CHAPTER III. 



The observations on the natural history of the New 

 Zealand beetles, forming the subject of the present chapter, 

 are much less numerous than might have been expected 

 from the great number of species which have been de- 

 scribed. The difficulties attendant on rearing these insects 

 are, however, very great, and it thus happens that the life- 

 histories here given bear a smaller proportion to the num- 

 ber of the Coleoptera than will be found to be the case with 

 the majority of the other Orders. I hope, however, that 

 the few details I have collected, referring to the following 

 species, may induce some of my readers to investigate 

 others for themselves. 



Group GEODEPHAGA. 

 Family ClClNDELID^E. 



Cicindela tubercidata (Plate I., fig. i, ia larva). 



This is a very abundant insect found throughout the 

 country in all dry situations. It delights in hot sunshine* 

 and may be constantly observed flying from our footsteps 

 with great rapidity as we walk along the roads on a hot 

 summer's day. 



Its larva (Fig. ia) is an elongate fleshy grub, the head 



