22 



GROUND-BEETLEvS. 



In fact most of the Carabidse are well protected by strong odors, 

 as those handling them have found out to their sorrow. But in 

 this case the beetles squirt the nasty fluid at their enemies, and 

 as it changes to a gas on contact with air, it looks as if the beetles 



Fig 18. — Bracbinus species." Enlarged. 

 After Breh:n. 



Fig. 19. — Lebia ffrandis.Hentz. Divisiou 

 of Entomologj', U. S. Department of 

 Agiiculture. 



were shooting in a wrong direction. A puiT of smoke and a faint 

 pop is the result of such an explosion. This fluid colors the 

 Angers a persistent red, which shows that it is of an acid nature. 

 Of course this sort of defense is very effective, and we may 

 call these beetles "six-legged skunks." 



Fig. 20. — Amara obesa, Say. a, larva; b, pupa; c adult cf, e, /■,£-, details ot 

 larva. After Riley. 



