538 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS ,. 
The most conspicuous of our common species is Cucujus 
clavipes (Cu'cu-jus clav'i-pes) (Fig. 647). This insect is 
v j about one half inch in length and of a bright red 
color, with the eyes and antennae black and the 
tibiae and tarsi dark. 
The most important member of this family is 
Fig. 647. the Corn Silvanus, Silvanus surinamensis (Sil-va'- 
nus sur-i-na-men'sis), which is one of the small beetles that 
infest stored grain. This species is readily distinguished 
from other small beetles with similar habits by its flattened 
form and the saw-like edges of the prothorax. Besides 
grain it often infests dried fruits and other stores. It meas¬ 
ures from one tenth to one eighth of an inch in length. 
The family CRYPTOPHAGlDiE (Cryp-to-phag'i-dae) in¬ 
cludes insects of small size, usually less than one tenth of an 
inch in length, and of variable form, but never very flat. 
The thorax is nearly or quite as wide as the wing-covers 
and the first ventral abdominal segment is somewhat longer 
than the others. They are generally of a light yellowish- 
brown color, and live on fungi and decomposing vegetable 
matter. 
The family MYCETOPHAGID.E (My-cet-o-phag'i-dae) is 
composed of small, oval, rarely elongate, moderately convex 
beetles. They are densely punctured and hairy, and are 
usually prettily marked insects. They live on fungi and 
under bark. 
4 
Family DERMESTlDiE (Der-mes'ti-dae). 
The Dermestids ( Der-mes'tids ). 
There are several families of small beetles that feed on 
decaying matter, or on skins, furs, and dried animal sub¬ 
stances. The most important of these is. the Dermestidae, 
as several species belonging to this family destroy house¬ 
hold stores or goods. 
The Dermestids can be distinguished from most of the 
