THE FAMILIES OF TRUE BUGS. 



coxae, receiving the tip of the beak, which is 3-jointed, 



short, and strong; length not less than .2 in 14. 



Prosternum without a stridulatory groove; size 

 large or small 16. 



14. Body very long and slender, almost thread-like 

 EMESID/E (p. 108). 



Body not so 15. 



15. Terminal segment of antennas thickened, "front legs 

 stout and much modified for grasping; membrane with 

 numerous veins; tarsi 2- jointed PHYMATID^E (p. no). 



Terminal segment of antennas thread-like; front 

 legs usually much like the others; membrane with few veins; 

 tarsi 3-jointed REDUVIID/E (p. 107). 



1 6. Front wings wholly membranous and, for the most 

 part, with a dense network, sometimes resembling 

 lace; cheeks raised, forming a groove which includes 

 the base of the beak; tarsi 2-jointed; flat bugs of small 

 size TINGIDID^: (p. no). 



Not such insects 17. 



17. Beak really or apparently 3-jointed 18. 



Beak 4-jointed; first segment sometimes short 22. 



1 8. Body convex below, flat or slightly concave above; 

 often wingless; small, aquatic, predatory bugs, usually 

 found on floating vegetation. MESOVELIID.E. Mesovelia 

 mulsanti, our only species. 



Not such insects 19. 



19. Tarsi 2-jointed; broad, flat bugs, living under bark; 

 head produced between antennas; abdomen broader than 

 the closed wings ARADID^E (p. 1 12). 



Tarsi 3-jointed 20. 



20. Ocelli present 21. 



Ocelli and wings usually absent or rudimentary; 



parasitic on vertebrates CIMICID/E (p. 106). 



21. Front wings with a cuneus, membrane without long 

 closed cells, sometimes without veins; small, predatory 

 bugs ANTHOCORID^E- 



Front wings without a cuneus, membrane with 4 or 5 

 long closed cells; adults always fully winged; small flat- 

 tened bugs with large, projecting eyes. . SALDID.E (p. 102). 



22. Ocelli absent 23. 



Ocelli present 24. 



7 97 



