98 



ELEMENTARY LESSONS ON INSECTS 



Fig. 38. — A ground beetle, Calosoma 

 sycophanta. This species was imported 

 from Europe to prey upon the Gipsy 

 moth in New England. 



recognized as occurring in North 

 America. Many of these are 

 small and obscure families, that 

 need not concern us here: but the 

 following fifteen are large and 

 important groups; and represen- 

 tatives of them should be avail- 

 able for this study. We have 

 already (page 15) glanced at 

 the characters that are common 

 to all beetles. Let us now note 

 the family characters in a few of 

 these. 



1. Tiger beetles: Large, very active, strong flying, diurnal, 

 graceful, beautifully colored, predacious beetles found on 

 sandy beaches. Note the metallic luster, the long legs, the 

 sharp-toothed carnivorous jaws. 



2. The ground beetles: Mostly flat-bodied, long-legged, 

 blackish, nocturnal beetles found under stones and logs. 

 They run rapidly to cover when disturbed. Note the fine 

 sculpturing of the body, the predacious jaws, the slender 

 antennae, the long legs and the long five-jointed hind tarsi. 

 Many members of this family secrete an ill-smelling fluid 

 that serves for their defense. The Bombardiers secrete a 

 fluid that explodes like a little pop gun, producing a cloud 

 of smoke to alarm and confuse a pursuer. The Bombardiers 

 are yellow with dark blue wing covers. 



