LAMPYRIS NOCTILUCA. 



The Glow-worm. 



Order Coleoptera. Fam. Lampyrida?. 



Type of the Genus, Lampyris noctiluca Linn. 

 Lampyris Linn., Fab., Lat., Curt. 



Antennce approximating, inserted in front of the head between 

 the eyes, shorter than the thorax, pubescent, fiUform, com- 

 pressed, 11-jointed, basal joint the longest and stoutest, 2nd 

 ovate-truncate, 3rd and 4th longer than the following, which 

 gradually decrease in size, 10th the smallest, 1 1th longer, ovate- 

 conic, the apex slightly emarginated on the side (6). 

 Labrum rather membranous at the base, semicircular, the basal 

 angles produced, margin clothed with long stout bristles (1). 

 Mandibles small, sublinear, rounded and bristly externally to- 

 wards the apex, which is acuminated ("2). 



MaxiUcE terminating in a narrow, leathery, densely hairy lobe, 

 somewhat pointed. Palpi comparatively large, stout, subfusi- 

 form, hairy and 4-jointed, basal joint the smallest, 2nd large 

 obconic-truncate, the apex fleshy and white as well as the 3rd, 

 which is more cup- shaped, 4th the longest and conical, the apex 

 compressed (3). 



Mentum very small, scutcheon-shaped, the anterior angles ex- 

 cised for the insertion of the Palpi, which are much smaller than 

 the maxillary, sublinear, slightly pilose and composed of 3 in- 

 distinctly articulated joints, basal joint oblong, 2nd more cup- 

 shaped, 3rd the longest, subovate. Labium narrow and hairy (4). 

 Head completely concealed under the thorax (T, the underside of both) 

 and sunk in a cavity : eyes very large and globose in the male, and 

 nearly meeting beneath. Thorax semi-ovate with a horny margin, 

 the base truncated and sinuated, the angles slightly produced : scutel 

 subovate. Elytra scarcely broader than the thorax, but 4 times as 

 long, depressed, someivhat coriaceous, linear, the apex rounded. Wings 

 ample. Abdomen depressed. Legs short, nearly alike : thighs slen- 

 der : tibiae compressed, narrowed at the base : tarsi 5 -jointed, basal 

 joint oblong, '2nd and 3rd somewhat obtrigonate, -ith bilobed, 5th as 

 long as the 1st ; slender and clavate : claws simple and hooked (5 

 afore leg). Female larger, apterous ; 4 apical segments of abdo- 

 men phosphorescent beneath : eyes small. 

 Larvae and Pupae similar to the female. 



Noctiluca Linn. — Curt. Guide, Gen. 315. 1. 



Male fuscous, thickly and coarsely punctured and clothed with 

 very short ochreous depressed hairs : thorax with a lurid ochre- 

 ous margin, with two diaphanous lunate lines in front, the disc 

 shining ; elytra with 4 obscure elevated somewhat oblique lines 

 on each : eyes black : legs fuscous-ochre, brightest at the base: 

 abdomen with the 2 or 3 terminal segments ochreous beneath. 

 Female reddish-brown, no diaphanous lines on the thorax : 2 

 basal segments of abdomen with ochreous and orange angles, 

 the 3 terminal ones edged with ochre above, broadest in the ter- 

 minal one, entirely ochreous beneath. 



In the Author s and other Cabinets. 



