. A manual for the study of insects. Insects. S20 THE STUDY OF INSECTS. There are certain other large, swiftly running ground- beetles which resemble somewhat those just described. These belong to the genus Cychrus (Cy'chrus), and may be recognized by the long, narrow head, the wider or more nearly circular wing-covers, and by the fact that the wing-covers have a very broad, reflected margin, which covers a large part of the sides of the thorax. The bombardier-beetles, Brackinus (Bra-chi'nus).—There are many species of beetles that have at the hind end of Fig. 624. the body little sacs in whic
. A manual for the study of insects. Insects. S20 THE STUDY OF INSECTS. There are certain other large, swiftly running ground- beetles which resemble somewhat those just described. These belong to the genus Cychrus (Cy'chrus), and may be recognized by the long, narrow head, the wider or more nearly circular wing-covers, and by the fact that the wing-covers have a very broad, reflected margin, which covers a large part of the sides of the thorax. The bombardier-beetles, Brackinus (Bra-chi'nus).—There are many species of beetles that have at the hind end of Fig. 624. the body little sacs in which is secreted a bad-smelling fluid, which is used as a means of defence. These beetles spurt this fluid out on to their enemies when attacked. But in the case of the bombardier-beetles this fluid changes to a gas, which looks like smoke as soon as it comes in contact with the air, and is ejected with a sound like that of a tiny pop-gun. When some larger insect tries to capture one of these insect-soldiers, and gets very near it, the latter fires its little gun into the face of its enemy. The noise astonishes the pursuer, and the smoke blinds him. By the time he has recovered from his amazement, the little bombardier is at a safe distance. These beetles have quite a store of ammunition ; for we have often had one pop at us four or five times in succession, while we were taking it prisoner. The bombardier-beetles belong to the genus Brachhms, of which we have in this country about twenty- five species. They are very similar in appearance ; the head, prothorax, and legs are reddish yellow, and the wing-covers are dark blue, blackish, or r greenish blue (Fig. 625). There is a common beetle that resembles the bombardier-beetles quite closely in size and J ^^ ^ color, but which may be distinguished by the Fig, 625. comb-like form of the tarsal claws; this is Lebia grandis. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1895
