MYCETOPHAGID^ . 



447 



the front not prolonged, and in the male is deeply excised at 

 the tip. The antenni^ of the female are clubbed as usual, and 

 the mandibles are prominent and suddenly incurved at 

 the tips. It is often found on flowers in the perfect 

 state. We have found the larvse (Fig. 393 ; a, end 

 of abdomen) of Anther ophag us ocliraceus Say (Plate 

 3, fig. 4) in the nests of humble bees during July and 

 August. They are whitish, and .32 of an inch in 

 length. The beetles are of a pale honey j^ellow, with 

 little darker antennae, legs and elytra, while the ends 

 of the antennal joints, the base of the coxae and tibias, rig 



and tip of the terminal joint of the tarsi are black. 

 1 The larva of the European Cryptopliagus Jiirtus Gyll. 



(Fig. 394) is found in cellars. 



Derodontid^ Leconte. In these insects the 

 transverse form of the anterior and posterior coxas 

 Fig. 394. (which latter are slightly separated), dilated inter- 

 nally, forming a small plate to protect the insertion of the 

 thigh, distinguishes this group from all the preceding 

 families, and approximates it somewhat to the families 

 following the Elateridce. 



Lathridiid^ Redtenbacher. Leconte states that \~ 

 the insects of this small family are of very small size, 

 found flying in twilight, and also under bark and 

 stones ; they are of graceful form, the elytra being 

 usually wider than the thorax ; the species of Bonvoii- 

 loiria and most of the species of Latliridius (Fig\ 

 395, larva of L. minutus Linn., enlarged) are very ^'«- ^^^• 

 remarkably sculptured, with elevated lines on the thorax. 



OthniidjE Leconte. Othnms umhrosus Lee. is the type of 

 this family. It occurred in Nebraska, near the Rocky Moun- 

 tains. 



Mycetophagid^ Leach. The genus Mycetophagus is finely 

 punctured with closely aippressed hairs ; the anterior coxal 

 cavities are open ; the tarsi are four-jointed and filiform, the 



