HEXAPODA : COLEOPTEKA OE BEETLES. 



319 



FIG. 4H. 



is smooth and egg-like, the whole covering being a pupa- 

 ri urn-like case in which the larva becomes a pupa imme- 

 diately after it is born. 



The spider-shaped Bat-ticks or Nycteribidse, which are 

 parasites on the Bat, and the Bee-lice (Braulina), minute, 

 wingless, blind insects, parasites on Bees, are other anom- 

 alous forms of the Diptera. 



4:. THE SUB-ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. The Coleoptera or 

 Beetles are insects whose upper or anterior wings, called 

 elytra, are more or less horny, and meet in a straight line 

 upon the top of the back ; 

 and in general there is a 

 small triangular piece, 

 called the scutellum, be- 

 tween their bases. Their 

 hind or under wings are 

 thin, and when not in use 

 are folded longitudinally 

 and transversely. The 

 Coleoptera have two pairs 

 of jaws, which move side- 

 wise, and the larvae, which 

 are called grubs, undergo 

 a complete transformation 

 in coming to maturity. 

 There are probably more than 100,000 species of Beetles, 

 and they present a great diversity of form, size, color, 

 structure, and habits. The name Coleoptera is from the 

 Greek koleos, a sheath, and pteron, a wing. 



Some kinds, as the Tiger Beetles or Cicindelidte, have a 

 large head, long antennae, and toothed mandibles, and are 

 very rapacious in their habits. Their larvae are provided 

 with powerful jaws, and are also rapacious. The larvae 



A Beetle, Caterpillar-Hunter, Calosuma 

 scrutator, Fabricius. 



