CHAP. XV. FAMILIES OF COLEOPTEKA. 



105 



and the head can be moved to either side from under the 

 extension of the thorax. These beetles have been known to 

 feed on flowers, and have been found eating into peaches, 

 apricots, etc. 



TRIBE II. Bark-Beetles. In these insects the fore coxae 

 nearly or fully touch each other; the head is narrower than 

 the thorax, and the antennaB are usually quite long and slender. 

 The larvae live in decayed wood. The two principal Families 

 are the Cistelidss and the Melandryidte. 



TRIBE III. Darkling-Beetles. In these insects the ante- 

 rior coxa3 do not touch each other; there are five joints in 

 the abdomen; the antennae are usually moniliform; the color 

 is generally black or brown. 



Fig. 265. 



Fig. 266. 



The larva? are more or less cylindrical, and provided with 

 six legs; they closely resemble the larvae of the Spring-beetles, 

 commonly called "Wire- Worms." The greater number live in 

 decayed wood, but some kinds, such as the Meal-worm (Fig. 

 265, a) are found in granaries, flour mills, etc. 



They all are included in the Family of Darkling-beetles 

 (Tenebrionidse). The Large Darkling Grape-beetle (Fig. 119), 

 the Meal- Worm-beetle (Fig. 265, c), and the small Darkling 

 Grape-beetle (Fig. 266), belong to this Family. 



CLASS III. TETRAMERA. 



In this Class the joints of the feet are usually dilated and 

 brush-like, and the joint next to the last is generally bilobed; 

 8 



