316 



CICINDELTDJE. 



as models which are imitated by large numbers of other insects, 

 more especially by beetles and certain Orthoptera/' 



The life-history of two or three of the species belonging to the 

 genus is well known, but I am not acquainted with the larva of 

 any Indian species ; so far as is known, they 

 all make burrows in which the larva dwells, 

 feeding on the insects that fall in or approach 

 the entrance. 



The larva of C. hybrida, L., is described 

 and figured by Schiodte (De Met. Eleuth. i, 

 p. 160, pi. xii, figs. 1-16). It is of a whitish 

 colour, with the front parts darker ; the head 

 is very large, broader than any of the other 

 segments of the body, with powerful man- 

 dibles ; like the larva of C. campestris, L., it is 

 chiefly characterized by the presence of two 

 powerful hooks on the upper surface of the 

 fourth abdominal segment, which enable it to 

 move rapidly up and down the perpendicular 

 sides of the burrow ; the legs are formed for 

 digging ; the anal appendage is short and 

 small, as long as broad, and there are no cerci. 

 The pupa of C. campestris is also described and 

 figured by Schiodte (1. c. p. 262, pi. xii, fig. 7) ; 

 ir, is parallel-sided until a little before the apex, 

 where it contracts into a blunt point, ter- 

 minated at t he apex on each side by two minute 

 projections which are probably rudimentary 

 cerci ; it is chiefly characterized by two long 

 corneous appendages, one on each side of what 

 appears to be the fourth abdominal segment ; these correspond, 

 apparently, to the two larval hooks before referred to. The rough 

 figure of the larva of G. campestris given by 

 Westwood (Mod. Classif. Insects, i, p. 48, pi. i, 

 fig. 7) gives a better idea of the general con- 

 formation and habit of a Cicindela larva than 

 the more elaborate figure of Schiodte. It is 

 much to be hoped that observers of the group 

 will pay more attention to life-histories and 

 habits than to simple collecting, as a good 

 observation and note is much more valuable 

 than a good insect. 

 A valuable paper, "On the Life-Histories and Larval Habits of 

 the Tiger Beetles," by Victor E. Shelf ord, has recently appeared 

 in the Journal of the Linnean Society (vol. xxx, March 1908, 

 pp. 157-182, pis. 23-26). Mr. Shelf ord has taken great pains in 

 rearing several species taken near Chicago, and has paid particular 

 attention to the life-history of Cicindela purpurea, 01. As his 

 paper is not generally available it may be well to quote some of 

 the chief points which he notices. 



Fig. 142.— Lnrva of 



Cic in del a h ybr Ida . 

 (After Schiodte). 



Fig. 143. — Larva of 

 Cicindela cam- 

 pestris. (After 

 Westwood.) 



