BEETLES 203 



5. obscura is very much like 5. atrata shining black ; the elytra regularly 

 pitted. 



S. quadripunctata (the Four-spot Carrion Beetle) is about | inch in length ; 

 has yellowish elytra with two black spots on each. The sides of the thorax 

 are also yellow. It feeds on larvae, and attacks gregarious caterpillars. Found 

 in oak woods, chiefly in South. 



5. thoracica. About f inch, is distinguished by its black elytra and red 

 thorax; covered, with the head, with golden down. Found in fungi and 

 carrion. 



Family : Scaphidiidce. 



Little shining, oval beetles ; found in fungi and decaying wood, tree stumps, 

 etc. 



S. quadrimaculatum (Fig. 85). Is shiny black, with two red spots on each 

 wing-case. The feet are reddish (under a pocket lens). There is some scanty 

 grey down on the back and wing-cases. This is a rounded insect, not to be 

 confused with M. quadripustulatus (see below), which is longer shaped. 



Family : Histeridce. 



Beetles which feign death when disturbed hence the name (from histrio, 

 an actor or mimic). The elytra are cut short, showing two sections of the 

 abdomen. Found in carrion, dung, fungi, and refuse. 



Hister unicolor (Fig. 86). Shiny jet-black; nearly inch long; thick-set, 

 powerful fore-legs ; short antennae, ending in a club. Elytra scored with seven 

 lines. Common in cow-dung in the South. 



H. cadaverinus is very similar but slightly smaller, with a dull metallic sheen. 



H. bimaculatus is very small, about | inch long, distinguished by two red 

 patches on the black elytra. 



Saprinus nitidulus (Fig. 87). Much like H. unicolor, but only one-quarter 

 the size ; shiny black. Common in dung and decaying fungi. 



Family : Nitidulidce. 



Containing some ninety species; small flattish beetles with straight n-jointed 

 antennae ; feeding on dry animal matter and carrion. Many found on flowers. 



N. bipustulata (Fig. 88). About inch long ; black ; two red spots on the 

 elytra ; reddish legs. Very common in carrion. 



Epuraa obsoleta (Fig. 89) . A tiny tawny-coloured species ; found under the 

 bark of pine trees and exuded sap. 



Meligethes ceneus (the " Turnip-blossom " Beetle) (Fig. 90). One of thirty-four 

 British species in this genus, found in flowers. It eats into the bud, and the 

 female deposits her eggs there, the larvae feeding on the flower ; very destructive 

 to rape. Colour, a dark green or blue metallic lustre. 



