414 ATTEMPTED DIVISION OF BRITISH INSECTS. 



touched, a red fleshy substance is protruded from several parts of 

 the body and again withdrawn. Inhabits flowers ; flies readily 

 and in the sunshine. Dasytes ? Malachius. 



Natural Order. — Lampyrites, Glow-worms. 



Larva composed of thirteen very distinct segments, the divisions 

 between which are deeply marked, giving the back a serrated 

 appearance ; legs very perfect, the caudal leg also present. In- 

 habits old hedges among decayed sticks, found also under stones; 

 feeds on minute snails, &c. Pupa changes under ground. Imago, 

 with the antennae filiform, moniliform, or pectinated ; the mandi- 

 bles small, soft, and somewhat imperfect ; the prothorax flattened, 

 dilated at the margins ; the fore-wings flexible, leathery ; females 

 sometimes without wings ; frequently emitting from the two last 

 segments a bright phosphoric light. Lampyris, Drilus, Telephorus, 

 Lycus. 



Natural Order. — Cebrionites. 



Larva and pupa unknown. Imago, with the antennae very simple, 

 (in the British genera) filiform ; mandibles imperfect, terminating 

 in a single point ; prothorax semicircular, the convex, being the 

 anterior margin, completely concealing the head ; fore-wings and 

 whole body soft and flexible, as though immature ; more round 

 and compact in shape than the preceding orders. Inhabits the 

 leaves and flowers of plants in summer. Dascillus, Elodes, Scirtes. 



Natural Order. — Elaterites, Click-beetles. 



Larva elongate, cylindrical, with six articulate and one caudal leg ; 

 slothful. Feeds on the roots of wheat, potatoes, &c., also occasion- 

 ally in decaying timber ; is very destructive to crops, and known 

 to farmers as the Wire-worm. Pupa mostly changes in the 

 ground. Imago, with moniliform antennae, not unfrequently ser- 

 rated or pectinated in the males ; mandibles bifid at the extremity ; 

 head received into the prothorax ; prothorax with a projecting 

 spine beneath ; metathorax with a cavity for the reception of the 

 spine ; by means of this instrument the insect, if laid on its back, 

 leaps to a considerable height, with a loud clicking noise ; diurnal, 

 flies readily. Inhabits flowers, &c. Elater, Campijlus. 



Natural Order. — Buprestites, Burn-cows. 



Larva very elongate, cylindrical, with six articulate and one caudal 

 prehensile leg. Feeds on timber. Pupa changes in the same 

 situation. Imago, with serrated or pectinated antennae ; mandibles 



