COLEOPTERA. 247 



neath the fore wings. Prothorax very large ; mesolhorax 

 small ; metathorax large. Food various. 



Slow-legged beetles or Blapsites. Larva elongate, cy- 

 lindrical, with six articulate and one caudal leg. Lives in 

 the dark, feeding on decayed animal and vegetable sub- 

 stances. Pupa changes in the same situations. Imago 

 with momliform antenna, the third joint being the longest; 

 mandibles small but strong, bifid at the apex; maxilla 

 with a single tooth internally ; wings, particularly the hind 

 pair, frequently wanting. Inhabits cellars, out-houses, de- 

 cayed trees, &c., shunning the light, and moving by night 

 with a slow, awkward, and disgusting gait ; of uniform 

 dark brown or black colour. Blaps. 



Helopites. Larva very elongate, cylindrical, frequently 

 with two hooks on the telum. Inhabits and feeds on de- 

 cayed wood. Pupa changes in the same situations. Imago 

 with filiform antenna ; mandibles sometimes bifid, some- 

 times terminating in a single point; maxillae without the 

 internal tooth ; fore wings generally soft and flexible, hind 

 wings generally perfect, adapted for flight. Inhabits de- 

 cayed woods, flowers, &c. Melandrya, Cistela, Helops, 

 CEdemera, Diaperis. 



Mordellites. Larva less elongate, soft, and more fleshy ; 

 legs less distinct. Inhabits and feeds on decaying or 

 living wood, and is sometimes parasitical in the nests of 

 wasps. Pupa changes in the same situations. Imago gene- 

 rally with pectinated antenna, particu- 

 larly the males ; head somewhat heart- 

 shaped, and united vertically to the 

 prothorax ; fore wings flexible, wide at 

 the base, narrow at the apex ; hind wings 

 mostly without the longitudinal fold. In- 

 habits flowers ; diurnal, flies and runs 

 with rapidity and ease. Anaspis, Mordella, Ripiphorus. 



