1 66 AN ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 



/, The antennae variable, though usually moniliforni ; fore and middle 



tarsi five-jointed, hind tarsi four-jointed .... Heteko.mer.x. 



2. Series with the head prolonged into a more or less prominent snout, 



hence called snout-beetles or weevils Rhynchophora. 



In the Adephaga there are many species of predaceous habit 

 in the larval as well as adult stage, of which a few more common 

 types may serve as examples. 



The ' ' tiger-beetles, ' ' or Cicindelidce , are moderately large, 

 very active and graceful species, that run rapidly and fly readily. 

 Most of them frequent sandy or open spaces, their colors often 

 matching their surroundings with marvellous accuracy. On the 

 seashore they are white, or gray with white hairs and lines, and 

 on the marshes or mud-flats the prevailing colors are dull mouse- 

 gray, without contrasting lines. Early in spring a bright-green 

 species is found at the margin of woods or in shaded lanes, promi- 

 nent on the bare ground for an instant, but lost to sight at once, 

 when startled, in a tuft of grass or on a moss-covered stone or 

 log. 



The larvae are uncouth creatures, rarely seen unless sought for. 

 They make vertical burrows in sandy soil or along roads, and 

 there wait for passing prey, their round flat head closing the 

 opening completely, while their eyes are so set as to command 

 the near surroundings. They are humped posteriorly, and on 

 the hump curved spines are set, which may be forced into the 

 burrow wall to maintain a position at any height, and to resist 

 without effort any ordinary attempt to pull them out of their den. 

 Though these "tigers" are exceedingly voracious, they are of 

 little benefit to the agriculturist, because they do not frequent 

 cultivated fields or orchards. 



The Carabidcs, or "ground-beetles," run to black and brown 

 colors without prominent markings, and are usually more or less 

 flattened. They live under stones, sticks, leaves, or shelter of 

 any kind, in fields and along the edges of woods, more rarely in 

 the woods themselves, and sometimes under loose bark or even 

 among leaves. They are of a retiring disposition, and seldom 

 stir abroad until after dark, when the majority fly readily. Many 

 of them are attracted to light, and are recognizable, when they 

 strike the table or other flat surface, by the rapidity with which 

 they run, by their prominent mandibles, and slender, moderately- 



