COLEOPTERA 101 



connecting it with the synthorax. By means of the mecha- 

 nism of this joint one of these beetles when placed on its back 

 can spring bodily into the air. The gray "owl beetle" is one 

 of the largest members of the group. The larvae of the group 

 are known as "wire worms." 

 Note especially: 



(a) The small head and blunt herbiv- 

 orous mouth parts. 



(b) The fine coloring and sculpturing 

 of the body. 



, N ,-p,, c c , f t Fig. 40. — The nine-spotted 



(C) The form Of the rear Ol the pro- lady-bird beetle and its larva. 



thorax, 

 (d) The grooved hind coxae, into which the hind 

 femora fit. 



8. The metallic woodborers or Buprestids: These are 

 among the hardest of the hard shelled, often appearing as 

 if cast in bronze. Though somewhat similar in form to the 

 click beetles, they lack the springing joint in the thorax, 

 and they are further distinguished by having the two basal 

 segments of the abdomen fused together on the underside. 

 The larvae are known as flat-headed borers. 



Note especially: 



(a) The fine sculpturing and coloring of the body. 



(b) The short, saw-toothed antennae. 



(c) The grooves for close infolding of the legs. 



9. The ladybird beetles or ( 'lady bugs" : Little nearly hemi- 

 spherical beetles, brightly marked with black, white, red, 

 or yellow spots, diurnal in habits and mainly carnivorous, 



