208 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



of meadow grass. The mole does good work in devouring them. In the winter 

 the larvae burrow still deeper and hibernate. Not until the third year do they 

 change into pupal state, from which in July and August the perfect beetles 

 emerge. Even now they do not immediately come to the surface, but remain 

 in the burrows till the spring of the fourth year, when they come to the surface 

 and may be seen hi flight. The perfect beetle only lives a few weeks, but during 

 this time does fresh damage by devouring the leaves of trees. 



This beetle is adapted for the life it leads, having a head covered with a 

 strong shield, and a hard stout tail, which acts as a lever in the soil. Notice 

 the spines on the legs, which also serve to give it support when pushing its way 

 through the ground. The antennae are beautiful objects, consisting of a fan 

 of plates seven in the male, six in the female ; both have delicate organs 

 of smell. 



Rhizotrogus soktitialis (Fig. 117). This is about half the size of the Common 

 Cockchafer ; a bright fawn in colour, covered with golden hair. It is quite as 

 destructive as the former, but not so common. 



Anomala frischii (cenea) (Fig. 118). A most beautiful species. Head and 

 thorax black, with a bright green metallic tinge. Elytra chestnut, with a similar 

 metallic lustre. Found on sandy scrub on seacoast. 



Cetonini. Shining beetles living on flowers ; larvae in ground. 



Cetonia aurata (the Eose Beetle) (Fig. 119). Bright green above, with a golden 

 sheen, coppery beneath ; legs black ; sometimes i inch in length. Found on 

 flowers, and specially destructive to roses. Commonest in the South. Larvae 

 found in decayed wood and in ants' nests (especially the Wood Ant). 



Sub-order iv. SERRICORNIA (Beetles with saw-like or serrate antennae). 

 Family: Elaierid.ee CLICK BEETLES. 



Long species, which have the power of jumping from the ground, turning 

 a somersault, with a clicking noise when placed on their backs. 



Lacon murinus (the only British species) (Fig. 120). A shabby brownish 

 black species, covered with grey hair ; short antennae, which when the insect 

 is at rest are received into grooves in the prosternum. Common in the Midlands 

 and South on flowers or in moss. 



Elater sanguinolentus (Fig. 121). Black, with scarlet elytra, marked with 

 black when they meet. Length about | inch. Local ; found in pine stumps. 



Melanotus rufipes (Fig. 122). An elongated black species, covered with 

 scanty down. Legs dull reddish ; head and thorax pitted. Found in rotten 

 wood, on flowers. Fairly common. 



Athous niger (the Black Skipjack) (Fig. 123). (Of the genus Athous we 

 have eight species, two of which are figured.) Shining black, covered with 

 greyish down. Head flattened and strongly punctured. Elytra striated ; 

 found on bushes, hedges, and in woods. 



