INSECTS. 251 



they feed upon vegetation. Some attack fruits, some 

 eat grain, and others nuts. Certain ones burrow between 

 the bark and solid woods of trees, excavating curious mines, 

 while others bore into the solid wood. 



Of the normal Coleoptera some are beneficial to man, 

 since they feed upon other insects. Here ma}- be enumer- 

 ated the brilliant tiger-beetles and the caterpillar-hunters, 

 the habits of which have given them their common names. 

 They are all extremely active. The water-beetles should 

 be placed in the same category, for they and their larvae 

 feed upon the insects of our streams and ponds, and do 

 not a little towards keeping the mosquitoes within bounds. 



Another large group of beetles have the antennae ending 

 in a club or knot. Some of these, like the carrion-beetles, 

 are of value, since they lay their eggs in decaying flesh, 

 where the larvae live and flourish, converting what other- 

 wise would be a nuisance into another crop of beetles. 

 Others, like the 'ladybugs/ are predaceous, feeding upon 

 the smaller insects; but still others are unmitigated nui- 

 sances, since they have a taste for dried animal matter. 

 Among these are the bacon-beetle and the far better known 

 'buffalo-bug/ which plays havoc with our silks and wool- 

 ens, our carpets, and the specimens in our museums. In 

 this same group belong the rove-beetles, forms in which the 

 wing-covers are very short, not covering half of the long 

 abdomen. Disturb one and notice the threatening way it 

 moves its abdomen about, as if to sting. It is, however, 

 perfectly harmless. 



The spring-beetles and the fireflies agree in having the 

 antennae toothed something like a saw. The spring-beetles 

 receive their common name from the fact that when laid 

 upon their backs they will suddenly throw the body into 

 the air. When opportunity offers, study the actions of one 



