[Illustration: Snout Beetles or Weevils] Snout Beetles or Weevils (Curculionidae) Small, roundish body Dull, uninteresting color Long tube (snout) on head These are very common beetles on the dunes. Their long snout is used to drill into seeds and plant tissues. None of our species do great harm, but they have some unpleasant relatives—the Plum Curculio (_Conotrachelus nenuphar_) and the Cotton Boll Weevil (_Anthonomus grandis_). [Illustration: Ladybug Beetles] Ladybug Beetles (Coccinellidae) Hemispherical shape Brightly colored Many kinds of “Ladybug” or “Ladybird” Beetles can be found at the beach. Some feed on plants and others on small insects. The insect-eating varieties are extremely valuable. [Illustration: Fireflies] Fireflies (Lampyridae) A “tail light” Elongated soft body Head is not visible from above The Firefly’s light is produced by the chemical reaction of a substance called luciferin. It is an almost perfect “cold” light, with practically no heat loss. The light is used to attract the opposite sex during mating. The larva of this beetle is the “glowworm.” _The Scaled-wing Insects: Butterflies and Moths_ Butterflies may be identified by their threadlike antennae, which are club-shaped at the end; Moths usually have feathered antennae. [Illustration: Swallowtails] Swallowtails (Papilionidae) Large Butterflies Tail-like extension on hind wings The Tiger Swallowtail (_Papilio ajax_), with yellow and black wings, is the largest butterfly at the beach, and, indeed, the largest butterfly in America. In midsummer you may find one fluttering about flowering plants. [Illustration: Cabbage and Sulphur Butterflies] Cabbage and Sulphur Butterflies (Pieridae) Half-dollar size White or orange wings These butterflies are common wherever there is an open area such as the dunes. In other parts of the United States the caterpillars destroy great amounts of alfalfa and cabbage. [Illustration: Milkweed Butterflies] Milkweed Butterflies (Danaidae) Large size Orange and black markings The Monarch Butterfly (_Danaus plexippus_) is our most common species. Because of its bitter taste the birds won’t eat it. [Illustration: Wood Nymphs] Wood Nymphs (Satyridae) Butterflies with two large “eye spots” in brown wings Large wing veins are swollen at base Nymphs are found from sea level to the mountain peaks. Look for them in the Pitch Pine woods behind the beach. [Illustration: Skippers] Skippers (Hesperiidae) Very hairy Butterflies, even wings Erratic, skipping flight The Skippers look much like Moths. Their crazy, zigzag flight helps identify them. [Illustration: Sphinx Moths] Sphinx Moths (Sphingidae) Sphinx Moths frequently have a five-inch wingspread and are called “Hawk” or “Hummingbird” Moths. [Illustration: Saturnid Moths] Saturnid Moths (Saturniidae)