FIELD BOOK OF INSECTS. 



23. Membrane with two large cells at base from which 

 extend about 8 branching veins; no cuneus; rather large, 

 strong bugs PYRRHOCORID^E (p. no). 



Membrane with one or two small cells at base, rarely 

 with longitudinal veins; distinct cuneus; first joint of beak 

 rarely shorter than the head MIRID^E (p. 105). 



24. Front legs modified for grasping, the tibiae and 

 usually the femora armed with rows of numerous, closely 

 set, fine spines; first joint of beak very small. NABID.E, 

 the Damsel-bugs. They are usually yellowish or black, 

 rather flattened, predaceous, and found on flowers or 

 leaves. Nabis ( = Reduviolus and Coriscus) is our principal 

 genus. 



Front legs usually much like the others; first seg- 

 ment of beak usually longer than wide 25. 



25. Body very slender; antennae elbowed, the first 

 joint long and clubbed, the last joint spindle-shaped; 

 head constricted in front of the eyes; femora clubbed 

 NEIDID^E (p. 1 12). 



Not such insects 26. 



26. Antennae usually inserted on or below a line drawn 

 from the eye to the base -of the beak; membrane usually 

 with 5, simple veins L\GJEIDJE (p. in). 



Antennas starting from well up on the sides of the 

 head; membrane usually with numerous, forked veins 

 arising from a transverse basal vein (these veins sometimes 

 hard to see) COREID.E (p. 113). 



27. Scutellum nearly flat, narrowed behind 28. 



Scutellum very convex, covering nearly the whole 



abdomen 29. 



28. Tibiae usually with no (or very fine, short) spines 



PENTATOMID^E (p. 1 13). 



Tibiae with rows of strong spines. CYDNHXE. Some- 

 times classed as a subfamily of Pentatomidae. 



29. Pronotum round in front and nearly straight behind ; 

 margins of scutellum with furrows in which the edges of 

 the wings fit when at rest; tibiae strongly spinose. Sub- 

 family Thyreocorinae of Cydnidae; has also been called 



CORIMEL/ENID/E. 



Pronotum hexagonal; margins of scutellum without 

 furrows; tibiae not strongly spinose. SCUTELLERID^E. 



98 



