser-
rated antennae, prominent mandibles, strong spines to
the sides of its thorax, and wide tarsi ; it rests on the
trunks of trees during the day, and is usually taken,
when flying heavily towards evening.
Its larva is a broad, flattish, white grub, narrowed
behind, with its head bearing very strong small trian-
gular mandibles, and capable of being considerably re-
tracted into the first segment, which is short, the second
being large and flattened : it has six minute legs in
front, and also fleshy protuberances on the under side.
It feeds in solid timber, and forms a large cocoon with
pieces of gnawed wood, etc., taking the precaution (so
very prevalent in timber-feeding insects), when nearly
full grown, of boring its gallery towards the outer sur-
face of the tree in which it lives, so that the perfect
insect has but little work to do in making its escape.
The CERAMBYCID^E are divided into four sub-families :
the Ceramby tides, Callidiades, Clytides, and Obriades ;
and are distinguished by their slightly deflexed head,
unarmed tibise, laterally dilated thorax, arid sub-globose
anterior coxae, and by having their antennae (which are
generally very long, and never serrated) inserted at some
distance from the mandibles.
The Cerambycides (in which the head is exserted, the
antennae have the second joint transverse, the thorax
THE LONGICORNES. 205
armed with a lateral spine, the femora slender, almost
cylindrical, and the shoulders of the elytra rectangular)
are here represented by Aromia moschata, often found
in the London district on old willows (which are much
damaged by its larvae), and generally known as the
" Musk-beetle/ 7 on account of its sweet smell ; which is,
however, much more like otto of roses than musk.
This scent is so strong as to be readily noticed at
some distance from trees frequented by the insects ;
which may be seen in June flying strongly in the hot
sunshine : the males, in which the antennae are very
long, are by far the most active ; and it has been re-
marked that the peculiar odour, which is strongest in
the female, and especially at the coupling time, acts
probably as an attraction to them. A live specimen, im-
prisoned for a short time in a handkerchief, will impart
an agreeable and enduring scent to it.
This insect, which is rather narrow, long, blue or
coppery-green in colour, and somewhat shagreened in
texture, possesses in a marked degree a habit found in
most Longicornes, viz. that of making a loud, sharp,
squeaking noise, by moving the head and prothorax
briskly up and down, the inner part of the hinder margin
of the latter rubbing against the smooth part of the
front of the mesothorax.
The Callidiades are somewhat depressed, and have the
head inserted in the thorax almost up to the eyes, the
labruna small, the thorax with no lateral spine, the fe-
mora nearly always clavate, and the front and hind coxse
usually somewhat approximated.
Three genera are found in England, viz. Callidium,
Hylotrupes, and Asemum. The species of the former
are of considerable brightness : they frequent fir- wood,
206 BRITISH BEETLES.
etc., and thus are liable to get transported from one
locality to another in building ^materials, etc. It has,
indeed, been suggested (and with apparent reason) that
one, if not more, of the species in this genus, now cer-
tainly considered as indigenous, have been in this way
introduced from abroad. C. violaceumj a dull violet-
coloured, flattened insect, was formerly of great rarity,
though now very common in many parts of the country ;
and it is impossible to distinguish British from Canadian
examples; much timber coming to us from North
America. Its transformations have been accurately de-
scribed in the Linnean Transactions, vol. v., by Kirby ;
from whose account it appears that the larva mines gal-
leries on the surface of felled fir-trees, under the bark,
burrowing deeply and obliquely into the solid wood be-
fore changing to pupa. Its mandibles are very stout
and solid, resembling two sections of a cone applied
against each other for the whole of their flattened
sides.
C. alni (Plate XIII, Fig. 3) is the smallest, and ele-
gantly variegated : it occurs plentifully in hedges, etc.,,
both on flowers and in dry twigs.
H. bajulus, a dull blackish species, variegated with
greyish down, and having two shining black marks on
the thorax, is occasionally taken near London ; where
its larva has been known to do considerable damage in
the timber of houses, even penetrating sheets of lead.
A. striatum, very dull, entirely black, and sluggish,
occurs in Scotland, settling on freshly-cut pine stumps.
The Clytides have the thorax nearly globose, and are
represented by one genus, Clytus ; the species of which
somewhat resemble wasps, being mostly black with yel-
low bauds : their larvae make circular holes in palings
THE LONGICORNES. 207
and poles, etc. C. arietls is very abundant in flowers,
etc., about June.
The Obriades have the thorax cylindrical, constricted
at the base; the antennae setaceous, never less than the
body in length ; the elytra entire and parallel, and the
femora clavate.
Obrium cantharinum, a small, shining, entirely reddish
species, with large eyes, and very long antennae, is of
considerable rarity : Gracilia pygm&a, our other repre-
sentative, duller and darker, occurs not unfrequently on
old wood- work, twigs, etc.
The LAMIAD^; are divided into two sub-families, La-
miades and Saperdides; in which the head is abruptly and
vertically bent down, the antennae are inserted within
the emargination of the eyes, the tibiae armed with small
spurs, and the legs not very elongate.
In the Lamiades the femora are distinctly clavate, the
intermediate tibiae obliquely truncated, and with a se-
tose tubercle on the outer side behind the middle, the
thorax is armed with a lateral spine, and the mandibles
are short.
In this sub-family some of our largest and most
curious Longicornes are found ; Lamia textor and Asti-
nomus aedilis being especially remarkable. The former
of these is a large, clumsy, convex, dull black insect,
found near Bristol, and at Rannoch in Perthshire, on
willow-trees and in osier beds, the top shoots of which
it is reported to weave together as a nidus.
The other, A. adilis (Plate XIII, Fig. 4), is con-
spicuous for the enormous length of its antennae, espe-
cially in the male. This, also, occurs at Rannoch, where
it may be not uncommonly seen flying across the glades
of the Black Forest with its long appendages streaming
208 BRITISH BEETLES.
behind. It loves to settle on felled pine logs, with its
antennse spread out like compasses ; from which habit it
is termed by the Highlanders " Timberman ;" a name,
curiously enough, also applied to it in Lapland and
Sweden, where it is common. If two males come within
range they inevitably fight; for which reason, and also
on account of their delicate structure, it is difficult to
obtain quite perfect specimens.
The larva makes wide galleries and perforations in
pine stumps, forming a nidus with coarse gnawed frag-
ments near the surface, in which it changes to pupa.
In this state the antennse are turned downwards and
recurved towards the middle of the head. The larva
appears to be full fed at the beginning of the summer,
and, after remaining two or three weeks in the pupa
state, changes to the perfect state; staying as such in
its nest until the following summer.
The species of Pogonocherus are very much smaller,
having the elytra slightly hairy, generally spined at the
apex, and with the front greyish-white. They are beaten
out of bundles of old twigs and faggots in hedges.
In the Saperdides, which are all more or less cylin-
drical, the femora are not clavate ; and the thorax, which
has no spine at the sides, is continuous in outline with
the elytra, being, moreover, deeply sinuated on the sides
beneath.
Here are situated some of our most handsome species ;
notably Saperda scalaris (Plate XIII, Fig. 5), a very
beautifully coloured insect, occurring near Manchester
and at Eannoch.
Of the other Saperda, which appear to affect aspens,
poplars, and willows, carcharias (found in fenny dis-
tricts) is remarkable for its large size and uniform yellow-
THE LONG1CORNES. 209
ochreous tint ; and populnea, a hairy, minutely speckled
insect, common near London on young aspens, is readily
found in its larval state by the round swollen knobs
which it makes in the stems of that tree.
Another genus, Tetrops, of which the single species
is also common near London, and easily known by its
linear shape, very small size, black head and thorax, and
brownish elytra, is worthy of notice on account of each
of its eyes being absolutely divided into two by the in-
sertion of its antennae.
The LEPTUKID^E, as compared with their allies, are
more active and diurnal in their habits, smaller in size,
and with shorter antennas.
Their eyes are- almost rounded, or only slightly emar-
ginate; their head bent downwards, but not abruptly
so, and with a distinct neck; their labrum is mostly
conspicuous ; their thorax narrowed in front, and their
elytra more or less contracted behind.
They form two sub-families, the Molorchides and
Lepturides ; in the former of which the elytra are ab-
breviated, with the wings exserted ; the femora clavate
the front coxse approximated and the thorax cylindrical,
with a small lateral tubercle.
We , possess one genus, Molorchus, containing two
species; one of which, M. umbellatarum (Plate XIII,
Fig. 6), sometimes found in flowers, but much more
readily obtained by beating bundles of dead twigs in
hedges, is not uncommon near London. Its small size,
narrow appearance, long thin legs and antennae, short
wing-cases and exposed wings, easily distinguish it
from any other insect.
The Lepturides have the front coxae much projecting,
1 and usually wide apart ; the antennae rarely longer than
If
210 BRITISH BEETLES.
the body ; the thorax generally almost transverse ; and
the femora but slightly thickened.
In Khagiuniy the species of which are very abundant
in pine woods, and which may be found in all their
stages under fir- bark, the larvae eating galleries on the
surface, the antennae are very short, and the entire
insect is flattened, broad, and of a comparatively dull,
mottled appearance. The pupae have rows of short
spines across the segments of the abdomen; as in Cossus
and other wood-feeding Lepidoptera.
Toxotus, a most variable insect, both in size and
colour, has long straggling legs and antennae, and flies
with a considerable noise in the hot sunshine; it is
however surpassed, in point of variation, by the common
Strangalia armata (Plate XIV, Fig. 1 ; a dark variety),
of which it is difficult to obtain two specimens exactly
alike ; and in the male of which the hinder tibiae have
two conspicuous tooth-like processes on the inner side.
This insect, which, according to the predominance
of colour, may be designated either as yellow with black
spots, or as black with yellow, is abundant during the
summer months on the flowers of Umbelliferay especially
at the margins of woods ; and is very active both with
its legs and wings, (at all events when the sun seines),
taking to flight readily, and making ludicrous move-
ments in its hurry to escape.
The Longicornes are, as a rule, so rare in this country,
that the young collector will probably be some time
before he takes more than this insect, one or two small
species of Grammoptera, Clytus arietis, and a Rhagium.
There are no particular works upon this section to
which it would be of any use to direct the beginner;
except, perhaps, Mulsant's Longicorns of France.
I
211
CHAPTER XIX.
THE EUPODA, OE PHYTOPHAGA.
IN this, the last section of the Pseudo-tetramerous
beetles, there is no rostrum; the antennae (which are
generally much shorter than the body) are straight,
never elbowed or clavate, but either filiform, moniliform,
or serrate, and with a short basal joint; the head is
sunk into the thorax as far as the eyes ; the parts of the
mouth are but little prominent, the mandibles being
short, triangular, and bifid or trifid at the apex, the
maxillse formed of two lobes, of which the inner one is
unarmed, and the palpi terminated by a subulate or
short joint; the elytra cover the sides of the abdomen,
which is composed of five free ventral segments; the
femora are sometimes thickened ; the tibise usually not
spurred at the apex, or very slightly so; and the third
joint of the tarsi bi-lobed.
Its members are all essentially vegetable- feeders, very
rarely attaining any large size, mostly oval and convex
i in shape; diurnal in habits, though (except the Haiti-
\ cidcs) slow in their movements ; and generally punctate-
! striate, and of bright metallic hues.
Our species are divided into nine families the Sa-
I grida, Donaciada, Criocerida, Clythrida, Cryptocepha-
p 2
212 BRITISH BEETLES.
lidae, Chrysomelidce, Gallerucida, Halticidte, and Cassi-
The SAGRID^; (which comprise some very large and
splendid exotic insects) are here only represented by a
single genus, Orsodacna; the few British species of which
are of considerable rarity, being usually found in the
blossoms of the whitethorn. They are small, narrow,
linear insects, exhibiting no particular points for obser-
vation.
In this family the apex of the mandibles is entire,
without emargination ; and the labium is deeply incised,
so as to become bilobed.
The DONACIAD^E have the antennae long, and inserted
before the eyes; the head prominent, and rather con-
stricted behind; the first segment of the abdomen as
long as all the rest together; and the legs long and
straggling, the femora (and especially the hinder pair)
being often much thickened and toothed on the under
side.
We possess two genera, Donacia and Hcsmonia ; th
members of which are exclusively attached to water-
plants (as the specific names of many of them import),
in the stems of which their naked larvae are found ; the
pupae being enclosed in transparent silken cocoons, at-
tached to the roots or filaments. The Donaciae are all
more or less coarsely punctured and metallic above, with
fine silky down on the under-side; they have a narrow
thorax and somewhat flattened elytra, and are usually
found in great numbers, being gregarious. Some of the
species have a variegated longitudinal metallic stripe on
each wing-case ; and a few are exceedingly variable in
colour, specimens of all shades from dull black to light
brass being seen together, the intermediate examples
THE EUPODA, OR PHYTOPHAGA. 213
exhibiting beautiful shades of dark and light blue, green,
copper, purple, and red : there are, in fact, few prettier
objects than the broad leaf of a water-lily, rippled over
by the clear stream, and studded with these living gems
(which, beautiful in death, are a thousand times more
so when alive), basking in the summer sun.
Our other genus, Hamonia, has long straggling legs,
the apical joint of the tarsi being very long and pre-
hensile. Both the species are found on water-plants
(Zostera and Potamogeton}j even beneath the surface;
but H. Curtisii (Plate XIV, Fig. 2) is by far the most
common. They have the antennae inserted close together,
and the apex of the elytra produced into a spine.
The CRIOCERID^E have the eyes emarginate, with the
antennae inserted within their front inner margin ; the
mandibles truncate at the tip, with two or three acute
teeth, and the labium entire.
We possess three genera, Zeugophora, Lema, and
Crioceris; the two first of which do not require any
especial remark, the only peculiarity about either of
them being that Z. subspinosa, a little blue-black insect
with reddish head and thorax, found on aspens, has a
wary habit of folding up its legs and dropping, on the
approach of the net.
The species of Crioceris are, however, more conspicu-
ous, both from appearance and economy. One of them,
C. merdigera, of great rarity here, though sometimes
occurring near London in the flowers of lilies, is, when
alive, of a bright scarlet colour, which fades after death.
The eggs of this insect are laid on lily-leaves, and glued
together ; and the young larvae, when hatched, feed for
some time gregariously, though separating as they grow
older. These larvae defend themselves from the heat of
214 BRITISH BEETLES.
the sun, etc., by covering their backs with their own
excrement, gradually pushed from the end of the intes-
tinal canal, the opening of which is situated on the back,
of the last segment. This coating dries into a hard
layer, from which the larva can free itself at pleasure.
When full grown it descends to the ground, in which it
forms a polished oval cell.
C. asparagi (Plate XIV, Fig. 3), a smaller and much
more abundant species, is very prettily marked, and
sometimes does .considerable damage to asparagus, on
which its short, fleshy, grey larvae feed. This insect
has been observed to make a squeaking noise, similar to
that of the Longicornes above-mentioned.
The CLYTHRID^; have the head vertical, and the an-
tennse serrate and short; their larvae live in hairy,
leathery cases, which they drag about, with their head
and legs protruding from the narrow end; and have,
when taken out of their covering, much the appearance
of those of the small Lamellicornes.
Our species are by no means common ; occurring in
woods, where they have been bred from ants' nests. C.
tridentata, a greyish-brown insect, with blue-black head,
thorax, and limbs, has very long front legs ; and C. qua-
dripunctata, as its name implies, may be distinguished
by its four black spots.
The little Lamprosoma concolor is so exceeding un-
like its allies, both in size, shape, and colour, as to seem
at first sight misplaced in this family. Its structure
will be readily understood from its old generic name,
Oomorphus, or egg-shape ; and it much resembles cer-
tain species of Phadon in the Chrysomelida.
The CRYPTOCEPHALID^E, also, have the head vertical,
and sunk in the thorax ; the body being cylindrical, and
I
THE EUPODA, OR PHYTOPHAGA. 215
seeming to be truncate in front. Their antennae are
long and filiform ; their thorax margined ; their pygi-
dium not entirely covered by the elytra, and their eyes
kidney-shaped.
Our single genus, Cryptocephalus, contains many
brilliant species, found on hazel, oak, birch, sallow, etc.
They are only to be seen during fine weather, and chiefly
in the hottest part of the day, retiring when the sun is
overclouded. The approach of the net, and sometimes
even the step or shadow of the collector, is enough to
make these wary little beauties drop from their leafy
perch. Their larvae are enclosed in cases somewhat like
those of Clythra, supposed to be formed of earth, but
which in one case has been found to consist of the ex-
crement of the larva, moulded into shape with its man-
dibles.
The sexes vary somewhat in this genus, the males
being usually less bulky, and having longer legs and an-
tennae. In C. coryli, found on hazel bushes at Darenth
in June, the female is entirely red, while the male has
a black thorax.
C. sexpunctatus , found in the same place, and at
Cobham, Kent, is elegantly spotted ; though the palm
of beauty in this respect must be given to C. decempunc-
tatus, recently discovered at Rannoch, by Mr. Sharp and
the author, on dwarf sallow. This species is exceed-
ingly variable; one form being clear yellowish-white, with
ten round black spots ; another orange with transverse
black bands, and a third entirely black. Others of our
Cryptocephali are wholly of a lovely green ; either frosted
(C. aureolus and sericeus ; the latter common at Mickle-
ham on Hieracium) or dark and shining (C. nitidulus,
Cobham and Mickleham, birch) . Of the smaller species
216 BRITISH BEETLES.
C. bilineatus (Plate XIV, Pig. 4) is elegantly banded;
it is found commonly by sweeping, etc., at Mickleham.
The CHRYSOMELID^: (or " Golden -apple beetles")
have the head sunk in the prothorax, but more exposed
than in the last family; the antennae shorter, monili-
form, and slightly thickened towards the tips ; the legs
of equal size ; the palpi short ; no spurs to the tibiae ;^
the thorax fitting closely to the base of the elytra ; and
the body hemispheric or oval. They are found on low
plants and shrubs, for climbing on which their broad
tarsi are eminently adapted.
We possess several genera and species of this family,
many of which are conspicuous for their beauty.
The only large one, Timarcha lavigata, sometimes
known as " the Bloody-nosed beetle," on account of its
habit of distilling a drop of clear red fluid from the
mouth when handled, is common in grassy lanes : it is
very convex, dull but smooth in texture, and of an uni-
form blue-black colour, with exceedingly wide tarsi,
especially in the male ; which, as usual, is rather smaller,
not quite so dull, and has longer legs. Its larva is also
frequently to be seen clinging to low plants in lanes and
on commons : it is of a shining bluish-green colour, very
convex, and elevated in the middle.
Chrysomela distinguenda (Plate XIV, Fig. 5) is not
uncommon near London, in grassy places, on the flowers
of Antirrhinum, etc. ; the contrast of colour afforded by
its dark blue-black elytra, broadly margined with orange,
being very effective.
C. menthastri and graminis, two of the largest, are
especially conspicuous from their somewhat oblong form
and uniform rich green metallic hue, which, in grami-
nis especially, runs to blue and coppery reflections; but
THE EUPODA, OR PHYTOPHAGA. 217
C. cereatis, striped longitudinally and alternately with
purple, green, gold, and reddish copper, is perhaps the
most handsome. It is found at the roots of wild thyme
on Snowdon. The commonest species is C.polita, abun-
dant in grassy places ; it is shining, blue-green, with red-
dish-brown elytra, round and convex ; and it is from the
general rotundity and convexity of the members of this
section that the name of Cyclica has been applied to it.
Of the allied species, Lina populi and tremulae deserve
notice : both are blue-black with brown wing-cases, and
not uncommon on poplar and aspen; the former being
distinguished by its larger size, and a small black spot
at the apex of its elytra. They are gregarious in their
habits ; L. tremula being often found in great numbers
and in all its stages on the same tree. The larvse, which
are tuberculated, whitish, and adorned with straight
rows of dark-brown spots (somewhat resembling those
of the common seven-spot Lady-bird), have a custom of
distilling from their mouth, tubercles, and apparently
all other available orifices, a peculiar and strong-smelling
yellow fluid ; also emitted, though in a less quantity, by
the perfect insect.
This fluid, similar, but more intense, in odour to that
secreted by many Lady-birds, has been stated to be a
specific for toothache, if rubbed into the gums; the
remedy, however, seems at once so unlikely and nauseous,
that nothing but the recollection of chloroform (origi-
nally obtained from an acid produced by ants) restrains
one from dismissing the idea as absurd.
The pupffi of these insects are also spotted, and at-
tached to leaves and twigs by their tails; having the
" mortal coil " of their larva-dom " shuffled off," but still
clinging to their extremity.
218 BRITISH BEETLES.
The oblong species of Gonioctena, some of which are,
when alive, bright red with black spots, are found on
aspens ; they have a small tooth in the middle of their
claws, and the tibire also strongly and sharply toothed
on the outer side just above the apex.
Gastrophysa, as its name implies, contains insects in
which the abdomen is much inflated, especially in the
females; these may be seen crawling slowly on path-
ways in cornfields, or on the common dock, with their
elytra elevated, and abdominal plates widely distended,
through the large mass of eggs with which they are
loaded.
The remaining genera, usually found on plants near
water, demand no comment ; except, perhaps, Phratora,
of which the narrow and uniformly blue or brassy species
are exceedingly common on willows, both in the summer
ontheleaves and trunk, and in winter hybernating beneath
the bark in society. The larvae, also are gregarious, feeding
in rows upon the leaves, of which they devour only one side.
The GALLERUCID^E are mostly oval and somewhat
convex, being generally decidedly widest behind; their
legs are nearly uniform, the hind femora being simple,
and the front coxae approximated ; their antennas are of
considerable length, closer together at the base than in
the Chrysomelidae, and not thickened at the apex ; their
head is inserted in the thorax almost up to the eyes,
which are entire, the thorax itself being margined at the
sides, more or less hollowed out in front, and with pro-
duced front angles ; the maxillary palpi are thickest in
the middle, with the apical joints resembling two cones,
united at the base ; and the claws have a tooth in the
middle.
They are of softer integuments than the Chrysomelidcs
THE EUPODA, OB PHYTOPHAGA. 219
and not so gaily coloured or metallic, though equally
diurnal and attached to plants.
Our largest species is Adimonia tanaceti, a dull black,
sluggish, thickly and coarsely punctured insect, found
on the wild tansy, especially in chalky places on the
south coast. It exhibits in a marked degree the pecu-
liarity of the family of being widest behind; and its
female has somewhat the distended appearance of Gas-
trophysa above mentioned, possessing, also, though in a
minor degree, Lina's evil habit of distilling and smelling.
Of the others in this genus, A. caprecB is exceedingly
common on osiers, and less so on heath, a very wide
range of food-plant, and, when feeding on the latter,
becomes of a much darker colour; and A. sanguined,
found in May-blossom, is of a bright red tint.
The Gallerucae are mostly narrow in shape, dull-yellow
or brown in colour, roughly granulated, covered with a
close powdery grey pubescence, and gregarious; being
found in numbers on willows and water-plants. Their
larvae, which are sluggish, rather elongate, wrinkled,
and with lateral tubercles and an anal projection, serving
as an extra leg, live in company, and commit great
ravages, often stripping every leaf off the trees, etc., on
which they feed.
Agelastica halensis, very common in the south,
abounding in grassy places towards the autumn, is our
brightest species ; it is upwards of a quarter of an inch
long, with its broad elytra and the top of its head bright
green, more or less running into dark blue, its mouth,
thorax, body and legs yellow, and tarsi, antennae, and
tips of tibiae black.
Auchenia, adorned with four spots, and the narrow
delicate Calomicrus circumfusus (Plate XIV, Fig. 6) are
220 BRITISH BEETLES.
the only species we possess that can be considered as at all
variegated in markings ; the latter (in which the elytra
always gape somewhat) has much the fades of certain of
the Halticidoe, and lives gregariously on the dwarf furze.
