ANT-BEETLES. 



255 



that length. In beauty of colour, however, they compensate for 

 their small size, for there is scarcely a colour of the rainbow 

 which is not represented in some of the Cyclica. This beauty 

 is not attained by the iridescent hairs with which many Beetles 

 are clothed, but is due to the surface of the body itself. 



The family of the Clythridfe is represented in England by 

 only three little species, which are very seldom found, on account 

 of the locality in which they live. They inhabit ants' nests, and 

 their larvEe contrive to make moveable cases of a tough and 

 leathery nature, in which they conceal the greater part of their 

 bodies. Only the head, thorax, and legs project from the narrow 

 end of the case, the rest of the body being concealed within it. 



Whether this covering be intended for a protection against the 

 stings of the ants is a very doubtful point. That it should 

 be supposed to serve such a purpose is natural enough, 

 especially as it would form an effectual protection against the 

 attacks of ants or even stronger enemies than they are. But 

 we must remember that in most instances where Beetles are 

 parasitic upon ants, both parties seem to live in perfect amity ; 

 and, indeed, in one case, if the nest be 

 broken open, the ants take as much 

 care of the Beetles as of their own off- 

 spring. A somewhat similar case is 

 formed by Beetles belonging to the 

 genus Poropleura, which will presently 

 be described. 



Our example of this family is a very 

 pretty Brazilian Beetle belonging to the 

 genus Themesia, of which there is only 

 one species in the British Museum. 

 The front of the thorax is bright blue, 

 shining and punctated, and the elytra 

 are of the same hue, the latter being 

 sometimes green or even copper. The 

 middle of the thorax is covered with 



abundant golden yellow hair, not set regularly, as is generally 

 the case with insect hair, but laid in tufts, very like moss pressed 

 flat. The under surface is clothed with similar hairs. 



I have no doubt that the specific name aurisapilla, which is 



X^:^;^-' 



Fig. 122.— Themesia aurisi 

 (Blue and yellow) 



