THE GROUND BEETLES. 



143 



Throughout the State; frequent, April 19-September 27. Oc- 

 curs beneath logs, chips, etc., only in sandy localities, where its hues 

 blend with the surroundings in such a manner as to make it visible 

 only when it moves. This it usually does not do for some time 

 after its cover is removed. 



Nemotarsus elegans Lee, 5-5.5 mm. in length, brownish-yellow, 

 the elytra piceous with an oval spot near the base and the apex 

 paler, has been taken in Illinois and Maryland and doubtless occurs 

 in Indiana. 



XL. Lebia Latr. 1802. (Gr., "shallow or thin.") 

 Small, rather broad-bodied beetles, usually prettily variegated 

 in hue, possessing the characters of the tribe and known from al- 

 lied genera by the short tibial spurs, the groove on the outer side 

 of mandible, and by the head being constricted into a neck. The 

 thorax is but little wider than the head, much narrower than elytra, 

 while the tarsal claws are pectinate or comb-shaped. The elytral 

 striae are, in most species, smooth. 



They occur beneath stones and leaves, or in summer upon the 

 foliage and flowers of plants, where they feed upon plant lice and 

 other injurious forms ; the pectinate structure of their tarsal claws 

 enabling them to easily cling to the hairs or other inequalities of 

 the foliage. 



About 36 species are known from the United States, 15 of 

 which have been taken in Indiana, while four others doubtless oc- 

 cur. For convenience they are separated into three groups and 

 these in turn into species. 



KEY TO INDIANA GKOUPS OF LEBIA. 



a. Front tarsi of male somewhat obliquely dilated; both head and thorax 

 (except in tricolor) reddish-yellow, elytra wholly dark blue or green. 



Group A. 



aa. Front tarsi of male not obliquely dilated; both head and thorax not 

 reddish-yellow, or if so, elytra not wholly blue. 

 6. Mentum with a distinct tooth : elytra without pale stripes. 



Group B. 



Kb. Mentum not toothed: elytra with pale stripes (except in abclomi- 

 nalis). Group G. 



Group A. 



This group, to which the subgeneric name Loxopeza is some- 

 times applied, includes all the larger species with metallic green or 

 blue elytra. Two of its six forms have been taken in the State 

 and one other perhaps occurs. 



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