FAMILY C0CC1NELLID.¥. 175 



The female is about 2\ mm. in length, and ovate in form with 

 very short wing pads so that the abdominal segments are 

 exposed. Tlu' eyes and wings are both aborted. 



Family Silphidae. — The Sil/phidcp, carrion beetles, are 

 xery distinctly scavengers and where there is an accumu- 

 lation of decaying organic matter they doubtless serve a 

 valuable function in disposing of such material that is 

 detrimental. 



Sexton Beetles ( Necrophorns). — ^The sexton beetles are 

 the largest of the family. They bury small mammals such 

 as rats or mice and upon these lay their eggs. The larva 

 then feed upon the decaying flesh. 



The species of Silpha are commonly found about dead 

 fishes or carcasses of dead animals and both the adults and 

 larvpe feed upon the rotting material. 



Rove Beetles {Siaphylinidce). — The Staphylinidoe are also 

 largely scavengers. The group is a very large one including 

 many hundreds of species. They are characterized par- 

 ticularly by the structure of the wdng co^^ers which extend 

 only to the base of the abdomen. The hind wings are 

 folded by means of hinges on the wing margin so that they 

 can be attached luider the short wing-covers. The abdomen 

 is left exposed and as the joints are flexible it can be moved 

 about readily and the tip is used in manipulation of the wings 

 preparatory to flight, or when they are folded after flight. 



Several other families related to this division must be 

 passed over. 



Family Coccinellidse. — Lady Bugs. — These are abundant 

 and very important insects, since practically all the members 

 of the family are carnivorous and feed upon insects which 

 for the most part are very destructive. They are especially 

 serviceable in the control of plant lice and scale insects. 

 The adults are short, generally hemispherical or oval, 

 convex above with under side flattened. Usually they are 

 rather conspicuous: some are red with yellowish or black 

 spots, while others are black with red or yellowish spots. 



The larvae are very voracious insects and feed quite ex- 

 clusi\ely upon insects, so that they are considered of special 



