In the month of June is to be found on oak trees the beautiful Calosoma sycophanta ([Fig. 508]), the occasional occurrence of which in England is unquestionable; it is, however, presumed that the specimens have reached our shores from the Continent by flight, favoured by strong easterly winds. This insect is of a beautiful violet blue, having the antennæ and the legs black, and the elytra of a splendid golden green, with longitudinal streaks. According to Réaumur, the larva of the Calosoma often chooses a home in the nest of the Procession-Moth Caterpillar (Bombyx processionea), on oak trees, and it very soon rids the tree which is infested by them.
| Fig. 509.—Procrustes coriaceus. | Fig. 510.—Procerus gigas. |
| Fig. 511.—Omophron libatum. | Fig. 512.—Nebria arenaria. |
The Calosoma auropunctata is found in the south of France. Its larva ([Fig. 507]) devours snails, and establishes itself in their shells. These larvæ have been known to fill themselves so full of food as to become double their natural size, in which state they are sometimes devoured by those of their own species. A smaller kind, the Calosoma inquisitor, is very frequently to be met with in woods. Fig. 508 presents Calosoma sycophanta pursuing a Bombardier (Brachinus explodens), which squirts out a vapour of pungent odour.
In the countries of the south-east of Europe, and in Asia Minor, one finds enormous Carabidæ, the Procrustes and the Proceri, which attain nearly two inches in length, and whose integuments resemble very rough shagreen. One species alone is met with in France, the Procrustes coriaceus ([Fig. 509]). In Austria is found the Procerus gigas ([Fig. 510]).
The genus Omophron ([Fig. 511]) contains small, almost globular Carabidæ of a pale yellow, with green lines, and which live in the sand bordering rivers. The Nebrias in general prefer mountainous countries. The largest species, the Nebria arenaria ([Fig. 512]), is found all along the coast of the Mediterranean, and even on the western shores of France. But its colours grow paler as it advances northward on the African coast. It is of a bright yellow with black lines. The Nebrias hide themselves either under masses of seaweed cast up by the waves, or under the stumps of trees cast ashore by the sea. When they are deprived of their place of shelter, they run away with such rapidity that it is very difficult to catch them. In Senegal is found the genus Tefflus ([Fig. 513]), great black Carabidæ with fluted elytra.
Other kindred genera are—Damaster ([Fig. 514]), remarkable for elongated pointed elytra; Anthia ([Fig. 515]), which is met with in sand in Africa and in India, and whose head is armed in a formidable manner; and Campylocnemis, of which Schrœteri ([Fig. 516]), an Australian insect, of a bright black, attains to more than an inch and three quarters in length, and whose short serrated legs enable it to hollow out the ground. There is found on the coasts of the south of France a representative of this group in the Scarites lævigatus ([Fig. 517]), which conceals itself in a hollow, like the cricket, and devours everything which comes within its reach.
| Fig. 513.—Tefflus Megerlei. | Fig. 514.—Damaster blaptoides. |
The innumerable tribe of Harpalidæ contains carnivorous beetles of very small size, sometimes of a bronze-green, sometimes black, either dull or shining, and which render great service to our gardens. Hidden under stones, in dry leaves, at the foot of trees, they attack a number of small insects, caterpillars, millepedes, &c., and thus exterminate a quantity of vermin. The Harpalus æneus ([Fig. 518]), which is seen shining in the midst of the paving stones like a little bronze plate, is found everywhere. The Galeritas (Figs. [519] and [520]) are distinguished by their antennæ, which are thick at the base; they exhale a very strong odour: nearly all are peculiar to America. One of the most curious insects of this tribe is the Mormolyce phyllodes of Java ([Fig. 521]) whose elytra project in such a manner as to give it the appearance of a leaf. It lives under bark. The larva and the pupa ([Fig. 522]) resemble those of other genera of which we have been speaking.