90 INSECTS WHICH PREY UPON AGRICULTUEAL PLANTS. 



Eupteryx pida (tlie Painted Prog-fly). — This is like the last in 

 shape but much larger, and having spotted buff-coloured elytra, 

 and black abdomen ; the length is about one-fourth of an inch. 

 This and allied species, are the common leaping insects seen on 

 plants, and are hence called " frog-flies." The larvae of one 

 kind (Fti/ehis spumarius) cause the secretion on leaves which is 

 called in the country "cuckoo spittle." 



Sub- order, Heteroptera. 



Lygus cuntaminatus (the Green Potato Bug). — This is an in- 

 sect of a vivid green colour, about one-third of an inch in length, 

 with long yellowish antenm^ and yellowish legs. The head and 

 '' neck " are thick and closely set on the thorax. It lives on the 

 foliage of potatoes and other plants, and turns yellow when dead. 



Lygus hipunctatus. — The Double-spotted Potato Bug is a 

 stronoer looking]: insect than the last, but resembles it in everv- 

 thing except colour, as it is of a rusty hue, and further dis- 

 tinguished by two spots on the thorax, though these require a 

 lens to be seen distinctly. 



Lygus unibellat arum {i\\Q Painted Potato Bug). — This is allied 

 to the previously mentioned Lygi. It is more oval in shape. 

 and has slenderer horns than any of the others ; the '' elytra " 

 are of a pale green colour clouded with red, and tipped with 

 browai ; the wings are dusky but vary much, some examples 

 being rosy ; and the thorax is coarsely punctured. It is met 

 with from May to September. 



These three insects all live by sucking the juices of plants, 

 chiefly potatoes, as they are provided with a folding rostrum. 

 The damage they do, however, is inappreciable. 



Anthocoris nemorum. — This insect has a general resemblance to 

 the preceding, but is flatter. It is of a dark bufi-colour marked 

 with black, and has two circular black marks on the upper 

 wings or elytra. The head and neck are much elongated, black 

 and shining. It hides in cracks and chinks when disturbed, 

 hybernates in winter and comes forth in spring again. Triplilcps 

 miimitus is a smaller species, exactly similar in shape and colour, 

 but not having the two spots on the upper wdngs. These two 

 insects are very useful, as they live on aphides, sucking their 

 juices with the bent rostra with which they are provided, and 

 thus killin" them. 



Neuropt era. 



These have four membranous wings all nearly equal in size, 

 with numerous delicate nervures ; mouth masticatory. The 

 only insect in this order coming within our limits is — 



