THE COLEOPTERA. 21 



cessful, the unfortunate tortrix becoming finally completely 

 exhausted. The beetle devoured but a very small portion 

 of the caterpillar, and abandoning the remainder went off 

 in search of fresh prey. Eight other closely allied species 

 of Cicindela are described by Captain Broun in the " Manual 

 of the New Zealand Coleoptera," but they offer no especial 

 peculiarities, and C. tuberculata may be taken as a type of 

 the genus. 



Family CARABID/E. 

 PterosticJius opuleutus (Plate I., fig. 3, 3a larva). 



This fine beetle is very common in most wooded situa- 

 tions in the Nelson district ; it may be at once distinguished 

 from the numerous other closely allied species by the 

 beautiful metallic coppery tints that adorn its thorax and 

 elytra. 



During the day it is usually discovered concealed under 

 logs and stones, and when disturbed, rushes into the first 

 crevice to get out of the light. At night time, it comes 

 abroad to feed, killing an immense number of flies, cater- 

 pillars, and other insects, to satisfy its voracious appetite. 

 Although of a most ferocious disposition, it is not wanting 

 in maternal affection. The female, when about to deposit 

 her eggs, excavates a small cavity nearly three inches 

 square, in which they are placed. These she broods over 

 until hatched, and probably some little time afterwards, as 

 I have found a specimen close to a nest, which contained 

 both eggs and larvae, and the zealous mother furiously bit at 

 anything presented to her. The eggs are oval in shape, 

 quite smooth, and yellowish white in colour. The young 

 larva is drawn at Plate I., fig. 3a ; it is remarkable for its 

 superficial resemblance to a small lulus, and being found 

 in similar situations to that animal, its mimicry has pro- 

 bably some useful object. The older larva differs chiefly 

 in having the head and thoracic segments proportionately 



