31 



Thyreocoris nigra Dallas. April 8. 



This larger species is rare in the sand region, being more typical 

 in black-soil prairie and cultivated fields, where, however, it is not 

 so common as T. piilicaria. Only one specimen was found, in addi- 

 tion to a nymph taken the July before, which was of doubtful deter- 

 mination. Found crawling about on sand in the bunch-grass. Cori- 

 mclacnidae pass the winter in the adult stage. The range of this 

 species is northern. 



Order coi^eoptera 



Family Cicindelidae 



Tiger-beetles 



The family Cicindelidae, the first family, taxonomically, in the 

 Coleoptera, consists of a large number of predatoiy beetles which 

 are surprisingly quick in their movements, both in running and fly- 

 ing. By far the greater number of them belong to the genus Cicin- 

 dela. These are really beautiful beetles, with metallic colors and 

 variable elytral patterns. Aside from size and color, the Cicindelas 

 vary hardly at all in general appearance. The mandibles are large 

 and powerful. 



The eggs are laid in small vertical holes in the soil. The females 

 of each species select definite types of soil, with regard to slope, 

 moisture, amount of humus, etc. The larvae, which generally do not 

 leave the spot where the tgg was laid, enlarge their burrows as they 

 grow. They pass through three stages, hibernating in the last, be- 

 come active again the following spring, pupate in summer; the adults 

 emerge in the fall, hibernate and come out the second spring, become 

 sexually mature late in spring or early in summer, lay eggs and die 

 (Shelford, '08). The life history varies to some extent with the 

 difYcrent species, but for most, two years is required for the com- 

 plete cycle. One or two species require only a year. Cicindela pur- 

 purea lays about 50 eggs. 



The food of the larvae consists of myriapods, spiders, insects 

 (adult or larvae) of all kinds, or any other small animals that come 

 within reach. The larvae can live without food for over two weeks. 

 They lie in wait for their prey, with head concealing the mouth of 

 the burrow. They catch insects that are very large in proportion to 

 their own size, the dorsal hook helping to prevent their being dragged 

 from the burrow. When conditions are unfavorable as to moisture 

 relations or temperature the larvae of several species migrate; but 

 the greater numl>er merely dig their burrows deeper. If matters do 



