2G0 



HALF HOURS WITH IXSECTS. 



[Packard. 



Fig. 190. 



Tiger Beetle. 



Among the insects adapted by their peculiar style of col- 

 oration to live on the sand or soil are the tiger beetles. 

 They are most commonly seen running over sands by the 

 river or on the Avarm, light colored soil of wood or forest 

 paths. The Cicinclela generosa (Fig. 196) is 

 ornamented more conspicuously than usual 

 with broad light bands and spots. It is 

 found on the white sands of Cape Cod and the 

 beaches southward. But a more decided case 

 of protective mimicry is the white-backed tiger 

 beetle {Cicindela dormlis). Here the wing- 

 covers and front of the head (cl3pcus) are 

 white, while the back part of the head and 

 the prothorax are dark, so tliat as the beetle 

 lies on the white sand in wait for its prey, it 

 would be easily mistaken for a hole or dark 

 spot or pebble. On the other hand the bright green six- 

 spotted Cicindela {C. sex-guttata) is adapted for its life in 

 the grass in which it runs and flies, and in its flight would 

 be mistaken by its enemies or victims for a large green fly 

 (Miisca vomitoria). 



"The beautiful Cicinclela gloriosa^ of a very deep velvety 

 green color, was only taken upon wet mossy stones in the 

 bed of a mountain stream, whei'e it was with the greatest 

 difficulty detected. A large brown species (C. hems) was 

 found chiefly on dead leaves on forest paths ; and one which 

 was never seen except on the wet mud of salt marshes was 

 of a glossy olive so exactly the color of the mud as only to 

 be distinguished when the sun shone, by its shadow ! Where 

 the sandy beach was coralline and nearly white, I found a 

 \'ery pale Cicindela ; wherever it was volcanic and black, 

 a dark species of the same genus was sure to be met with." 

 (Wallace.) 



The black or reddish ants are protected from observation 

 by their dark colors in climbing the trunks of trees, while 



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