NEW ZEALAND COLEOPTERA. 



ORDER COLEOPTERA. 



Organs of the mouth composed of a labrum, a pair of mandibles, a 

 pair of maxillae, and a labium provided with palpi, all free. Prothorax 

 not soldered to the mesothorax. Provided with four wings ; the upper 

 termed elytra, more or less solid, united by a straight suture when in 

 repose, and usually covering the two under wings ; these latter membra- 

 neous, and transversely folded when at rest. 



Metamorphoses complete. Larva with the head distinct, usually 

 furnished with six legs. Pupa inactive, enveloped in a loose membrane, 

 so that the organs of the perfect insect are rendered perceptible. 



FAMILY CICINDELIDES. 



Mentum emarginate. Ligula horny, without paraglossae, very short, 

 concealed by the chin. Maxilla elongate, slender, ciliated inwardly, 

 and generally terminated by an articulated hook ; internal lobe palpi- 

 form, two-jointed, slender. Mandibles long, arched, toothed inwardly, 

 acute, crossed in repose. Palpi four-jointed. Antenna filiform or 

 setaceous, composed of eleven joints. Legs more or less slender and 

 elongate ; the anterior tibia not notched on the inner side : posterior 

 coxa transversal, widened and prolonged inwardly ; trochanters of the 

 same pair prominent : tarsi five-jointed. Abdomen composed of six 

 or seven segments, the three basal soldered together. 



Group CICINDELnXffi. 



Palpi moderate, rarely equal ; the labial nearly always shorter than 

 the maxillary ; their first joint attaining, at the most, the level of the 

 lateral lobes of the mentum ; the fourth joint of the maxillary longer 

 than the third. Mentum provided with a median tooth, sometimes but 

 little apparent. Eyes large, very prominent. The three first joints of the 

 anterior tarsi dilated among the males. 



Cincindela. 



Ltnnt, Syst. Nat. 



Mentum tooth acute. Palpi moderately long, the maxillary longer 

 than the labial; the last joint sub-cylindric and obtuse at the extre- 



