196 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



Amaru communis (Fig. 25). (The genus Amara consists of twenty-seven 

 British species, not easy to distinguish. The terminal joints of the palpi 

 are oval in shape, a distinctive feature.) This species is about J inch long ; 

 has red antennae ; elytra simply grooved. Widely distributed. 



A. fulva (Fig. 26). Length about inch ; reddish yellow or " fulvous " ; 

 elytra with deep grooves; bear a bluish metallic tinge. Found in sandy 

 places. 



A. aulica. About \ inch, being the largest of the genus found in this 

 country ; black above, brownish below ; red legs and antennae ; elytra 

 deeply grooved. Common under stones and on plants. 



A. spinipes (Fig. 27). Slightly smaller; has reddish antennae and femora. 

 Common. 



A. familiaris (Fig. 28). Long shape ; greenish bronze ; reddish brown legs 

 and antennae. Common. 



Calathus cisteloides (Fig. 286). About inch ; black, with touches 

 of red on antennae and palpi ; legs may be red or black ; four pits on the 

 thorax ; elytra grooved ; wingless. Common under moss, stones, and decay- 

 ing leaves. 



Pristonychus terricola. Nearly f inch ; bluish black, with a dull sheen ; 

 limbs all black ; the grooves on the elytra join in pairs at the apex. Common 

 under stones and in cellars. 



Anchomenus prasinus (Fig. 29). Belongs to a genus of twenty-one British 

 species ; all flattened and small, none more than T 7 ^- inch in length. They 

 inhabit decayed wood, leaf-heaps, etc. This species has brown wing-cases, 

 with a greenish spot at the base. 



A. albipes (Fig. 30). Is larger ; black, with yellow legs and antennae. 

 Common in damp places. 



A. parumpunctatus (Fig. 31). Thorax has a greenish tinge ; the elytra 

 a distinct coppery lustre. 



A. fuliginosus (Fig. 32). Much smaller ; black thorax ; elytra dark 

 bronze tinge. 



A. angusticollis. Shining black ; antennae and legs blackish brown ; 

 elytra deeply grooved ; length, T V inch. 



Brachinus crepitans (Fig. 13). The genus Brachinus has a remarkable 

 method of self-defence. When disturbed, the beetle can discharge a caustic 

 fluid from the abdomen, which volatilizes on contact with the air, making 

 a slight report. The explosions may be produced several times in succession. 

 The species live gregariously under stones. B. crepitans is known as the Bom- 

 bardier Beetle from this curious characteristic. Length about f inch ; elytra 

 blue-black, the rest being red. Common on South Coast, on river banks, 

 and on chalky ground. B. explodens is smaller, but very similar. 



Demetrius atricapilla (Fig. 14). Length, inch ; black head, the rest 

 tawny. 



Loricera pilicornis (Fig. 15). Length about inch ; black, with bronze 



