TUK BEETLE 



63 



The form of the larva also varies much to adapt it to its 

 surroundings. When the larva? live under bark they become 

 greatly flattened. Those that feed in wood or grain are mostly 

 cylindrical. Those that live on the surface of leaves, lil<e the 

 Potato-beetle, are often oval or irregular in shape. 



The number of species of beetles which have been described 

 is probably over one hundred thousand. Of these, over ten 

 thousand inhabit America north of Mexico. Fortunately 



Fig. 65 a. — Larva of Lachnosterna, the .June bug, at roots of aster. Photo, 

 of living animals, nat. size, by V. H. L. 



this vast nmnber can be included mthin a relatively small 

 number of families, of which the salient general characteristics 

 will here be considered. 



The running beetles are characterized by a more or less slender 

 body, long, delicate legs, and quick movements. They are 

 found chiefly on or near the ground. There are t^vo principal 

 famihes. The first includes the tiger-beetles (Cic"inderid£e '), 

 which are colored bright brown or green (Fig. 66). They are 

 light-lovers, heat and moisture lovers. Conseciuently they are 

 found in sunny places, especially on paths or sandy shores 

 which reflect the sun's rays, and almost always in the vicinity 

 of water. In their flight they are among the swiftest of insects; 



^ Derived from caudela, candle. 



