42 SAP-BEETLES. 



FAMILY NITIDULIDAE. 



(Sap-bcctlcs). 



Sap-beetles are also small, more or less flattened insects, 

 which in most cases have the tip of the abdomen exposed beyond 

 the wing-covers. 1'he pro-thorax is frequently provided with 

 wide and thin margins ; the legs are not specialized for digging 

 purposes. The beetles, both larvcC and adults, feed on decaying 

 or fermenting sap, fruit, or fungi ; a few prefer carrion, and still 

 others are found among stored grain. They are especially numer- 

 ous among rotting fruit and vegetables, and about trees that have 

 been injured by bruising, and in such places they crowd together 

 in large numbers to obtain the fermenting sap ; beneath stored and 

 over-ripe fruit they also gather. 



^^^ii. 



Fig. 47. — Byturus unicolor, Say. After Fig. 49. — Carpophihis hemipterus, Linn. 

 Saunders! " After Smith. 



A number of these beetles deserve a short description, as 

 they are frequently found about our fruit-producing plants. The 

 Carpophiliis brachyptenis Say (Fig. 48, plate i), was very com- 

 mon during the last two seasons in the flowers of the apple. 

 Here they enjoyed a meal of pollen, which covered them to such 

 an extent as to hide them effectually. Going from flower to 

 flower, they no doubt do some good, but some also show their 

 appreciation of a good thing by eating holes in the petals, not, 

 however, causing any visible damage, as the petals soon drop off 

 anyhow. Another species, the C. hemipterus Linn., is frequently 

 very abundant in stored fruits, and seems to enjoy a box of figs 



