304 



TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



The engraving shows a green tiger beetle flying ; beneath it 

 there are two on the ground, and to the right hand there are 

 two galleries or tunnels, each of which contains a larva, hooked 

 on to the side by the peculiar structure of the fifth segment 

 of the abdomen. The habits of this larva resemble those of 

 the ant lion. 



The Meal Worm Beetle, whose larva is commonly called the 

 Meal Worm^ and which is very injurious to flour and bran, and 



THE METAMORPHOSES OF Cicindclld campcstris. 



which does a great deal of mischief to ships' biscuits, belongs 

 to the family of the Pimclidce. It frequents granaries and mills, 

 and especially bakeries, for it likes an elevated temperature. The 

 long, cylindrical, and shining yellow larva passes its life en- 

 veloped in the flour, and even makes a cell there, where it can 

 undergo its transformation into a nymph. Its only virtue is 

 that it makes capital bait for fishermen and a good food for 

 pet birds. 



The larvae are represented in the midst of the flour in the 