Finally, Lyperus, elongate, feebly-built, with very
large granulated eyes, and exceedingly long and fragile
antennae (especially in the male; whose body, also, is
longer), of which the second joint is minute, occurs
plentifully on alders, and other marsh-loving trees.
The HALTICIDOE are at once distinguished from the
other families by their thickened hinder femora, which
are formed for-jumping; an exercise in which they freely
indulge, often to the disgust of the collector, who gets
his net half full of some desired species (for they are
usually gregarious), and perhaps succeeds in bottling
only a dozen, owing to the extreme activity and long
leaps of his temporary captives.
Their antennae are inserted between the eyes, and, in
the majority, close together; their elytra have the
margin sinuated, and their front coxae are almost trans-
verse, and not approximated.
We possess more than a hundred species of this family,
descriptions of which (with many others) will be found
in the 'Essai Monographique sur les Galerucites Ani-
sopodes (Altises) d'Europe/ by M. Allard, Paris, 1861
(extracted from the Annals of the French Ent. Society) .
They are all small, mostly metallic, strongly punc-
tured, and often gaily coloured; varying from a very
convex and globular to an elongate form, but preserving
throughout a certain likeness. They frequent all kinds
of plants, but one species is generally attached to its
particular favourite; Thistles, Hazel, Mallow, Willow,
Mercurialis, Salicaria, Euphorbia, Rubus, Nasturtium,
THE EUPODA, OE PHYTOPHAGA.
Thapsus, Dulcamara, Hyoscyamus, Atropa, Alliaria, and
the Cruciferce generally, having all their peculiar de-
vourers in this family.
Graptodera contains our largest species; somewhat
resembling the Gallerucida in shape ; usually of an uni-
form blue or green in colour ; and occurring plentifully
on hazel, etc. : Hermaophaga, considerably smaller, and
very convex, is exclusively devoted to Mercurialis peren-
nis > the leaves of which are riddled by it to a large ex-
tent : Crepidodera, distinguished by the abrupt depres-
sion in the middle of the base of the thorax, comprises
several insects of bright and metallic colours, C. hdxines,
aurata, and chloris being especially bright ; of these the
first is the largest and broadest, found on poplars, with
entirely yellow antennae and legs (except the hind fe-
mora), uniformly coppery, green, or blue, and with the
thorax not so roughly or closely punctured as the second,
which is smaller, occurs on willows abundantly, has its
antennae, and sometimes its legs, more or less suffused
with dark, and its thorax often of a different colour to
its elytra. C. chloris, found on poplars, is narrower
than aurata, always unicolorous, and with four joints at
the base of its antennae yellow, the remainder being ab-
ruptly black.
The species of Mantura are remarkable for their cylin-
drical shape, affording a great contrast to the larger
and pallid Spharoderma, which resemble nothing so
much in structure as half a microscopic orange, with the
flat side down.
Aphthona contains some inconspicuous forms, some-
what resembling certain of the genus Thy amis, from
which they may be distinguished by the basal joint of
their hinder tarsi being much shorter.
222 BRITISH BEETLES.
The species of Phyllotreta are especially addicted to
tlie destruction of cruciferous plants; certain of them
being known as the "Turnip-flea" or " -fly," on account
of their ravages upon that vegetable, the leaves of which
are both mined by their small elongate dotted larvse,
and devoured by the perfect insect. They are mostly
black ; often having on the elytra yellowish- white stripes,
which are sometimes divided into spots. The male of
P. nodicornis, a linear bronze-coloured insect, most
abundant on Reseda lutea (wild mignonette), is remark-
able for the abrupt, flattened, and exceedingly conspicu-
ous plate formed by the fourth joint of its antennae ; and
P. ochripes (Plate XV, Fig. 1), found on the Alliaria,
is the most gaily ornamented in the genus. The striped
species are often very troublesome to beginners, but are
readily separated by the following characters : vittula,
very small and the most parallel, has an almost straight
stripe, which is abruptly and obliquely sloped inwards
at its upper extremity by the shoulder ; undulata, larger,
and rather less straight- sided, has the stripe gently hol-
lowed out or waved in the middle on the outer side, and
slightly and gradually sloped off" at the shoulder ; nemo-
rum, usually considered as the " Turnip-flea," though not
nearly so common as undulata, is more coarsely punc-
tured and larger still, and has yellow tibise, the same
parts in the latter insect being infuscated ; tetrastigma
is largest of all, very shining black, more convex, and
with its stripes (which are of a darker yellow) much con-
tracted in the middle, often quite divided, and forming
four large spots ; sinuata, very rare (occurring in Suffolk
on horse-radish), resembles a small undulata, but has
the stripe notched very abruptly both in the middle of
the outer side, and at the shoulder ; ochripes has entirely
THE EUPODA, OR PHYTOPHAGA. 223
yellow legs, and the fifth joint of the antennae enlarged
in the male; and brassicae, the least of all, has four
yellow spots, and resembles a very small tetrastigma,
being, however, more globose. In this species, also, the
fifth joint of the antennae is somewhat thickened in the
male.
The species of Plectroscelis and Chtetocnema have
their hinder tibiae armed with a tooth on the outer side
below the middle; and Thy amis, a genus of large ex-
tent, may be known by the elongate basal joint of its
hind tarsi, which is about half the length of its tibiae.
Although its members are usually of dull-yellowish
colours, there is one, T. dorsalis, of great beauty, being
intensely black and shining, with the thorax and a
broad sharply-defined margin all round the elytra bright
red; it occurs somewhat rarely at Mickleham, Wey-
mouth, and the Isle of Wight.
Psylliodes is more robust, compact, and inclined to
an elongate-oval in outline ; the basal joint of its hind
tarsi is elongate, but differs from that of Thy amis and
its other allies in being inserted not at, but above the
apex of its tibiae, which is sloped off: here, also, the
antennae are more distant at the base.
Of the remaining genera Apteropeda and Mniophila
are conspicuous for their extreme rotundity and convexity;
A. graminis (Plate XV, Fig. 2), either bronze or bluish-
green in colour, being abundant in autumn among all
kinds of wild plants, and M. muscorum, more like a
black seed, or a little round Acarus, than a Haltica,
sometimes occurring in moss.
The CASSIDID.E, or Tortoise-beetles, are entirely un-
like any other British Coleoptera (except, perhaps, Thy-
mains limbatus], on account of their broad, flattened
224 BRITISH BEETLES.
bodies. Their head is hidden benearth the thorax, which
is semicircular, and overlaps the elytra ; the parts of the
mouth are feeble, situated at the under-side of the head,
and received at rest into a projection of the prosternum ;
the antennse straight, short, and slightly thickened to-
wards the apex, but with the last joint pointed ; and the
legs contractile, projecting slightly beyond the elytra, with
simple unspurred tibiae, and short broad tarsi, of which
the third joint is deeply bilobed, and encloses the apical
joint.
They are found during the summer months on thistles,
wild mint, etc. ; and, on account of their extremely
quiescent nature, slightly convex upper surface, and flat
under-side, resemble certain Cocci rather more than
beetles. Our species are mostly bright green (not
metallic) when alive, fading after death to a much
duller colour : many of them are prettily variegated
with brown speckles or red stains (Cassida sanguino-
lenta, Plate XV, Fig. 3) ; and one, C. vittata, found very
rarely, I believe on ragwort, is banded alternately
with deep black and bright red.
A few, found chiefly on the sea-coast, are most beauti-
fully and broadly striped on each wing-case with gold; but
this appearance, requiring a certain amount of moisture,
fades with the life of the creature. It has been stated
that glycerine, applied under the elytra, will not only
retain the lustre in fresh examples, but renew it in old
ones : I have, however, tried this plan without success.
Varnishing the outside is of no avail, as it is from the
inside that the colour proceeds.
One of these adorned insects, C. oblong a, occurs plen-
tifully on the south coast, on Salicornia, in tufts of
grass, etc. Its lovely green ground-colour is relieved
THE EUPODA, OR PHYTOPHAGA. 225
by slightly pink edges, and the golden stripe partakes
also of the hues of the emerald.
The larvae in this family have an ingenious but unplea-
sant habit of forming their excrement into an umbrella, as
in Crioceris. They are broad and flat, with short legs ;
beset on the sides with long setose spines, and having a
long fork bent forwards, and arising rather above the anal
orifice, by means of which they retain their excrement
as a shelter. The pupae, also, are broad and flat, with
spined appendages on the sides, and the thorax dilated,
spined, and covering the head.
The transformations of C. mridis, a, very common
species on thistles, may readily be observed.
226
CHAPTER XX.
THE PSETJDOTKIMERA.
THIS, the last section of British beetles, contains a num-
ber of families of very different structure, but uniting
in the apparent possession of three joints only to the
tarsi. They are, however, really composed of four
joints ; the second, which is bilobed, receiving the very
minute third, and the base of the apical joint. It should,
however, be remarked that many of the families intro-
duced into this section are, in spite of their want of
tarsal development, placed by numerous authors among
the preceding sections; in some cases with apparent
reason.
According to the usually- received classification in
this country the Pseudotrimera are composed of eight
families; the Erotylidcs, Coccinellidcs, Endomychidae,
CorylophiddR, SpfKEriadce, Trichopterygid&j Lathridiadce,
and Pselaphidce.
The EROTYLID^E, which in reality have pseud otetra-
merous tarsi, are yet associated with the Coccinellida
and Endomychidce, as much on account of their habits
as their general structure and appearance. Their an-
tennae have a large three-jointed flattened club, and
their maxillary palpi terminate in a very large clavate
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA. 227
joint, from which latter structure they were termed
Clavipalpi by Latreille.
We possess three genera, Engis, Triplax, and Tri-
toma; all the species of which feed in fungi. These,
with Endomychus and Lycoperdina, are placed by Thom-
son between the Cryptophagidce and Mycetophagida in
the Necrophaga.
Our species of Engis are found in profusion in fungi
on trees ; they are shining, somewhat quadrate-elongate
and convex, polished, dark, and (humeralis) with either
the thorax and shoulders of the elytra reddish-yellow,
or (rufifrons) with only the shoulders of that colour. In-
dividuals are often found entirely testaceous or brown.
TriplaXy the largest species of which (russicus) is not
uncommon, is very like Tetratoma, having a red thorax
and blue-black elytra, being of the same build, and oc-
curring in similar places : the three-jointed club to its
antennae will, however, readily distinguish it.
Tritoma bipustulata (Plate XV, Fig. 4), not uncom-
mon in fungoid growth under bark, or on the rotten
stumps of felled trees, is more rounded and convex than
its allies.
The COCCINELLID^E (Aphidiphagi of Latreille, and
Securipalpes of Mulsant) are hemispherical and convex
above and flat beneath, with elytra covering the abdo-
men, and never truncate or punctate-striate ; a short
transverse thorax, short antennae, in which the club is
three-jointed and flat; the last joint of the maxillary
palpi hatchet-shaped; the mandibles bifid at the tip;
the labrum broad and laterally rounded ; the legs short
with contractile tibiae, and the second joint of the tarsi
large and deeply bilobed.
To Coccinella, the principal genus in this family,
Q 2
228
BRITISH BEETLES.
belong the numerous insects known generally as <c lady-
birds " or " lady-cows," so abundant all over the king-
dom, but especially in hop-counties and on the coast,
and such good friends to us on account of their " blight-
destroying habits, for it is upon Aphides, or plant-lice,
that these beetles exist, both in their larval and perfect
states.
They have been observed in the southern counties to
follow the Aphis in swarms, unexpectedly making their
appearance by thousands, and settling upon every avail-
able resting-place \ indeed, I have known them to occur
in such numbers that it has been necessary to sweep
them away from paths and windows. They fly strongly,
but are not rapid or strong walkers, and have, both in
the condition of larva and perfect insect, a habit of dis-
tilling a peculiar and pungent yellow oily fluid, similar
to that of certain of the Chrysomelida, and which, also,
has been stated to be a specific for toothache.
Their patches of small yellow eggs can often be seen
deposited by the parent insect on plants infested by
Aphides ; and the slaty-blue larvae, which are tubercu-
lated and spotted, contracted behind, and with six con-
spicuous legs in front, may be observed crawling about
shrubs in gardens or on walls preparatory to the change
to pupa, which is fastened by the tail, and does not gel
rid of the skin of the larva.
The large seven-spot and smaller two-spot ladybii
are well known to all observers; the latter insect
exceedingly variable, specimens of it occurring of evei
intermediate gradation between red with a rudimentai
dot on each elytron to entirely black. Oddly enough,
it is entremely difficult to obtain a variety of the first
mentioned beetle.
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA. 229
Some of the species, such as \Z-punctata and 19-
punctata, frequent reedy or marshy places; these are
more elongate than the rest, and, when alive, of a
pinkish tone, with many spots. Others, obliterata
(bearing an M-like mark on its thorax), hieroglyphica
(varying to deep black), \S-guttata, oblongo-guttata, and
ocellata (the largest, and conspicuous for the yellow
rim surrounding each of its spots during life), are pecu-
liar to fir- trees; and a few, especially the delicately-
dotted lemon-coloured 22-punctata (Plate XVI, Fig. 5),
and the little, convex Micraspis IQ-punctata, frequent the
seaside.
Chilocorus and Evochomus, both usually found on fir-
trees, present much the appearance of the Cassididw,
their legs being short and retractile, their head hidden,
and their elytra very convex, though they are quite flat
beneath. In the former genus the tibise are armed with
a tooth in the middle. In them, and in all the preced-
ing species, the elytra are entirely glabrous, but in the
remainder of the family they are more or less clothed
with a short pubescence : this is especially evident in
Lasia globosa, a small, round, convex, reddish-brown
insect, variegated with many small irregular black spots
and streaks, though sometimes immaculate, common
on the coast.
The Scymni are found about fir-trees and in marshy
places ; they are very small and inconspicuous, dark in
colour, and having at most a red spot or stain on the
elytra. The larva of one of this genus has been ob-
served to feed upon small Aphides, and to be entirely
clothed with a white cottony secretion.
Lastly, the reddish species of Coccidula (one of which,
scutellata, has its elytra spotted with black) frequent
230 BRITISH BEETLES.
wet places, reeds, etc., and may be known by their com-
paratively narrow shape and posteriorly right-angled
thorax, which is narrower than the elytra.
The ENDOMYCHID^: (termed also Sulcicolles) have
comparatively long antenose; the thorax impressed be-
hind; the last joint of the maxillary palpi slightly
thickened, and never hatchet-shaped ; and the posterior
coxse wide apart.
Two of our genera, Endomychus and Lycoperdina,
are generally associated ; but the others, Mycetaa, Sym-
biotis, and Alexia, are usually separated and placed in
other families.
Endomychus contains one species, coccineus, beauti-
fully coloured and marked (Plate XV, Fig. 6) ; it occurs
not uncommonly under bark, in fungoid growth, and
presents a certain superficial likeness to some of the
ladybirds, from which its long, gradually- thickened
antennae, more elongate shape, and palpi of lesser de-
velopment will distinguish it. In some specimens the
thorax is entirely red, whilst in others it has a broad
black stripe down the entire middle. Its larva has
been found under fir and willow bark, and seems to
depart entirely from the type of its present allies, being
much like that of the Silphida, flat, with comparatively
long antennae ; the three first segments large, and the
remainder lobed at the sides.
Lycoperdina bovista, a little flattish black insect,
found in puff-balis, of rare occurrence, but plentiful
when found, is not unlike certain of the Heteromera
(Blaps or Heliopathes) in miniature. Its thorax has a
very deep longitudinal impression on each side.
Mycetcea hirta (a very small, coarsely-punctured, hairy,
brownish, ovate insect, contracted behind, and abundant
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA. 231
in old cellars) and Symbiotes latus (larger, wider, rarer,
and found in rotten wood), both gregarious, are by
some authors placed in the Lathridiadce, and by others in
the Cryptophagidce ; and Alexia pilifera, small, round,
globose, set with delicate but distinct hairs, strongly
punctured, but with no lateral impressions to its thorax,
commonly found in moss, is sometimes associated with
the Coccinellid<K, and at others eliminated from all com-
panionship, as an insect whose true position cannot be
ascertained.
The CORYLOPIHD.E (placed by continental authors
with the two next families, between AgafMdium and
Scaphidium in the Necrophaga) comprise several minute
insects of very difficult location, and not conspicuous,
except for their small size.
Their head is small (except in Clambus and its allies)
and retractile ; their antennae clavate at the apex ; their
thorax margined at the sides ; their elytra wide, generally
obtuse at the apex, and not covering the sides of the
abdomen ; their intermediate coxae rather and the pos-
terior very widely separated ; and the first segment of
their abdomen large.
The species occur in refuse heaps, cut grass, etc., and
are difficult to preserve in good condition on account of
their small size and feeble structure.
Cory tophus cassidoides (Plate XVI, Fig. 1), often
abundant on the coast, has its thorax red, and more or
less dark in the middle.
The genera Clambus and Comazus, the members of
which very closely resemble small species of Agathidium
in the Anisotomida, appear to be very difficult to place
in any arrangement. As far as external likeness goes
they might well be considered as allied to that genus,
232 BRITISH BEETLES.
and their tarsi would not be of much weight in such an
affinity, considering the irregularities in that respect of
the last-mentioned family; but their antennae, which
are nine-jointed, very slender, and with the eighth joint
suddenly very much enlarged ; and their very large and
laminated posterior coxae seem to bring them close to
the Trichopterygida. This approximation is made more
likely by the form and habits of the larva of Comazus
dubius (the only species of which the earlier stages have
hitherto been recorded), which appear to accord very
well with those of the Trichopterygidae.
The family SPH^ERIAD^E, consisting of one genus and
species, Sphcerius acaroides (taken in the Cambridge
fens), appears also to have certain characters in com-
mon with the Trichopterygidte, viz., a large projecting
labrum, the antennae with a suddenly enlarged and
ciliated club, and very large triangular posterior coxae.
It differs, however, from the latter in having the abdo-
men composed of only three segments, wings of the
ordinary shape, and the parts of the mouth (except the
labrum) not similarly formed.
S. acaroides is of extremely small size, globose above,
black and shining, with its anterior femora strongly
toothed ; and, as its name imports, resembles certain of
the Acari, or mites.
The TRICHOPTERYGIDAE (by far the most minute of all
Coleoptera, most of them being less than the sixth of a
line long) have eleven-jointed antennae, which are long,
very slender, beset with hairs, with a very large basal
ioint, and an abrupt three-jointed club; their elytra are
either truncate behind or cover the abdomen entirely ;
their wings (which are sometimes rudimentary) are
usually twice as long as the body, very narrow, com
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA. 233
posed of a thin neck and broader plate, fringed with
very long closely-planted hairs; their metathorax is
very large; their abdomen composed of from five to
seven segments, of which the first or the last is usually
the largest ; and their tarsi are composed of three
joints, the apical being very long, and having a long
hair between its claws. The labrum is usually large
and transverse ; the mandibles short, arched, and sharp
at the point; and the maxillae have their stem much
developed and terminated in two lobes. In some of the
genera the posterior coxae are very much enlarged.
This family has been elaborately monographed by Dr.
Gillmeister (Nuremberg, 1845), whose drawings of its
minute species, admirably engraved by Sturm, are mo-
dels of what figures of insects should be.
Our species occur under bark, in wet leaves, marshy
places, refuse heaps, etc. ; and Trichopteryx atomaria
(one of the largest), a black, flattened, square little in-
sect, may be seen running actively if garden stuff be
shaken over brown paper, being often accompanied by
the smaller, narrower, more convex, and shining Pteni-
dium apicale (Plate XVI, Fig. 2).
Nossidium pilosellum, the largest of the family, convex,
and set with evident hairs, is rare, but occurs in profu-
sion when found, on the surface of decomposing wood ;
and the species of Ptinella y elongate, yellow, flat, with
their black folded wings showing through their elytra,
live under bark.
The LATHRIDIAD^E have clavate antennae inserted a
little before the eyes, the club being three-jointed in
Lathridius and Corticaria, and two-jointed in Holopa-
ramecus ; the latter is also noteworthy on account of
the variation of the number of joints from nine to
234 BRITISH BEETLES.
eleven in the antennae of certain of its species, of which,
however, we possess but one, probably introduced from
abroad.
Their femora are clavate, and tibiae slender and wiry,
with obsolete apical spurs ; their mentum more or less
hexagonal, their labial palpi apparently bi- articulate, the
third joint being soldered to the second, which is in-
flated; their mandibles bifid at the apex (sometimes
very minutely so), and their maxillse bilobed, but with
the outer lobe obsolete.
These insects are by most authors placed between the
Crytophagida and Mycetophagida, and a very clear
statement of the reasons for thus locating them is given
by Mr. Wollaston in the f Entomologists' Monthly Ma-
gazine/ vol. i. p. 14. But it appears from the evidence
afforded that the parts of the mouth are certainly feebly
developed, the ligula having been variously described, and
being not satisfactorily visible ; the labial palpi, although
in reality not of so abnormal a structure as to consist of
only two joints, yet requiring a high power and pola-
rized light to show even the suture in the middle of
what has hitherto been considered the apical joint, and
the maxillae exhibiting a considerable amount of atrophy.
It would, therefore, seem inadvisable to place this family
among those of so much higher development, even if
the debased structure of all their tarsi, their brittle in-
teguments, and the wiry nature of their legs (which are
sometimes partially retractile), did not still further
separate them.
Our species of Lathridius are found in refuse heaps,
dry wood, etc., the largest, L. lardarius (Plate XVI,
Fig. 3), occurring plentifully in grassy places in some
of the midland counties. It received its unsuggestive
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA. 235
specific name on account of having been reared by its
discoverer from larvae found in a dry pig's bladder; and
many similar instances of inappropriate baptisms occur,
through insects having been observed for the first time
under accidental circumstances.
Another species, L. nodifer, much smaller, dull black,
with little humps on its elytra, is now very common in
cut grass, rubbish heaps, etc., all over the south and
midland parts of the country, though unknown some
few years ago. When quite fresh it has a thin white
membrane on each side of its thorax, somewhat like the
pellicle filling up the marginal notch in the same part
of Ochthebius.
In this genus the body is never pubescent, or the
sides of the thorax crenulated, as in its ally Corticaria,
the species of which are more convex and cylindrical,
and have the front coxae more approximated.
The PSELAPHID^E are often considered as belonging
to the Brachelytra, apparently for the sole reason of
their elytra being short. They constitute a very well-
defined and most interesting group of small species,
especially distinguished by their abbreviated elytra, acute
mandibles, prominent granulated eyes, more or less
abruptly clubbed antennae (of which the last joint is
very large), elongated and highly-developed maxillary
palpi, margined abdomen (nearly all of which is ex-
posed), clavate femora, obsoletely- spurred tibiae, and
usually single-clawed tarsi. They are shining, hard,
light-yellow, brown or red in colour, and with a dis-
tinct neck to the head. The Pselaphida have been mo-
nographed by Leach, Reichenbach, and Aube ; also by
Denny, Norwich, 1825 (with coloured plates) .
They are mostly found in moss, damp marshy places,
236 BRITISH BEETLES.
refuse heaps, or ants' nests, and are supposed to feed on
Acari.
Our species (most of which are very small) are di-
vided into two sub-families, the Pselaphides and Clavige-
rides, in the former of which the eyes and palpi are well
developed, and the antennae are eleven-jointed, whilst
in the latter the eyes and parts of the mouth are obso-
lete, and the antennae are five-jointed, with a four-
jointed club.
Of the Pselaphides many curious forms are found in
this country; the type genus Pselaphus affording two,
one of which, P. Heisii (Plate XVI, Fig. 4), is of fre-
quent occurrence in moss, and may be known from its
allies by its depressed body (which is broadest behind),
entire sutural striae, very long and thin palpi and legs,
and long and stout antennas. Its ally, P. dresdensis, is
darker, arid has a semicircular impressed line at the base
of the thorax.
