XI. INSECTA. 85 



JBuprestidce are remarkable for their brilliant colouring. Stigmo- 

 dera, perhaps the most characteristic genus of Australian beetles, 

 contains more than 230 described species. 



The EucnemidcB and Elateridce are represented, the latter family 

 in considerable numbers. The Malacoderms include a large number 

 of species belonging to the genera Metriorrhi/nchus, Telephorus^ 

 JLaius, Carphurus, Aulicus, Eleale, &c. The large family Tene- 

 hrionidce exhibits some very striking forms, such as Zopherosis, 

 Pterolielceus, JBelcBus, Saragus, Cyphaleus, Prophanes, Adelium, 

 Seirotrana. Amarygmus, &c. The group Rhynchophora, or weevils, 

 contains more than 1,200 described Australian species, many of 

 them of the most singular forms. The Ami/cteridce, which in 

 Australia take the place of Brachyceims and its allies, a group 

 largely represented in Africa and the Mediterranean region, are 

 commonly found under logs and stones. They appear to be most 

 abundant in the dry parts of the country, but a few species are 

 found in the coast districts of New South Wales. The Longicorns 

 are very numerous, more than 550 Australian species having been 

 described. Phor-acantJia, Skeletodes, containing a single species, 

 Tragocerus, Zygocerus, Symphjletes, Penthea and EhytipJiora are 

 conspicuous genera. The Phytophagous beetles, many of which 

 are destructive to fruit trees and crops, are also very numerous, 

 particularly those of the sub-families Cryptocephalince and Chryso- 

 melince One peculiarly Australian genus, Paropsis, contains 

 about 270 described forms. 



Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps, Ants, &c.) are characterised 

 by having the first abdominal segment intimately united with the 

 thorax, and the wings, which are of the normal number, with 

 irregular and comparatively few veins. The mouth is mandibular, 

 or formed for biting, and the transformations are complete ; many 

 of them have the abdominal appendages modified into a sting. 

 In this order there is a great diversity in- the form and habits of 

 the larvae. Usually they are soft, maggot-like creatures, possessing 

 a corneous or horny head ; but in the Saw-flies (Tenthredinidce) 

 the larv» generally resemble caterpillars, possessing tliree pairs of 

 true legs, and in the case of those which live on the leaves of 

 plants, several pairs of claspers. Our native honey bees (Trigona) 

 are without stings. They live in immense communities, each 



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