PHYLUM ARTHROPODA 



361 



Fig. 298. — Order 

 Coleoptera. Car- 

 rion-beetle, Silpha 

 amcricana. (From 



Davenport, after 

 Standard Natural 

 History.) 



Suborder 2. Clavicornia. (Club-horned Beetles, 

 Fig. 298.) — The club-horned beetles have clubbed antennae. 

 They have little in common ; some are 

 aquatic, others terrestrial ; some are pre- 

 daceous, and therefore beneficial; others 

 herbivorous, and consequently harmful; and 

 a few feed on decaying organic matter. 

 Some of the commoner species are known 

 as water-scavenger beetles (Hydrophilid^e), 

 rove-beetles (Staphylinidae), grain beetles 

 (Cucujid^e), burying-beetles (Silphid^e, Fig. 

 298), and larder-beetles (Dermestid^e). 



Suborder 3. Serricornia. (Saw-horned 

 Beetles, Fig. 299.) — The saw-horned beetles 

 have saw-like antennae. They comprise the 

 metallic wood borers (Buprestid^e) which 

 injure fruit, shade, and forest trees; the click-beetles (Elaterid^e, 

 Fig. 299), so called because when laid on their backs they are 

 able to spring up with a click ; the death-watch beetles (Ptinid^e) , 



some of which make a ticking 

 sound against the wood in which 

 they burrow; the fireflies and 

 soldier-beetles (Lampyrid^e) , the 

 former nocturnal and occasion- 

 ally luminous, the latter diur- 

 nal and predaceous ; and the 

 checkered beetles (Clerid^e), some of which devour the larvae 

 of wood-boring insects. 



Suborder 4. Lamellicornia. (Blade-horned Beetles, 

 Fig. 300.) The blade-horned beetles have antennae whose 

 terminal segments form flat teeth or lamellae. The stag- 

 beetles (Lucanid^e) have received their name because of the 

 peculiar antler-like processes of the males of certain species. 

 The leaf chafers and scavenger-beetles (Scarab,eid.e) have 

 very different habits, although they belong to one family. The 



Fig. 299. - 

 Click-beetle. 



Order Coleoptera. 

 (From Davenport.) 



