BRITISH INSECTS 



creatures in Britain which bear a phosphorescent Hght, 

 as certain kinds of Centipedes also bear a trail of Ught, 

 and one should not be mistaken for the other. The 

 adult female Glow Worm is flat in form, with promi- 

 nent segments, and a sombre grey dress. She is wing- 

 less, and the winged male is much more rarely discovered. 

 Both are of nocturnal habits. 



When Summer is at its height large numbers of 

 small, red-coloured insects may be found on such wild 

 plants as yellow parsnip (the ancestor of the garden 

 parsnip), hogweed, and other flowers. This is the 

 Soldier Beetle {Telepliorus fusciis), and represents the 

 Soldiers and Sailors (red and blue) of the insect-world. 

 The family is known as the Telephoridce. It is not only 

 the colour that entitles them to represent the Army and 

 Navy, as they are great fighters, and if some of each are 

 kept in confinement they will fight and devour each 

 other. They may easily be captured when found on 

 flower-heads, but will sometimes take to flight. Pre- 

 sumably the nectar secreted by certain umbelliferous 

 plants (such as yellow parsnip) attracts them. If so, 

 it is interesting to observe that such a bloodthirsty 

 creature has, at least, a sweet " tooth." 



The Elaterida includes the Skipjack, or Click Beetle, 

 (Agriotes lineatus), the larvaj of which — called Wire- 

 worms — are so very injurious to crops. This species 

 has acquired its popular name from its habit of throwing 

 itself into the air with a jerk when placed on its back. 

 As it does this, it makes a sudden clicking noise. There 

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