Hungerford: The Toad Bug. 167 



SUMMARY. 



The toad bug places its eggs in the sand. The eggs hatch in about 

 12 days. There are five nymphal instars. Forty-nine first-instar 

 bugs transformed in an average of 15 days (the shortest time 4 

 days and the longest 44 days). Thirty-three second-instar bugs 

 transformed in an average of 16 days (shortest time 8 days and long- 

 est 33 days). Twenty-two third-instar bugs averaged 15 days (the 

 shortest time 8 days and the longest period, not counted in the 

 average because it failed to molt, was 59 days). Eighteen fourth- 

 instar forms averaged 15^/^ days (minimum 7 days and maximum 

 34 days). Thirteen fifth-instar forms averaged 22 days (minimum 

 12 and maximum 29 days). The average number of days for the 

 thirteen adults to develop from the hatching to emergence was 701/2 

 days. The shortest period was 47 days and the longest 89 days. 

 By adding the 12 days incubation of the egg, we get a total de- 

 velopment period of from 60 to 100 days. The adult female may 

 deposit a dozen eggs a day, but would average perhaps only 2 to 6 

 over the period of two or more months. One hundred and ninety- 

 two eggs and nymphs were counted from one female from July 6 

 to September 27. The nymphs possess ocelli, plainly distinguished 

 as early as the third instar. All the stages are predaceous and much 

 like their parents in other habits as well. 



