89 



BEETLES. 



This class of insects is very numerous and interest- 

 ing^ and are more commonly called bugs. Some of 

 these are very curious and deserve our notice while 

 others are not very noticeable. The chief character- 

 istics of these insects are hard wing covers, strong 

 flight and great strength. Some of the most common 

 are the Tiger Beetle, Pe^-Weavel, Nut~Weavel, Tum- 

 ble bug, Spring Beetle, Snapping bug and the larger 

 bugs so well known as pinching bugs. 



The Tiger Beetle is one of the prettiest of the tribe. 

 The wing covers are rich indigo, green and bronze, 

 which show to a great advantage in the bright sun- 

 light. It is a fast runner and may be seen during 

 warm summer days, running along in the dusty road in 

 which it delights. The Pea-weavel is small and is dressed 

 in a dull gray garb slightly spotted. It is very familiar 

 to the gardener and may be seen in seed peas in early 

 spring, making little round holes in them and leaving 

 the shell, these little bugs sometimes completely riddle 

 a crop of seed peas, but they grow occasionally when 

 partly eaten. The Nut-Weavel is considerably larger 

 than the preceding species: the chief characteristics 

 being the long drill like snout which is used in cutting 

 through the shells of nuts and the partitions between 

 kernels. The Tumble Bug is one of the most curious 

 of these insects particularly in its habits: it receives its 

 name from the way it has of rolling up little balls of 

 dirt in which to deposit its eggs — that from the barn- 

 yard is mostly chosen: when the ball is sufficiently 

 large they bury it, and lay their eggs in or upon it; 



