114 



THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 



much below the level of the thorax, aud by the abdomen usually termi- 

 nating in a considerably prolonged point. They are, moreover, the only 

 Trachelides which have the upper part of the thorax separated from 

 the lower, on the sides, by a prominent line or margin. The tarsal 

 claws are small, but when strongly magnified they are usually found 

 to be prettily serrated on their lower edge. Their colors are mostly 

 black or slate color, but some of them are slightly variegated with 

 whitish or rufous. The perfect insects are usually found upon flowers, 



and some of the species are 

 very common. The larvae 

 have been found in the rot- 



fFig. 50.] 



MOBDELLA 8-FUNCTATA, Fab.:— », larva; 6, pupa ; c, beetle, ,-- o 

 outline side view of female; rf, dorsal view of same; e, auterina; J}1, O - ^UnCtdtCl^ 



ten wood, and in the pith of 



f various plants, upon which 

 they are therefore supposed 

 to feed ; and we have already 

 referred to Mr. Eiley's obser- 

 vations upon the larvai of 

 which he 



f, the serrated tarsal claw of same, highly magnified— after „ , t , , '■, . 



Riley. found in old oak stumps, un- 



der circumstances which seemed to preclude the sujiposition of their 

 being otherwise than lignivorous in their diet. 



It would seem, therefore, that in a natural classification of the Cole- 

 optera according to their food-habits, the Mordellidie should be sepa- 

 rated from the parasitic Trachelides, aud united with the heteromerous 

 bark-beetles, which they also resemble in some of their organic charac- 

 ters, such as their i^roportionally smaller heads, margined thorax, and 

 sombre colors. In this case their location would be adjoining the Ciste- 

 lidse, which they resemble in the peculiar character of their serrated claws. 



There are ui)wards of ninety described IS". American species of this 

 family, most of which are contained in genera Anaspis and Mordella, 

 the former being distinguished by not having the abdomen prolonged 

 to a point. 



Family XLIV. MELOID^. 



This family contains the well-known Lyttae 

 or Oantharides. They have elongated flexi- 

 ble bodies, with a very distinct neck, and 

 with the claws deeply cleft, the upper portion 

 being often pectinate, or comb-toothed. They 

 are rather large or medium -sized insects. 

 Our most common species are blackish or 

 ash-colored, but some are prettily striped, 

 and others are richly variegated with green 

 after' pfcrar'd."''' ^''*''= '' ^^''" and jellow. The larvae, so far as known, are 



[Fig. 51 



