FIELD BOOK OF INSECTS, 



Clceotus is the only genus of the Acanthocerini (rounded, 

 smooth, shining; scutellum relatively large; five visible, 

 ventral, abdominal segments) that is likely to be found in 

 our region. The species are less than .25 in. long, and 

 live under bark and in rotten wood. Their body is partly 

 contractile so that it can be rolled up into a somewhat 

 hemispherical mass. 



Of the Coprini (hind tibiae usually with a single terminal 

 spur; tip of abdomen not covered by elytra), Canthon 

 may be recognized by the slender, somewhat curved, 

 middle and hind tibise being but little enlarged at the 

 tip; the males never have horns. The others have these 

 tibiae much expanded at the tip and the males usually 

 have horns on the head or pronotum. Of these, Chcsridium 

 and Onthophagus rarely exceed .3 in. in length. 



Canthon These black or bronzed beetles are the 



Tumble Bugs, which make balls of dung 

 and industriously roll them about (Plate LXXX). Scara- 

 bfBus sacer is a related insect with similar habits; it occurs 

 in the Mediterranean region and was considered sacred 

 by the Egyptians. It seems that this creature, in its form 

 and actions, was believed by them to be emblematical of 

 such abstruse things as the planetary movements and 

 future life, not to mention minor matters. As a matter 

 of fact, we have a great deal to learn about the whys and 

 the hows of the ball-rolling. Comstock wrote that "this 

 is one of the instances, rare among insects, where the male 

 realizes that he has some responsibility as a father, and 

 assists the female in providing for the young." On the 

 other hand, Fabre, observing S. sacer, tells of females 

 helping each other to the extent of stealing the ball. 



Copris Species of this genus do not roll their 



food to some distant hole for burial but dig 

 a hole in the ground under or near the source of supply, 

 usually cow dung. This hole is then provisioned and a 

 single egg is laid in it. Our three common species are 

 plain black. C. Carolina (Plate LXXX), is rarely less than 

 .9 in. long and each elytron has but seven longitudinal 



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