COLEOPTERA. 



43 



more especially in the males. In fact, these peculiar features easily 



distinguish the insect ; and this abnormal development of the male 



gives rise to its name of " stag-beetle," because 



the mandibles projecting in front of the head 



resemble the horns of a stag. Darwin says 



that the size and strength of the mandibles 



are of great advantage in fighting for the 



possession of the females. These insects fly 



during the evening, and rest on the stem, 



sipping at any juicy portion they can find. 



Fig. 43 represents the male and female 



insects. 



It is in the larval stage that this species 

 is most injurious to timber trees, more especi- 

 ally oak and ash (though hornbeam is con- 

 spicuously mentioned by Kaltenbach, ^ and 

 alder and beech by Altum"). The larva is 

 white, with ferruginous head, nearly cylin- 

 drical, and of a soft fleshy consistence. It 

 is said that they live for six years as larvae, 

 during which time they gnaw into the roots 

 and eat the solid wood. In fig. 44 a piece 

 of ash timber tunnelled by the larva of 

 represented. 



DoRCUs PARALLELOPiPEDUs (Linn.) 



To the beginner in entomology this species is suggestive of a small 

 specimen of the female stag-beetle. At least, this was my incipient 

 feelings when I first discovered this species under decayed bark in 

 Gloucestershire several years ago. The larvae live in old decaying 

 beech and several other trees. '^ 



Fig. U.— Portion of 

 timber injvred by larva 

 of stag-beetle. 



th 



Stag - beetle 



SiNODEXDRON CYLIXDRICUM (Fabr.) 



This is another beetle which may be found in decaying wood. I 

 have reared the beetle artificially, taken from decayed wood and 

 fed on damp sawdust. I have also tracked the perfect insects by 



' Die Pflanzenfeinde aus der Klasse der Insekten, p. 638. 

 - Forstzoologie, vol. iii. p. 120. 



■' Commander J. J. Walker, R.N., informs me that he has seen several very large 

 ash-trees in Cobham Park, Kent, completely destroyed by Dorciis parallelopipedus. 



