Gold Beetles: Their Nuptial Habits 



Are these fits of cannibalism following 

 upon love widely distributed? For the mo- 

 ment I know only three really characteristic 

 examples: those of the Praying Mantis, the 

 Languedocian Scorpion and the Golden 

 Carabus. The horror of the lover con- 

 verted into prey is also found in the Locus- 

 tian tribe, though accompanied by less brutal- 

 ity, for the victim devoured is now a dead 

 and not a living insect. The female of the 

 White-faced Dectlcus ^ is quite willing to 

 nibble a leg of the defunct male. The Green 

 Grasshopper ^ behaves likewise. 



To a certain degree the nature of the diet 

 acts as an excuse : Dectici and Grasshoppers 

 are first and foremost carnivores. Coming 

 upon a corpse of their own species, the ma- 

 trons consume it more or less thoroughly, 

 even if it be that of last night's lover. Con- 

 sidered as game, one is as good as another. 



But what shall we say of the vegetarians? 

 As the laying-season approaches, the Ephip- 

 piger turns upon her companion, still full of 

 life, and bites him, makes a hole in his belly 

 and eats as much of him as her appetite al- 



1 Cf. The Life of the Grasshopper: chaps, xi. to xiii. 

 and, in particular, chap. xi. — Translator's Note. 



2 Cf . idem: chap. xiv. — Translator's Note. 



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