CHAP. XV. FAMILIES OF COLEOPTERA 



103 



BRANCH-BORERS (Ptinidae). These insects have the fore- 

 part of the thorax produced like a hood, partially or wholly 

 concealing the head when viewed from above ; the first segment 

 of the abdomen is very long ; there are sometimes only four 

 joints in the feet, and the color is usually black or brown. 



Fig. 260. 



Fig. 262. 



The larvae have the body curved, and furnished with six 

 legs. The Branch and Twig Burrower (Fig. 260), the Branch- 

 borer (Fig. 261), and the Red-shouldered Grape-vine Borer 

 (Fig. 262), belong to this Family. 



' TRIBE ILL Soft-winged Beetles These insects usually 

 have soft bodies and thin flexible wing-cases; the antenna? are 

 generally serrate; the terminal joint of the palpi is widened 

 and somewhat triangular; the thorax is usually surrounded 

 by a thin margin ; and the fourth joint of each foot is bilobed. 



Fig. 263. 



These insects are predaceous, both in the larvae and in the 

 perfect state; the larvae usually have the body nearly straight 

 and provided with six legs. The foTlowing is the principal 

 Family. 



LIGHTNING-BEETLES (Lampyridse, also called "Fire-flies"). 

 In these Beetles^ the body is rather soft, and the thorax has a 



