Copy 1, Volume 1

Illustrations of British entomology, or, A synopsis of indigenous insects : containing their generic and specific distinctions / By James Francis Stephens.

  • James Francis Stephens
Date:
1828-1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Illustrations of British entomology, or, A synopsis of indigenous insects : containing their generic and specific distinctions / By James Francis Stephens. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Tibice antice haud emarginate : Mavwille : haud apice ar- ticulate : Antenne ; apice articulate : : : ~ |. CICINDELIDA. breves, crasse : . . J. ELAPHRIDZ. subelongate, graciles: - 4. CARABIDA. ( articulo ultimo (haud truncata, (haudpedunculatum: | minuto: . 6. BEMBIDIIDA. Tidic antice vel apice sub- | Palpi exteriores 4 articulo ultimo sich iniee. sinuata : penultimo 8 ae Abdomen 4 equale: . 5. HaARPALIDA. Elytra (pedunculatum , - 3. ScaRITIDZ. ( truncata : : ° . 2. BRACHINIDA. Famiry I.—CICINDELIDA, Leach. Antenne filiform, inserted before the eyes: labrum horny, somewhat trian- gular: mandibles armed internally with many teeth: maziille strongly ciliated, with a distinct, articulated, horny claw at the tip: labtwm minute: labial palpi with four joints: mentum deeply emarginated: legs long, slender. The CicinpELIDm, termed Sparklers, or Scale-beetles, frequent arid and sandy places exposed to the sun; they are the most active and vigorous of coleopterous insects, run with great velocity, and fly with celerity, but their flight is of short duration, rarely exceeding ten or a dozen yards at a time. They have been truly styled the tigers of the insect world, as in their larva and imago states their rapacity and gluttony are pre-eminent, seizing and devouring every insect they can overcome, sparing not even their own species. The typical genus only has been observed in Britain. From the dissimilar structure of the larvee of this family to that of the other geodephagous families, Mr. Kirby is of opinion that the CicinDELIDz belong to a tribe distinct from the CaraBipbz— the former he terms Hupterina, or flyers, tle latter Hupodina, or runners. Genus [].—Cicinpewa, Linne, &c. Internal mazillary palpi with the joints nearly equal in length: external with the first joint short, the second elongated, the third and fourth equal: labial palpi with the two basal joints very short, the third elongated, ciliated with hairs, the fourth short, somewhat clavate, naked: mentum deeply notched, with a strong spine-like tooth in the middle. Antenne inserted into the an- terior margin of the eye: head broader than the thorax: forehead excavated : eyes large, prominent: elytra flat: wings two: anterior tarsi with the three basal joints dilated in the male. Six species only of this truly elegant genus have been detected in this country; but it is highly probable that other European
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