Our species of Bryaxis are found in wet marshy
places, among moss and reeds, at the sides of rivers,
or on the sea-shore under heaps of vegetable matter or
stones. They have long antennae, and are mostly black
or dark-brown, having often red elytra, and being some-
times entirely pale; their shape is more convex than
that of Pselaphus, their dorsal stria abbreviated, and
their thorax (which is convex and contracted behind)
usually has three large punctuations behind and at the
sides. The largest, B. sanguinea, has the antennae very
long in the male.
The Bythini are much smaller, convex, and with short
antennae, of which the basal joint is much dilated. In
the males (which are by far the rarest) the second joint
.also is subject to a still more considerable increase in
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA. 237
volume, assuming in some species an irregular and
toothed appearance. The palpi are nearly equal in
balk to the antennae, the apical joint being strongly
hatchet-shaped and elongate. The elytra are always
more or less distinctly punctured in this genus, which,
with Bryaxis, is apterous.
In Tychus, the fifth joint of the antennae is much en-
larged in the male.
The species of Trichonyx are of considerable rarity,
and of (comparatively) large size ; they are light testa-
ceous in colour, of more elongate shape, and with the
antennae widely distant at the base instead of approxi-
mated, as in the preceding. They have been taken
under bark, among black ants in a tree, with yellow
ants under stones, and (in greater quantity) from moss.
The Euplecti resemble Trichonyx in miniature, having
the antennae distant at the base, but they are more linear
and less convex, and occur in rotten wood, refuse heaps,
cut grass, etc., being, moreover, often taken on the wing.
Three species, E. nanus (Plate XVI, Fig. 5), signatus,
and Karstenii, are not uncommonly found together in
decaying vegetable matter \ and the collector, who has
the means of doing so, should not fail to keep a heap of
dead leaves, compost, twigs, and cut grass in his garden,
as it will be found a constant trap for these and many
other species.
Of the Clavigerides we possess one genus and species,
Claviger foveolatus (Plate XVI, Fig. 6), found in chalky
districts on the south coast and Surrey hills, associated
with small yellow ants, whose nests are formed under
large stones. It is very small, entirely yellow, shining,
eyeless, wingless, sluggish, with short stiff antennae, and
a deep depression in the middle of the abdomen.
238 BRITISH BEETLES.
There remain the following five genera, found in this
country, which have no connection with each other, and
cannot be located with certainty in any of the foregoing
families.
Phlceophilus, usually considered as allied to Myce-
tophagus and Triphyllus, and placed by some authors
among the Dasytidte. The single species known, P,
Edwardsi, was for a long time only found in this country,
where it is taken in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and
Dorset, living in the old lichen-covered boughs of oak-
trees. It is an oblong, convex, slightly pubescent,
strongly punctured insect ; with a dark thorax and grey
elytra, more or less variegated with darker lines ; and,
unlike the Mycetophagidce, is very sluggish. The three-
jointed club to its antennae (of which the two basal joints
are thickened), the incrassated apical joint of its maxil-
lary palpi, and its five-jointed tarsi, which are entire, ap-
pear to separate this insect from those with which it is
usually associated.
Diphyllus, placed usually among the Mycetophagida,
differs from the members of that family in its tarsi,
which have five joints, the fourth being extremely small,
and in the club of its antennae, which is composed oi
two joints. Our single species, lunatus, found in fungi
on bark in Norfolk, Somersetshire, etc., is very small
and dull black, with striated elytra, bearing a whil
crescent -shaped spot in the middle.
Myrmecoxenus (placed by Thomson between Lyct
and Ptinus in his division of Xylophagi) has four-joint*
tarsi ; the three first segments of the abdomen connal
(the first not being longer than the second) ; the club of
the antennae almost four-jointed ; the pygidium exposed,
and the head not extended from the thorax.
THE PSEUDOTRIMERA. 239
M. vaporariorum is a very rare, small, testaceous,
elongate, flat, parallel insect. It has been associated
with Lathridius, etc., and is usually found crawling on
walls near hot-beds or dung-heaps.
Aspidiphorus (Coniporus, Thorns.), left with doubt
by Redtenbacher and Lacordaire among the Byrrhida,
assigned by Erichson to the Ptimdce, and by Latreille to
the Dermestida, and latterly erected by Thomson into
a family, the Coniporidte, and placed by him in the
Xylophagi, between Dorcatoma and Sphindus (the last a
genus of uncertain position), still remains unsatisfac-
torily placed. Its tarsi are slender and heteromerous
(the first joint of the hinder pair being obsolete), with
the apical joint almost as long as all the rest; the legs
are not retractile; the antennae ten-jointed, the two
first joints being swollen, and the club elongate; the
clypeus large, and with a distinct suture ; the maxillae
with a horny tooth; the prosternum with no projection
behind the anterior coxae, but applied against the sloping
mesosternum ; the middle and hinder coxae widely dis-
tant ; and the abdomen with five segments, of which the
. first is much the largest. The only known species, A.
orbiculatuSj is very small, convex, delicately pubescent,
black, with the legs and antennae (except the club) fer-
ruginous, and the elytra punctate striate. It is rare, and
found in sandy places, on low plants.
Sphindus (variously associated with Anobium, Cis,
Tetratoma, Crypt ophaff us and Lyctus) has pentamerous
tarsi, of which the apical joint is as long as the preceding
joints together; its head ending in a small quadrangular
rostrum ; and ten-jointed antennae, with a strong three-
jointed club.
S. dubius, very rare in England (where it has occurred
240 BRITISH BEETLES.
at Weyb ridge and in the New Forest) is a small pitchy-
brown insect, more or less variegated with ferruginous ;
having finely-striated elytra, and clothed with thin de-
pressed reddish pubescence. It lives in Lycoperdons, in
which also its larva is found. The latter is whitish, with
the head, upper part of thorax, and last segment of the
abdomen shining black ; and set with rather long hairs
on the sides and extremity.
241
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA*
ADEPHAGA.
meridionalis, Dej.
axillaris, Fab.
GEODEPHAGA.
Cicindelidse.
CICINDELA, Linn.
sylvatica, Linn.
quadrimaculatus, Linn.
quadrinotatus, Panz.
quadrisignatus, Dej.
fasciatus, Dej.
sigma, Daws.
v. / oblitus Boi.
vaporariorum, Linn.
BEACHINUS, Weber.
crepitans, Linn.
explodens, Duf.
v. ? glabratus, Dej.
hybrida, Linn.
sigma, jRossi.
sclopeta, Fab.
rnaritima, Dej.
fasciatus, Daws.
SCABITIDES.
campestris, Linn.
germanica, Linn.
inelanocephalus, Dej.
CLIYINA, Lot.
Carabidse.
BLECHEUS, Mots.
maurus, Sturm.
fossor, Linn.
collaris, Hbst.
LEBIADES.
ODACANTHA, Paylc.
nelanura, Linn.
METABLETTJS, SeJim.
obscuro-guttatus, Duf.
truncatellus, Linn.
DYSCHIEIUS, Panz.
nitidus, Dej.
impunctipennis, Daws.
DEYPTA, Fab.
lentata, Rossi.
foveola, Gyll.
LIONYCHUS, Wissm.
politus, Dej.
extensus, Putz.
elongatulus, Daws.
! POLYSTICHUS, Bon.
quadrillum, Duf.
salinus, Sch.
i'ittatus, BrulU.
! AETOPOETJS, sctm.
LEBIA, Latr.
crux minor, Linn.
angustatus, Ahr.
jejunus, Daws.
obscurus, Gyll.
imperialis, Germ.
turcica, Fab.
thoracicus, Fab.
DEMETEIAS, Son.
jtricapillus, Linn.
jinipunetatus, Germ.
DEOMIUS, Bon.
Migiceps, Dej.
.nearis, Oliv.
hsemorrhoidalis, Fab.
cyanocephala. Linn.
chlorocephala, Ent. H.
MASOEEUS, Dej.
Wetterhalii, Gyll.
TAEUS, Clairv.
seneus, Dej.
globosus, Hbst.
C ARAB IDES.
NOTIOPHILUS, Dum.
aquaticus, Linn.
palustris, Duf.
gilis, Fab.
humeraHs, Fab.
rufipes, Curt.
* Such genera and species as are printed in italics are reputed to be British,
3ut require further evidence before they can be considered truly indigenous.
R
242
BRITISH BEETLES.
biguttatus, Fab.
v. 4-punctatus, Dej.
substriatus, Waterh.
ELAPHEUS, Fab.
uliginosus, Fab.
cupreus, Duf.
lapponicus, Gyll.
riparius, Linn.
BLETHISA, Bon.
multipunctata, Linn.
LEISTUS, FroU.
spinibarbis, Fab.
fulvibarbis, Dej.
montanus, Steph.
ferruginous, Linn.
rufescens, Fab.
NEBEIA, Lat.
complanata, Linn.
livida, Linn.
brevicollis, Fab.
G-yllenhalii, Sch.
PELOPHILA, Dej.
borealis, Paylc.
CALOSOMA, Weber,
sycophanta, Linn.
inquisitor, Linn.
CAEABUS, Auct.
intricatus, Linn.
catenulatus, Scop.
monilis, Fab.
v. consitus, Panz.
arvensis, Fab.
granulatus, Linn.
cancellatus, III.
clathratus. Linn,
auratus, Linn.
nitens, Linn.
violaeeus, Linn,
convexus, Fab.
glabratus, Paylc.
nemoralis, Mull.
CYCHEUS, Fab.
ro stratus, Linn.
CHL^ENIADES.
PANAG^US, Lat.
crux major, Linn.
quadripustulatus, St.
LORICERA, Lat.
pilicornis, Fab.
LICINUS, Lat.
depressus, Paylc.
silphoides, Fab.
BADISTEE, Claim.
bipustulatus, Fab.
unipustulatus, Son.
peltatus, Panz.
humeralis, Bon.
CALLISTUS, Lat.
lunatus, Fab.
CHL^NItTS, Bon.
sulcicollis, Paylc.
holosericeus, Fab.
nigricornis, Fab.
Schrankii, Duf.
agrorum, Oliv.
vestitus, Paylc.
OODES, Bon.
helopioides, Fab.
FERONIADES.
POGONUS, Dej.
luridipennis, Germ.
chalceus, Marsh.
littoralis, Duf.
PATEOBTJS, Dej.
excavatus, Paylc.
assimilis, Chaud.
clavipes, Thorns.
septeritrionis, Dej.
v. rubripennis, Thorn.
PEISTONYCHUS, Dej.
terricola, Hbst.
SPHODEUS, Claire.
leucophthalmus, Linn.
CALATHUS, Bon.
piceus, Marsh.
cisteloides, Panz.
flavipes, Fourc.
fuscus, Fab.
mollis, Marsh.
melanocephalus, Linn.
v. nubigena, Halid.
micropterus, Duf.
TAPHEIA, Bon.
nivalis, Panz.
angusticollis, Fab.
livens, Gyll.
prasinus, Fab.
albipes, Fab.
oblongus, Fab.
marginatus, Linn.
sexpunctatus, Linn.
ericeti, Panz.
parumpunctatus, Fab.
gracilipes, Duf.
viduus, Panz.
versutus, Sturm.
mrestus, Duf.
atratus, Duf.
fuliginosus, Panz.
gracilis, Sturm.
scitulus, Dej.
micans, Nicol.
piceus, Linn.
Thoreyi, Dej.
pelidnus, Pay., n. Dw
quadripunctatus, Deg.
OLISTHOPTJS, Dej-.
rotundatus, Payk.
PTEEOSTICHUMw
cupreus, Linn.
v. 1 versicolor, Sturm,
dimidiatus, Oliv.
lepidus, Fab.
striola, Fab.
niger, III.
parumpunctatus, Germ
oblongo-punctatus, Fab
picimanus, Duf.
madidus, Fab.
gethiops, Panz.
aterrimus, Paylc.
orinomus, Steph.
melanarius, III.
nigrita, Fab.
anthracinus, III.
gracilis, Dej.
minor, Sahib.
vernalis, Panz.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
243
inaequalis, Marsh.
strenuus, Panz.
diligens, Sturm.
ruficollis, Marsh.
STOMIS, Ctairv.
pumicatus, Panz.
BEOSCUS, Panz.
cephalotes, Linn.
MISCODEEA, Etch.
arctica, PayTc.
ZABEUS, Clairv.
gibbus, Fab.
AMAEA, Bon.
. obsoleta, Dej.
\ similata, Gyll.
acuininata, PayTc.
trivialis, Gyll.
' spreta, Dej.
jlunicollis, Schio.
i communis, Panz,
i curta, Dej.
i familiaris, Duf.
^lucida, Duf.
tibialis, Payk.
iStrenua, Zimm,
plebeia, Gyll.
iingenua, Duf.
bifrons, Gyll.
jinfirna, Duf.
jrufocincta, Sahib.
'patricia, Duf.
.consularis, Duf.
apricaria, Fab.
fulva, Deg.
iaulica, Panz.
convexiuscula, Marsh.
HABPALIDES.
I ANISODACTYLUS,
Dej.
binotatus, Fab.
\ v. ? atricornis, Steph.
;poeciloides, Steph.
^ermanus, Linn.
DICHIEOTEICHUS,
Du Vol.
pubescens, PayTc.
obsoletus, Dej.
HAEPALTJS, Lat.
sabulicola, Panz.
difSnis, Dej.
? rotundicollis, Wat.
Cat.
obscurus, Fab., nee Daws.
azureus, Fab.
punctatulus, Duf.
cordatus, Duf.
rupicola, Sturm.
puncticollis, PayTc.
v. ? parallelus, Dej.
cribellum, Steph.
ruficornis, Fab.
griseus, Panz.
seneus, Fab.
honestus, Duf.
sulpburipes, Germ,
luteicornis, Dttf.
attenuatus, Steph.
tenebrosus, Dej.
discoideus, Fab.
latus, Linn.
rubripes, Duf.
cupreus, Dej.
caspius, Steven.
tardus, Panz.
melancholicus, Dej.
serripes, Schon.
servus, Duf.
anxius, Duf.
neglectus, Dej.
vernalis, Fab.
STENOLOPHUS, Meg.
teiitonus, Schr.
Skrimshiranus, Steph.
vespertinus, III.
elegans, Dej.
consputus, Duf.
meridianus, Linn.
dorsalis, Fab.
brunnipes, Sturm.
derelictus, Daws.
flavicollis, Sturm.
exiguus, Dej.
v. luridus, Dej.
BEADYCELLUS, Er.
placidus, Gyll.
cognatus, G-yll.
distinctus, Dej.
fulvus, Marsh.
harpalinus, Dej.
collaris, Payk.
similis, Dej.
TBECHIDES.
TEECHUS, Clairv.
discus, Fab.
micros, Hbst.
longicornis, Sturm.
rubens, Fab.
lapidosus, Daws.
rivularis, Gyll.
minutus, Fab.
obtusus, Er.
secalis, PayTc.
^EPYS, Leach.
marinus, Strom.
Eobinii, Lab.
BLEMTJS, Ziegl.
areolatus, Creutz.
BEMBIDIADES.
LYMN^TJM, Steph.
nigropiceum, Marsh.
CILLENUM, Curt.
laterale, Sam.
BEMBIDITJM, Lat.
Fockii, Humm.
C[uadrisignaturn, Duf.
scutellare, Germ.
bistriatum, Duf.
obtusum, Sturm.
quinquestriatum, Gyll.
rufescens, Guerin.
biguttatum, Fab.
aeneum, Germ.
guttiila, Fab.
Mannerheimii, Sahl.
femoratum, Sturm.
bruxellense, Wesm.
concinnum. Steph.
littorale, OUv.
fluviatile, Dej.
R 2
244
BRITISH BEETLES.
lunatum, Duf.
saxatile, Gyll.
testaceuni, Duf.
decorum, Panz.
stomoides, Dej.
monticola, Sturm.
nitidulum, Marsh.
affine, Steph.
tibiale, Duf.
atrocseruleum, Steph.
prasinum, Dvf.
flammulatum, Claire.
ustulatum, Linn.
obliquum, Sturm.
adustum, Schaum.
fumigatum, Duf.
ephippium, Marsh.
assimile, Gyll.
Clarkii, Daws.
nigricorne, Gyll.
lampros, Hbst.
Schuppelii, Dej.
gilvipes, Sturm.
pusillum, Gull.
doris, Panz.
normannum, Dej.
Sturmii, Panz.
articulatum, Panz.
quadriguttatum, Fab.
callosum, Kust.
quadrimaculatum, Linn.
bipunctatum, Linn.
punctulatum, Dray.
pallidipenne, III.
paludosum, Panz.
TACHYPUS, Meg.
flavipes, Linn.
pallipes, I>uf.
HYDRADEPHA GA.
Dytiscidae.
HALIPLIDES.
HALIPLUS, Lat.
elevatus, Panz.
mucronatus, Steph.
fulvus, Fab.
flavicollis, Sturm.
variegatus, Sturm.
affinis, Steph.
ruficollis, Deg.
fluviatilis, Aube.
obliquus, Fob.
confim's, Steph.
lineatocollis, Marsh.
CNEMIDOTUS, III.
C8BSUS, Duf.
PELOBIADES.
PELOBITJS, Schon.
Hermann!, Fab.
HYDROPOKIDES.
HYPHYDEUS, III.
ovatus, Linn,
variegatus, Aube.
HYDROPORUS, Cl.
insequalis, Fab.
quinquelineatus, Zett.
reticulatus, Fab.
decoratus, Gyll.
geminus, Fab.
12-pustulatus, Fab.
elegans, III.
Davisii, Curt.
assimilis, PayTc.
septentrionalis, Gyll.
rivalis, Gyll.
halensis, Fab.
griseostriatus, De G.
picipes, Fab.
parallelogrammus, Ahr.
novemlineatus, Steph.
confluens, Fab.
dorsalis, Fab.
latus, Steph.
rythrocephalus, Linn.
rufifrons, Duf.
marginatus, Duf.
derelictus, Clark. *
planus, Fab.
pubescens, Gyll.
xanthopvis, Steph.
nitidus, Sturm.
ferruginous, Steph.
memnonius, Nicol.
Gyllenhalii, Schi.
melanarius, Sturm.
nigrita, Fab.
melanocephalus, Gyll.
^ristis, Payk.
umbrosus, Gyll.
angustatus, Sturm.
obscurus, Sturm.
celatus, Clark.
vittula, Er.
Scalesianus, Steph.
tinctus, Clark.
palustris, Linn.
lineatus, Oliv.
flavipes, Oliv.
granularis, Linn.
pictus, Fab.
lepidus, Oliv.
DYTISCIDES.
HYDATICTJS, Lead
transversalis, Fab.
Hybneri, Fab.
stagrtalis. Fab.
cinereus, Fab.
ACILIUS, Leach.
sulcatus, Linn.
fasciatus, Deg.
EUNECTES, Er.
sticticus, Linn.
DYTISCUS, Linn.
lapponicus, Gyll.
circumflexus, Fab.
circumcinctus, Ahr.
marginalis, Linn.
dimidiatus, Bergst.
punctulatus, Fab.
CYBISTER, Curtis,
oeselii, Fab.
COLYMBETES, Claw.
fuscus, Linn.
pulverosus, Sturm.
notatus, Fab.
exoletus, Forst.
bistriatus, Bergst.
adspersus, Fab.
Grapii, Gyll.
ILYBITJS, Er.
ater, Deg.
sexdentatus, Schi.
obscurus, Marsh.
fenestratus, Fab.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
245
fctiger, Gyll.
igustior r Gyll.
inosus, Linn.
AGABUS, Leach.
.is, Fab.
icus, Payk.
fiiginosus, Payk.
femoralis, Payk.
pngener, Payk.
Iturmii, Gyll.
[halconotus, Panz.
paculatus, Linn.
ibbreviatus, Fab.
lidymus, Oliv.
Jrunneus, Fab.
)aludosus, Fab.
hpunctatus, Fab.
pnspersus, Marsh.
Ipittatus, Payk.
bntinalis, Steph.
ffiSnis, Payk.
triolatus, Gyll.
kpustulatus, Linn.
Seiche.
ninutus, Linn.
lyalinus, Deg.
[ariegatus, Germ.
NOTERU8, Clairv.
irassicornis, Fab.
lemipunctatus, Fab.
Gyrinidse.
2YRINUS, Geoff.
narinus, Gyll.
atator, Linn.
pinutus, Fab.
Rcolor, Payk.
irinator, III.
ORKCTOCHILUS,^
illosus, Fab.
IBKACHELYTRA.
Aleocliaridse.
AUTALIA, Leach.
tnpressa, Oliv.
Mincticollis, Sharp.
ivularis, Gr.
BORBOROPORA, Ktz.
Kraatzii, Fuss.
FALAGRIA, Leach.
sulcata, PayTc.
sulcatula, PayTc.
thoracica, Steph.
obscura, Grav.
BOLITOCHARA,
Mann.
lucida, Grav.
hmulata, PayTc.
bella, Mark.
obliqua, Er.
PHYTOSUS, Curt.
spinifer, Cwrt.
balticus, Ktz.
nigriventris, Wat. Cat.
READINOIA,
Scott, M.S.
thalassina, Scott, M.S.
SILUSA, Er.
rubiginosa, Er.
OCALEA, Er.
picata, Steph.
rivularis, Miller.
badia, Er.
ISCHNOGKLOSSA, Kz.
corticalis, Steph.
corticina, Er.
LEPTUSA, Kz.
analis, Ktz.
fumida, Er.
ruficollis, Er.
THTASOPHILA, Kz.
angulata, Er.
inquilina, Mark.
Kirbyi, Jans. (Eu-
ry usa) .
EURYUSA, Er.
sinuata, Er.
laticollis, Heer.
HOMCEUSA, Kz.
acuminata, Mark.
HAPLOGLOSSA, Kz.
gentilis, Luen.
Dulla, Gyll.
nidicola, Fairm.
prsetexta, Er.
ALEOCHARA, Grav.
ruficornis, Grav.
fuscipes, Fab.
v. lata, Gyll.
btmaculata, Ste.
bipunctata, Ol.
brevipennis, Grav.
fumata, Grav.
lanuginosa, Grav.
obscurella, Grav.
Fauvelii.
Kirbii, Steph.
procera, Er.
spadicea, Er.
moesta, Grav.
mycetophaga, Kz.
moerens, Gyll.
sanguinea, Ste.
bisignata, Er.
bilineata, Gyll.
nitida, Gr.
inconspicua, Aube.
morion, Gr.
DTNARDA, Mann.
Ma3rkellii, Kies.
dentata, Grav.
LOMECHTJSA, Gr.
strumosa, Fab.
ATEMELES, Dillwyn.
paradoxus, Gr.
emarginatus, PayTc.
MYRMEDONIA, Er.
Haworthi, Steph.
collaris, Payk.
humeralis, Gr.
cognata, Mark.
funesta, Gr.
limbata, Payk.
lugens, Gr.
laticollis, Mark.
plicata, Er.
canaliculata, Fab.
ILYOBATES, Kz.
nigricollis, Payk.
propinqua, Aube.
forticornis, Lac.
246
BRITISH BEETLES.
CALLICERTJS, Curtis.
HOMALOTA, Mann.
vilis, Er.
obscurus, Gr.
currax, Kz.
parallela, Mann.
rigidicornis, Er.
CALODEEA, Mann.
debilicornis, Er.
velox, Ktz.
Fragilicornis, Kz.
flavipes, Gr.
confusa, Mark.
anceps, Er.
nigrita, Mann.
pagana, Er.
brunnea, Fab.
sethiops, Gr.
vestita, Gr.
hepatica, Er.
umbrosa, Er.
oblonga, Er.
xanthoptera, Steph.
riparia, Er.
nitidula, Mark.
euryptera, Steph.
ISCHNOPODA, Steph.
longitarsis, Steph.
rubicunda, Er.
vicina, Steph.
sjraminicola, Gr.
languida, Er.
sulcifrons, Steph.
trinotata, Thorns.
triangulum, Kz.
nigricornis, Steph.
sublinearis, Kz.
