70 



zooLoar 



Rose-bug (Fig. 73), another species of this family, is active in 

 the sunhght and is destructive to the l)lossoms or fruit of the 

 rose, grape, cherrj', and other plants. 



The Metallic wood-borers (Bupres'tidjE^) are destructive to 

 trees. The larva love contact and darkness, and being pro- 

 vided with large heads and powerful jaws, 

 they gnaw their way through the l)ark and 

 wood of trees. The adults have an entirely 

 different behavior (Fig. 74). They love the 

 sunlight and freedom ; hence they are found 

 upon flowers and the bark of trees. Here 

 their metallic colors are conspicuous. 



Closely allied to the foregoing is the family 

 of click-beetles, or Ek'ater'idiE." These have 

 the power, when placed on their backs, of 

 "Standard Natural leaping into the air 1)}; means of a special 

 "° °^^' device on the under side of the animal (Fig. 



75). The larvae, called " wireworms " because of their round, 

 hard bodies, live under the bark of trees and of rotten wood 

 or upon vegetation in the ground. They are most destructive 

 to sprouting grain, especially 

 Indian corn. It requires several 

 years for them to mature. 



The fireflies (Lampyr'idaj ^) 

 make up another and a well- 

 known familjr. They have soft 

 wing-like elytra, and on the thorax is a great shield, which 

 partly or wholly covers the head. Certain species that do not 



Fl<;. 74. — Buprc.^/i^ 

 rufipes, a metallic 

 wood-borer. From 



Click-beetle 



' From houpreslis, a Greek name for a l)eetle causing swelling in cattle 

 (bous, ox). 



'elaler, driver. 'latnpo, to shine; oura, tail. 



