130 



INSECT LIFE. 



The water-scorpions belong to the order Hemip- 

 tera. Place your pinned specimens under a copy of 

 the following label and immediately after the back- 

 swimmers :- 



Family NEPID^E (Nep'i-dae). 

 The Water-scorpions. 



THE GIANT WATER-BUGS (Field and School Work}. 

 These are common insects in quiet ponds. Fig. 



104 represents one of the 

 larger species, and Fig 105 

 a smaller one. All of them 

 can fly well in the adult 

 state, and some are frequent- 

 ly attracted to lights in great 

 numbers. These are known 

 in some parts 

 of the country 

 as " electric- 

 light bugs." 



The mem- 

 bers of this 

 family are pre- 

 daceous. Their 

 fore legs are FIG. 105. Giant 



r, i r^ wa.tet-bug,2?aitAa. 



fitted for seiz- 

 ing prey and resemble somewhat those of the water- 

 scorpions. 



These insects can be easily kept in aquaria and 

 are good subjects for study. The outlines already 

 given for the study of other pond insects will afford 

 suggestions for work on these. A striking feature 

 in the life history of many of the giant water-bugs is 



FIG. 104. Giant water-bug, 

 Belostoma. 



