248 



CLASSIFICATION OF INSI'.CTS. 



Soldier-beetles or Pyrochroites. Larva more depressed ; 

 head as wide as the prothorax ; paratelum the largest seg- 

 ment ; telimi corneous, and produced into two spines. In- 

 habits and feeds on decaying wood. Pupa changes in the 

 same situations, or in the ground. Imago generally with 

 long pectinated antennce ; head exserted, triangular, and 

 porrected horizontally, narrower than the prothorax ; fore 

 wings soft, flexible ; diurnal, flying readily in the sunshine. 

 Pyrochroa. 



Blister-beetles, &c., or Canthariles. Larva and pupa 

 unknown, supposed in some instances 

 to be parasitical. Imago with moniliform 

 antennae incrassated about the middle ; 

 head larger than the prothorax, to which 

 it is attached vertically; fore wings short, 

 their margins in Meloe crossing each other, 

 flexible ; hind wings often wanting ; tarsi 

 with the terminal claws double. Meloe, 

 Cant7iaris,ihe blister-beetle of commerce. 

 Flower-beetles or Anthicites. Larva and pupa inhabit 

 decayed wood. Imago with filiform antennce sometimes 

 slightly seiTated ; body elongate, linear; fore wings soft. 

 Inhabits flowers, flying readily and in the day-time. No- 

 toxus, Anthicus. 



Death-watch beetles or Ptinites. Larva with the arti- 

 culate feet distinct, incrassated in the middle, narrower to- 

 wards the tail, often covered with bristles. 

 Commonly inhabits dry wood, through 

 which it bores in all directions, reducing 

 it to a powder. Pupa changes in the 

 galleries made by the larva. Imago with 

 long antennae, generally filiform, but in 

 some of the males highly pectinated ; the 

 mandibles strong and toothed ; the head retractile within 



Blister-Beetle 



Death-watch. 



