20 NEW ZEALAND ENTOMOLOGY. 



and first segment being horny and much flattened, and the 

 body provided with two large dorsal humps, each bearing 

 at its apex a slender curved hook. 



The burrows of these insects are very conspicuous, and 

 must have been noticed by every one, in garden paths, 

 sandbanks, and other dry situations ; they are sometimes 

 very numerous, and may be best described as perfectly 

 round shafts, about one line in diameter, and extending to 

 the depth of three or four inches, generally slightly curved 

 at the bottom. The sides are perfectly smooth, and the 

 larva may be often discovered near the mouth of its burrow,, 

 using its dorsal hooks to support it, and thus having both 

 legs and jaws free to dispose of the unfortunate insects 

 that fall into its snare. These usually consist of flies and 

 small beetles, which appear to be urged by curiosity to> 

 crawl down these pitfalls, and thus bring about their own 

 destruction. By reference to the figure it will be seen how 

 admirably the hollowed head and prothorax serve the 

 purpose of a shovel to the larva, when forming its shaft. 

 These burrows are first observed about the middle of 

 November ; the perfect insects coming abroad three weeks 

 or a month later, when they may be often seen in the- 

 neighbourhood of their old domiciles. They are very- 

 voracious, devouring large quantities of flies, caterpillars,, 

 and other insects, some of which are much superior to 

 themselves in size. On one occasion I saw a male speci- 

 men of Cicindela parryi (a species closely allied to but 

 smaller than C. tuberculatd) attack a large Tortrix cater- 

 pillar, an inch and a half in length. The beetle invariably 

 sprang upon the back of the caterpillar and bit it in the 

 neck, being meanwhile flung over and over by the larva's 

 vigorous efforts to free itself from so unpleasant an as- 

 sailant. During the fight, which lasted fully twenty minutes, 

 the beetle was compelled to. retire periodically to gain fresh 

 strength to renew its attacks, which were eventually sue- 



