440 SYNOPTIC COLLECTION. 



1107, fig. i, Attagenus piceus OL). In this species the 

 larva is a reddish brown, while the pupa (fig. 2) is white 

 covered with a delicate pubescence. The adult (No. 

 1108; PL 1107, fig. 3) is nearly black and is common on 

 window sills in spring and early summer. 



Many of the Elateridae or spring-beetles have naked 

 larvae, as seen in Alaus oculatus Linn. (No. 1109, larva, 

 pupa, and adult). The adult is conspicuous on account 

 of the scales on the prothorax which are arranged in two 

 black velvety spots encircled by whit.e rings. The beetles 

 of this family, when they have fallen on their backs, can 

 right themselves by springing into the air. 



Other Elaterid larvae are long, cylindrical, and wire-like 

 in shape with a smooth, tough cuticle, such as the larva 

 of Ludius attenuatus Say (No. 1 1 10). 



Phosphorescence is not limited to the Lampyridae 

 among insects but is found in members of other families. 

 The most beautiful luminous insect we have seen is Pyro- 

 phorus noctiluca Linn. (No. uu, P. physoderus) of the 

 Elaterids. When flying or when disturbed, its light is 

 given out from two spots on the prothorax and one on the 

 ventral surface. This light is not intermittent as in the 

 fire-fly, but is steady, strong and of an exquisite greenish 

 tint. 



The larvae of some of the Tenebrionidae, Ekodes 

 gigantea, for instance, have the abdominal segments flat- 

 tened at first, but gradually after several moults of the 

 skin they acquire the typical wire-like shape and become 

 darker in color. 1 No. 1112 is the adult of Eleodes trico- 

 stata. 



Tenebrio molitor Linn. (PI. 1113, fig. i, larva; fig. 2, 

 pupa; fig. 3, adult; No. 1114, adult) is a well known 

 genus of this family, since its larva, one of the so called 

 "meal worms," is often found in flour and meal. 



The life histories of the parasitic Coleoptera, Meloidae 



1 Bull. Brooklyn Ent. Soc., I, no. i, 1878, p. 19. 



