BEETLES 195 



grooves on the elytra. Common ; often found in garden rubbish. Front-legs 

 adapted for digging, as this species burrows in mud or sand. 



Broscus cephalotes (Fig. 22). Black, with reddish colouring on antennae 

 and palpi ; thorax heart-shaped ; elytra flat, with eight slight grooves ; 

 a distinct " waist " ; two spines on front-legs. Burrows under stones. Feigns 

 death when disturbed. Common on the coasts. 



Panagaus quadripustulatus. A small beetle, about inch long, with red 

 elytra, the red divided into four parts by a black cross. P. crux-major is 

 similar but larger. 



Badister bipustulatus. Head black ; thorax red ; elytra reddish yellow, 

 with a blue-black patch ; length inch. Common in damp places under 

 moss or stones. 



Harpalus ruficornis (Fig. 35) . Black thorax and head ; elytra brownish black ; 

 legs red, covered with greyish yellow down ; length, -f inch. Very common. 



H. ceneus (Fig. 33). About inch ; colour varies from blue-black to 

 green ; legs usually red ; elytra finely grooved ; parallel sides. Common. 



H. proteus (Fig. 336). About inch ; thorax and head black, with a 

 distinct green lustre ; elytra bronze, with green tinge ; legs red-brown. 



H. azureus (Fig. 34). Elytra, with a bluish tinge ; red legs. Found in 

 chalk districts. 



H. sabicula (Fig. 36). Larger than above; legs reddish brown. Found 

 in chalky and sandy districts. 



H. caspius (Fig. 37). Jet black, with a bluish metallic lustre. 



Dichirotrichus obsoletus (Fig. 376). Dusky yellow, with a dark stripe on 

 each elytra ; length about J inch. D. pubescens is slightly smaller and 

 darker. Common in salt marshes and by tidal rivers. 



Anisodactylus binotatus. A dull-black beetle about | inch long ; some 

 red on legs and tarsi ; often head has two red dots between the eyes ; elytra 

 grooved. Common under stones. 



Zabrus gibbus. Length about | inch ; black, with reddish limbs. A 

 humpbacked beetle. Found on field paths. Not only feeds on insects, but 

 also devours the grain of wheat, the larvae feeding on the shoots of young 

 corn. Not very common. 



Pterostichus vulgaris (Fig. 17). A wingless genus, common in hilly country 

 under stones. This species is completely black. 



P. niger (Fig. 18). Slightly larger ; wing-cases without punctures. 



P. cupreus (Fig. 19). About inch ; a rich metallic coppery green ; 

 elytra grooved and flattened. Common under stones. 



P. madidus. Shiny black, with reddish brown legs and antennae ; elytra 

 grooved. Common under stones. 



P. picimanus (Fig. 20). Length about | inch ; brownish black, with 

 reddish legs ; a somewhat flat beetle. 



P. striola (Fig. 21). About f inch ; shining black ; head large ; deep 

 grooves on thorax ; elytra strongly grooved also. Common. 



