184 INSECTS ABROAD. 



tured. In the male the antennse are long and slender, as shown 

 in the illustration, but in the female they are comparatively 

 short, being only about one-half as long as the body. There are 

 but a few species of Eupezus, all of which are black, though 

 none are so jetty black, so shining, so large, or so long-legged 

 as Eupemis nigerrimus. 



Of the family of the Nycteliidse we take as our example Gyrio- 

 soma Lcuzotii. With regard to this genus, Lacordaire has the 

 following statement : — " These are large and remarkable insects, 

 mostly black, shining, and silky, having 

 on each of the elytra a variable number 

 of oblique channels which are tilled 

 with short, \vliite furry down, lying 

 nearly flat along the furrows." The 

 present species is a native of Chili. 

 Its colours are pitch black and greyish 

 white, arranged as shown in the illus- 

 tration. The head is black, and so is 

 the thorax, the front angles of which 

 Fig. 86.-Gyiiosonia Leuzotii. are rouudcd, and the hinder angles 



(Black and white.) ^ ■ . A n^\ . c 1.1 



long and pointed, ihe centre oi the 

 u]3per surface or disc, as it is scientifically termed, is thickly 

 wrinkled. 



The elytra are not punctated, but are covered with irregular 

 striae. Running from the scutellum towards the tips of the elytra 

 are several white patches. These patches are irregular, not only 

 in shape and size, but even in number, some specimens having 

 only five, while others have six or seven. Beneath, the insect is 

 pitchy black. 



Like most of the Heteromera, this insect is of a shy and 

 retiring disposition, hiding itself under stones and in similar 



The family of the Lagriidne is very familiar to English entomo- 

 logists on account of the only British representative of the family, 

 Lagria hirta, so plentiful in the summer in hedges and upon 

 flowers. The name Lagriidse is formed from a Greek word signify- 

 ing " a hare," and is given to these Beetles on account of the 

 dense and long down with which many of the species are covered. 



