488 AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY 



end of each wing-cover; these spots are often so large that they 

 appear as two transverse bands. In some species the prothorax and 

 the head are also marked with red. 



These insects are called burying-beetles because they bury carrion. 

 When a pair of these beetles discover a dead bird, mouse, or other 

 small animal, they dig beneath it, removing the earth so as to allow 

 the carrion to settle into the grotmd. This they will continue until 

 the object is below the surface of the ground. Then they cover it 

 with earth, and finally the female digs down to it and lays her eggs 

 upon it. The larvae that hatch from these eggs feed upon the food 

 thus provided for them. There are many accounts of exhibitions of 

 remarkable strength and sagacity by burying-beetles. A pair of 

 these insects have been known to roll a large dead rat several feet in 

 order to get it upon a suitable spot for burying. 



The members of the genus SUpha are very much 

 flattened (Fig. 576). The prothorax is round in outline, 

 with very thin edges which overlap the wing-covers 

 somewhat. The body is not nearly as stout as that of 

 a burying beetle, being fitted for creeping imder 

 dead animals instead of for performing deeds requiring 

 great strength. Silpha bituberosa, which is known as 

 the spinach carrion -beetle, feeds on spinach, beets, and 

 other plants, in the West. 

 In some of the minute members of this family the body is nearly 

 hemispherical. 



The family CLAMBID^ consists of very minute species, measur- 

 ing about I mm. in length. They live in decomposing vegetable 

 matter. The edge of the hind wings is fringed with long hairs. For 

 other characters, see table, page 470. Only six species, representing 

 three genera, occur in our fauna. 



The family SCYDM^NID^ includes very small insects found 

 under bark or stones, in ants' nests, or near water. They are small, 

 shining, usually ovate but sometimes slender insects, of a brown color, 

 and more or less clothed with erect hairs. Other characters are given 

 in the preceding table of families. About one hundred seventy-five 

 North American species are known. 



The family CORYLOPHID^ includes minute beetles found under 

 damp bark and in decaying fungi and other vegetable matter. The 

 body is oval or rounded, and in many species is clothed with a grayish 

 pubescence. The wings are wide, and fringed with long hairs. Some 

 of our common species measure less than i mm. in length. Fifty- 

 seven North American species have been described. 



Family STAPHYLINID^E 



The Rove-Beetles 



The rove-beetles are very common about decaying animal matter, 

 and are often foimd upon the ground, under stones or other objects. 



