On the Life-History and Habits of Clerus 
formicarius, Linn. 
BY 
R. STEWART MACDOUGALL, M.A., D.Sc. 
‘With Figures 11-14. 
THE family Cleridz consists of soft-skinned beetles, generally 
gaily coloured (the “ bunting” beetles of the Germans), with 
elongated bodies. The legs have five-jointed tarsi, but to prove 
this requires, in some cases, very careful observation. In 
habit both imago and larva are predaceous and carnivorous ; 
where the imagines frequent flowers it is probable that besides 
taking honey they prey upon insects; indeed, Perris’ has 
Tecorded cases of flower - frequenting Trichodes devouring 
Other flower-haunting insects. The so-called carrion-eaters 
_ found amongst old carcases, skins, and bones may frequent 
these chiefly to prey on the insect fauna (imago and larva) 
found characteristically in such places. 
A note on the habits of some Cleride found in Britain may 
Prove interesting, as introductory to the observations made on 
Clerus formicarius. 
(Notes, R.B,G,, Edin, No, III., 1900.] 
