HOW TO KNOW THE INSECTS 



21a Mostly large beetles, usually over 12 mm. long, either 

 broadly flattened or heavy and in this latter case with elytra 

 short, exposing two or three segments of abdomen. (The Carrion 

 Beetles) Fig. 106. Family 12, SILPHIDAE 



Fig. 106. Sllpha amerlcana L. 



Much flattened. Thorax yellow with center 

 spot black; elytra brov.Tilsh with elevations 

 darker. Fairly common on carrion. A beau- 

 tiful beetle If It were not for Its disgust- 

 ing ways. Length 16-20 m_m. 



Four other species of this genus are 

 found In Iowa, all of them flattened and 

 shaped somewhat like amerlcana . Another 

 genus Necrophorus Is common. Its members 

 are large, elon^^ate and robust. They are 

 black with brilliant vermilion markings on 

 head, thorax, and elytra. They are knovm as 

 burying beetles because of their habit of 

 burying small carcasses as food for their 

 larvae . 



Seldom over 10 mm. in length. Cylindrical 



Hind coxae conical. Front coxae long with 



Figure 106, 



21b 

 22a 



22 



chant ins. Fig. 



Fami 



forms. . . 

 distinct tro- 

 ly 28, MELYRIDAE 



;Fab.) 



107. 



Fig. 107. Collops quadrlmaculatus 



Head, abdomen and femora black; thorax and 

 elytra reddish-yellow; markings blue or blu- 

 ish black. Readily taken throughout the 

 state by sweeping. Length 4-6 mmi. 



fairly large one and 

 found to have a number of 

 Iowa, if sufficient col- 



Thls family Is a 

 doubtless would be 

 representatives In 



lee ting and study were given it. 



Figure 107, 



22b Hind coxae flat; covered with femora when at rest. Fourth 

 tarsal ioints equal to others. (The Checkered Beetles) Fig. 108. 



Fami ly 29, CLERIDAE 



Fig. 108. Enoclerus nigrlpes Say 



Elongate-cylindrical, thickly clothed with 

 hairs. Head, thorax and base of elytra dull 

 red. Two cross bars on elytra black. Tips 

 of elytra and space between black bars 

 v/hitlsh. Length 5-7 mm.. 



Figure 10!J. 



63 



