37 



CHAPTER II. 



COLEOPTERA (Beetles). 



Of all the families of Insects, with the exception of Lepidoptera, 

 none appear so common, or so easily distinguished by the non- 

 entomologist, as the Coleoptera or Beetles. They are easily recog- 

 nised by their apparent absence of wings, though they are not wing- 

 less, as the true wings are covered by two hard horny wing-cases 

 known as elytra, which are spread out during flight. The mouth is 



Fig. 38. Typical larvce of beetles. (From photo by A. Flatters.) 



formed for biting, hence they are mandibulate ; and the body, like 

 that of all other insects proper, is divided into three distinct portions 

 viz., head, thorax, and abdomen. 



Beetles undergo complete metamorphosis, passing through the 

 various stages of egg, larva, pupa, and imago or perfect insect. Fig. 

 38 represents typical larva? of beetles. 



The general student or collector of Coleoptera finds the forest a 

 very happy hunting-ground, inasmuch as every portion of it is rep- 



