436 
INSECTA* 
have been separated from the genus Lampyris of Linnseus. They 
constitute the Amydetes, Hotf,, Germ *. 
Others, also peculiar to South America, whose antennae are com- 
posed of but eleven joints, present particular characters which have 
entitled them to the same generic distinction, under the name of 
Phengodes, Hoff. The third joint of these organs and the follow- 
ing ones give off, from the inner side, too long ciliated filaments, 
which appear to be articulated and convoluted round themselves. 
The elytra are suddenly narrowed into a point. The wings are ex- 
tended throughout their entire length, and simply folded longitudi- 
nally. The maxillary palpi are very salient and almost filiform. The 
thorax is transversal. The tarsi are filiform, and their penultimate 
joint is very short and scarcely bilobate. The body is narrow and 
elongated, with the head exposed |. 
The other species now form the genus 
Lampyris, properly so called. 
Which, from the form of the antennae, the presence or absence of 
the elytra, wings, &c., is susceptible of several divisions. 
L. noctiluca,\j.\ Panz., Faun., Insect. Germ. XLI, 7- The 
male about four lines in length ; blackish ; antennae simple; tho- 
rax semicircular, receiving the entire head, with two transparent 
lunate spots ; venter black ; ultimate annuli pale-yellowish. 
S. splendidula, L. ; Panz., Ib., 8. Closely allied to the pre- 
ceding, but somewhat larger ; thorax yellowish, with a blackish 
disk and two transparent spots before ; elytra blackish ; under 
part of the body and legs livid-yellowish ; first annuli of the 
venter sometimes of this latter colour, and at others dusky. 
The female is destitute of elytra and wings ; blackish above ; 
circumference of the thorax and last ring yellowish ; lateral 
angles of the second and third annuli flesh-colour; under part 
of the body yellowish, with the three last annuli of the colour 
of sulphur. 
These latter individuals are more particularly called glow- 
worms, or vers luisants. They are found every where about the 
country, along the roads, in hedges, meadows, &c, in the months 
of June, July, and August. They lay a great number of lemon- 
coloured eggs, which are large and spherical, in the ground or 
on plants, where they are fixed by means of a viscid matter with 
which they are covered. 
The larva bears a great resemblance to the female, but is 
black, with a reddish spot on the posterior angles of the annuli ; 
its antennae and legs are shorter. Its gait is very slow, and it 
has the faculty of elongating and shortening its body, and of 
bending it underneath. It is probably carnivorous. 
L. italica, L. ; Oliv., Col. II, 28, 11, 12; the Lucciola of the 
Italians. The thorax does not cover the whole head, is trans- 
♦ Lampyris plumicornis, Lat., Voy. de MM. Humboldt and Bonpl., Zool. XVI, 4; 
Amydetes apicalis, Germ., Insect. Spec. Nov., p. 67. 
t Illig., Mag., VI, p. 342. 
