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Fam, Histeridae. Compact, hard, shining. Antennae clubbed. Elytra
truncated, abdominal end exposed. Black or brown, a few marked with
red. Some metallic. Feign death when frightened. Live under bark, dung or
carrion, some in burrows of wood boring insects, a few in the nests of
termites or ants. Larvae short with short legs, wrinkled, carnivorous.
About 2,500 species described, about 150 recorded in India, No regular
list for Maharashtra.
P, dufali, Rat, black, predaceous on bark feeding insects, L. 3 mm. P.
ceylonicus. Black, shining, 1 inm. H. ehinensis. Black, oval. L. 8-11 mm.
Generally in cow dung, H, bimaculatus. Black, broad, big. L. 17-20 mm.
A. parea. Black, roundish L. 1-2 mm.
See Gardner J.C.M. (1935) Genera Insectorum. Histeridae- Niponina.
Fam, Lycidae. Big family of minor importance, Not studied well.
Diurnal, clustering on plants. Brightly coloured, conspicuous, distasteful
to birds, About 2,800 species known, 400 in India (Klein 1931 Cat. Ind.
Ins). larvae flat, small head, elytra corrugated, often brightly coloured.
Only 3 known from Maharashtra.
Lycostomus spp. Feed on sandal flowers.
See Gravely F. H. (1915) Rec, Ind, Mus. /7:358 Lyropaeus and Trilobite
larvae.
Fam. Lampyridae (Fire flies and Glow worms) ( क जव) (Pt. V, Fig. 65 a
& b), Nocturnal. Possess photogenic organs or tissues. All or only one
stage may be luminiscent Winged adult male a ' fire fly’, wingless female '
glow worm ‘ More common in the rainy season. Eggs laid in soil,
protected by mother in some species. Larvae flat, feed on soil insects,
worms, snails etc. Pupate in soil or rotting wood. Generally adults do not
feed but the male takes droplets of water and some females are
cannibalastic. Life cycle may last a year or two. In fire flies the ventral
FAUNA 481