. A manual for the study of insects. Insects. COLEOPTERA. 559 III. The Earth-boring Dung-beetles,—These beetles are of a rounded convex form (Fig. 676). They differ from all other dung-beetles in having the antennae eleven-jointed, and in the labrum and man- dibles being visible from above. This is a small group, less than twenty North American species having been described. The popular name is derived from that of the typical genus, fig. 676. Geotriipes (Ge-o-tru'pes), which signifies earth-boring. Those species the habits of which are known live in excrement. The females bore holes into the
. A manual for the study of insects. Insects. COLEOPTERA. 559 III. The Earth-boring Dung-beetles,—These beetles are of a rounded convex form (Fig. 676). They differ from all other dung-beetles in having the antennae eleven-jointed, and in the labrum and man- dibles being visible from above. This is a small group, less than twenty North American species having been described. The popular name is derived from that of the typical genus, fig. 676. Geotriipes (Ge-o-tru'pes), which signifies earth-boring. Those species the habits of which are known live in excrement. The females bore holes into the earth either beneath the dung or near it; into these holes they convey a quantity of the dung: this is to serve as food for the larvae, an ^^^ be- ing laid in each hole. This is an approach to the peculiar habits of the tumble-bugs. IV. The Skin-beetles.—The members of this group are oblong, convex species, in which the surface of the body and wing-covers is usually very rough, and covered with a crust of dirt, which is removed with great dif- ficulty. They are small or of medium size; our most common species measure from one third to one half inch in length. The abdomen is Fig. 677. covered by the elytra ; the feet are hardly fitted for digging, but the femora of the front legs are greatly di- lated. Our species all belong to the genus Trox (Fig. (>^^^* They feed upon dried, decomposing animal matter; many species are found about the refuse of tanneries, and upon the hoofs and hair of decaying animals. THE LAMELLICORN LEAF-CHAFERS. The leaf-chafers are herbivorous insects which in the adult state usually feed upon the leaves of trees, but many of the species devour the pollen and petals of flowers. In the larval state some of these insects are found in rotten wood; others live in the ground, where they feed upon the roots of grass and other plants. These larvae are thick,. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally
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