TACHYUSA, Er.
planifrons, Waterh.
nigritula, Gr.
constricta, Er.
coarctata Er.
gregaria, Er.
cambrica, Tf^oll.
fuscofemorata, Wat.
sodalis, Er.
scitula Er.
fluviatilis, Kraatz.
divisa, Mark.
leucopa, Marsh.
umbratica, Er.
atra, Gr.
concolor, Er.
uvida Er.
irabecilla, Waterh.
elongatula, Gr.
hygrotopora, Kz.
luridipennis, Mann.
luteipes, Er.
Thomsoni, Jans.
coriaria, Miller.
angusticollis, Thorns.
autumnalis, Er.
variabilis, Kz.
sulcata, Kies.
fragilis, Kz.
nigra, Kz.
labilis, Er.
cinnamomea, Gr.
OCYUSA, Kz.
ca3rulea, Sahib.
hospita, Mark.
maura, Er.
plumbea, Waterh.
subterranea, Muls.
picina, Aube.
fallai, Kz.
scapularis, Sahib.
OXYPODA, Mann.
longula, Heer.
puncticeps, Thorns.
dilaticornis, Ktz.
liturata, Steph.
ruficornis, Mann.
maritima, Waterh.
oblita, Er.
luteipennis, Er.
occulta, Er.
amicula, Steph.
vittata, Marie.
monticola, Thorns.
sordidula, Er.
opaca, Gr.
excellens, Kz.
inquinula, Er.
longiuscula, Gr.
incana, Er.
marcida, Er.
lentula, Er.
nigella, Er.
subrugosa, Kies.
umbrata, Er.
sequata, Er.
intermedia, Thorns.
brevicornis, Steph.
angustula, Mann.
longicornis, Gr.
exigua, Er.
linearis, Gr.
villosula, Kz.
exoleta, Er.
pilicornis, Thorns.
Isevana, Muls.
rufula, Muls.
pilosa, Kraatz.
atraraentaria, Gyll.
alternans, Gr.
debilis, Er.
palustris, Kies.
lucens, Muls.
deformis. Kz.
lepida, Ktz.
glabriventris, Rye.
plana, Mann.
sordida, Marsh.
formiceticola, Mark.
immersa, Er.
melanaria, Mann.
heemorrhoa, Mann.
cuspidata, Er.
aterrima, Gr.
aterrima, Waterh.
gemina, Er.
pygmsea, Gr.
nigrina, Waterh.
analis, Gr.
laticollis, Steph.
nigrofusca, Waterh.
? soror, Ktz.
castanipes, Steph.
annularis, Mann.
segra, Seer.
parva, Sahib.
misella, Ktz.
palleola, Er.
picipes, Steph.
? helvola, Er.
oxilis, Er.
fungi, Gr.
brachyptera, Steph.
inconspicua, Er.
orbata, Er.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
247
' pulchra, Kr.
; client ula, Er.
notha, Er.
tibialis, Heer.
eircellaris, Gr.
csesula, Er.
PLACUSA, Er.
; infiraa, Er.
pumilio, Grav.
PHLCEOPOEA, Er.
'reptans, Gr.
corticalis, Gr.
I HYGEONOMA, Er.
. dimidiata, Gr.
SCHISTOGLOSSA, Kz.
\ viduata, Er.
OLIGOTA, Mann.
pygmsea, Ktz.
pusillima, Gr.
atomaria, Er.
inflata, Mann.
granaria, Erichs.
flavicornis, Lac.
apicata, Er.
coinplicans, Westw.
GYEOPH^NA, Mann.
gentilis, Er.
pulchella, Heer.
\ affinis, Sahib.
nana, Paylc.
\ fasciata, Marsh.
Isevipennis, Thorns.
| lucidula, Er.
\ minima, Er.
manca, Er.
\ strictula, Er.
j AGARICOCHAEA, Kz.
\ laevicollis, Kraatz.
DIGLOSSA, Halid.
\ mersa, Halid.
MYLL^NA, Er.
dubia, Erichs.
dia, Erichs.
minuta, Erichs.
gracilis, Matth.
elongata, Matth.
brevicornis, Matth.
infuscata, Kraatz.
GYMNUSA, Karsten.
brevicollis, Payk.
variegata, Kies.
DINOPSIS, Matth.
erosus, Steph.
Tachyporidse.
HYPOCYPTUS, Schilp.
longicornis, Payk.
pulicarius, Erichs.
discoideus, Erichs.
anisotomoides, Steph.
? seminulum, Er.
? pygmseus, Kraatz.
TEICHOPHYA, Mann.
pilicornis, Mann.
HABEOCEEUS, Er.
capillaricornis, Grav.
LEUCOPAEYPHUS,
Kz.
silphoides, Linn.
TACHINUS, Grav.
humeralis, Grav.
proximus, Ktz.
pallipes, Grav.
rufipes, Fab.
flavipes, Fab.
rufipennis, G-yll.
scapularis, Steph.
bipustulatus, Grav.
subterraneus, Linn.
marginellus, Fab.
laticollis, Grav.
collaris, Grav.
elongatulus, Grav.
TACHYPOEUS, Grav.
obtusus, Linn.
v. nitidicollis, Steph.
ruficollis, Wat. Cat.
formosus, Matth.
? abdoininalis, Er.
solutus, Erichs.
chrysomelinus, Linn.
hypnorum, Fab.
pusillus, Grav.
humerosus, Grav.
tersus, Er.
transversalis, Grav.
scitulus, Er.
brunneus, Fa 1 ).
LAMPEINTJS, Heer.
saginatus, Grav.
CONUETJS, Steph.
litoreus, Linn.
pubescens, Grav.
immaculatus, Steph.
pedicularius, Grav.
liyidus, Er.
bipunctatus, Er.
BOLITOBIUS, Steph.
analis, Payk.
cingulatus, Mann.
inclinans, Grav.
formosus, Grav.
atricapillus, Fab.
trinotatus, Er.
exoletus, Er.
pygmseus, Fab.
BEYOPOEUS, Kr.
cernuus, Grav.
castaneus, H. and Sold.
lucidus, Er.
punctus, Grav.
splendens, Marsh.
brunneus, Marsh.
longulus, Mann.
lepidus, Grav.
angularis, Muls.
nanus, Grav.
clavicornis, Steph.
splendidus, Grav.
longicornis, Ktz.
Quediadse.
ACYLOPHOEUS,
Nord.
glabricollis, Lac.
248
BRITISH BEETLES.
ETJEYPOEUS, Er.
picipes, PayJc.
HETEROTHOPS, Step.
preevius, Er.
binotatus, Steph.
dissimilis, Grav.
quadripunctulus, Grav.
QUEDIUS, Leach.
dilatatus, Fab.
lateralis, Grav.
fulgidus, Er.
truncicola, Fairm.
cruentus, Oliv.
xanthopus, Er.
longicornis, Kr.
scitus, Grav.
Isevigatus, G-yll.
impressus, Panz.
brevis, Er.
molochinus, Grav.
tristis, Orav.
fuliginosus, Grav.
picipes, Mann.
fumatus, Steph.
umbrinus, Er.
ruficollis, Steph.
maurorufus, Grav.
humeralis, Steph.
fuscipes, Steph.
fulricollis, Steph.
semiobseurus, Marsh.
semiseneus, Steph.
attenuatus, Gyll.
boops, Grav.
auricomus, Kies.
infuscatus, Er.
ASTRAP^EUS, Grav.
ulmi, Rossi.
St aphy linidse .
CREOPHILTJS, Kirby,
maxillosus, Linn.
EMUS, Leach.
hirtus, Linn.
LEISTOTROPHUS,
Pert.
nebtilosus, Fab.
murinus, Linn.
STAPHYLINUS, Linn.
varians, PayJc.
stercorarius, Oliv.
atebricola, Grav.
'ulvipes, Scop.
aubescens, Deg.
erythropterus, Linn.
csesarius, Ceder.
agilis, Grav.
debilis, Grav.
ventralis, Grav.
discoid eus, Grav.
vernalis, Grav.
quisquiliarius, Gyll.
splendidulus, Grav.
OCYPUS (Kirby), Er.
;hermarum, Aube.
? umarius, Grav.
olens, Mull.
cyaneus, PayJc.
nigrita, Nord.
micans, Grav.
similis, Fob.
brunnipes, Fab.
fuscatus, Grav.
cupreus, Rossi.
pedator, Grav.
ater, Grav.
morio, Grav.
compress us, Marsh.
rubripennis, Steph.
? fulvipes, Fab.
nigntulus, Grav.
pullus, Nord.
punctus, Grav.
puella, Nordm.
cinerascens, Grav.
villosulus, Steph.
PHILONTHTJS, Leach.
signaticornis, Muls.
splendens, Fab.
interinedius, Lac.
laminatus, Steph. .
procerulus, Grav.
prolixus, Er.
sericeus, Holme.
succicola, Thorns.
carbon arius, Wat. Cat.
XantholinidsB.
punctiventris, Kraatz.
XANTHOLINUS,Z)aAJ
temporalis, Muls.
seneus, Rossi.
scutatus, Er.
decorus, Grav.
politus, Fab.
lucens, Mann.
umbratilis, Grav.
fulgidus, Fab.
glabratus, Grav.
glaber, Nord.
punctulatus, PayJc.
ochraceus, Gyll.
atratus, Heer.
tricolor, Fab.
varius, Gyll.
albipes, Grav.
atratus, Grav.
linearis, Oliv.
longiventris, Heer.
marginatus, Fab.
LEPTACINUS, Er.
lepidus, Grav.
sordidus, Grav.
parumpunctatus, Gyll.
fimetarius, Grav.
batychrus, Gyll.
cephalotes, Grav.
fuscus, Grav.
linearis, Grav.
formicetorum, Mark.
xantholoma, Grav.
fucicola, Steph.
OTHIUS, Steph.
ebeninus, Grav.
fulvipennis, Fab.
corvinus, Er.
Iseviusculus, Kirly.
fumigatus, Er.
melanocephalus, Grav.
sanguinolentus, Grav.
bipustulatus, Panz.
BAPTOLINIJS, Kr.
longicornis, Steph.
alternans, Grav.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
249
Psederidse.
LATHROBIUM,
Grav.
brunnipes, Fab.
elongatum, Linn.
boreale, Hoch.
'geminum, Ktz.
fulvipenne, Grav.
rufipenne, Gyll.
multipunctum, Grav.
angusticolle, Lac.
quadratum, PayTc.
terminatum, Grav.
punctatum, Nord.
filiforme, Grav.
longulum, Grav.
pallidum, Nord.
ACHENIUM, Leach.
depressum, Grav.
huraile, Nicol.
CRYPTOBJUM, Mann.
fracticorne, PayTc.
STILICUS, Lat.
RUGILTTS, Leach.
fragilis, Grav.
rufipes, Ger.
subtilis, Er.
similis, Er.
geniculatus, Er.
affiriis, Er.
orbiculatus, PayTc.
SCOP^EUS, Er.
Isevigatus, Gyll.
sulcicollis, Steph.
LITHOCHARIS, Lac.
castanea, Grav.
maritima, Aub4.
fuscula, Mann.
brunnea, Er.
ripicola, Ktz.
apicalis, Kr.
ochracea, Grav.
obsoleta, Nord.
melanocephala, Fab.
tricolor, Marsh.
SUNIITS, Leach.
filiformis, Latr.
intermedius, Er.
angustatus, Payk.
P^DERUS, Grav.
littoralis, Grav.
riparius, Linn.
fuscipes, Curt.
caligatus, Er.
ruficollis, Fab.
sanguinicollis, Steph.
Stenid88.
EV^ISTHETUS, Grav.
scaber, Grav.
laeviusculus, Mann.
ruficapillus, Lac.
DIANOUS, Leach.
caerulescens, Gyll.
STENTJS, Lat.
biguttatus, Linn.
bipunctatus, Er.
guttula, Mill
bimaculatus, Gyll.
Juno, Fab.
asphaltinus, Er.
ater, Mann.
longitarsis, Thorns.
buphthalmus, Grav.
morio, Er.
atratulus, Er.
melanarius, Steph.
incrassatus, Er.
melanopus, Marsh.
nitens, Steph.
canaliculatus, Gyll.
opacus, Er.
? debilis, Diet. M.S.
pusillus, Kirly.
exiguus, Er.
speculator, Lac.
Rogeri, Ktz.
? Sylvester, Crotch Cat.
scrutator, Er.
lustrator, Er.
Gruynemeri, Du Vol.
proditor, Er.
Argus, Grav.
submarginatus, Steph.
fuscipes, Grav.
circularis, Grav.
nanus, Steph.
declaratus, Er.
crassus, Steph.
nigritulus, Er.
crassiventris, Thorns.
v. littoralis, Thorns.
nigritulus, Gyll.
unicolor, Steph.
brunnipes, Steph.
opticus, Grav.
binotatus, Ljungh.
pubescens, Steph.
plantaris, Er.
bifoveolatus, Gyll.
nitidus, Steph.
brevicollis, Thorns.
foveicollis, Kr.
bifoveolatus, Er.
picipes, Steph.
picipennis, Er.
nitidiusculus, Steph.
gonymelas, Steph.
ossium, Steph.
impressus, Germ.
geniculatus, Grav.
Erichsoni, CJanson, M.S.J
Rye.
flavipes, Er. nee Steph.
fuscicornis, Er.
palustris, Er.
pallipes, Grav.
flavipes, Steph.
filum, Er.
Kiesenwetteri, Ros.
tarsalis, Ljungh.
oculatus, Grav.
solutus, Er.
cicindeloides, Grav.
fulvicornis, Steph.
latifrons, Er.
fornicatus, Steph.
Oxytelidse.
OXYPORUS, Fab.
rufus, Linn,
maxillosus, Fab.
BLEDIUS, Leach.
taurus, Germ.
bicornis, Germ.
tricornis, Hbst.
unicornis, Germ.
250
BRITISH BEETLES.
talpa, Gyll.
THINOBIUS, Kies.
subterraneus, Er.
brunneipennis, Kr.
fuscipes, Rye.
iOngipennis, Kies.
arenarius, Payk.
jrevipennis, Kies.
opacus, Slock.
fracticornis, Payk.
SYNTOMIUM, Curt.
femoralis, G-yll.
seneum, Mull.
longulus, Er.
atricapillus, Germ.
COPROPHILUS, Lat.
crassicollis, Lac.
striatulus, Fab.
erraticus, Er.
PLATYSTETHUS,
Man.
ACROaNATHUS, Er.
mandibularis, Gyll.
cornutus, Grav.
DELEASTER, Er.
morsitans, Payk.
dichrous, Grav.
capito, Seer.
nodifrons, Sahib.
Homaliadse.
nitens, Sahib.
ANTHOPHAGUS,
OXYTELUS, Mann.
Grav.
rugosus, Fab.
alpinus, Fab.
insecatus, Grav.
testaceus, Grav.
sculptus, Grav.
aEODROMICUS,.Ke<ft.
piceus Grav.
laqueatus, Marsh.
inustus, Grav.
nigrita, Mill.
globulicollis, Mann.
sculpturatus, Grav.
LESTEVA, Lat.
nitidulus, Grav.
maritimus, Thorns.
complanatus, Er.
bicolor, Fab.
Sharpi.
pubescens, Mann.
depressus, Grav.
speculifrons, Kr.
punctata, Er.
HAPLODERUS, Steph.
ACIDOTA, Steph.
cselatus, Grav.
crenata, Fab.
cruentata, Mann.
ANCYROPHORUS,^.
omalinus, Er.
OLOPHRUM, Er.
longipennis, Fairm.
piceum, Gyll.
TROGOPHLCECrS,
fuscum, Er.
Mann.
LATHRIMJEUM, Er.
arcuatus, Steph.
atrocephalum, Gyll.
riparius, Lac.
unicolor, Marsh.
bilineatus, Er.
elongatulus, Er.
fuliginosus, Grav.
DELIPHRUM, Er.
tectum, Payk.
corticinus, Grav.
ARPEDIUM, Er.
halophilus, Kies.
foveolatus, Sahib.
brachypterum, Grav.
pusillus, Grav.
PHILORINUM, Kr.
tenellus, Er.
humile, Er.
MICRALYMMA,
Westw.
brevipenne, Gyll.
CORYPHIUM, Steph.
angusticolle, Steph.
HOMALIUM, Grav A
Iseviusculum, Gyll.
riparium, Thorns.
septentrionis, Thorns.
rivulare, Payk.
fossulaturn, Er.
Allardi, Fairm.
rugulipenne, Rye.
csesum, Grav.
nigriceps, Kies.
oxyacantb.se, Grav.
exiguum, Gyll.
monilicorae, Gyll.
planum, Payk.
lapponicum, Zett.
pineti, Thorns.
conform e, Ktz.
pusillum, Grav.
deplanatum, Gyll.
concinnuin, Marsh.
testaceum, Er.
vile, Er.
brevicorne, Er.
salicis, Gyll.
crassicorne, Matt.
florale, Fab.
nigrura, Grav.
iopteruin, Steph.
striatum, Grav.
pygmseum, Payk.
inflaturn, Gyll.
ETJSPHALERUM, R
primulse, Steph.
ANTHOBIUM, Leac
minutum, Fab.
torquatum, Marsh.
ophthalmicum, Payk.
sorbi, Gyll.
Protinidse.
PROTINUS, Lat.
ovalis, Steph.
brachypterus, Lat.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
251
macropterus, Qyll.
atomarius, Er.
depressus, Er.
sinuatocollis, Lac.
denticollis, Seek.
heniipterus, III.
PHLOEOBIUM, Er.
clypeatum, Mull.
Phlceocliaridse.
PHLCEOCHARIS, Man.
; subtilissima, Mann.
; PSETJDOPSIS, Newm.
'sulcatus, Newm.
Piestidse.
PROaNATHA, Lat.
I quadricorniSj^V. and Sp.
Micropeplidse.
! MICROPEPLUS, Lat.
porcatus, Fab.
' staphylinoides, Marsh.
tesserula, Curt.
i margaritse, Du V.
v. fulvus, Er.
NECROPHAGA.
Silphidse.
SILPHIDES.
JNECROPHORTJS, Fab.
' germanicus, Linn.
huinator, Fab.
ivestigator, Hersch.
interruptus, Steph.
I v. gallicus, Du Vol.
ruspator, Er.
w.microcephalus, TJims.
jmortuorum, Fab.
vespillo, Linn.
j NECRODES, Leach.
littoralis, Linn.
SILPHA, Linn.
thoracica, Linn.
rugosa, Linn.
dispar, Hbst.
sinuata, Fab.
opaca, Linn.
tristis, III.
nigrita, Creutz.
obscura, Linn.
reticulata, Fab.
quadripunctata, Linn.
Isevigata, Fab.
atrata, Linn.
subrotundata, Leach.
CHOLEVIDES.
CHOLEYA, Lat.
angustata, Fab.
v. ? Sturmii, Bris.
v. ? intermedia, Kr.
v. ? cisteloides, Frohl.
spadicea, Sturm.
agilis, III.
fusca, Panz.
nigricans, Spence.
coracina, Kelln.
morio, Fab.
longula, Kelln.
nigrita, Er.
grandicollis, Er.
Kirbyi, Spence.
pilicornis, Thorns.
longula, Murray.
tristis, Panz.
chrysomeloides, Panz.
Watson i, Sp.
fumata, Sp.
velox, Sp.
Wilkinii, Sp.
anisotomoides, Sp.
sericea, Fab.
varicornis, Rosen.
colonoides, Kr.
COLON, Hbst.
yiennense, Hbst.
puncticolle, Kr.
dentipes, Er.
Zebei, Kr.
deiitipes, Sahib.
spinipes, Hal.
appendiculatum, Sahib,
calcaratum, Er.
angulare, Er.
serripes, Sahib.
fusculum, Er.
brunneum, Latr.
latum, Kraatz.
ADELOPS, TellJc.
Wollastoni, Jans.
LEPTINUS, Miill.
testaceus, Miill.
SPH^RITES, Duf.
glabratus, Fab.
Scydmsenidse.
EUMICRUS, Lap.
tarsatus, Miill.
SCYDM^ENUS, Lat.
Godarti, Lat.
scutellaris, Mull.
collaris, Miill.
pusillus, Miill.
exilis, Er.
angulatus, Miill.
elongatulus, Miill.
rubicundus, Schaum.
Sparshallii, Denny.
pumilio, Schaum.
denticornis, Mull.
rutilipennis, Mull.
hirticollis, III.
nanus, Schaum.
CEPHENNIUM, Miill.
thoracicum, Miill.
? intermedium, Aube.
ETJTHIA, Steph.
plicata, Gyll.
Schaumii, Kies.
scydmaenoides, Steph.
Anisotomidse.
HYDNOBIUS, Schm.
Perrisii, Fairm.
punctatissimus, Steph.
punctatus, Sturm,
spinipes, Gyll.
strigosus, Schm.
ANISOTOMA, Enoch.
cinnamomea, Panz.
252
BRITISH BEETLES.
rugosa, Steph.
SCAPHISOMA, Leach.
Triepkii, Schm.
agaricina, Oliv.
picea, III.
boleti, Panz.
obesa, Schm.
assimilis, Er.
v. brunnea, Sturm.
dubia, Kiigel.
Histeridse.
furva, Er.
ciliaris, Schm.
HISTER, Linn.
ovalis, Schm.
quadrimaculatus, Linn.
calcarata, Er.
sinuatus, III.
nigrita, Sch.
quadrinotatus, Scri.
badia, Sturm.
unicolor, Linn.
parvula, Sahib.
neglectus, Germ.
litura, Steph.
cadaverinus, Ent.
ornata, Fairm.
succicola, Thorns.
CYRTUSA, Er.
merdarius, Ent. Hef.
carbonarius, 111.
minuta, Ahr.
marginatus, Er.
COLENIS, Er.
purpurascens, Hbst.
dentipes, Gyll.
stercorarius, Ent.
bis-sexstriatus, Fab.
AGARICOPHAGUS,
bimaculatus, Linn.
Schm.
12-striatus, Schr.
cephalotes, Schm.
v. ? 14-striatus, Gyll.
LIODES, Lat.
HET^RIUS, Godet.
humeralis, Fab.
sesquicornis, Preys.
glaber, Kug.
castaneus, Hbst.
DENDROPHILUS,
Jjea.
orbicularis, Hbst.
AMPHICYLLIS, Er.
punctatus, Hbst.
pygmseus, Linn.
glob us, Fab.
CARCINOPUS, Mars.
AGATHIDIUM, III.
14-striatus, Steph.
nigripenne, Fab.
minimus, Aube.
laevigatum, Er.
atrum, Payk.
seminulum, Linn.
PAROMALUS, Er.
flavicornis, Hbst.
rotundatum, Gyll.
SAPRINUS, Er.
varians, Beck.
rhinoceros, Sharp.
piceus, Payk.
rotundatus, III.
nigrinum, Sturm.
clypeatum, Sharp.
mandibulare, Wat. Cat.
nitidulus, Payk.
seneus, Fab.
immundus, Gyll.
convexum, Sharp.
virescens, Payk.
piceum, Crotch Cat.
4-striatus, Ent.
marginatura, Sturm.
rugifrons, Payk.
Scaphidiadse.
metallicus, Hbst.
niaritimus, Steph.
SCAPHIDIUM, Oliv.
TERETRIUS, Er.
quadrimaculatum, Oliv.
picipes, Fab.
ONTHOPHILUS, Lee*
sulcatus, Fab.
exaratus, III.
striatus, Fab.
PLEGADERUS, Er.
dissectus, Er.
ABBOTTS, Leach.
globosus, Ent. H.
granulum, Er.
ACEITUS, Le Conte
punctum, Aube.
nigricornis, Ent. H.
minutus, Payk.
Nitidulidse.
BRACHYPTEBIDl
CEECUS, Lat.
pedicularius, Linn.
bipustulatus, Payk.
rufilabris, Latr.
BRACHYPTERUS,
Kug.
gravidus, III.
urticse, Fab.
pubescens, Er.
