HANDBOOK OF BEETLES. 51 



The Tehphorida are the most typical representatives of this 

 group. The species of Telephorus are black, 

 brown, or yellowish beetles, about half an inch 

 long. They abound on the flowers of Umbellifene, 

 etc., and are very rapacious, feeding on other 

 insects. T. Fuscus is a common brown species, ^ ri 

 with the base and front of the head, the collar, and J 

 the edges of the abdomen reddish. *r 



The Lampyridai are also carnivorous, but differ Telephones 

 from the Telephoridac^ in th females being apterous. Fuscus. 

 Lampyris Noctiluca (the Glow-worm) is common Nat ^ ize - 

 in many parts of England. The male is greyish-yellow, and 

 about half an inch long ; it flies by night, and is very slightly 

 luminous. The female is completely apterous, and may easily 

 oe detected among the grass by its light. 



Drilus Flavescens is another insect which some authors class 



D> ilus Flavescens. (Mag.) Drilus Flavescens. (Mag.) 



(Male.) (Female.) 



with the Lampyrida, while others regard it as belonging to a 

 separate family, Drilidto. Both sexes much resemble the cor- 

 .^sponding sexes of the Glow-worm in appearance, but are only 

 half the size, and are not luminous. The larva feeds on snails, 

 and forms its pupa in the shells. 



Several of the smaller beetles with hard integuments which 

 are classed with the Malacodermata, feed chiefly on wood. 

 These belong to the genera Ptinus, Anobium, etc., and form the 

 family Plinida. Several species are found in houses, the best 

 known being Anobium Domesticum, a small brown beetle about 

 one-sixth of an inch in length, which is found in timber, furni- 

 ture, etc., and produces a slight noise as a call to its mate. Its 

 popular name is the "Death-Watch." 



We have now to consider the Heteromera^ a group of beetles 



