424 



INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT, 



BEING 



A SIMPLE ACCOUNT OF THE MOKE IMPORTANT FAMILIES OF INSECTS 



WITH -EXAMPLES OF THE DAMAGE THEY DO TO CEOPS, 



TEA, COFFEE AND INDIGO CONCERNS, FRUXT 



AND FOREST TREES' IN INDIA, 



BY 



E. P. STEBBING, f.l.s., f.z.s., f.e.s. 



Part IV. 



(Continued from page 685 of Vol. XVT.) 



Chapter VII. 



Order V.— COLEOPTERA (BEETLES). 



The Goleoptera or Beetles appear to be wingless Insects, but have 

 really four pairs of wings. The upper pair, which are called the 

 ' elytra/ are hard and horny and shell like, fitting accurately together 

 over the back, thus protecting it and the lower wings which are folded 

 beneath them and are membranous. In the mouth mandibles are pre- 

 sent, and the lower lip is divided along the middle. The metamor- 

 phosis is complete. Fig. 87 shows a beetle with the right elytra in the 

 position of rest, the left one being held up, thus setting free the under- 

 whig. The larva is grablike and changes to a pupa in which all the 

 parts of the parfect insect are distinguishable, but are still white and soft. 



Fig. 87. — A Coleopterous Insect. Heliocopris dominus (Sibsagar). The right elytra 

 is in the position of rest, the left one is elevated allowing the lower 

 wing t o be spread ou t in position of flight. 