CARPOPHILIDES.
CARPOPHILUS,S,
hemipterus, Linn,
sexpustulatus, Fab.
NITIDULIDES.
EPUR^A, Er.
10-guttata, Fab.
diffusa, Bris.
asstiva, Linn.
melina, Er.
deleta, Er.
obsoleta, Fab.
neglecta, Heer,
parvula, Sturm.
angustula, Er.
oblonga, Hbst.
pusilla, Hbst.
longula, Er.
florea, Er.
melanocephala, Mar,
limbata, Fab.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
253
NITIDULA, Fab.
fungicola, Heer.
ipustulata, Linn.
PHALACRIDES.
extiosa, Fab.
ufipes, Steph.
PHALACRUS, PayTc.
uadripustulata, Fab.
corruscus, PayTc.
SORONIA, Er.
substriatus, Gyll.
unctatissima, III.
caricis, Sturm.
risea, Linn.
OLIBRUS, Er.
AMPHOTIS, Er.
corticalis, Panz.
larginata, Fab.
seneus, Fab.
liquidus, Er.
OMOSITA, Er.
aifinis, Sturm.
epressa, Linn.
millefolii, Payk.
Dion, Linn.
pygmseus, Sturm.
iscoidea, Fab.
geminus, III.
THALYCRA, Er.
piceus, Er.
oblongus, Er.
jricea, Sturm.
PRIA, Kirby.
IPIDES.
ulcamarse, III.
CRYPTARCHA, Shuck.
[ELIGETHES, Kirby.
strigata, Fab.
afipes, Gyll.
imperialis, Fab.
imbaris, Sturm.
IPS, Fab.
neus, Fab.
iridescens, Fab.
)racinus, Sturm.
4-guttatus, Fab.
4-punctatus, Hbst.
4-pustulatus, Fab.
wvinus, Er.
fmphyti, Sturm.
ferrugineus, Fab.
ifficilis, Stitrm.
RHIZOPHAGUS,.ffis.
lemnonius, Er.
depressus, Fab.
edieularius, Gyll.
cribratus, Gyll.
jrripes, Gyll.
ferrugineus, PayTc.
mbrosus, Sturm.
perforatus, Er.
taurus, Sturm.
parallelocollis, Gyll.
miculus, Er.
nitidulus, Fab.
avipes, Sturm.
dispar, PayTc.
icipes, Sturm.
politus, Fab.
igubris, Sturm.
bipustulatus, Fab.
stinctus, Er.
cffiruleus, Waltl.
'ythropus, Gyll.
tilis, Sturm.
Trogositidse.
)lidus, Er.
POCADIUS, Er.
NEMOSOMA, Lat.
elongata, Linn.
rrugineus, Fab.
TROGOSITA, Oliv.
CYCHK AMIDES.
mauritanica, Linn.
3YCHRAMUS, Kugel.
THYMALUS, Lat.
iteus, Fab.
limbatus, Fab.
Colydiadse.
SARROTRIUM, III.
clavicorne, Linn.
ENDOPHLCEUS, Er.
spinulosus, Lat.
DITOMA, III.
crenata, Hbst.
SYNCHITA, Hellw.
juglandis, Fab.
CICONES, Curt.
variegatus, Hellw.
COLYDIUM, Fab.
elongatum, Fab.
TEREDUS, Shuck.
nitidus, Fab.
OXYL^MUS, Er.
cylindrious, Panz.
ca3sus, Er.
AGLENUS, Er.
brunneus, Gyll.
ANOMMATTJS, Wesm.
12-striatus, Mull.
CERYLON, Lat.
histeroides, Fab.
ferrugineum, Steph.
? deplanatum, OylL
MONOTOMA, Hbst.
conicicollis, AuM.
angusticollis, Gyll.
spinicollis, Aube.
picipes, PayTc.
brevicollis, Aube.
quadricollis, Aub$.
rufa, Eedt.
sub-4-foveolata, Wat.
quadrifoveolata, Aub.
longicollis, Gyll.
Cucujidse.
PEDIACUS, ShucTc.
dermestoides, Fab.
254
BRITISH BEETLES.
L^MOPHLCEUS, Er.
ferruginous, Steph.
duplicates, Walil.
pusillus, Schon.
bimaculatus, Payk.
ater, Oliv.
clematidis, Er.
DENDROPHAGTJS,
Schon.
crenatus, PayJc.
BRONTES, Fab.
planatus, Linn.
PSAMMCECUS, Boud.
bipunctatus, Fab.
' SILYANUS, Lat.
frumentarius, Fab.
? surinamensis, Linn.
bidentatus, Fab.
unidentatus, Fab.
adveiia, Waltl.
NAUSIBIUS, Schaum.
dentatus, Marsh.
Cryptophagidse.
ANTHEROPHAGUS,
Knock.
nigricornis, Fab.
silaceus, Hbst.
pallens, Oliv.
CRYPTO PHAGTJS,
Hbst.
populi, PayTc.
lycoperdi, Hbst.
setulosus, Sturm.
pilosus, Gyll.
saginatus, Sturm.
umbratus, Er.
scanicus, Linn.
badius, Sturm.
affinis, Sturm.
cellaris, Scop.
acutangulus, Oyll.
dentatus, Hbst.
ruflcornis, Steph.
distinguendus, Sturm.
bicolor, Sturm.
serratus, Gyll.
vini, Panz.
pubescens, Sturm.
PARAMECOSOMA,
Curtis.
melanocephala, Hbst.
ATOMARIA, Steph.
ferruginea. Sahib.
fimetarii, Hbst.
fumata, Er.
Barani, Bris.
nigriventris, Steph.
umbrina, Gyll.
diluta, Er.
linearis, Steph.
elongatula, Er.
peltata, Kr.
fuscipes, Gyll.
pusilla, Payk.
atricapilla, Steph.
v. ? berolinensis, Kr.
fuscata, Schon.
rhenana, Kr.
gutta, Steph.
mesomelas, Hbst.
v. atra, Woll.
basalis, Er.
munda, Er.
impressa, Er.
nigripennis, PayJc.
Hislopi, Woll.
apicalis, Er.
analis, Er.
ruficornis, Marsh.
versicolor, Er.
EPISTEMUS, Westw.
globosus, Waltl.
globulus, Payk.
Mycetophagidse.
MYCETOPHAGUS,
Hellw.
4-pustulatus, Linn.
piceus, Fab.
atomarius, Fab.
multipunctatus, Fab.
populi, Fab.
quadriguttatus, Mull.
TRIPHYLLUS, Meg.
punctatus, Fab.
suturalis, Fab.
LITARGUS, Er.
bifasciatus, Fab.
TYPH^A, Kirby.
fumata, Linn.
Dermestidse.
DERMESTES, Linn\
vulpinus, Fab.
Frischii, Kug.
rnurinus, Linn.
undulatus, Brahm.
laniarius, III.
lardarius, Linn.
ATTAGENUS, Lair.
pellio, Linn,
verbasci, Linn.
MEGATOMA, Herbst.
undata, Linn.
TIRESIAS, Steph.
serra, Fab.
ANTHRENUS, Geoff
scrophularice, Linn,
pimpinellte, Fab.
varius, Fab.
museorum, Linn.
claviger, Er.
TRINODES, Meg.
hirtus, Fab.
Byrrhidse.
NOSODENDRON, La
fasciculare, Fab.
SYNCALYPTA, Dill
setigera, III.
spinosa, Rossi.
BYRRHUS, Linn.
Dennii, Curt.
pilula, Linn.
fasciatus, Fab.
dorsalis, Fab.
murinus, Fab.
CYTILUS, Er.
varius, Fab.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
255
MOKYCHUS, Er.
8eneus, Fab.
SIMPLOCARIA, Steph.
, semistriata, Fab.
LIMNICHUS, Lat.
pygmseus, Sturm.
Heteroceridse.
IHETEROCERUS, Bosc.
irectus, Waterh.
iflexuosus, Steph.
obsoletus, Curt.
marginatus, Fab.
Isevigatus, Panz.
fusculus, Kies.
gericansj Kies.
Parnidse.
PAKNIDES.
PARNUS, Fab.
I prolifericornis, Fab.
\ auriculatus, ///.
| POTAMINUS, Sturm.
. substriatus, Mull.
ELMIDES.
LIMNIUS, Er.
! tuberculatus, Mull.
ELMIS, Lat.
smcus, Mull.
) Yolkmari, Panz.
j parallelopipedus, Mull.
| subviolaceus, Mull.
j cupreus, Mull.
nitons, Mull.
Georyssidae.
GEORYSSUS, Lat.
'pygmseus, Fab.
Hydrophilidse.
SPERCHEUS, Fab.
emarginatus, Fab.
HYDROCHUS, Germ.
brevis, Kbit.
carinatus, Germ.
longatus, Fab.
angustatus, Mull.
HELOPHORUS, Fab.
ugosus, Oliv.
mbilus, Fab.
quaticus, Linn.
ntermedius, Muls.
dorsalis, Muls.
granularis, Linn.
;riseus, Mbst.
dorsalis, Marsh.
arvernicus, Muls.
pumilio, Wat. Cat.
nanus, Sturm.
OCHTHEBIUS, Leach.
exsculptus, Miill.
margipallens, Lat.
rnarinus, Payk.
eeneus, Waterh.
sygmaeus, Fab.
jicolon, Steph.
rufimarginatus, Steph.
xaratus, Muls.
ratus, Steph.
punctatus, Steph.
HYDR^ENA, Kug.
testacea, Curt.
riparia, Kug.
nigrita, Mull.
gracilis, Mull.
atrieapilla, Waterh.
pygrasea, Waterh.
LIMNEBIUS, Leach.
truncatellus, Thunb.
marginalis, Steph.
papposus, Muls.
nitidus, Marsh.
picinus, Marsh.
BEROSUS, Leach.
spinosus (Stev.), Schon.
sericeps, Curtis.
Itiridus, Linn.
affinis, Brulle.
LACCOBIUS, Er.
minutus, Linn.
nigriceps, Thorns.
HYDROUS, Leach.
3iceus, Linn.
HYDROPHILUS,
Geoff.
;araboides, Linn.
HYDROBIUS, Leach.
oblongus, Hbst.
\iscipea, Linn.
jicolor, PayTc.
a3neus, Germ.
imbatus, Fab.
PHILHYDRUS, Solier.
maritimus, Thorns.
testaceus, Fab.
melanocephalus, Fab.
nigricans, Zett.
ovalis, Thorns.
marginellus, Fab.
lividus, Forst.
CH^ETARTHRIA, Wat.
seminulum, Payk.
Sphseridiadse.
CYCLONOTUM, Er.
orbictdare, Fob.
SPH^ERIDITJM, Fab.
scarabseoides, Linn.
bipustulatum, Fab.
CERCYON, Leach.
obsoletum, Gyll.
hsemorrhoidale, Fab.
haemorrhoum, Gyll.
laterals, Marsh.
aquaticutn, Muls.
flavipes, Fab.
littorale, Gyll.
depressum, Steph.
unipunctatum, Linn.
quisquilium, Linn.
melanocephalum, Linn.,
terminatum, Marsh.
pygmseura, III.
nigriceps, Marsh.
minutum, Fab.
lugubre, Payk.
anale, Taylc.
256
BRITISH BEETLES.
MEGASTERNUM,
Muls.
obscurum, Marsh.
CRYPTOPLEURUM,
Muls.
atomarium, Fab.
LAMELLICORNES,
PLE UR OSTICTI.
Cetoniadse.
GNORIMUS, Lep.
variabilis, Linn.
nobilis, Linn.
TRICHIUS, Fab.
fasciatus, Linn.
abdominalis, Men.
CETONIA, Fab.
aurata, Linn.
floricola, Hist,
v. senea, Gyll.
stictica, Linn.
Rutelidee.
ANOMALA, Kop.
Erischii, Fab.
Donovani, Marsh.
PHYLLOPERTHA,
Kir.
horticola, Linn,
v. suturalis, New.
Melolonthidse.
POLYPHYLLA,
Harris,
fullo, Linn.
MELOLONTHA, Fab.
yulgaris, Fab.
hippocastani, Fab.
RHIZOTROGUS, Lot.
eolstitialis, Linn.
ochraceus, Knock.
Sericidae.
SERICA, MacL.
brunnea, Linn.
HOMALOPLIA, Steph.
ruricola, Fab.
Hopliadae.
HOPLIA, III.
philanthus, Sulz.
LAPAROSTICTI.
Geotrupidae.
GEOTRUPES, Lair.
stercorarius, Linn.
v. putridarius, Esch.
mutator, Marsh.
sylvaticus, Panz.
vernalis, Linn.
TYPHQETIS, Leach.
vulgaris, Leach.
' ODONT^US, Meg.
mobilicornis, Fa b.
Copridae.
ONTHOPHAGTJS, Lat.
taurus, Linn.
nutans, Fab.
vacca, Linn.
coenobita, Herbst.
i'racticornis, Preys.
nuchicornis, Linn.
ovatus, Linn.
COPRIS, Geoff.
luuaris, Linn.
Aphodiadae.
APHODIUS, III.
erraticus, Linn.
subterraneus, Linn.
fossor, Linn.
hsemorrhoidalis, Linn.
scybalarius, Fab.
foetens, Fab.
fimetarius, Linn.
ater, DeQ.
constans, "Duf.
granarius, Linn.
putridus, Creutz.
lapponum, Gyll.
foetidus, Fab.
sordidus, Fab.
rufescens, Fab.
nitidulus, Fab.
bimaculatu.i, Fab.
plagiatus, Linn.
lividus, Oliv.
inquinatus, Fab.
sticticus, Panz.
conspurcatus, Linn.
tessulatus, PayJc.
Zenkeri, Germ.
porcus, Fab.
tristis, Panz.
pusillus, Hbst.
quadrimaculatus, Lint
merdarius, Fab.
prodromus, Muls.
punctato-sulcatus,
contaminatus, Hbst.
obliteratus, Panz.
rufipes, Linn.
luridus, Fab.
depressus, Kug.
pecari, Fab.
arenarius, Oliv.
sus, Hbst.
testudinarius, Fab.
villosus, Gyll.
porcatus, Fab.
AMMCECIUS, Mu
brevis, Er.
PSAMMODIUS, Gg
sulcicollis, III.
porcicollis, III.
^GIALIA, Latr.
sabuleti, PayTc.
rufa, Fab.
arenaria, Fab.
Trogidae.
TROX, Fab.
sabulosus, Linn.
scaber, Linn.
hispidus, Laich.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
257
Lucanidse.
LACON, Germ.
LUCANUS, Linn.
murinus, Linn.
IOTVUS, Linn.
ELATEBIDES.
DORCUS, MacL.
ATHOUS, Esch.
>arallelopipedus, Linn.
niger, Linn.
INODENDRO]5r,.HZZw.
rhombeus, Oliv.
ylindricum, Linn.
undulatus, DeQ.
haamorrhoidalis, Fab.
vittatus, Fab.
STERNOXI.
difformis, Lac.
campyloides, Newm.
Buprestidse.
longicollis, Oliv.
DICEROA, Esch.
LIMONIUS, Esch.
vnea Linn.
cylindricus, Payk.
minutus, Fab.
ANTHRAXIA, Esch.
CRATONYCHUS, Lao.
alicis, Fab.
itidula, Linn.
AGRILTJS, Solier.
niger, Fab.
castanipes, Paylc.
rufipes, Sbst.
iguttatus, Fab.
inuatus, Oliv.
ELATER, Linn.
iridis, Linn.
ngustulus, III.
iticornis, III.
LPHANISTICUS, Lat.
sanguineus, Linn.
lythropterus, Germ.
sanguinolentus, Schr.
pomonaB, Steph.
pomorum, Hbst.
usillus, Oliv.
elongatulus, Oliv.
TRACHYS, Fab.
balteatus, Linn,.
tristis, Linn.
ainutus, Linn.
aethiops, Lac.
ygmaeus, Fab.
brunnicornis, Germ.
anus, Fab.
rufitarsis, Desv.
Eucnemidse.
v. scrofa, Qerm.
nigrinus, Hbst.
THROSCUS, Lat.
MEaAPENTHES,^'^.
ermestoides, Linn.
btusus, Curt.
sanguinicollis, Panz.
lugens, Redt.
MELASIS, Oliv.
tibialis, Lac.
uprestoides, Linn.
CRYPTOHYPNUS,
[ICRORHAGUS^cA.
Esch.
ygmaaus, Fab.
maritimus, Curt.
riparius, Fab.
Elateridse.
dermestoides, Hbst.
AGRYPBTIDES.
ADELO CERA, Lat.
quadripustulatus, Fab.
CARDIOPHORUS, Er.
thoracicus, Fab.
iria, Fab.
ruficollis, Linn.
asellus, Er.
cinereus, Hbst.
LUDIUS, Lat.
ferruginous, Linn.
CORYMBITES, Lat.
castaneus, Linn.
pectinicornis, Linn.
cupreus, Fab.
tessellatus, Linn.
quercus, Gyll.
impressus, Fab.
metallicus, PayTc.
aeneus, Linn.
bipustulatus, Linn.
holosericeus, Fab.
SYNAPTUS, Esch.
filiformis, Fab.
AGRIOTES, Esch.
pilosus, Panz.
lineatus, Linn.
obscurus, Linn.
sputator, Fab.
acuminatus, Steph.
? pallidulus, 111.
ustulatus, Schall.
SERICOSOMUS, Steph,
brunneus, Linn.
DOLOPITJS,^^.
marginatus, Linn.
pallens, Fab.
CAMPYLIDES.
OAMPYLUS, Fisch.
linearis, Linn.
MALACODERMI.
Atopidse.
DASCILLUS, Lat.
cervinus, Linn.
Cyphonidse.
HELODES, Lat.
pallidus, Fab.
S
258
BRITISH BEETLES.
marginatus, Fab.
lividus, Fa b.
PEIONOCYPHON,
Redt.
serricornis, Mull.
CYPHON, Payk.
coarctatus, Payk.
nitidulus, Thorns.
fuscicornis, Thorns.
variabilis, Thunb.
padi, Linn.
ochraceus, Steph.
HYDEOCYPHOtf,
Redt.
deflexicollis, Mull.
SCIETES, III.
hemisphsericus, Linn.
orbicularis, Panz.
EubriadsB.
EUBEIA, Redt.
palustris, Germ.
Lycid.86.
DICTYOPTEEUS^afr.
Aurora, Fab.
minutus, Fab.
Lampyridae.
LAMPYEIS, Qeoffr.
noctiluca, Linn.
Drilidse.
DEILUS, Oliv.
flavescens, Oliv.
Telephoridse.
TELEPHOEUS, Schdff.
abdominalis, Fab.
fuscus, Fab.
rusticus, Fall.
lividus, Linn.
v. dispar, Fab.
pellucid us, Fab.
obscurus, Linn.
nigricans, Fab.
v. ? discoideus, Steph.
rufus, Linn.
rubricollis, Marsh.
v. lituratus, Fall.
figuratus, Mann.
bicolor, Fab.
scoticus.
ANTHOCOMUS, Er
terminatus, Men.
ruficollis, Fab.
21* sp, ? Wat. Cat.
clypeatus, III.
sanguinolentus, Fab.
fasciatus, Linn.
lateralis, Linn.
DASYTES, Fab.
thoracicus, Gh/ll.
nobilis, III.
flavilabris, Fall.
subseneus, Schon.
melanurus, Fab.
seratus, Steph.
unicolor, Curt.
plumbseus, Mull.
fuscicornis, Oliv.
flavipes, Wat. Cat.
testaceus, Linn.
niger, Linn.
limbatus, Thorns.
HAPLOCNEMTJS Ste
pallidus, Fab.
paludosus, Fall.
elongatus, Fall.
nigricornis, Fab.
impressus, Marsh.
PODABEUS, Fisch.
DOLICHOSOMA, Step,
ateralis, Linn.
linearis, Fab.
SILIS, Redt.
Byturidse.
ruficollis, Fab.
BYTUEUS, Latr.
MALTHINTJS, Latr.
tomentosus, Fab.
fasciatus, Fall.
fumatus, Fab.
balteatus, Suffr.
flaveolus, P^jTc.
TELMATOPHILUS,
Seer.
frontalis, Marsh.
sparganii, Ahr.
MALTHODES, Kies.
obscurusj Fab.
marginatus, Latr.
mysticus, Kies.
fibulatus, Kies.
caricis, Oliv.
)revicollis, Aube.
yphse, Fall.
dispar, Germ.
v. ? Schonherri, Gyll. ''\
flavoguttatus, Kies.
sanguinolentus, Linn.
Cleridse.
atonms, Thorns.
CLEEIDES.
brevicollis, Kies., nee
Paylc.
TILLUS, Oliv.
elongatus, Linn.
Melyridse.
unifasciatus, Fab.
MALACHIUS, Fab.
CLEETJS, Qeoffr.
aeneus, Linn.
brmicarius, Linn.
bipustulatus, Linn.
viridis, Fab.
OPILUS, Latr.
marginellus, Fab.
mollis, Linn.
spinosus, Erichs.
univittatus, Rossi.
pulicarius, Fab.
TRICSODES, Fab.
ruficollis, Oliv.
Ivearius, Fab.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
259
EUOPLIADES.
DOECATOMA, Eerbst
villosulus, Marsh.
20EYNETES, Hist.
Tuleus, DeG.
NECEOBIA, Steph.
rubens, Ent. H.
flavicornis, Fab.
chrjsomelina, Sturm,
dresdensis, Hbst.
micans, Hbst.
hispidus, PayJc.
pygmseus, Marsh.
festivus, Panz.
ilacea, Linn.
bovistse, Ent. H.
fuscatus, Mell.
Spes, Fab.
icollis, Fab.
Lymexylidse.
DEYOPHILUS, Ch&o.
pusillus, Gyll.
anobioides, Chev.
alni, Gyll.
bidentatus, Oliv.
nitidus, Hbst.
lineatocribratus, Mel.
IYLECCETUS, Lat.
ANOBIUM, Fab.
castaneum, Fab.
ETOEAETHEUM,
Moll
mestoides, Fab.
rufipes Fab.
jxien.
YMEXYLON, Fab.
'ale, Linn.
striatum, Oliv.
fulvicorne, Sturm.
pertiriaXj Linn.
cornutum, Gyll.
fronticorne, Panz.
affine, Gyll.
Ptinidee.
denticolle, Panz.
OCTOTEMNUS, Mell.
PTINIDES.
pulsator, Schall.
tessellatum, Fab.
glabriculus, Gyll.
GIBBIUM, Scop.
aaniceum, Linn.
molle, Linn.
:ias, Fab.
abietis, Fab.
HETEROMERA.
MEZIUM, Curt.
le, Boield.
nigrinum, Sturm.
plumbeum, III.
Blaptidse.
ulcatum, Steph.
NIPTUS, Boield.
Bostrichidse.
BLAPS, Fab.
mortisaga, Linn.
)leucus, Paid.
BOSTEICHUS, Qeoff.
mucronata, Lat.
> PTINTJS, Linn.
capucinus, Linn.
similis, Lat.
tatus, Fab.
DINODEEUS, Steph.
Coniontidae.
snum, Marsh.
), Fab.
Linn.
mnctatus, Panz.
ubstriatus, Steph.
DINODEETJS, Schaum.
ubstriatus, PayTc.
CEYPTICUS, Lat.
quisquilius, Linn.
aanus, Fab.
EHIZOPEETHA, Step.
Pedinidse.
LEDOBIA, sturm.
)usilla, Fab.
HELIOPATHES, Lac.
srialis, Linn.
LyctidsB.
gibbus, Fab.
AKTOBIADES.
LYCTUS, Fab.
Hopatridse.
IOCHIJSTA, strm.
;rae, Mull.
analiculatus, Fab.
)runneus, Steph.
HOPATEUM, Fab.
sabulosum, Linn.
1ILINUS, Geoff.
fiiuicornis, Linn.
Cioidse.
