annulosa: insecta. 



271 



The anterior pair of wings rudimentary, represented by a pair 

 of singular twisted organs. Jaws abortive. 



The Strepsiptera constitute a small order, which includse 

 certain parasites of minute 

 size, found on Bees and 

 other Hymenoptera. The 

 female is a soft vermiform 

 grub, without feet, but with 

 a horny head, which it pro- 

 trudes from between the 

 abdominal segments of its 

 host. The larvse are active, 

 and possess six feet ; whilst 

 the males (fig. 97) are 

 winged, and fly about with 

 great activity. 



Order XII. Coleop- 

 TERA. — Mouth masticatory, furnished with an upper lip or 

 labrum, two mandibles, two maxillae, with maxillary palpi 

 (generally four-jointed), and a movable lower lip or labium, 

 with two jointed labial palpi. The four wings are usually 

 present, and the anterior pair are not adapted for flight, but 

 are hardened by chitine, so as to form protective cases (elytra) 

 for the posterior wings (fig. 98). The i*iner margins of the 



Fig. 97. — Strepsiptera. Stylops SpencHt 

 greatly magnined (after WestwoodJ. 



Fig. 98. — Coleoptera. Common Coclcchafer {Meioiontlui vulgaris 



elytra are generally straight, and when in contact they form a 

 longitudinal suture. The posterior wings are membranous, 

 and when not in use, are folded transversely beneath the 

 elytra. (Amongst deviations from this state of parts may be 

 mentioned the occasional absence or rudimentary condition 

 of the hinder wings, the soldering together of the elytra, the 



