HOW TO KNOW THE IMMATURE INSECTS 



24a. Lacinia with entire surface asperate; terminal segment of maxil- 

 lary palpus subulate; ligula trilobed. 

 Fig. 194 Family SCAPHIDIIDAE 



The members of this family are fungivorous 

 or occur in rotting wood both as larvae and 

 adults. Less than 100 species are known in 

 North America although some species are very 

 common. 



Fig. 194. a, Scaphi- 

 soma convexum Say; 

 b, Ventral aspect, of 

 labium.. 



24b. Lacinia not asperate, or only along posterior margin; terminal 

 segment of maxillary palpus not subulate; ligula bilobed. 

 Fig. 195 FamUy SILPHIDAE 



The carrion beetles, burying beetles and 

 sexton beetles are the common names of the 

 adult members of this family which include 

 about 1,600 described species. The eggs are 

 laid in dead animal bodies and their larvae 

 lead a saprozoic life. However, some are 

 predacious and feeding upon snails or other 

 insects; others are found among plants and 

 fungi. 



Fig. 195. a, Silpha sp.; 

 b. Mandible; c. Labium. 



25a. Ligula either deeply bilobed anteriorly, or 

 absent; labrum fused to become nasale. 

 Fig. 196 26 



Fig. 196. Dorsal as- 

 pect of head. 



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