EHOPALODONTUS,
MICEOZOUM, Steph.
tibiale, Fab.
FLETINUS, Latr.
Mel.
\ Panz.
erforatus, Gyll.
Trachyscelidse.
llODEEMA, StepK.
CIS, Lat.
PHALEEIA, Lat.
"cea, Steph.
)oleti, Scop.
cadaverina, Fab.
s2
260
BRITISH BEETLES.
Bolitoph.agid.se.
BOLITOPHAGUS, III.
reticulatus, Linn.
HELEDONA, Lat.
agaricola, Hbst.
Diaperidse.
DIAPERIS, Geoff.
boleti, Linn.
SCAPHIDEMA, Redt.
metallica, Fab.
PLATYDEMA, Lap.
violacea, Fab.
ALPHITOPHAaiJS,
Steph.
quadripustulatus, Steph.
Ulomidse.
TRIBOLIUM, MacL.
errugineum, Fab.
GNATHOCERUS,
Thnb.
cornutus, Fab.
HYPOPHLGEUS, Hllw.
castaneus, Fab.
bicolor, Oliv.
depressus, Fab.
ALPHITOBIUS, Steph.
diaperinus, Panz.
piceus, Oliv.
Tenebrionidse.
TENEBRIO, Linn.
obscurus, Fab.
molitor, Linn.
Helopidse.
HELOPS, Fab.
cseruleus, Linn.
striatus, Fourcr.
pallidus, Curtis.
Cistelidse.
MYCETO CHARTS,
Lat.
bipustulata, III.
GONODERA, Muls.
fulvipes, Fab.
CISTELA, Fab.
ceramboides, Linn.
ISOMIRA, Muls.
murina, Linn.
ater, Fab.
CTENIOPUS, Solier.
sulphureus, Linn.
OMOPHLUS, Solier.
amerinse, Curtis.
Lagriadee.
LAGRIA, Fab.
liirta, Linn.
Tetratomidse.
TETRATOMA, Fab.
fungorum, Fab.
Desmarestiij, Lat.
ancora, Fab.
Melandryadse.
ORCHESIA, Latr.
uiidulata, Kr.
micans, Panz.
minor, Walker.
HALLOMENUS, Panz.
humeralis, Panz.
ANISOXYA, Muls.
fuscula, III.
? Hall.fuscus, Wat. Cat
ABDERA, Steph.
quadrifasciata, Curtis.
bifasciata, Marsh.
DIRC^A, Fab.
laevigata, Hellen.
PHLCEOTRYA, Steph.
Stephensii, DuV.
rufipes, Steph.
HYPULTJS, Paylc.
quercinus, Paylc.
MELANDRYA, Fab.
caraboides, Linn.
canaliculata, Fab.
SCRAPTIA, Lat.
fusca, Lat.
nigricans, Steph.
CONOPALPUS, GylU
testaceus, Oliv.
v. ? Vigorsii, .Steph. (
OSPHYA, III.
bipunctata, Fab.
Pyrrhochroadse. .
PYRRHOCHROA,^aI
coccinea, Linn.
rubens, Fab.
pectinicornis, Linn.
PYTHO, Latr.
depressus, Linn.
Anthicidse.
NOTOXUS, Geoff. ]
monoceros, Linn.
ANTHICUS,
humilis, Germ.
instabilis, Schmidt.
bimaculatus, III.
antherinus, Linn.
tristis, Schmidt.
Schaumii, Woll.
angustatus, Curtis.
pedicularius, Schrc
XYLOPHILUS,
populneus, Fab.
oculatus, Paylc.
Mordellidse.
MOBDELLID]
TOMOXIA, Cot
biguttata, Casteln.
MORDELLA,
fasciata, Fab.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
261
MORDELLISTENA,
MYCTERFS, Oliv.
CHORA GITS, Yr.
Costa.
curculionides, Fab.
Sheppardi, Ki,\
abdominalis, Fab.
pumila, Gyll.
Salpingidse.
Attelabidse.
ipusillai, Redt.
humeralis, Linn,
v. ? brunnea, Fab.
lateralis, Oliv.
SALPINGDS, III.
foveolatus, Ljun.
ater, Payk.
APODERUS, Oliv.
coryli, Linn.
ATTELABUS, Linn.
ANASPIS, Geoff.
castaneus, Panz.
LISSODEMA, Curt.
curculionoides, Linn.
frontalis, Linn.
forcipata, Muls.
Geotfroyi, Mull.
ruficollis, Fab.
denticollis, Gyll.
4-guttata, Lep.
cursor, Gyll.
Rhinomacerictse.
RHYNCHITES, Hbst.
bcfjulfB IjiwYl
thoracica, Linn.
jubtestacea, Steph.
maculata, Fourcr.
RHINOSIMUS, Lat.
ruficollis, Linn.
viridipennis, Steph.
megacephalus, Germ.
pubescens, Fab.
ophthalmicus, Steph.
BHIPIPHOBIDES.
planirostris, Fab.
nanus, Payk.
conicus, III.
: RHIPIPHORUS, Fab.
aaradoxus, Linn.
RHYNCHOPHORA.
pauxillus, Germ.
alliariee, PayJc.
Meloidse.
Bruchidse.
germanicus, Hbst.
sequatus, Linn.
MELOE, Linn.
BRUCHUS, Linn.
cceruleocephalus, Schall.
'Droscarabseus, Linn.
pisi, Linn.
aeneovirens, Marsh.
riolacea, Marsh.
rufimanus, Schon.
v. fragrarise, Sch.
'mtumnalis, Oliv.
affinis, Froh.
cupreus, Linn.
. :ugosa, Marsh.
flavimaims, Sch.
betuleti, Fab.
!?icatricosa, Leach.
loti, Paylc.
populi, Linn.
Irariegata, Donov.
seminarius, Linn.
auratus, Scop.
5revicollis, Panz.
luteicornis, 111.
Bacchus, Linn.
LYTTA, Linn.
pectinicornis, Linn.
RHINOMACER, Fab.
resicatoria, Linn.
ater, Marsh.
villosus, Sturm.
attelaboides, Fab.
SITARIS, Lat.
cisti, Fab.
Apionidse.
nuralis, Forst.
humeralis, Fab.
Anthribidse.
APION, Hbst.
BRACHYTARSUS,
craccse Linn.
CEdemeridae.
Schon.
pomonae, Fab.
fecHNOMERA, Steph.
scabrosus, Fab.
subulatum, Kir.
inelanura, Linn. .
varius, Fab.
vorax, Hbst.
ASCLERA, Schm.
TROPIDERES, Schon.
ervi, Kir.
on on is, Kir.
[languinicollis, Fab.
albirostris, Hbst.
Waltoni, Steph.
!}serulea, Linn.
nireirostris, Fab.
pavidum, Germ.
DRYOPS, Fab.
sepicola, Hbst.
livescerum, Schon.
;'emoratus, Fab.
j CEDEMERA, Oliv.
PLATYRHINUS, 01.
latirostris, Fab.
Gyllenhali, Kir.
Spencii, Kir.
sethiops, Hbst.
iJaerulea, Linn.
ANTHRIBUS, Fab.
XV
punctigerum, Germ.
urida, Marsh.
albinus, Linn.
pisi, Meg.
262
BRITISH BEETLES.
afer, SchSn.
'agi, Linn.
flavipes, DeG.
loti, Kir.
irifolii, Linn.
pterygomalis, Schon.
filirostre, Kir.
Schoenherri, Wat.
sericeus, Schall.
scutellare, Kir.
varipes, Germ.
planifrons, Schon.
tenue, Kir.
sevicolle, Kir.
chrysomela, Oliv. ,
seniculum, Kir.
difforme, Germ.
confluens, Steph.
simile, Kir.
dissimile, Germ.
cervinus, Linn.
virens, Hist.
astragali, FayTc.
OXYSTOMA, Hum.
METALLITES, Sch<%
striatum, Marsh.
fuscirostris, Fab.
marginatus, Steph.
immune, Kir.
ulicis, Fost.
sorbi, Hbst.
genistse, Kir.
Cleonidae.
pubescens, Kir.
Curtisii, Curt.
confluens, Kir.
stolidum, Germ.
Brachyderidse.
CNEOEHINUS, Schon.
CLEONUS, Meg.
ophthalmieus, Rossi.
nebulosus, Linn.
leevigatum, Kir.
seneum, Fab.
geminatus, Fab.
exaratus, Marsh.
glaucus, Fab.
sulcirostris, Linn.
radiolum, Marsh.
STEOPHOSOMUS,^.
albidus, Fab.
carduorum, Kir.
coryli, Fab.
ALOPHUS, Schon\
onopordi, Kir.
ebeninum, Kir.
obesus, Marsh.
fulvicornis, Walt.
triguttatus, Fab.
meliloti, Kir.
retusus, Marsh.
LIOPHLGEUS, Germ
yiolaceum, Kir.
hydrolapathi, Marsh.
hirtus, Schon.
faber, Hbst.
nubilus. Fab.
frumentarium, Linn.
limbatus, Fab.
BAEYNOTUS, Germ
rubens, Steph.
sanguineum, DeG.
SCIAPHILUS, Schon.
obscurus, Fab.
mosrens. Fab.
cruentatum, Watt.
muricatus, Fab.
miniatum, Schon.
minimum, Hbst.
TANYMECUS, Germ.
TEOPIPHOETIS, Sck
mercurialis, Fab.
sedi, Germ.
palliatus, Fab.
carinatus, Mull.
liumile, Germ.
SITONES, Germ.
TANYSPHYEUS,
limonii, Kir.
marchieum, Hbst.
affine, Kir.
ffressorius, Fab.
griseus, Fab.
flavescens, Marsh.
Germ.
lemnse, Payk.
Hookeri, Kir.
suturalis, Steph.
HYLOBIUS, Germ.
vicinum, Kir.
sulcifrons, Thunb.
abietis, Linn.
atomarium, Kir.
flavimanum, Schon.
vernale, Fab.
tibialis, Hbst.
crinitus, Oliv.
Waterhousei, Walt.
pinastri, Gyll.
MOLYTES, Schon.
malvse, Fa b.
cambricus, Steph.
germanus, Linn.
rufirostre, Fab.
pallipes, Kir.
Germari, Walt.
riciae, PayTc.
flavipes, Fab.
regensteinensis, Hbst.
puncticollis, Steph.
lineatus, Linn.
hispidulus, Fab.
meliloti, Walt.
coronatus, Lat.
LIOSOMUS, Steph.
ovatulus, Clairv.
PLINTHTJS, Germ.
nigritarse, Kir.
assimile Kir.
humeralis, Steph.
caliginosus, Fab.
Bohemanni, (Boh.) Schon
POLYDEOSUS, Germ.
PEOCAS, Steph.
ononidis, Gyll.
undatus, Fab.
picipes, Marsh.
ononicola, Bach.
micans, Fab.
granulicollis, Walt.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA,
263
PHYTONOMUS, Schon.
Johemanni, Schon.
punctatus, Fab.
)runnipes, Oliv.
fasciculatus, Hbst.
BARYPITHES, Duv.
polygon!, Linn.
ulcifrons, Schon.
Pollux Fab.
rumicis, Linn.
PERITELUS, Germ.
tigrinus, Dej.
griseus, 01.
i plantaginis, DeG.
OTIORHYNCHUS,
nigrirostris, Fab.
Germ.
trilineatas, Marsh.
murinus, Fab.
variabilis, Hbst.
meles, Fab.
? fuscipes, Oliv.
tenebricosus, Hist.
unicolor, Hist.
ebeninus, Schon.
suspiciosus, Hist.
arundinis, Fab.
atroapterus, DeG.
raucus, Fab.
LIMOBIUS, Schon.
scabrosus, Marsh.
dissimilis, Hist.
igneus, Oliv.
mixtus, Dej.
septentrionis, Hbst.
maurus, Gyll.
Byrsopsidss.
monticola, Germ.
G-RONOPS, Schon.
Dicipes, Fab.
sulcatus, Fab.
lunatus, Fab.
ligustici, Linn.
\ Otiorhynchidae.
rugifrons, Gyll.
v. ? ambiguus, Scho.
PHYLLOBIUS, Schon.
calcaratus, Fab.
ovatus, Linn.
pabulinus, Panz.
alneti, Fab.
Erirhinidse.
pyri, Linn.
argentatus, Linn.
LIXUS, Fab.
rnaculicornis. Germ.
ascanii, Linn.
oblongus, Linn.
paraplecticus, Linn.
pomonse, OHv.
turbatus, Schon.
uniform is, Marsh.
gemellatus, Gyll.
riridicollis, Fab.
angustatus, Fab.
TRACHYPHLCEUS,
Germ.
bicolor, Oliv.
filiformis, Fab.
soaber, Linn.
LARINTJS, Schup.
scabriculus, Linn.
carlinae, Oliv.
squamulatus, Oliv.
aristatus, Gyll.
alternans, Schon.
RHINOCYLLUS, Germ.
latirostris, Lat.
spinimanus, Germ.
PISSODES, Germ.
CCENOPSIS, Bach.
pini, Linn.
fssirostris, Walt.
notatus, Fab.
Waltoni, Schon.
MAGKDALINUS, Germ.
OMIAS, Schon.
phlegmaticus, Hbst.
hirsutulus, Fab.
carbonarius, Linn.
tramentarius, Marsh.
erasi, Linn.
>runi, Linn.
ERIRHINUS, Schon.
festucse, Herlst.
nereis, Payk.
icirrhosus, Schon*
)illumus, Sturm.
acridulus, Linn.
sethiops, Fab.
mnaculatus, Fab.
scirpi, Fab.
vorax, Fab.
tremulse, Payk.
costirostris, Schon.
maculatus, Marsh.
iffinis, Payk.
bseniatus, Fab.
salicis, Walt.
salicinus, Gyll.
majalis, Payk.
pectoralis, Panz.
agnathus, Schon.
tortrix, Linn.
validirostris, Schon.
GRYPIDIUS, Schon.
equiseti, Fab.
ELLESCHTJS, Meg.
bipunctatus, Linn.
scanicus, Payk.
BRACHONYX, Schon.
indigena, Hbst.
ANTHONOMTJS, Germ.
pomorum, Linn.
ulmi, DeG.
pedicularius, Linn.
pubescens, PayTc.
rubi, Hist.
BALANINTJS, Germ.
turbatus, Gyll.
nucum, Linn.
venosus, Germ.
villo8us, Fab.
cerasoruin, Rbst.
brassicse, Fab.
pyrrhoceras, Marsh.
264
BRITISH BEETLES.
AMALUS, Schon.
scortillum, Hbst.
TYCHIUS, Germ.
5-punctatus, Linn.
vennstus, Fab.
polylineatus, Germ.
Schneider!, Hist.
nigrirostris, Wat.
tomentosus, Hbst.
Kirbii, Wat.
flavicollis, v., Schon.
junceus, Reich.
meliloti, (Kirby), Steph.
hsematocephalus, Schon.
pygmseus, Bris.
brevicornis, Wat.
MICCOTEOaUS,
Schon.
pioirostris, Fab.
SMICEONYX, Schon.
jungermannise, Reich.
cicur, Reich.
pygmseus, Curt.
SIBYNES, Germ.
canus, Hbst.
arenarise, Steph.
primitus, Hbst.
potentillae, Koch.
ACALYPTUS, Schon.
carpini, Hbst.
ANOPLUS, Schiip.
plantaris, Noez.
OECHESTES, III.
quercus, Linn.
ecutellaris, Fab.
rrifus, Oliv.
melanocephalus, Oliv.
alni, Linn.
ilicis, Fab.
fagi, Linn.
pratensis, Germ.
iota, Fab.
lonicerce, Fab.
avellanse, Don.
rusci, Hbst.
TACHYEEGES, Schon.
salicis, Linn.
stigma, Germ.
saliceti, Fab.
EHAMPHUS, Glair.
flavicornis. Glair.
OETHOCH^ETES,
setiger, Germ.
TEACHODES, Schiip.
hispidus, Linn.
Baridiadse.
BAEIDIUS, Germ.
T-album, Linn.
laticollis, Marsh.
picicornis, Marsh.
lepidii, Germ.
analis, Oliv.
Cryptorhynchidse.
CEYPTOEHYNCHUS,
III.
lapathi, Linn.
CCELIODES, Schon.
quercus, Fab.
ruber, Marsh.
rubicundus, Payk.
subrufus, Hbst.
geranii, Payk.
exiguus, Ol.
4-maculatu9, Linn.
didymus, Fab.
fuliginosus, Marsh,.
guttula, Wat. Cat.
globulus, Hbst.
OEOBITIS, Germ.
cyaneus, Linn.
MONONYCHUS,
Schiip.
pseudacori, Fab. f
ACALLES, Schon.
ptinoides, Marsh.
misellus, Schon.
roboris, Curt.
BAGOUS, Germ.
binodulus, Hbst.
lirnosus, Gyll.
petrosus, Hbst.
frit, Hbst.
lutulosus, Gyll.
tempestivus, Hbst.
lutosus, Gyll.
lutulentus, Gyll.
LYPEUS, Schon.
cylindrus, Payk.
alismatis, Marsh.
LITODACTYLUS,
Redt.
velatus, SecJc.
leucogaster, Marsh.
PACHYEHINUS, Step.
coraari, Hbst.
Waltoni, Schon.
4-tuberculatus, Fab.
4-nodosus, Gyll.
4-cornis, Gyll.
canaliculatus, Schon.
EHINONCTJS, Schon.
pericarpius, Fab.
subfasciatus, Gyll.
Castor, Fab.
inconspectus, Hbst.
bruchoides, Hbst.
CEUTHOEHYNCHUS
Schon.
suturalis, Fab.
sy rites, Germ.
assimilis, PayJc.
erysimi, Fab.
contractus, Marsh.
cochlearise, Gyll.
constrictus, Marsh.
ericae, Gyll.
setosus, Schon.
litura, Fab.
trimaculatus, Fab.
pollinarius, Post.
nigrotei'minatus, Wall.
mixtus, Muls.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
265
vicluatus, Gyll.
angulosus, Boh.
impressicollis, Litt.
quadridens, Panz.
melanostictus, Marsh.
eampestris, Gyll.
chrysanthemi, Mull.
v. ? vicinus, Brit. MS.
rugulosus, Hbst.
melanostigma, Marsh.
asperifbliarum, Steph.
crux, Walt. MS.
crassidentatus, Marsh.
MS.
urticse, Schon.
echii, Fab.
marginatus, PayTc.
v. ? punctiger, Gyll.
resedae, Marsh.
verrucatus, Gyll.
biguttatus, Schon.
sulcicollis, Gyll.
alliarise, Bris.
inornatus, Wat.
tarsalis, Schon.
pilosellus, Gyll.
hispidulus, Stev. MS.
rapae, Gyll.
inafiectatus, Walt.
cyanipennis, III.
chalybaeus, Germ.
hirtulus, Schiip.
CEUTHORHYNCHI-
DEUS, DuV.
horridus, Fab.
troglodytes, Fab.
v. ? Chevrolatii, Bris.
MS.
v. ? frontalis, Bris. MS.
pygmseus, Guyon, MS.
terminates, Hbst.
melanarius, Steph.
nigrinus, Marsh.
? quercicola, Fab.
? minimus, (Walt, in lit.)
Rye.
? hepaticus, Gyll.
floralis, PayJc.
pyrrhorhynchus, Marsh.
pumilio, Gyll.
Poweri, Rye.
POOPHAGUS, Schon.
MESITES, Schon.
sisymbrii, Fab.
Tardii, Steph.
nasturtii, Spence.
TAPINOTUS, Schon.
PHLCEOPHAGUS,
Schon.
sellatus, Fab.
aeneopiceus, Schon.
Cionidae.
spadix, Hbst.
CIONUS, Clairv.
scrophularise, Linn.
verbasci, Fab.
EHYNCOLUS, Creutz.
chloropus, Fab.
cyh'ndrirostris, Oliv.
truncorum, Germ.
thapsus, Fab.
blattariae, Fab.
PENTARTHRUM,
pulchellus, Hbst.
Woll.
NANOPHYES, Schon.
Huttoni, Woll.
lythri, Fab.
aYMNETRON, Schon.
HylesinidaB.
pascuorum, Gyll.
villosulum, Gyll.
HYLASTES, Er.
cunicularius, Ratz.
beccabungse, Walt.
ater, PayTc.
beccabungsa, Linn.
angustatus, Hbst.
v. veronicse, Germ.
opacus, Er.
labile, Hbst.
palliatus, Gyll.
rostellum, Hbst.
obscums, Marsh.
melanariura, Germ.
HYLURGUS, Lat.
noctis, Hbst.
collinum, Gyll.
piniperda, Linn.
linariae, Panz.
pilosus, Ratz.
MIARUS, Schon.
HYLESINTJS, Fab.
graminis, Gyll.
crenatus, Fab.
plantarum, Dej.
oleiperda, Fab.
campanulas, Linn.
fraxini, Fab.
micros. Germ.
vittatus, Fab.
MECINUS, Germ.
PHLCEOPHTHORUS,
pyraster, Hbst.
Woll.
collar is, Germ.
circulatus, Marsh.
rhododactylus, Marsh.
SCOLYTUS, Geoffr.
Calandridge.
Ratzeburgii, Jans.
destructor, Oliv.
SITOPHILUS, Schon.
multistriatus, Marsh.
granarius, Linn.
pruni, Ratz.
oryzaa, Linn.
intricatus, Ratz.
rugulosus, Ratz.
Cossonidge.
XYLOTERUS, Er.
COSSONUS, Clairv.
domesticus, Linn.
linearis, Fab.
lineatus, Oliv.
266
BRITISH BEETLES.
HYPOTHE MENUS,
ASEMUM, Esch.
West.
striatum, Linn.
eruditus, West.
CRYPHALUS, Er.
CLYTIDES.
tiliae, Fab.
CLYTUS, Fab.
fagi, Fab.
arcuatus, Linn.
piceee, Ratz.
arietis, Linn.
binodulus, Ratz.
mysticus, Linn.
abietis, Ratz.
TOMICUS, Latr.
OBKIADES.
stenographies, I>uf.
OBRIUM, Lat.
typographies, Linn.
cantharinum, Linn.
acuminatus, Gyll.
laricis, Fab.
GRACILIA, Serv.
bispinus, Ratz.
pygmsea, Fab.
bidens, Fab.
chalcographus, Linn.
Lamiadse.
dispar, Fab.
LAMIADES.
villosus, Fab.
dryographus, Er.
Saxesenii, Ratz.
. LAMIA, Fab.
textor, Linn.
micrographus, Gyll.
? flavus, Steph.
PLATYPUS, H bst.
MONOCHAMUS, Muls.
sartor, Fab.
sutor, Linn.
cylindrus, Fab.
ASTINOMUS, Redt.
sedilis, Linn.
LONGICOENES.
LIOPUS, Serv.
nebulosus, Linn.
Prionidse.
POGONOCHCERUS,
PRIONUS, Geoff.
Lat.
coriarius, Linn.
fascicularis, Panz.
hispidus, Linn.
Cerambycid83.
pilosus, Fab.
CERAMBYCIDBS.
SAPERDIDES.
AROMIA, Serv.
MESOSA, Serv.
moschata, Linn.
nubila, Oliv.
CALLIDIADES.
AGAPANTHIA, Serv.
CALLIDIUM, Fab.
lineatocollis, Don.
violaceum, Linn.
SAPERDA, Fab.
sanguineum, Linn.
alni, Linn.
carcharias, Linn.
scalaris, Linn.
variabile, Linn.
populnea, Linn.
HYLOTRUPES, Serv.
TETROPS, Kirby.
bajulus, Linn.
praeustus, Linn.
STENOSTOLA, Muls.
nigripes, Fab.
OBEREA, Muls.
oculata, Linn.
PHYTCECIA, Muls.
sylindrica, Linn.
Lepturidse.
MOLORCHIDES.
MOLORCHUS, Fab.
minor, Linn.
uinbellatarum, Linn.
LEPTURIDES.
