THE CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS 79 



(Ocypus olens) ; but there are more than 500 British species, 

 most of them very small. The latter fly freely, especially 

 in sunlight, and often cause annoyance by getting into 

 the eyes of pedestrians and cyclists. Rove-beetles and 

 their active, campodeiform larva? feed for the most part 

 upon small insects, molluscs, and worms, but some 

 species subsist upon carrion, while others eat vegetable 

 substances. 



The family Silphidcc includes the well-known sexton 

 beetles {Necrophorus) ; also the so-called " roving carrion 

 beetles" of the genus Silpha. The latter are flat-looking 

 insects, most of which feed upon decaying animal matter, 

 though one or two species are known to eat the leaves of 

 plants. The family also comprises many other forms, and 

 includes most of the cave-dwelling beetles of Europe and 

 North America. The smaller species live in moss, fungi, or 

 under the bark of trees. The larvae are sometimes very 

 remarkable objects, those of the genus Slip ha having the 

 appearance of wood-lice. 



The family lYicliopterygidce, to which reference has 

 already been made, comprises a large number of minute 

 species which are found among moss and dead leaves. 

 The ladybirds {Coccinellidw) are represented in all parts 

 of the world, the two-spot ladybird Coccinella bipunctata 

 and the seven-spot ladybird C. septempunctata being well- 

 known British species. These insects and their larvae feed 

 upon aphides and scale insects, and are thus serviceable to 

 mankind. 



The family Dermestidce includes a number of species 

 which do great damage to food materials and other stored 

 goods, the bacon beetle (Dermestes lardarius) being a well- 

 known example. Others, such as the raspberry beetle 

 (Byturus tomentosus), are injurious to plants. 



The stag-beetles (Luccmidce) are remarkable for the 



