Tiger-Beetles, 



253 



retires to the bottom until the moult has been effected. It then removes the 



stopper and makes the necessary widening to allow for its increase in size. It 



also closes the entrance in earl\- autumn and remains inactive during the winter ; 



waking up again early in the following April, and leading an active life throughout 



its second summer, it passes the second winter also in hibernation. In its third 



August it closes its burrow for the last time, and constructs an oblique oval chamber 



in the side of the shaft, wherein it changes to the pupal form. In the chrysalis 



the hooks on the back are still retained, and from the four segments in front of 



them leg-like processes 



are developed, which 



serve to keep the 



chrysalis, as it lies 



back dow^nward, from 



contact with the soil. 



This is well shoNMi in 



our photograph. This 



stage does not last 



long, for in the same 



autumn it has cast oi^ 



its p u p a - s k i n and 



emerged as a perfect 



tiger-beetle. 



But it does not 

 at once venture into 

 the outer world. All 

 the \\- i n t e r it lies 

 quieth* in the pupa- 

 cell, waiting for the 

 more genial condition^ 

 of spring. Late in 

 April or early in May 

 it makes its appear- 

 ance, and may then be 

 seen flying vigoroush' 

 over the heath in the 

 sunshine. 



Different species 



differ somewhat in tlieir habits. An American species ^ makes a shaft 

 that is vertical throughout the greater part of its length, but near the top 

 it makes a sharp curve and becomes horizontal for a short distance, opening into 

 the side of a shallow i)it. There is an advantage in this, for the grub lives in loose, 

 shifting sand, which would lill up its burrow if this opened directly to the surface. 

 As it is, it has to cement the grains of sand together to prevcMit the sides from falling 

 in. The outer })it is also cemented to retain its form, but though this may partly 

 fill up with blown sand the shaft remains clear. The outer ])it becomes a snare 



* Cuindela tormosa. 



Photo by] 



The Tiger-Beetle. 



[E. Sli-p. F.I..S. 



Ojir of the most brilliant of our native beetles maybe seen flying over sandy heaths durins: May 

 and June. Us wing-covers are of a beautiful blue-green colour with spots of dull yellow, and 

 thi> under parts are shining blue. Its mouth-parts include a pair of sharp-pointed, siekle- 

 >li inril jaws, and it Hies swiftlv in pursuit of other Insects, linlarged four times. 



