HANDBOOK OF BEETLES. 57 



skeletons. The larvae have a curious fork-like projection behind, 

 which curves over their bodies. Upon this they pile their excre- 

 ments, by which they are thus always overshadowed. Most of 

 the species are green, but some are black ; and others are red, 



Tortoise Beetle 



(Cassida Oblonga). 



(Mag.) 



with black spots. C. Oblonga is green above, with a golden 

 band on each elytron ; the under surface is black. It is about 

 a quarter of an inch in length, and is not an uncommon 

 species. 



The Trimera, which form the last group of beetles, may be 

 known by having only three visible joints to the tarsi. The 

 species inhabit fungi, ants' nests, etc. ; many feed on vegetable 

 refuse ; while others, again, are carnivorous. Most of the species 

 have clubbed antennae, and many authors include part, at least, 

 with the Clavicornia, in spite of the singular structure of their 

 tarsi. 



The CoccinellidcZ) or Lady-birds, are small, smooth, round 

 beetles, with red or yellow elytra, spotted with black. The 

 commonest species is Coccinella Septempunctata, the Seven-spot 

 Lady-bird, which has a black head and thorax, with scattered 

 white marks, and red elytra, with three black spots on each, and 

 one near the base on the suture. These insects and their larvae 

 are very useful to agriculturists, as they destroy the Aphides, 

 otherwise known as Plant-lice, Smother-flies, or Blight, which 

 do so much mischief to our cultivated trees and plants. Lady- 

 birds are migratory when abundant, sometimes making a sudden 

 and unexpected appearance in some special locality in enormous 

 numbers. 



The Pselaphida and Truhopterygida include the smallest 



