l 3 o 



INSECTS. 



The Cicindelidce consist o£ about one thousand known species, which are dis- 

 tributed throughout the world, but are much more abundant in tropical than in 

 temperate or cold countries. In Europe two genera only are represented — Tetracha, 

 which comprises nocturnal and twilight-loving species, and Cicindela, whose species 

 are found in the hottest and sunniest places. The tiger-beetles are extremely 

 pretty insects of remarkably active habits, and exhibit the predaceous type of 

 structure to perfection. Besides possessing great speed of foot, most of them make 

 ready use of their wings, and they are further characterised by large and prominent 

 eyes, and mouths well adapted for seizing and holding their prey, the mandibles 

 being long and provided with a number of sharp teeth, while the inner lobe of the 

 maxillse is furnished with a movable claw or hook at the tip. The fact that this 



hook is movable and not 

 firmly fixed to the blade 

 of the maxillas, affords a 

 means of distinguishing 

 the tiger-beetles from all 

 the other beetles of the 

 tribe Adephaga. More 

 than half of all the 

 known species of the 

 family belong to the 

 single genus Cicindela, 

 and this is the only genus 

 which is cosmopolitan. 

 With the exception of a 

 few species of an almost 

 entirely ivory - white 

 colour, the Cicindelidce 

 exhibit greenish, bronzy, 

 or darker metallic tints, frequently varied with white or pale yellow spots and 

 bands, which in the case of a great many species run together to form more or less 

 intricate and pretty patterns. While their shape is usually such as is shown in 

 our figure of C. hybrida, we get, on the other hand, remarkable exotic forms, in 

 which the body is narrow and elongated, and broadest towards the hinder end. 

 Colhjris and other genera of the various Oriental countries — where the species are 

 found pursuing their prey on the trees in the forests — afford examples of this type. 

 From its great resemblance in colour and form to Collyris, a rare and curious 

 longicorn beetle, found in the same localities, has been named Collyrodes ; and it 

 has been remarked by Mr. Wallace that beetles of the family Cicindelidce are 

 amongst those most frequently mimicked by other beetles. 



In external structure the carnivorous ground -beetles (Cardbidce) approach 

 the Cicindelidce, from which they may in most cases be distinguished by their 

 general shape, as well by the fact that they never exhibit the coloration and 

 markings characteristic of that family. Other points of difference may be seen 

 in their less prominent eyes, in the absence of an articulation in the hook of 

 the maxillae, and in the shape of the mandibles, which, though occasionally long, 



TIGER-BEETLES. 



Cicindela hybrida (with larva and pupa slightly enlarged) ; Colhjris 

 longicollis (enlarged). 



