208 INSECTS 
Beetles. — This class of insects has stiff wing covers which 
meet in a straight line down the back when folded, and are 
curved to make a snug fit over the body. Beneath these 
there is a pair of fine membranous wings. The mouth parts 
are formed for biting. Beetles live in all sorts of places — 
in the air or in water, on the surface of the ground or in the 
ground, and on vegetation. The eggs are laid in the place 
where the larve are to live. 
These are worm-like crea- 
tures and are called grubs 
or grub-worms, a familiar 
example being the fat, 
white grub used for fishing 
bait. The pupe are usu- 
ally found in a sort of 
rude cocoon made of earth 
or bits of roots fastened 
together. While in this 
state, the insect is transformed into a full-fledged beetle. 
There are more than 11,000 species of beetles. The adults 
as well as the larve vary greatly in size and in habits. Some 
of them are beneficial to man, but others do much damage, 
as, for example, the potato beetle, the cucumber beetle, the 
wire-worm beetles, and the wood-boring beetles whose grubs 
infest the stems of trees. 
Bees, Wasps, and Ants have four very thin membranous 
wings, the hind pair being smaller than the front pair. Many 
of the insects of this class are highly beneficial. As they are 
fond of sweets they abound wherever flowers bloom and some 
plants are absolutely dependent upon them to bring about 
pollination and the formation of seeds. Moreover, among 
these insects we may find the most wonderful development 
May BEETLE AND WHITE GRUB 
a, Larva or grub; b, pupa (under side) ; 
c, beetle. 
