HOW TO KNOW THE IMMATURE INSECTS 



29a. Gula well developed; maxillae inserted at a considerable dis- 

 tance in from anterior margin of presternum; labial palpi 2-seg- 

 mented. Fig. 202 Family MELOIDAE 



This family comprises no 

 less than 2,500 species. The 

 adults are called blister 

 beetles. Eggs are laid in 

 masses in the soil. The 

 newly hatched larvae called 

 triungulins or primary lar- 

 vae, are campodeiform. They 

 are active and feed on egg 

 masses of other insects in 

 the soil, or they may attach 

 themselves to certain adult 

 hosts and ride to the nests 

 and feed upon the food or 

 devour the young. Then they 

 transform into scarabaeoid 

 type of larvae, and some in- 

 to still a third type of larvae. 

 A prepupa stage is followed 

 by the pupa and then the 

 adult. 



Fig. 202. a. Forms of meloid larvae; b, 

 Ventral aspect of labium. 



29b. Gula area short; maxillae extending 

 posteriorly to near the anterior margin 

 of presternum; labial palpi not seg- 

 mented, reduced to warts, or entirely ab- 

 sent. Fig. 203 30 



Fig. 203. Ventral aspect 

 of head and prothorax of 

 Rhipiphorus solidoginio 

 Pierce. 



OceUi^ 



Fig. 204. Tetraonyx quadrimoculoto F. 



1st instar. 



30a. 1 ocellus on each side of 

 head. 



Fig. 204. . . Genus Tefraonyx, 

 MELOIDAE 



The larvae of this genus seem 

 so different from other Meloids 

 that some systematists would er- 

 rect a family (Tetraonycidae) for 

 the few members of the genus. 



85 



