94 



NATURAL HISTORY OF INSECTS. 



are usually predaceous, but one or two species have been 

 known to feed upon the green seeds of various plants. The 

 Gold-spotted Ground-beetle (Fig. 243) is an example of this 

 Family. 



TRIBE IL PREDACEOUS WATER-BEETLES These insects are 

 aquatic in their habits, and prey upon other insects. They 

 comprise two Families, as follows : 



DIVERS (Dytisidse). In these insects the antenna are slen- 

 der and filiform, and the hind pair of legs are widely sepa- 

 rated from the middle pair. 



The larva? are provided with six legs. The Margined Water- 

 beetle (Fig. 244)* belongs to this Family. 



WHIRLIGIG-BEETLES ( Gyrinidse). These Beetles have the 

 third joint of the antenna very large, and dilated on one side ; 

 the eyes are divided in the middle ; the hind pair of legs are 

 net further separated from the middle pair than the first 

 pair are. 



Fig. 244. 



These insects are frequently seen swimming in circles upon 

 the surface of the water. The larvae are six-legged, and usually 

 have a row of long appendages on each side of the body. 



* PIG. 244. The larva (a) atid the pupa (Zrt are not those of the beetle figured at c; 

 d is the anterior foot of the male ; e, that of the iemaie. 



