116 SCHOOL ENTOMOLOGY 



72. The Fireflies, Lightning- 

 bugs or Lantern-bugs (Lam- 

 pyridce), differ from the other 

 families in the group in that 

 they are soft bodied and have 

 soft elytra. The under side of 

 the posterior abdominal segments 

 of some species is luminescent 

 and gives off flashes of light 

 when the insect flies or even 

 when it is at rest. As they fly 

 at night they are quite conspic- 

 uous and attract attention. 

 They form the basis for many 

 superstitions. In the tropics are 

 found many luminous species of 

 this family as well as some 

 Homopterous insects which have 

 similar light-giving properties. 

 There are many Lampyrids 



A A which are day fliers and not 



luminous. Among these are the 

 ^_ soldier-beetles, slender, yellow 



beetles, marked with black, 

 about five-eighths of an inch 

 long, which are extremely abun- 

 dant on goldenrod and other late 

 summer flowers. 



73. Lamellicorn Beetles. 

 Two families called lamellicorn 

 beetles have antennae with 



FIG. 83.-Types of Beetles clubs formed of thin, plate-like 

 (Scarabceidce). structures or lamellae; hence the 



