i II VP. \"\t . ' 



BENEFICIAL INSECTS. 





all dry sand) or dustj places as little circular funnel-shaped depres- 

 sions in the ground, .it the bottom of which lurks the larva read) 

 to seize and devour any small insect which may tumble into the 

 pit or be brought down into it by the volleys ol sand flicked 

 upw anls by the concealed 1 



tff.&fe 



EiibUiuiiui scitulti massed on stem of Babul 

 arabica) at Coimhatoi 



mgst the Lepidoptera, which seem to form so typically a 

 ■ ian group, a few species arc predaceous in their larval 

 ( )f these the commonest in Madras is probably Eublcmma scitula 

 {see figure 242) whose curious larva, enclosed in a tough shell-like 

 - on scale insect- and is commonly found on babul 

 1 Acacia arabica); frequentl) s are seen on the 



trunk- of trees, the larvae apparently reacting to a thigmotropic 

 impulse at the time of puliation. Several other species ol Eublemma 

 are known to be predaceous on si of this 



same genus are plant-feeders. In districts where lac is grown these 

 larvae may do ver) serious damage b\ devouring the lac-ins 



The Coleoptera, or Beetles, contain numerous groups of pre- 

 dators. The Cicindelidae, 01 ties, are predaceous I 

 larvae, which tunnel in the ground and as adult- which swiftly run 

 and fly in search of prey. - {Cicindela sexpunctala) is 

 known to attack the Rice-bug {Leptocorisa) in Northern India and 

 hence i- a most useful ally of the farmer, but in Madras this - 

 appears to be - ibsent, being known onl) from the 

 Northern districts .um\ from ; Many ol the water-beetles 



