206 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



Family : LitcanidaSTAG BEETLES. 



Lucanus Cervus (the Stag Beetle) (Fig. 102). Antennae with a comb-like 

 club, the plates of which cannot be spread; lo-jointed. Mandibles like a 

 stag's antlers. This species is so well known as to need little description. The 

 larvae live in decayed oak trees for five years before maturing. The adult 

 beetle has a habit of standing in a war-like attitude when alarmed, but in spite 

 of its formidable appearance it is quite harmless. The female does not possess 

 the large " horns " of the male. A remarkable characteristic is the courtship 

 period, when the male pursues his mate, and seizing her in his mandibles 

 carries her off bodily, kicking and struggling, by main force. 



There is a smaller species, Dorcus parallelopipedus, about an inch long, 

 flattened and parallel-sided. The head of the male as broad as the thorax; 

 mandibles not " antlered." Commonest round London and in the South. 

 Found in decayed elm, beech, etc. 



Sinodendron cylindricum. Shiny black, with brownish elytra ; is recognized 

 in the male by the long, recurved horn in the female this horn is reduced to a 

 tubercle. About inch long. Fairly common in the South of England and Wales. 



Family : Scarabaida CHAFERS. 



This is a large family (many species being of great beauty and colouring), 

 in which are to be found many useful beetles, such as feed on dung and refuse 

 and act as scavengers. Legs adapted for digging ; antennae short, with movable 

 terminal plates. 



Onthophagus fructicornis (Fig. 103). About inch long ; has thorax and head 

 dull black, with a shade of bronze. The elytra are roughly punctured, of a 

 fawn shade, with blackish patches ; legs coppery. Found in dung, especially 

 near the coast. 



0. ovatus (Fig. 104). A smaller species, dull bronze-black. Elytra 

 streaked and pitted. 



Aphodius fossor (Fig. 105). Of the genus Aphodius there are thirty-eight 

 British species, living principally in dung, in which they lay their eggs. A . fossor 

 is about inch long, black, with a copper-coloured tinge especially on the elytra, 

 which are grooved and slightly pitted. The male has three tubercles on the 

 head. 



A. peteus (the Small Dung Beetle) (Fig. 106). Black head and shoulders, 

 shading into red at the edges. The elytra are red, deeply grooved. Common. 



A. inquinatus (Fig. 107). Shining black head and thorax ; but the elytra 

 are fawn coloured, ornamented with black patterns. 



A. stricticus (Fig. 108), is similar but brighter in colour the thorax black 

 on the top, shading into bright fawn on the sides ; the elytra shining fawn with 

 darker markings. 



