TRUE BUGS. 



HETEROPTERA 



OR TRUE HEMIPTERA 



For the general characteristics of the True Bugs see 

 p. 80. In the following key rare families have been omitted ; 

 see Brues and Melander, or Parshley in Psyche, Vol. 

 XXII. Nymphs may usually be distinguished from 

 wingless adults (such as occur in certain families) by the 

 fact that most nymphs have two pairs of pimple-like 

 stink-glands near the middle of the back of the abdomen. 

 When the basal part ("corium") of the front wings is 

 thickened, the apical unthickened part is called the "mem- 

 brane ' ' ; the triangular area, when present, at the tip of the 

 corium is called the "cuneus." 



1. Antennae shorter than the head and usually nearly or 

 quite concealed; living in or near water 2. 



Antennae longer than the head (if sightly shorter, 

 the eyQs and ocelli are absent), usually free, rarely (Phy- 

 matidae) lying in a groove 8. 



2. Ocelli present; littoral; not .5 in. long 3. 



Ocelli absent; aquatic 4. 



3. Antennae hidden; front legs stout, formed for grasping; 

 broad, squat, roughened bugs with prominent eyes. 

 GELASTOCORID/E, also called Galgulidae and Nethridae. 

 These predaceous Toad-bugs frequent muddy banks. 

 Gelastocoris ( = Galgulus) is our principal genus (Plate XXV) ; 

 the front tarsi have 2 claws. Mononyx of the West and 

 Nerthra of the South-east have but I claw on these. 



Antennae not hidden; front legs slender, as long as 

 middle ones, formed for running. OCHTERID/E. Re- 

 sembles the preceding in form and habits. Ochterus is our 

 only genus. 



4. Hind tarsi without distinct claws (except Plea, 

 p. 102) ; front legs not specially formed for grasping 5. 



Each hind tarsus with 2 claws; front legs formed for 

 grasping 6. 



95 



