OTHEK BEETLES. 77 



warm, sunny locations frequented by locusts are usually 

 chosen. The eggs are usually covered lightly with earth, 

 and are left to hatch. 



The metamorphosis of blister beetles is very peculiar 

 and exceptional. An active larva (triungulin), with good 

 legs for getting about, is hatched from the egg. It runs 

 about, searching the ground over for a buried cluster of 

 locust or grasshopper eggs. At this stage it possesses 

 great powers of endurance, being able to live a fortnight 

 without food. If successful in finding an egg cluster, it 

 settles down, and begins to eat the eggs. After two molts, 

 it becomes a heavy, footless larva. After several additional 

 molts, and after attaining its growth, it quits the remains 

 of the egg cluster, goes deeper into the soil, and trans- 

 forms into a pupa. Later it emerges as the imago already 

 studied. For a full account of the transformations of this 

 and of other blister beetles, read the articles by Dr. C. V. 

 Riley, in Vol. XII. of the "American Naturalist." 



If eggs of the blister beetle, and also the locust eggs 

 on which it feeds, can be found and suitably placed, all 

 the transformations may be seen taking place in the 

 course of a few weeks. 



This insect is a representative of the group Coleoptera 

 (or sheath- winged insects). NO. i. 



Other Beetles. Perhaps no other beetle 

 is so easily obtainable in autumn, in supply 

 sufficient for class use, as the black blister 

 beetle ; yet, lest it should not be found 

 when wanted, cuts of four other common 

 beetles, which will answer equally well SOLDIER BEETLE 



. , . . , (Chauliognathus). 



for study here, are subjoined : 



No. 1 is a soldier beetle, closely resembling the black 

 blister beetle in structure, and frequenting the same 

 haunts. It is yellowish brown in color above, with a 



