Cases of Protective Besemblance, Mimicry, etc. 371 



Rhipidophorim:. 

 Metaecus imradoxus, L. 



This curious beetle is parasitic on, and lives in the nests 

 of, wasps. Though unlike a wasp in appearance, it cer- 

 tainly suggests a Hymenopterous insect rather than a 

 beetle. 



Anthicid^e. 



Notoxus monoceros, L. 



This beetle, which is found in sandy places, is coloured 

 so as to promote concealment in such situations. It is 

 also, in common with most of the genus Anthicus, some- 

 what ant-like in appearance. 



Anthicus himaculatus, 111. 



This beetle is found on the coast, and is coloured 

 differently from all the rest of the genus, being like the 

 sand on which it occurs. 



Meloitme. 



Meloe. 



These beetles are called " oil beetles," because of the 

 yellow fluid which exudes from their limbs when handled, 

 and which no doubt possesses distasteful properties. They 

 are large, heavy creatures, and crawl about regardless of 

 danger. Their colours are doubtless aposematic. 



Sitaris muralis, Forst. 



This beetle is parasitic on certain bees (Andrenie), and 

 is found about their burrows. It has the true wings 

 exposed, and is very like a Hymenopterous insect in 

 appearance. 



Lytta vesicatoria, L. 



This species is of a bright metallic green colour, and as 

 Mr. Holland says, " it is showy and probably unpalatable." 

 It is the well-known " Spanish fly," or " blister beetle," 

 and its properties would no doubt render it distasteful. 

 The Cantharidx are mimicked in other countries. 



