Z J. J. WRIGHT ON THE HARVEST BUG. 



It is probable that the Harvest Bug is the young, or immature 

 form of some species of tick, which bury their suckers so firmly in 

 the skins of the animals they infest, that they can rarely be pulled 

 away without injuring the parasite, or tearing the skin. 



The Harvest Bug is of a bright red colour, looking, when upon 

 the surface of a leaf, or a dark dress, not unlike a very minute grain 

 of cayenne pepper. Its form is oval, or rather egg-shaped, the an- 

 terior extremity representing the small end of the egg. The head 

 is oval, and attached to the abdomen without any intermediate 

 neck, or constriction. Two lancets project from the anterior part 

 of the head ; they are curved and lancet shaped ; the point of each 

 projecting forwards and outwards, and diverging from the one on 

 the opposite side, so that the convex edges are directed towards 

 the mesial line. Just below the point of each lancet, aline com- 

 mences and runs downwards to the centre of its base. At the 

 under surface of the head, just at the base of the lancets, is a tu- 

 bular proboscis, mouth, or sucker, which can probably be projected 

 forwards between the two lancets after they have pierced the skin. 

 On each side of the base of the lancets is a projecting eye, a dark 

 looking spot occupying the centre. External to the eyes are the 

 conical shaped mandibles, attached by a broad base to the under 

 surface of the head, and terminating in two or three bristles, one 

 of which appears to be much stouter than the others. The abdomen 

 is rounded and covered sparingly with long, curved, and rather deli- 

 cate hairs, which project posteriorly beyond its outline. In the 

 young state, the state in which it is generally found, the insect has 

 six legs. After moulting, it is said to acquire an additional pair. 

 The legs are jointed, covered with longish hairs, and terminate in 

 three long, curved hooks. The entire insect is extremely soft, deli- 

 cate, and easily crushed by a very slight pressure. 



In all the books I have consulted, it is said that these insects 

 burrow in the skin of those whom they attack, and that a raised 

 wheal is caused by their presence in, or beneath the skin. This 

 quite coincides with the popular opinion ; but I believe it to be en- 

 tirely erroneous, and for the following reasons. It is difficult to 

 conceive that a parasite, having such an external form as we have 

 just described, could penetrate a texture so dense as that of the 

 human skin. I have repeatedly, and very carefully examined with 

 a powerful lens, the raised spots, or wheals, without finding the 

 slightest trace of an opening or track, along which the insect may 