RHAGIUM, Fab.
inquisitor, Fab.
indagator, Linn.
bifasciatum, Fab.
TOXOTUS, Serv.
meridianus, Linn.
PACHYTA, Serv.
octomaculata, Fab.
collaris, Linn.
STRANGALIA, Serv.
aurulenta, Fab.
quadrifasciata, Linn.
revestita, Linn.
armata, Herbst.
attenuata, Linn.
nigra, Linn.
melanura, Linn.
LEPTURA, Linn,
virens, Linn.
rufa, Brulle.
scutellata, Fab.
tomentosa, Fab.
sanguinolenta, Linn.
livida, Fab.
ANOPLODERA, Muls.\
sexguttata, Fab.
GRAMMOPTERA,
Serv.
laevis, Fab.
analis, Panz.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
267
ruficornis, Fab.
prseusta, Fab.
EUPODA.
Sagridse.
OESODACNA, Lat.
cerasi, Oliv.
nigriceps, Duf.
humeralis, Latr.
Donaciadse.
DONACIA, Fab.
crassipes, Fab.
bidens, Oliv.
dentata, Hop.
sparganii, Ahr.
dentipes, Fab.
sagittarise, Fab.
obscura, Gyll.
lemnse, Fab.
thalassina, Germ.
impressa, Payk.
linearis, Hop.
typhae, Brahm.
simplex, Fab.
hydrochseridis, Fab.
menyanthidis, Fab.
sericea, Linn.
aquatica, Linn.
nigra, Fab.
aftinis, Kunze.
H^MONIA, Lat.
equiseti, Fab.
Curtisii, Lac.
Crioceridse.
subsphiosa, Fab.
flavicollis, Marsh.
Turner!, Power.
LEMA, Fab.
puncticollis, Curt.
cyanella, Fab,
Erichsonii, Stiff*.
molanopa, Linn.
CEIOCEEIS, Geoff.
merdigera, Fab.
duodecimpunctata, Linn-
asparagi, Linn.
Clythridse.
CLYTHEA, Laich.
tridentata, Linn.
quadripunctata, Linn.
Ifvviuscula, Ratz.
LAMPEOSOMA, Kirb.
concolor, Sturm.
Cryptocephalidse.
CEYPTOCEPHALUS,
Geoff.
imperialis, Fab.
coryli, Linn.
sexpunetatus, Linn.
variabilis, Schn.
aureolus, Suff.
sericeus, Linn.
pint, Linn.
nitidulus, Gyll.
moreei, Linn.
10-puiictatus, Linn.
v. bothnicus, Linn.
puiictiger, Payk.
flavilabris, Payk.
bipunctatus, Linn.
v. lineola, Fab.
v. ? bipustulatus, Fab.
bilineatus, Linn.
minutus, Fab.
pusillus, Fab.
labiatus, Linn.
Wasastjernii, Gyll.
querceti, Suff.
? geminus, Wat. Cat.
frontalis, -Marsh.
Chrysomelidse.
TIMAECHA, Latr.
laevigata, Linn.
coriaria, Fab.
CHEYSOMELA, Linn
Banksii, Fab.
staphylsea, Linn.
varians, Fab.
gottingensis, Linn.
^semoptera, Linn.
anguinolenta, Linn.
distinguenda, Steph.
marginata, Linn.
menthastri, Suffrian.
^raminis, Linn.
astuosa, Linn.
cerealis, Linn.
>olita, Linn.
amina, Fab.
v. Hobsoni, Steph.
'ucata, Fab.
3idymata, Scriba.
LINA, Eedt.
senea, Fab.
Dopuli, Linn.
.ongicollis, Suff.
tremulaj, Wat. Cat.
aONIOCTENA, Rtdt.
rufipes, Gyll.
10-punctata, Linn,
qffinis, Schon.
litura, Fab.
pallida, Linn.
GASTEOPHYSA, Chev.
polygon!, Linn.
raphani, Fab.
PLAOIODEEA, Eedt.
clavicornis, Steph.
PH^DON, Lat.
tumidulum, Steph.
armoracia?, Linn.
betula?, Linn.
concinnvim, Steph.
PHEATOEA, Eedt.
vulgatissima, Linn.
vitellinse, Linn.
PEASOCUEIS, Lat.
aucta, Fab.
marginella, Linn.
hannoverana, Fab.
phellandrii, Linn.
beccabungse, ///.
GaUerucidse.
ADIMONIA, Laich.
tenaceti, Linn.
268
BRITISH BEETLES.
villas, Kunst.
caprese, Linn.
sariguinea, Fab.
GALLERTJCA, Fab.
lineola, Fab.
calmariensis, Linn.
tenella, Linn.
sagittariae, Gull.
nymphsese, Linn.
viburni, PayJc.
AGELASTICA, Redt.
alni, Linn.
halensis, Linn.
AUCHENIA, Steph.
quadrimaculata, Linn.
CALOMICRUS, Steph.
circumfusus, Marsh.
LYPERUS, Geoff.
rufipes, Fab.
flavipes, Linn.
Halticidse.
GRAPTODERA, Chevr.
coiisobrina, Duft.
coryli, All.
ampelophaga, Wat. Cat.
? pusilla, Duf.
oleracea, Linn.
HERM^OPHAGA,
Fond.
mercurialis, Fab.
CREPIDODERA, Chev.
transversa, Marsh.
ferruginea, Scop.
rufipes, Linn.
nitidula, Linn.
lielxines, Linn.
aurata, Marsh.
chloris, Foud.
Modeeri, Linn.
pubescens, Ent. H.
atropae, Foudr.
ventralis, III.
salicariae, Payk.
MANTURA, Steph.
rustica, Linn.
btusata, Gyll.
hrysanthemi, Ent. H.
latthewsii, Curt.
BATOPHILA, Foud.
ubi, PayJc.
rata, Marsh.
PODAGRICA, Kust.
uscipes, Fab.
uscicornis, Linn.
APHTHONA, Chevr.
yparissice, Ent. H.
utescens, Gyll.
igriceps, Bedt.
iseudacori, Marsh.
uphorbise, Schr.
itrocserulea, Steph.
ilaris, Steph.
erbigrada, Curt.
PHYLLOTRETA^oMd.
nodicomis, Marsh.
epidii, Ent. H.
nelsena, III.
tra, PayJc.
v. ? poeciloceras, Com.
junctulata, Foud.
vittula, Redt.
undulata, Kuts.
nemorum, Linn.
tetrastigma, Com.
siimata, Steph.
ochripes, Curtis.
brassicae, Fab.
PLECTROSCELIS, Ltr
concinna, Marsh.
Sahlbergii, Gyll.
aridella, Payk.
aridula, Qyll. .
confusa, Bohem.
THYAMIS, Steph.
holsatica, Fab.
dorsalis, Fab.
quadripustulata, Fab.
anchus83, Payk.
obliterata, Rosen.
parvula, Payk.
brunnea, Duf.
fuscula, Kuts.
lurida, Gyll.
minuscula, Foud.
avicornis, Steph.
sevis, Duf.
ellucida, Foud.
anescens, Foud.
icobaase, Waterh.
abida, Fab.
v. ? thapsi, Marsh.
xoleta, Linn.
chroleuca, Marsh.
racilis, Kuts.
Dallotee, Marsh.
Waterhousei, Kuts.
leichei, Allard.
iusilla, Gyll.
ycopi, Foud.
nasturtii, Fab.
uturalis, Marsh.
uscicollis, Steph.
itricUla, Gyll.
atricapilla, Duf.
melanocephala, Gyll.
PSYLLIODES, Lot.
dulcamaras, Ent. H.
jhalcomerus, III.
napi, Ent. H.
lyoscyami, Linn.
chrysocephalus, Fab.
uridipennis, Kuts.
cyanopterus, III.
marcidus, III.
cupronitens, Forst.
picipes, Redt.
attenuatus, Ent. H.
atricillus, Linn.
luteolus, Miill.
picinus, Marsh.
DIBOLIA, Lat.
cynoglossi, Ent. H.
APTEROPEDA, Chev.
graminis, Panz.
globosa, Panz.
splendida, All.
MNIOPHILA, Steph.
muscorum, Ent. H.
SPH^ERODERMA, Ste.
testacea, Fab.
centaureee, Steph.
CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA.
269
Cassididse.
CASSIDA, Linn.
murrsea, Linn.
rittata, Fab.
yiridis, Linn.
vibex, Fab.
sanguinolenta, Fab.
oblonga, III.
nobilis, Fab.
margaritacea, Fab.
nebulosa, Linn.
Jerruginea, Fab.
obsoleta, III.
equestris, Fab.
heuiisphserica, Hbst.
PSEUDOTRJMERA.
Erotylidse.
ENGIS, Fab.
humeralis, Fab.
rufifrons, Fab.
TRIPLAX, Payk.
russicus, Linn,
rujicollis, Lac.
seneus, Payk.
rufipes, Panz.
nigriceps, Lac.
TRITOMA, Fab.
bipustulata, Fab.
Coccinellidse.
HIPPODAMIA, Muls.
13-punctata, Linn.
COCCINELLA, Linn.
19-punctata, Linn.
mutabilis, Scriba.
obliterata, Linn.
bipunctata, Linn.
11-punctata, Linn.
septempunctata, Linn.
labilis, Muls.
quinquepunctata, Linn.
hieroglyphica, Linn.
variabilis, III.
impustulata, Linn.
18-guttata, Linn.
obloiigoguttata, Linn.
ocellata, Linn.
14-guttata, Linn.
16-guttata, Linn,
bissexguttata, Fab.
14-punctata, Linn.
22-punctata, Linn.
MICRASPIS, Redt.
12-punctata, Linn.
CHILOCORUS, Leach.
renipustulatus, Sariba.
bipustulatus, Linn.
EXOCHOMUS, Redt.
quadripustulatus, Linn.
HYPERASPIS, Redt.
reppensis, Hbst.
LASIA, Hope.
globosa, Schn.
PLATYNASPIS, Redt.
villosa, Four.
SCYMNTJS, Kug.
quadrilunulatus, 111.
frontalis, Fab.
discoideus, III.
Mulsanti, Waterh.
limbatus, Steph.
analis, Fab.
hsemorrhoidalis, Hbst.
capitatus, Fab.
pygtnseus, Four.
nigrinus, Kug.
minimus, PayJc.
ater, Kug.
RHIZOBIUS, Steph.
litura, Fab.
COCCIDULA, Kug.
scutellata, Hbst.
rufa, Hbst.
Endomychidse.
ENDOMYCHUS, Panz.
coccineus, Linn.
LYCOPERDINA, Lat.
bovistse, Fab.
MYCETJEA, Steph.
hirta, Marsh.
SYMBIOTES, Redt.
latus, Redt.
ALEXIA, Steph.
pilifera, Mull.
Corylophidse.
SACIUM, Le Comte.
pusillum, Gyll.
SERICODERUS, Steph.
lateralis, Gyll.
CORYLOPHUS, Leach.
cassidoides, Marsh.
ORTHOPERUS, Steph.
brunnipes, Gyll.
atomus, Gyll.
CLAMBUS, Fisch.
minutus, Sturm.
armadillo, DeG.
pubescens, Redt.
COMAZTJS, Fairm.
dubius, Marsh.
Sphseriadse.
SPH^RIUS, Waltl.
acaroides, Waltl.
Trichoptery gidae .
PTINELLA, Motsch.
britannica, Matth.
Proteus, Matth.
Maria, Matth.
testacea, Heer.
limbata, Heer.
v. aptera, Guer.
v. ? ratisbonensis, Gill.
punctipennis, Fairm.
v. denticollis, Fairm.
tenella, Er.
gracilis, Gillm.
v. angustula, Gillm.
PTERYX, Matth.
suturalis, Heer.
TRICHOPTERYX,Z*>.
atomaria, DeGeer.
grandicollis, Mann.
270
BRITISH BEETLES.
fascicularis, Herbst.
lata, Mots.
thoracica, Gillm.
convexa, Matth.
suffocata, Halid.
fucicola, All.
attenuata, Gillm.
brevipennis, Er.
Gruerinii, All.
pygmsea, Er.
brevis, Mots.
? pumila, Er.
Kirbii, Matth.
ambigua, Matth.
sericans, Heer.
bovina, Mots.
picicornis, Mann.
dispar, Matth.
similis, Gillm.
MICRTJS, Matth.
filicornis, Fairm.
pulchellus, Gillm.
ELACHYS, Matth.
abbreviatellus, Heer.
PTILIUM, Er.
brevicolle, Matth.
Kunzei, Heer.
saxonicum, Gillm,
angustatum, Er.
fuscum, Er.
coarctatum, Haliday.
miiiutissimum, Gyll,
affine, Er.
canaliculatum, Er.
discoideum, Gillm.
inquilinum, Er.
insigne, Matth.
minimum, Hbst.
PTENIDIUM, Er.
punctatum, Qyll.
fuscicorne, Er.
picipes, Matth.
pusillum,- Qyll.
laevigatum, Er.
formicetorum, Ktz.
apicale, Er.
turgidum, Thorns.
NOSSIDIUM, Er.
pilosellum, Marsh.
Lathridiadse.
HOLOPAEAMECUS,
Curtis.
singularis, Beck.
LATHEIDIUS, III.
lardarius, DeGeer.
angusticollis, Humm.
nodifer, Steph.
minutus, Linn.
trans versus, Oliv.
testaceus, Steph.
carinatus, Gyll.
ruBcollis, Marsh.
elongatus, Curtis.
rugosus, Hbst.
filiformis, Gyll.
CORTICAKIA, Marsh.
punctulata, Marsh.
crenulata, Gyll.
denticulata, Gyll.
fulva, Chevr.
serrata, Payk.
cylindrica, Mann.
elongata, Gyll.
ferruginea, Gyll.
gibbosa, PayJc.
Wollastoni, Waterh.
fuscula, Gyll.
curta, Woll.
Pselaphidae.
PSELAPHIDES.
BATRISUS, AuU.
venustus, Reich.
PSELAPHUS, Hist.
Heisei, Hbst.
dresdensis, Hbst.
BRYAXIS, Leach.
sanguinea, Fab.
simplex, Waterh.
fossulata, Reich.
Helferi, Schm.
Lefebvrii, Aube.
hsematica, Reich.
juncorum, Leach.
impressa, Panz.
BYTHINUS, Leach,
clavicornis, Panz.
glabricollis, Leach.
puncticollis, Denny.
bulbifer, Reich.
Curtisii, Leach.
securiger, Reich.
Burrellii, Denny.
TYCHUS, Leach.
niger, PayTc.
TRICHONYX, Chaud.
sulcicollis, Reich.
Markelii, Aube.
EUPLECTUS, Leach.
Kunzei, Aube.
Dennii, Waterh.
Kirbii, Denny.
nanus, Reich.
signatus, Reich.
Karstenii, Reich.
ambiguus, Reich.
bicolor, Denny.
TRIMIUM, AuU.
brevicorne, Reich.
CLAVIGEKIDES.
CLAYIGER, Preyssl.
foveolatus, Mull.
The situation of the fol-
lowing genera is
uncertain.
PHLCEOPHILUS,
Steph.
Edwardsii, Steph.
DIPHYLLUS, Steph.
lunatus, Fab.
ASPIDOPHORTJS, Lat.
orbiculatus, Gyll.
SPHINDUS, Chev.
dubius, Gyll.
MYRMECOXENUS,
Chev.
vaporariorum, Ghier.
INDEX.
Abdera, 164.
Acalles, 193.
Achenium, 84.
Acidota, 89.
Acilius sulcatus, 65.
Acritus, 97.
Acrognathus, 88.
Acylophorus, 79.
Adelognathes, 175.
Adelops, 94.
Adephaga, 43.
Adimonia caprese, 219.
sanguinea, 219.
tanaceti, 219.
Adrastus, 134.
^Egialia, 120.
JEpys, 58.
Agabus tnaculatus, 65.
Agaricophagus, 95.
Agathidium, 95, 96.
Agelastica halensis, 219.
Agrilus biguttatus, 129.
Agriotes, 134.
Agrypnides, 132.
Aleochara, 74.
Aleocharidse, 74, 75.
Alexia pilifera, 231.
Alophus triguttatus, 183.
Alphitobius, 158.
Alula, 26, 65.
Amara fulva, 55.
Ametabola, 5.
AmracBcius, 120.
Ampbicyllis, 95.
Amphimallus, 115.
Auchomenus 6-punctatus, 56.
Ancystronycha, 142.
Anisodactylus, 57.
Anisotoma cinnamomea, 95.
Anisotomidse, 94.
Annelidse, structure of, 5.
Anobiades, 146.
Anobium tessellatum, 148.
Anommatus, 102.
Anomalides, 114.
Artopleura, 5.
Antennae, 23.
Anthaxia, 129.
Anthicidse, 165.
Antbicus instabilis, 166.
Anthobium, 89.
Anthocomus, 142.
Anthonomus, 190.
Anthophagus alpinus, 89.
Anthribidae, 178.
Antiodontalgicus, 188.
Aphidiphagi, 227.
Aphodiadse, 120.
Aphodius inquinatus, 120.
Aphthona, 221.
Apion dijfforme, 182.
Apionidse, 181.
Apoderua coryli, 180.
Apteropeda graminis, 223.
Araclmida, structure of, 4.
Aromia moschata, 205.
Articulata, structure of, 2.
Asemum striatum, 206.
Aspidophorus orbiculatus, 239.
Astinomus aadilis, 207.
Astrapseus, 79.
Atemeles emarginatus, 75.
272
INDEX.
Athous hsemorrhoidalis, 133.
Atomaria, 103.
Atopidse, 136.
Attelabidse, 179.
Attelabus curculionides, 180.
Auchenia, 219.
Autalia, 74.
Badister, 55.
Bagous, 193.
Balaninus brassicse, 191.
cerasorum, 191.
glandium, 191.
nucum, 177, 190.
villosus, 191.
Baptolinus alternans, 83.
Baridiadse, 192.
Baridius, 192.
Bembidiades, 58.
Bembidium bistriatum, 58.
flammulatum, 58.
pallidipenne, 59.
paludosum, 59.
Benzine, 37.
Blaps mucronata, 154.
Blaptidse, 154.
Blechrus maurus, 49.
Bledius, 50, 86, 87.
Blemus areolatus, 58.
Blethisa, 52.
Blister-beetle, 171.
Bloody-nosed beetle, 216.
Bolitobius atricapillus, 78.
Bolitochara, 74.
Bolitophagidse, 156.
Bolitophagus crenatus, 156.
Bombardier-beetle, 49.
Books :
Allard, Halticida, 220.
Aube, Water-beetles, 67.
Burmeister, Manual, 29.
Candeze, Elateridce, 134.
Curtis, Genera, 29.
Dawson, Geodephaga, 45.
Denny, Pselaphidce, 94, 235.
Entomologists' Annual, 45.
Entomologists' Monthly Maga-
zine, 78, 86, 182, 234.
Erichson, Ins. Deutschl., 30, 45.
Marie Brand., 30.
Scolytidce, 196.
Books continued.
Erichson, Staphylinida, 72.
Fabre, Meloe, 171.
Fairmaire, Faune Franq., 30.
Grillmeister, Trichopterygidce,
233.
Gi-yllenhal, Ins. Suecica, 30.
Kirby and Spence, Introduc-
tion, 16.
Kraatz, Colon, 94.
Lacordaire, Genera, 30, 171.
Marseul, de, Histerida, 98.
Mellie, Cis, 150.
Mulsant, Longicornes, 210.
Murray, Catops, 94.
Newport, Meloe, 171.
Putzeys, Mon. des Chirnas, 50.
Katzeburg, Forst. Ins., 196.
Eedtenbacher, Faun. Austr,, 30.
Schonherr, Curculionidae, 176.
Stephens, Illustrations, 29.
Manual, 29.
Stierlin, Otiorhynchus, 187.
Strauss -Dlirckheim, 12.
Thomson, Skand. Col., 30.
Tournier, Colon, 94.
Walton, (^^0^(2,176,182,
Waterhouse, Catalogue, 37.
Gyroph&na, 76.
Westwood, Introduction, 29.
Wollaston, Atomaria, 103.
BostrichidjE, 148, 199.
Bostrichus capucinus, 149.
Brachelytra, 68.
Brachinus crepitans, 49.
Brachyderidge, 182.
Brachypterides, 98.
Brachyrhynchi, 176.
Brachytarsus scabrosuS, 178.
varius, 179.
Broscus, 56.
Bruchidse, 177.
Bruchus pisi, 178.
rufimanus, 178.
Bryaxis sanguinea, 236.
Buprestidae, 127.
Bury ing-beetles, 93.
Byrrhidse, 105.
Byrrhus fasciatus, 105.
Byrsopsidse, 185.
Bythinus, 236.
INDEX.
273
Byturidsj, 143,
Calandridse, 195.
Callicerus, 75.
Callidiades, 205.
Callidium aini, 206.
violaceum, 206.
Callistus lunatus, 54.
Calosoma sycophanta, 52,
Campylides, 134.
Campylus linearis, 134.
Cantharis, 171.
Carabidae, 46.
Carabides, 50.
Carabus monilis, 51.
nemoralis, 51.
nitens, 51.
violaeeus, 51.
Cardinal-beetle, 165.
Carpophilides, 98.
Carpophilus hemipterus, 98.
Cassida oblonga, 224.
sanguinolenta, 224.
viridis, 225.
vittata, 224.
Cassididse, 223.
Catalogue (Waterhou&e's), 37,
Catops, 94.
Cellar-beetlea, 55.
Cerambycidse, 203.
Cerambycides, 204.
Cercus pedicularms, 98.
Cercyon, 109.
Cerylon, 102.
Cetonia senea, 114.
aurata, 114.
Cetoniadse, 113.
Ceuthorhynchideus, 194.
Ceuthorhynchus, 194.
Chafers, 110.
Chilocorus, 229.
Chlaeniades, 53.
Chlsenius yestitus, 53.
Choleva, 94.
Cholevides, 93.
Choragus Sheppardi, 179,
Chrysomela cerealis, 217,
distinguenda, 216.
grarainis, 216.
menthnstri, 216.
poUta, 217.
Chrysomelidae, 216,
Churchyard-beetle, 154,
Cicindela campestris, 47,
germanica, 47.
sylvatica, 48.
Cicindelidae, 46.
Cicones variegatus, 102,
Cioidffi, 150.
Cionidse, 194.
Ciouus blattariae, 195.
Cis boleti, 151,
Cistela, 161.
Cistelidee, 160.
Clambus, 231.
Claviger foreolatus, 237.
Clavigerides, 237.
Clavipalpi, 227.
Cleonidse, 183.
Cleonus, 183.
Clerida?, 144.
Clerus formicarius, 145.
Clivina collaris, 50.
Clypeus, 22.
Clythra quadripunctata, 214.
tridentata, 214.
Clythridse, 214.
Clytides, 206.
Clytus arietis, 207.
Cnemidotus, 62.
Coccidula scutellata, 229.
Coccinella hieroglyphica, 229,
obliterata, 229.
oblongo-guttata, 229.
ocellata, 229.
18-guttata, 229.
19-punctata, 229.
13-punctata, 229.
22-punctata, 229.
Cockchafer, 115.
Cceliodes didymus, 192.
Colenis, 95.
Coleoptera, divisions of, 42.
metamorphosis of, 9, 10,
structure of, 9, 11, 21.
Collecting, 38.
Collecting-bottle, 32.
Colon, 94.
Colydiadse, 102.
Colydium, 102.
Comazus, 231.
Conicoxse, 153,
274
INDEX.
Coniontidse, 154.
Coniporus, 239.
Conopalpus, 164.
Copridse, 118.
Copris lunaris, 119.
Corn-weevil, 195.
Corticaria, 233, 235.
Corylophidse, 231.
Corylophus cassidoides, 231.
Corymbites cupreus, 134.
pectinicornis, 134.
Corynetes, 144, 145.
Cossonidse, 195.
Cossonus linearis, 196.
