CHAPTER VI 



LARVAE AND THEIR WORK 



IT is hardly surprising that insect larvae should display 

 so much ingenuity in the means they employ to protect 

 themselves from injury. For the most part they are thin- 

 skinned, plump-bodied individuals, and so form appetis- 

 ing fare for parasitic and predatory enemies. They are 

 entirely dependent on their own resources ; maternal care 

 is unknown in the insect world, except in the earwigs, one 

 species of sawfly and the wood-boring beetle we have just 

 mentioned. We shall have something to say concerning 

 protective colouring and mimicry in a later chapter, and 

 although these devices must certainly be included in any 

 account of the means of self-preservation adopted by 

 immature insects, we now wish to say a word or two 

 concerning the little buildings constructed by various 

 larvae, in which they may hide, using them either as lairs 

 for the capture of living creatures likely to make succulent 

 meals, or as homes in which they may live and feed 

 without molestation. 



In the former class we must certainly place the larva of 

 the tiger-beetle. Many of the tiger-beetles are noteworthy 

 on account of their beautiful colouring, charmingly iri- 

 descent metallic green and blues predominating. Long- 

 legged creatures, the adult beetles can race along the 

 ground at an incredible speed, an accomplishment which 

 stands them in good stead, for they obtain their livelihood 

 by hunting. Curiously enough, the larva is also a flesh- 

 eating individual, but owing to his build he is quite unable 

 to pursue his prey after the manner of his parents. That, 

 however, does not upset him, for his methods are equally 

 efficacious and less laborious. His first and only home is 



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