146 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



in 



all 



half as long as the abdomen ; and with the front legs more 

 or less flattened, fitted for digging (Fig. 179). 



The species are generally black or very dark 

 brown. They are found burrowing in sandy places, 

 r or on the surface of the ground beneath sticks and 



FIG. 179. 



cyrtome- stones, or at the roots of grass and other herbage. 



nus mi- 2> o 



rabuis. The family is not a large one. The members of it 

 probably feed upon plants ; but it is desirable that further 

 observation be made upon the habits of this family. 



Family CORIMEUENID^E (Cor-i-me-laen'i-dae). 

 The Negro-bugs. 



These bugs are mostly black, and are beetle-like 

 appearance ; some have a bluish or greenish tinge, and 

 are very convex. The scutellum is very convex, and, as in 

 the following family, covers nearly the whole of the abdo- 

 men. But in this family there is at the base of 

 the scutellum on each side a short furrow into 

 which the edge of the wing-cover fits when at 

 rest. All of our species belong to the genus 

 Corimel&na (Cor-i-me-lae'na). 



These insects infest various plants, and often 

 injure raspberries and other fruit by imparting a disagreeable 

 odor to them. Fig. 180 represents one of these bugs, some- 

 what enlarged. 



Family SCUTELLERID.E (Scu-tel-ler'i-dae). 

 The Shield-backed Bugs. 



The members of this family resemble the 

 negro-bugs in the shape and size of the 

 scutellum, which covers nearly the whole of 

 the abdomen ; but the sides of the scutellum 

 are not furnished with a groove for receiving 

 the edge of the wing-covers. Fig. 181 repre- 

 sents one of these insects enlarged. They 

 feed upon plants. 



FIG. \%o.Cori- 

 meleena iitra. 



FIG. 181. Euryga* 

 ter alttrnaius. 



