BEETLES 209 



A. hamorrhoidalis (the Reddish Skipjack) (Fig. 124). Usually brownish 

 black above, but the under side is plainly reddish, like the legs. Head and 

 thorax strongly punctured ; elytra striated and punctured. Very common 

 on hazel, heath, bracken, etc. 



Corymbites cupreus (Fig. 125). Long and narrow, |-f inch in length ; has a 

 violet-bronze tinge. The antennae are quite plainly pectinate (comb-like). 

 Found on grass, bushes, and stones. 



C. tesselatus (Fig. 126). About the same size ; brown-bronze covered with 

 greyish down, which in many specimens is in patches, giving a tessellated 

 appearance. Found in moss and marshy districts. 



C. quercus (Fig. 127). Dull black ; elytra striated, with faint pubescence. 

 Length to ^ inch. Found on oaks. 



C. holosericeus (Fig. 128). Length |- inch ; dull black, with yellowish grey 

 down on the back ; legs rusty red. Found in grass. 



Genus Agriotes. A genus found on flowers. The larvae are known as 

 " wire- worms," and live in the ground on roots of plants. Very destructive. 



A. obscurus (Fig. 129). About inch in length ; generally black, with 

 brown elytra, finely grooved and punctured. Under side black or very dark 

 brown. Common in moss and under stones. Larvae feed on roots of grass and 

 corn. 



A. sabrinus (Fig. 130). Yellowish brown elytra, with darker brown thorax. 

 Length about inch. Equally injurious, but not so often seen. 



Campylus linearis (Fig. 131). The only species of this genus. Length, f- 

 inch. A very narrow, elongated species, with light fawn elytra (male), black in 

 female. The eyes are very prominent, standing out quite clear of the thorax. 

 Legs frequently yellowish brown. Found on bushes and under bark. 



Helodes minutus (Fig. 132). About J inch ; oval shape ; yellow-brown 

 thorax ; elytra a shade darker. Antennae almost as long as the elytra. Found 

 in marshes and water meadows. 



Family : Malacodermida" SOFT-SKINNED " BEETLES. 



So called because the skin is softer and more flexible than in other 

 families. 



Lampyris noctiluca (the Glow-worm) (Fig. 133). The only species of this 

 genus. The male (which is figured) has wings, but the female none. The latter 

 is larger than its mate. Colour, a dull brown. Both sexes can emit the light 

 which gives rise to the name, but the female's power is greater than the male's. 

 There is little doubt that the light is intended to act as a guide by which the 

 male finds the female, and it can be controlled at will. Both sexes sham death 

 when disturbed. The larvae are much like the female in appearance, and feed 

 on snails, rendering a beneficent aid to the gardener. 



Genus Tekphorus. These are soft-bodied beetles with long antennae and 

 prominent eyes, frequently found in flowers ; popularly known as " soldiers 



(2,178) H 



