ROVE BEETLE. 



85 



Beetle, Steropns madidus, was sent me from near 

 Bishop's Stortford, Herts, where specimens were cap- 

 tured in the act of feeding on Mangold roots. Fig. 67, 

 p. 84, shows the Beetle magnified, and also the 

 method in which the Mangold root was torn away by 

 its powerful jaws. These Beetles are partially car- 

 nivorous, as one of those forwarded to me killed one 

 of its companions, and consumed its contents ; but 

 their field work, being about three [in the morning, 

 is seldom noticed. 



These observations make it very desirable to keep 

 an eye to the habits of the many 

 kinds of these pitchy or brownish 

 " Ground " Beetles that we see so 

 active in summer in corn-fields, 

 and which have generally been 

 supposed to be employed in clear- 

 ing off insect vermin. 



Tlie ivater kinds {Hydradepliaga) 

 can swim as well as fly. Their 

 somewhat flattened oval shape, 

 and their hinder legs, being for the 

 most part broad, with a long 

 fringe of hairs on the inside, give 

 them the power of rowing quickly 

 through the water ; and the large 

 wings, folded under the cases, 

 give them the power of going to and from it as they 

 wish. 



The second section, the Brachelytra, commonly called 

 Hove Beetles, may be generally known by the short 

 wing-cases, and, in the case of the very common Bee- 

 tles, sometimes known as Devil's Coach Horses, of which 

 Fig. 69 represents one species, by their habit of arching 

 up their tails when annoyed. Some feed on animal 

 matter, including other living insects, and they much 

 frequent rotten animal and vegetable matter. The 

 grubs are very like those above described, but may be 

 known by the fork above the tail being double-jointed. 



Fig 



Water Beetle. 



