THE BEETLES 



time they change to the form of a pupa, from which, instead of the perfect insect, 

 a third form of larva, somewhat similar to the second, emerges, while k a further 

 change is still required before the true pupal stage is reached. Seven species of 

 Meloe occur in Great Britain, but, with the exception of one or two, are very rare. 

 When handled or irritated they exude an oily-looking liquid of a yellow color from 

 certain of their joints. This secretion, to which they owe their name of oil beetles, 

 has a burning, acrid taste. 



The Stylopidce are remarkable little insects, which live parasitically in the 

 bodies of wasps, bees, and bugs, and present a type of structure distinct from 

 that of all other beetles. The males is a 

 winged insect, with coarsely-faceted 

 prominent eyes, large fan-shaped wings, 

 and extremely small inconspicuous elytra; 

 the first two thoracic rings are very 

 short, while the metathorax is greatly 

 elongated and covers over the base of the 

 abdomen; the hind-legs are placed a long 

 way behind the middle pair, and the tarsi 

 of all the legs are membranous under- 

 neath, and without claws at the end. The 

 female, on the other hand, is a grub-like 



creature, without legs, wings, or eyes. She never leaves the body of her host, and 

 from her eggs active little six-legged larvae develop, which make their way out and 

 get carried into the nests of bees and wasps, where they bore into the bodies of the 

 grubs. The Stylopidce are very rarely seen, and the number of species known is 

 small. They have been arranged in four or five genera, based upon slight differ- 

 ences in the structure of the males, all of which have the general appearance shown 

 in our figure of Xenos peckii. 



i. Xenos peckii male; 2. Female. 

 (Both enlarged.) 



SECTION TETRAMERA 



The Curculionidcc or weevils are distinguished from all other 

 beetles by a few well-marked characteristics. The head is al- 

 ways produced in front in the form either of a short muzzle or a 

 more or less elongated and narrow beak, which carries the 

 mouth at its extremity; the prothorax rarely has sharp lateral 

 edges, and the coxal cavities on the under side of that segment 

 are always closed in behind by the extension inward of the 

 epimera to meet in the middle line; and the antennae are 

 elbowed, with the first joint as a rule long, and some of the 

 joints at the end forming a club. Though agreeing in a few es- 

 sential characteristics, the weevils present considerable variety, 

 Sitones lineatus and not only in the form and structure of different parts, but also in 

 allied species. the general shape of the body. They have been arranged 



