COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 1 /5 



LAMPYRIS LATREILLII. 

 PLATE VIII. FJG. 3. 



^ Linn. Trans, vol. xii. 387, pi. 21, fig. 4 Selas 

 Latreillii, Dejean. 



This insect may be regarded as representing a 

 pretty numerous group of glow-worms confined to 

 the tropical parts of America, and differing consi- 

 derably in structure from the European species. 

 Some of them are the largest of their tribe, and 

 they contribute more than any other to embellish 

 the nights of the torrid zone, as. the light which 

 they emit is of considerable splendour, and their 

 flight higher in the air and longer sustained than 

 in the other kinds. They pass the day in a state of 

 inactivity, and are usually found on the trunks of 

 trees, clinging to the bark or concealed in its fis- 

 sures. 



The species represented, which Mr Kirby has de- 

 dicated to Latreille, Entomologorum facile princeps, 

 is about twelve to thirteen lines in length. The 

 body is ovate, and of a dull black colour. The an- 

 tennae of the male consist of ten joints, all of which, 

 except the radical and terminal ones, emit a long, 

 compressed, flexible branchlet from each side : in 

 the female the antennae are eleven jointed, and 

 deeply serrated on both sides. The thorax is of a 

 pale brownish yellow, marked with three blackish 



