BEETLES 201 



prises ten British species, of which this is the most familiar. It is dull 

 black in colour, and is provided with wings ; has a pair of very strong jaws. 

 When alarmed, " cocks " its abdomen, and opens its jaws for fight, and also 

 emits a foul smell. Hides under stones and refuse. The larvae make pits, 

 in which they lie in wait for other insects. 



0. ater (Fig. 69). Smaller than above. Colour a more polished black. 



0. cupreus (Fig. 70). Bronze ;' legs black, with some brownish red ; 

 winged. Common under stones. 



Philonthus splendens (Fig. 71). One of a large genus, comprising forty-six 

 British species. Found in vegetable and animal refuse. Black, with metallic 

 bluish tinge ; elytra closely punctured ; head and thorax very shiny. 



P. ceneus (Fig. 72). Much smaller, but similarly coloured, with bronze 

 lustre on the elytra. Common on dung and carrion, in which the beetles 

 and larvae prey on the larvae of gnats and flies. 



Xantholinus punctulatus (Fig. 73). One of a genus of long, narrow beetles, 

 which double up in repose. Black, with elytra dark green or rusty brown. 

 Common in moss, cut grass, etc. 



X. glabratus is the largest of the genus, being nearly inch long ; bright 

 black, with red elytra. Common in dung and refuse, and under stones. 



Lathrobium elongatum (Fig. 74). The genus, comprising fifteen species, 

 consist of elongated slender beetles. Found in damp woods. This species, 

 about inch, is bright black, with red elytra, black at the base ; legs and 

 antennae reddish ; head nearly round. Found in moss, marshy places, etc. 



L. fulvipenna is about the same size, but the elytra are reddish brown. 



L. boreale is also very similar, but narrower, the elytra being sometimes 

 wholly red. 



P&derus litoralis (Fig. 75). A small handsome species. Elytra metallic 

 blue ; head and tail black ; thorax and other sections of abdomen orange- 

 red. This genus lives gregariously near water, under stones and leaves, 

 hibernating in decaying willows. 



Stenus biguttatus. The genus has sixty-three species, inhabiting damp 

 localities, brook-sides and marshes. The species named is about inch in length. 

 Black, covered with silvery down ; a round orange spot on each elytron. 

 Common on margins of streams and ponds and sandy shores. 



Oxyporus rufus (the only species of the genus), about | inch long. Shining 

 black, with brilliant red thorax, red patches at base of elytra, and four red 

 segments on abdomen. Found in decaying fungi. 



Bledius tricornis (Fig. 76). Black, with reddish brown antennae. Red 

 elytra, with a triangular black mark, V-pointed, formed by their contact. 

 The end of the abdomen is red. Found in salt marshes. This wedge-shaped 

 patch on the elytra seems to be a characteristic of the genus, B. spectabilis 

 (| inch) and B. arenarius ($ inch) also possessing it. 



Dianous carulescens (Fig. 77) has a beautiful blue metallic lustre all over ; 

 two reddish spots on the wing-cases. 



