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CHAPTER VI. 



LAMELLICORNIA. 



Tarsi five-jointed. Upper joints of the antennae produced in flat or 

 thickened expansions to one side, so as to form a club, which is more or 

 less compact, and can be opened out and closed at will. The larvae have a 

 characteristic shape, the lower part of the body being swollen out in a 

 bag-like manner (cf. fig. 30a). 



This division is easily recognizable. The three families Passahdae, 

 Lucanidae, and Scarabaeidae will be considered. 



Family PASSALIDAE. 



The Passalidae are a family of shining black or brownish beetles, 

 commonly met with in decaying or dead trees or stumps in the forest. The 

 beetles reach about one and a half inches in length, with shining prothorax, 

 which is large and squarish, and are easily recognizable by the prominent 

 longitudinal ridges which run down the elytra alternating with rows of 

 punctures. These elytra cover the whole of the body. 



The antenna curls upwards, so that, when at rest, the upper prolonged 

 joints remain in contact with each other. When the insect is motionless 

 the antennae are usually held close beneath the head. The mandibles are 

 large and prominent. 



The under-surface of the body is covered with a long, brownish 

 pubescence, the legs being rather broad, long, and adapted to propelling 

 masses of dust and soft woody debris backwards. 



The larva resembles the usual lamellicorn grub, being bulky, curved, 

 with a prominent yellow head, and bulky posterior segments. The first 

 pair of legs are short, striated, and stridulating sounds are produced 

 with them. 



Both larva and beetle, the former when full-grown, apparently emit a 

 blackish liquid when touched or alarmed. 



The Passalidae are practically confined to the forest areas of the 

 countr}'. 



I have never found either the beetle or grub in solid timber, but they have 

 been taken plentifully, in various parts of India, in the rotting timber and 

 stumps of several species of tree. Since the insects are so often come across 

 in the forest, it is necessary that the species which have been met with 

 should be briefly alluded to. 