Coxa, 25, 26, 27.
Creophilus maxillosus, 81.
v. ciliaris, 81.
Crepidodera aurata, 221.
chloris, 221.
helxines, 221.
Crioceridse, 213.
Crioceris asparagi, 214.
merdigera, 213.
Crustacea, structure of, 3.
Cryptarcha, 100.
Crypticus quisquilius, 154.
Cryptobium fracticorne, 84.
Cryptocephalidae, 214.
Cryptocephalus aureolus, 215.
bilineatus, 216. ^ f
coryli, 215.
10-punctatus, 215.
nitidulus, 215.
sericeus, 215.
sex-punctatus, 215.
Cryptohypnus dermestoides, 134.
Cryptophagidse, 103.
Cryptophagus scanicus, 103.
Cryptopleurum, 109.
Cryptorhynchidse, 192.
Cryptorhynchus lapathi, 192.
Cteniopus, 161.
Cucujidse, 103.
Cibister, 63, 65.
Cychramides, 99.
Cychramus, 100.
Cychrus rostratus, 52.
Cyclica, 217.
Cyclonotum, 109.
Cyphonidae, 136.
Cyrtusa, 95.
Dascillus cervinus, 136.
Death-watch, 148.
Deleaster, 88.
Dermestes lardarius, 104.
Dermestidse, 104.
Devil's coach-horse, 68.
Diachromus germanus, 57.
Diamond-beetle, 177.
Dianous cserulescens, 85.
Diaperidse, 156.
Diaperis boleti, 157.
Dichirotrichus obsoletus, 57.
Dictyopterus Aurora, 138.
Dinarda, 75.
DiphyUus lunatus, 238.
Dissection, 14.
Dolopius, 134.
Donacia, 212.
Donaciadae, 212.
Dorcatoma, 147.
Dorcus, eye of, 22.
parallelopipedus, 124.
Dorytomus, 189.
Drilid83, 139.
Drilus flavescens, 140.
Dromius, 49.
Dryops femoratus, 172.
Drypta dentata, 49.
Dung-beetles, 117.
Dyschirius, 50.
Dytiscidse, 61.
Dytiscides, 63.
Dytiscus marginalis, abdomen of,
28.
, lead of, 22, 23.
, larva of, 10, 65.
, pupq, of, 10.
, thorax of,
mesothorax, 25.
metanotum, 26.
metasternum, 27.
pronotum, 24.
prosternum, 25.
Dytiscus punctulatus, 64.
Ebseus, 142.
Elaphrus, 53.
Elaterid89, 131.
Elaterides, 132.
Elater sanguinolentus, 133.
Eledona agaricola, 156.
INDEX.
275
Elmides, 106.
Elytra, 26.
Emus hirtus, 81.
Encephalus complicans, 76.
Endomychus coccineus, 230.
Engis humeralis, 227.
rufifrons, 227.
Ennearthrum, 151.
Enopliades, 144.
Entimus imperialis (exotic}, 177.
Epimera, 25, 26, 27.
Episterna, 25, 26, 27.
Epuraea, 99.
Erirhinidse, 187.
Erirhinus festucae, 189.
tseniatus, 190.
vorax, 190.
ErotylidEe, 226.
Eryx ater, 161.
Eubriadae, 137.
Eubria palustris, 137.
Eucnemidaa, 129.
Euglenes, 166.
Eumicrus tarsatus, 94.
Euplectus Karstenii, 237.
nanus, 237.
signatus, 237.
Eupoda, 211.
Euryporus, 79.
Eusphalerum, 89.
Evaesthetus, 85.
Examination of insects, 14, 15.
Exochomus, 229.
Femur, 25.
Feroniades, 55.
Fungicola, 148.
Galleruca, 219.
Gallerucidse, 218.
Gastrophysa, 218.
Geodephaga, 43.
Geodromicus, 88.
Georyssidse, 106.
Georyssus pygmseus, 107.
Geotrupes stercorarius, 117.
vernalis, 118.
Geotrupidse, 116.
Gibbium, 147.
Globicoxse, 153.
Glow-worm, 138.
Gnathocerus, 157.
Gnorimus, 113.
Gonatoceri, 176.
Gonioctena, 218.
Gracilia pygmsea, 207.
Graptodera, 221.
Gronops lunatus, 185.
Gum-tragacanth, 34.
Gymnetron, 195.
Gyrinida3, 66.
Gyrinus, 22, 65, 66.
Gyrophsena, 74, 77.
Habrocerus, 78.
Haemonia Curtisii, 213.
Haliplides, 61.
Haliplus elevatus, 62.
obliquus, 62.
Hallomenus, 163.
Halticidee, 220.
Haploglossa, 75.
Harpalides, 57.
Harpalus ruficornis, 57.
Hedobia imperialis, 147.
Heliopathes gibbus, 155.
Helophorus rugosus, 108.
Helopidsa, 159.
Helops cseruleus, 159.
palUdus, 160.
striatus, 160.
Hermaaophaga, 221.
Heteroceridse, 105.
Heteromera, 41, 152.
Heterothops, 79.
Hister bimaculatus, 97.
Histeridse, 96.
Holoparamecus, 233.
Homaloplia, 116.
Homalota gregaria, 76.
Horaceusa, 75.
Hoplia philanthus, 116.
Hoplidse, 116.
Hydaticus, 63.
Hydradephaga, 60.
Hydraena, 108.
Hydrobius fuscipes, 108.
Hydronomus, 193.
Hydrophilid83, 107.
Hydroporides, 62.
Hydroporus rivalis, 62.
Hydrous piceus, 108.
276
INDEX.
Hylastes, 197.
Hylecsetus dermestoides, 146.
Hylesinidsa, 196.
Hylesinus vittatus, 197, 198.
Hylobius abietis, 184.
Hylotrupes bajulus, 206.
Hylurgus piniperda, 197.
Hypera, 184.
Hyphydrus ovatus, 63.
Hypocyptus, 77.
Hvpopklce
Hypopklceus bicolor, 158.
Hypothemenus eruditua, 198.
Hypulus quercinus, 164.
Ilyobates, 75/
Insecta, 4, 6, 7.
Ipides, 100.
Ips ferruginous, 100.
Ischnoglossa, 74.
Ischnomera melanura, 23, 172.
Labial palpi, 23, 24
Labium, 23.
Labrum, 22.
Laccophilus, 65.
Lacon murinus, 132.
Lady-birds, 228.
Lsomophlceus, 103.
Lagriadae, 161.
Lagria hirta, 161.
Lamellicornes, 110.
Lamiadae, 203.
Lamiades, 207.
Lamia textor, 207.
Lamprosoma concolor, 214.
Lampyridse, 138.
Lampyris noetiluca, 138.
Laparosticti, 112.
Larinus, 188.
Larvae, 10, 46, 47, 61, 65, 66, 67,
71, 97, 99, 104, 108, 111, 124,
128, 133, 140, 141, 145, 155,
159, 160, 161, 169, 170, 177,
198, 199, 203, 20 A, 213, 217,
225, etc.
Lasia globosa, 229.
Lathridiadae, 233.
Lathridius lardarius, 234.
nodifer, 235.
Lathrimaeum, 89.
Lebia chlorocephala, 49.
Lebia crux-minor, 48.
Lebiades, 48.
Leptacinus formicetorum, 82.
Leptinus, 94.
Lepturidae, 203, 209.
Lepturides, 209.
Lesteva, 88.
Licinus silphoides, 54.
Ligula, 23, 24.
Limnichus, 105. g
Limobius, 185.
Lina popidi, 217.
tremulae, 217.
Liodes, 95, 96.
Lionychus quadrillum, 49.
Liosorruis, 184.
Litodactylus, 194.
Lixus bicolor, 188.
paraplecticus, 188.
Lomechusa, 75.
Longicornes, 201.
Loricera, 54.
Lucanidaj, 121, 122.
Lucanus cervus, 122.
Ludius ferrugineus, 133.
Lycidffi, 137.
Lycoperdina boyistsD, 230.
Lyctidaa, 149.
Lyctus canaliculatus, 150.
Lymexylidss, 145.
Lymexylon, 146.
Lyperus, 220.
Lyprus, 193.
Lytta vesicatoria, 171.
Magdalis carbonarius, 189i
Malachius, 142.
Malacodermi, 135.
Malthinus, 142.
Malthodes, 142.
Mandibles, 22.
Mantura, 221.
Maxilla, 23.
Maxillary palpi, 23*
Meal-worm, 159.
Mecorhynchi, 176, 187.
Megarthrus, 89, 90.
Megastornum, 109.
Melandrya caraboides, 163.
Meland ryadaa, 162.
Melasis buprestoides, 130.
INDEX.
277
Melasoma, 153.
Meligethes, 99.
Meloe, transformations of, 169.
Meloidae, 168.
Melolontha, 115.
Melolonthidge, 115.
Melyridse, 142.
Mentum, 23, 24.
Mesites Tardii, 196.
Mesonotum, 26.
Mesostemum, 26.
Mesothorax, 25.
Metanotum, 26.
Metasternum, 26.
Metathorax, 24.
Mezium, 147.
Miarus, 195.
Miccotrogus, 191.
Micralymma brevipennis, 89.
Micraspis, 229.
Micropeplidae, 91.
Micropeplus, 70.
margaritae, 91.
tessemla, 91.
Microrhagus, 130.
Microzoum, 155.
Miscodera arctica, 56.
Mniophila muscorum, 223.
Mollusca, structure of, 2.
Molorchus umbellatarum, 209.
Molytes, 184.
Molytida^ 183.
Mononychus pseudacori, 193.
Monotoma, 102.
Mordellidae, 166.
Musk-beetle, 205.
Mycei-aea hirta, 230.
Mycetocharis bipustulata, 160.
Mycetophagidse, 104.
Mycetophagus multipunctatus,
104.
Mycetoporus, 78.
Mycterus curculionides, 172.
Mylbena, 74, 76.
Myriapoda, structure of, 5.
Myrmecoxenus vaporariorum,238.
Myrmedonia funesta, 75.
Nanophyes, 195.
Nausibius, 103.
Necrobia, 145.
Necrophaga, 92.
Necrophorus mortuorum, 93.
Nemosoma elongata, 101.
Nets ; sweeping, 31.
umbrella, 31.
water, 32.
Nitidulidse, 98.
Nosodendron, 105.
Nossidium pilosellum, 233.
Noterus, 65.
Notiophilus, 53.
Notoxus, 166.
Nut-Weevil, 177, 190.
Obriades, 207.
Obrium cantharinum, 207.
Occiput, 22.
Ocelli, 23, 70.
Octotemnus, 151.
Ocypus compressus, 82.
morio, 82.
olens, 68, 81.
Ocyusa, 74.
Odacantha melanura, 49.
CEdemera ca?rulea, 172.
CEdemeridse, 171.
Oil-beetles, 168.
Olophrum, 89.
Omalida?, 88.
Oraalium, 23, 89.
Omalium planum, 89.
Omosita, 99.
Onthophagus, 119.
Onthophilus striatus, 97.
Oomorphus, 214.
Opatridae, 155.
Opatrum sabulosum, 155.
Opilus, 145.
Orchesia undulata, 163.
Orchestes, 191.
Orectochilus villosus, 67.
Orobitis, 193.
Orsodacna, 212.
Orthochajtes, 192.
Osphya bipunctata, 164.
Othius, 82.
Otiorhynchidas, 185.
Otiorhynchus picipes, 187.
sulcatus, 187.
Oxypoda, 76.
Oxyporus rufus, 87.
278
INDEX.
Oxytelidae, 86.
Oxytelus, 87.
Psederidse, 83.
Paederus caligatus, 84.
Palpi, 23.
Palpicornes, 107.
Paraglossse, 24.
Parapleura, 27.
Parnidaa, 106.
Pea-beetle, 178.
Pectinicornes, 122.
Pedilidffi, 166.
Pedinidse, 154.
Pelobius Hermann!, 62.
Pentamera, 41.
Phalacrides, 100.
Phaleria cadaverina, 156.
Phanerognathes, 175.
Philhydrida, 107.
Philonthus, 80, 82.
Phloeobium, 71.
clypeatum, 90.
Phlceoc'haridaj, 90.
Phloeocharis subtilissima, 90.
Phlceophilus Edwardsi, 238.
Phloeopora, 74.
Phratora, 218.
Phyllobius argentatus, 186.
viridicollis, 186.
Phyllopertha horticola, 115.
Phyllotreta brassicse, 223.
nodicornis, 222.
ochripes, 222.
sinuata, 222.
tetrastigma, 222.
undulata, 222.
vittula, 222.
Phytonoraus trilineatus, 184.
Phytophaga, 211.
Piestidae, 90.
Pins, 36.
Pissodes pini, 188.
Platydema, 157.
Platypus cylindrus, 199.
Platyrhinus, 179.
Platystethus, 87. v
Plectroscelis, 223.
Pleurosticti, 112, 113.
Plinthus, 184.
Poecilus, 55.
Pogonochoerus, 208.
Pogonus, 55.
Polydrosus, 182.
Post-scutellura, 25.
Prsescutum, 25.
Prionidffi, 203.
Prionocyphon, 137.
Prionus coriarius, 204.
Pristonychus, 55.
Prognatha quadricornis, 90.
Pronotum, 24.
Prosternum, 25, 26.
Prothorax, 24.
Protinides, 89.
Psammodius, 120.
Psammcechus, 103.
Pselaphidse, 235.
Pselaphus dresdensis, 236.
Heisii, 236.
Pseudopsis sulcatus, 90.
Pseudotetramera, 174.
Pseudotrimera, 226.
Psylliodes, 223.
Ptenidium apicale, 233.
Pterosticlms niger, labium of, 24.
Pterostichus picimanus, 55.
Pterygia, 175.
Ptilinus pectinicornis, 147.
Ptinidffi, 146.
Pupa, 10.
Pygidium, 27.
Pyrochroa coccinea, 165.
Pyrochroadse, 164.
Pytho depressus, 165.
Quediadse, 78.
Quedius auricomus, 80,
- brevis, 80.
cruentus, 80.
dilatatus, 80.
Isevigatus, 80.
lateralis, 80.
scitus, 80.
truncicola, 80.
Kadiata, 6.
Relaxing-jar, 34.
Rhagium, 210.
Rhagonycha, 142.
Rhinocyllus, 188.
Rhinoniacer attelaboides, 180.
INDEX.
279
Ehinomaceridse, 180.
Ebinosimus viridipennis, 173.
Ehipiphorides, 167.
Ehipiphorus paradoxus, 167.
Ehizopertha pusilla, 149.
Ehizophagus, 98, 101.
Ehizotrogus solstitialis, 115.
Ehopalodontus, 150.
Ehynchophora, 174.
Ehytidosomus, 193.
Eose-beetle, 114.
Eostrum, 174.
Eove-beetles, 68.
Eutelidaj, 114.
Sagridae, 212.
Salpingidae, 173.
Saperda carcharias, 208.
populnea, 209.
scalaris, 208.
Saperdides, 208.
Sarrotrium, 102.
Scaphidema, 157.
Scaphidiadae, 96.
Scaphisoma, 96.
Scaritides, 50.
Seirtes hemisphaericus, 137.
Scolytidee, 196.
Scolytus destructor, 198.
Scopaeus, 83.
Scraptia, 166.
Scrobes, 175.
ScuteUum, 25.
Scutum, 25.
Scydmaenidae, 94.
Scymnus, 229.
Securipalpes, 227.
Serica brunnea, 116.
Sericid, 115.
Sericosomus, 134.
Serricornes, 126.
Setting-boards, etc., 34.
, directions for, 34, 72, 77.
Sexton-beetles, 93.
Shardborn-beetle, 117.
Sibynes, 191.
Silphidge, 93.
Silusa, 74.
Silvanus, 103.
Sinodendron, 122, 135.
Sitaris muralis, 170.
Sitones, 182.
Sitophilus granarius, 195.
oryzae, 195.
Skip-jacks, 126.
Soronia grisea, 99.
punctatissima, 99.
Spanisb-fly, 171.
Species, definition of, 12.
Spercheus emarginatus, 107.
Sphaeriadae, 232.
Sphaeridiadae, 109.
Sphserites, 94.
Sphaerius acaroides, 232.
Sphasroderma, 221.
Sphindus dubius, 239.
Sphodrus, 55.
Spiracles, 28.
, in larva, 10.
Squeaker, 62.
Stag-beetle, 122.
Staphylini, 68.
Staphylinidge, 80.
Staphylinus caesareus, 81.
erythropterus, 81.
Stenidas, 85.
Stenus G-uynemeri, 86.
Eogeri, 86.
Sternoxi, 126.
Sternum, 25.
Stilicus fragilis, 85.
Strangalia armata, 210.
Strepsiptera, 7.
Stropbosomus, 182.
Stylopidae, 7.
Subtetramera, 174.
Sulcicolles, 230.
Sunsbiners, 56.
Symbiotes latus, 231.
Synaptus, 134.
Syntomium, 88.
Tachinus, 78.
Tacbyerges, 191.
Tachyporidae, 77.
Tachyporus, 78.
Tachypus flavipes, 59.
pallipes, 59.
Tachyusa, 74.
constricta, 76.
Tanysphyrus lemnae, 183.
Tarsus, 25.
280
INDEX.
Telephoridse, 140.
Telephorus clypeatus, 140.
Telmatophilus, 143, 144.
Tenebrio molitor, 159.
Tenebrionidee, 158.
Tenebrio obscurus, 159.
Tetraraera, 41, 174.
Tetratoma aneora, 162.
Desmarestii, 162.
fungorum, 162.
Tetratomidse, 162.
Tetrops, 209.
Thiasophila, 75.
Thorax, 24.
Throscus dermestoides, 130.
Thy amis dorsalis, 223.
Thymalus limbatus, 102.
Thysanura, 5.
Tibia, 25.
Tiger-beetles, 46.
Tillus elongatus, 145.
Timarcha Isevigata, 216.
Timberman, 207.
Tomicidse, 196.
Tomicus, 199.
Tortoise-beetles, 223.
Trachodes, 192.
Trachyphlceus, 186.
Trachys, 129.
Trachyscelidse, 155.
Trechides, 57.
Tribolium ferrugineum, 157.
Trichius fasciatus, 113.
Trichodes, 144.
Trichonyx, 237.
Trichophya, 78.
Trichopterygidse, 232.
Trichopteryx atomaria, 233.
TriphyUus, 104.
Triplax russicus, 227.
Tritoma bipustulata, 227.
Trochanter, 25, 26, 27.
Trogidse, 121.
Trogophlceus, 86, 88.
Trogosita mauritanica, 102.
Trogositidse, 101.
Tropideres, 179.
Trox, 121.
Turnip-flea, 222.
Tychius, 191.
Tychus, 237.
Typhsea, 104.
Typheeus vulgaris, 118.
Ulomidse, 157.
Water-beetles, 60.
Weevils, 174.
Whirlwigs, 66.
Wing, 26.
Winglet, 26, 65.
Wire-worm, 133.
Xantholinidae, 82.
Xantholinus fulgidus, 83.
tricolor, 83.
Xylophaga, 196.
Xylophilus, 166.
Xyloterua domesticus, 198.
lineatus, 198.
Xylotrogi, 145.
Zabrus gibbus, 46, 56.
Zeugophora subspinosa, 213.
PLATE I.
1. Cicindela sylvatica.
2. Lebia crux-minor.
'3. Brachinus crepitans.
4. Clivina collaris.
5. Carabus nitens.
6. Licinus silphoides.
PLATE II.
1 . Callistus lunatus.
2. Anchomenus sexpunctatus.
3. Pterostichus picimanus.
4. Amara fulva.
5. Dichirotrichus obsoletus.
6. Bembidium pallidipenne.
.Plate. 11.
,E WRotir.icn.Eel'r.t Si f.l&6S.
PLATE III.
1. Dytiscus punctulatus (male) .
2. Agabus maculatus.
3. Hydroporus rivalis.
4. Haliplus obliquus.
5. Pelobius Hermann!.
6. Gyrinus bicolor.
6 a. Head of ditto, seen laterally.
6b. Antenna of ditto.
6c. Hind leg of ditto.
Plate 111
I
Sa
PLATE IV.
1 . Ateraeles emarginatus.
2. Bolitobius atricapillus.
3. Quedius crueutus.
4. Creophilus maxillosns.
5. Xantholinus fulgidus.
6. Prederus caligatus.
.Plate .M
.E.W.Rotinson .Del^etSfJ.1865,
PLATE V.
1. Dianous cserulesccus.
2. Oxyporus rufus.
3. Homalium planuni.
4. Plilceobium clypeatum.
5. Progriatlia quadricornis.
6. Micropeplus margaritre.
PLATE VI.
1. Necrophorus mortuormo.
2. Euraicrus tarsatus.
3. Anisotoma cinnamomea.
4. Hister bimaculatus.
5. Soronia punctatissima.
6. Cicones variegatus.
Plate VI,
. WRoiiniMi .'Del 1 . etScP.1865:
PLATE VII.
1. Cryptophagus scanicus.
2. Mycetophagus multipunctatus.
3. Byrrhus fasciatus.
4. Helophorus ragosus.
5. Hydrobius fuscipes.
6. Trichius fasciatus.
Plate Vli
. E W. Roii/uon. Del', et Sc P 136,5
PLATE VIII.
1. Phyllopertha horticola.
2. Typhaeus vulgaris.
3. Aphodius inquinatus.
4. Dorcus parallelopipedus.
5. Agrilus biguttatus.
6. Melasis buprestoides.
.PU.te.VIIl.
T.s.n.D.l': tSr. 1865.
PLATE IX.
1 . Elater sanguinolentus.
2. Dictyopterus Aurora.
3. Drilus fiavescens (male).
4. Telephorus clypeatus.
5. Clerus formicarius.
6. Hylecsetus dermestoides (male),
.Plate IX.
PLATE X.
1 . Hedobia imperialis.
1 a. Head and thorax of ditto,
viewed laterally.
2. Crypticus quisquilius.
3. Helops pallidus.
4. Orchesia nndulata.
5. Notoxus monoceros.
5 a. Head and thorax of ditto,
viewed laterally.
6. Rhipiphorus paradoxus (male).
.PUte.X.
.E.W.Rotinsor-.D.n
PLATE XI.
1. Sitaris muralis.
2. (Edemera coerulea (male).
3. Rhinosimus viridipennis.
4. Brachytarsus scabrosus.
5. Rhynchites sequatus.
6. Phytonomus trilineatus.
.PUteXl.
PLATE XII.
1 . Otiorhynchus picipes.
2. Balaninus villosus.
2 a. Head of ditto, viewed laterally.
3. Cryptorhynclms lapathi.
4. Cleonus blattarise.
5. Cossonus linearis.
6. Hylesinus vittatus.
PLATE XIII.
1 . Xyloterus lineatus.
2. Platypus cylindrus.
3. Callidium alni.
4. Acanthocinus sedilis (male).
5. Saperda scalaris.
(j. Molorchus umbellatarum.
Pkte.xn:
E W Roti ns or, . Del 1 e'- Sr? 18 W.
PLATE XIV.
1. Strangalia armata (var.).
2. Hsemonia Curtisii.
3. Crioceris asparagi.
4. Cryptocephalus bilineatus.
5. Chrysomela distinguenda.
6. Calomicrus circurafusus.
.PkteXlV.
.E ,W. K obi-n -: o n . Del 1 : etS^ .IS 55.
PLATE XV.
1. Phyllotreta ochripes.
2. Apteropeda graminis.
3. Cassida sanguinoleiita.
4. Tritoma bipustulata.
5. Coccinella 22-punctata.
6. Endomychus coccineus.
Plate XV
f, V
PLATE XVI.
1. Coryloplms cassidoides.
2. Ptenidium apicale.
3. Lathridius lardarius.
4. Pselaphus Heisii.
5. Euplectus nanus.
G. Claviger foveolatus.
.pute.xvr,
' e,t.SJ>J865.
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1!
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