THE GROUND ISKKFLKS. 143 



Tlu-oug-liout the State; t'i'('(iu('iil. A|.i-il ll)-Sei)t(Miil)."i- 27. Oc- 

 curs beneath log-s, ehips, etc.. only in sandy localities, where its hues 

 hlend with the surronndino-s in such a manner as to make it visible 

 only when it moves. This it usually does not do for some time 

 after its cover is removed. 



\tmotarsus elegans Lee., 5-5.5 nnn. in length, brownish-yellow, 

 !lic clylra piceons with an oval spol near the base and Ihc apex 

 |)a.ler. has been taken in Illinois and Maryland and doubtless oeeurs 

 in Indiana. 



XL. Lebia Latr. 1802. (Gt.. "shallow or thin.") 

 Small, rather broad-bodied beetles, usually prettily variegated 

 in hue. possessing the characters of the tribe and known from al- 

 lied genera by the short tibial spurs, the groove on the outer side 

 of mandible, and by the head being constricted into a neck. The 

 thorax is but little wider than the head, much narrower than elytra, 

 while the tarsal claws are pectinate or comb-shaped. The elytral 

 stria? are, in most species, smooth. 



They occur beneath stones and leaves, or in sunnner upon the 

 foliage and flowers of plants, where they feed upon plant lice and 

 other injurious forms: the pectinate structure of their tarsal claws 

 enabling them to easily cling to the hairs or other inequalities of 

 the foliage. 



About 36 species are known from the United States. 15 of 

 which have been taken in Indiana, while four others doubtless oc- 

 cur. For convenience they ar':^ separated into three groups and 

 these in turn into species. 



KEY TO INDIANA GROUPS OF LEBIA. 



(/. Frc.ut tarsi of male somewhat ohliciiiely dilated; both liead and thorax 

 (except in tricolor) reddisli-yellow. elytra wholly darl^ blue or tifceii. 



(J roup .1. 

 (Id. Front tarsi of male not oblitpiely dilated: both head and thm-ax juit 

 reddish-yellow, or if so. elytra not wholly blue. 

 h. Meutum with a distinct tooth; elytra without pale stripes. 



Group B. 

 III). :\Ientum not toovlied : el.xtra with pale stripes (excei)t in ahdomi- 

 nali^i). Group 0. 



Group A. 

 This group, to which the subgeneric name Loxopeza is some- 

 times applied, includes all the larger species with metallic green or 

 blue elytra. Two of its six forms have been taken in the State 

 and one other perhaps occurs. 

 I to— 23i02J 



