COLEOPTERA HETEROMERA. 



(33 



sterna and the tip of the sixth visible. This family comprises two small 

 and rare beetles from North America. 



Fam. 63. Anthicidae. Head with an abrupt narrow neck. Base of 

 elytra wider than prothorax. Antennae filiform. A numerous and 

 cosmopolitan family of small beetles which 

 either live in dead wood or frequent sandy and 

 earthy spots. 



Fam. 64. Cantharidae.* Head narrow behind 

 eyes. Base of elytra narrower than prothorax. 

 Each tarsal claw has an appendage. The oil- 

 and blister-beetles are of fair size and form a 

 large family. They often contain some irritant 

 which raises blisters when applied to the skin, 

 e.g. Lytta vesicatoria, the Spanish-fly. The 

 larvae, in many cases (Fig. 467), are at first 

 active and campodeiform, but later inert, motion- 

 less and maggot-like ; just before pupating, how- 

 ever, they again become active, though they take 

 no food. Sitaris humeralis, British, infests in 

 the larval stages the nests of the bee Anthophora 

 and devours first the egg of the bee and then 

 the honey stored up as food for the bee larvae. 



Fam. 65. Cistelidae. Allied to the Tene- 

 brionidae. With pectinated claws. Anterior 

 coxal cavities closed behind. The Cistelidae 

 are a cosmopolitan family of moderate size. The 

 larvae are said to eat dead wood. 



Fam. 66. Lagriidae. Antennae filiform. Anterior coxal cavities 

 closed. Claws smooth. These beetles are hairy and the larvae often 

 have tufts of hairs ; the latter are found on leaves. The family is very 

 moderate in size and widely distributed especially in warm countries. 

 Lagria hirta is the solitary British representative. 



FIG. 406. a Meloe viola - 

 ceus ', b Sikiris humeralis. 



FIG. 467. Metamorphosis of Sitaris humeralis (after Fabre). a First larval form ; b second 

 larval form ; c pseudo-pupa ; d third laival form ; e pupa. 



* Meloidae of some authorities. 



