COLEOPTERA 



149 



quite rigid and meet in a line on the back, forming a slieath to 

 inclose the membranous posterior wings, which fold up under 

 the fore wings or elytra when not in use. 



The body is usually compact. The under surface of the 

 abdomen is hard, but the upper surface beneath the elytra is 

 soft and yielding, thus permitting respiration. 



Fig. 119. — Under surface of Har'palus caligin'osus: a, Ligula; h, para- 

 glossa; c, supports of labial palpi; d, labial palpus; e, mentum; /, inner lobe 

 of maxilla; g, outer lobe of maxilla; h, maxillary palpus; i, mandible; k, 

 buccal opening; I, gula or throat; m, m, buccal sutures; n, gular suture; 

 0, prosternum; p', episternum of prothorax; p, epimeron of prothorax; 

 g, q' , q" , coxee; r, r', r", trochanters; s, s', s", femora or thighs; t, t' , t", 

 tibiae; v, v^, ifi, etc., ventral abdominal segments; lo, episterna of mesothorax 

 (the epimeron is just behind it); x, mesosternum; y, episterna of meta- 

 thorax; y', epimeron of metathorax; z, metasternum. (After Leconte.) 



The Young. — The metamorphosis is complete. The larvae 

 are usually called grubs. (See Fig. 120, p. 150.) Their habitats 

 vary much. Some live in trees, others, as the larvae of the tiger 

 beetle, burrow in the gound, and, with the head at the sur- 

 face, watch for their prey. Their food varies according to the 



