THE TIGER BEETLES. 



29 



1 (13). Tetracha virginica Linn., Syst. Nat, II, 

 1735, 567. 



Dark gold green; elytra blackish at middle, their 

 sides with a broad metallic green stripe; antennae, 

 legs and last ventral segment dull brownish-yellow. 

 Length 20-24 mm. (Fig. 7.) 



Vigo, Knox, Crawford and Posey counties; 

 frequent. June 30-September 25. Probably oc- 

 curs in most of the counties covered by the Au- 

 stroriparian fauna. It is found beneath stones, 

 wheat shocks and other hiding places, especially along and near 

 streams, and is often attracted by electric and other lights. 



The other species, T. Carolina Linn., is slightly larger and of a 

 lighter green hue, with the apical portion of the elytra, legs and 

 antenna? yelloAV. 



II. Cicindela Linn. 1735. (L., "a candle or taper.") 



This genus is represented in the United States by 75 or more 

 species and many varieties. In shape they are very uniform, but 

 differ much in size and color, and have the head large, with promi- 

 nent eyes; thorax varying from cylindrical to a flattened trape- 

 zoidal form and narrower than head; elytra usually quite convex 

 and subparallel at the sides with the tips usually rounded, emar- 

 ginate in one group. 



Unlike most other members of the family the species of Cicin- 

 dela are diurnal in habit, hiding by night and on cloudy or rainy 

 days in holes dug in the sand, or beneath bark, chips, stones and 

 rubbish. On bright sunny days, however, they are out in numbers, 

 frequenting those haunts for which nature has fitted them. Here, 

 as long as motionless, their hues blend with their surroundings in 

 such a manner as to render them unnoticeable to higher forms. It 

 is very probable that several species which occur in early spring 

 hibernate in the perfect or imago stage. A number of them are 

 double brooded. 



Fifteen members of the genus have been taken in Indiana, while 

 two others may occur. These may be distinguished one from an- 

 other by the following table. Since in it numerous references are 

 made to the white markings on the elytra, the following explana- 

 tory terms regarding them are given : 



