THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY 



SCIENCE BULLETIN 



Vol. XIV.] October, 1922. [No. 9. 



Life History Notes on Two Species of Saldidse 

 (Hemiptera) Found in Kansas.* 



BY GRACE OLIVE WILEY. 



THE family characteristics of the saldids are so well known that 

 a description need not be given here. A few brief notes on 

 certain Kansas species, however, may be of interest. 



Nymphs in the third and fourth instars were taken June 1, 1920, 

 along a little ravine leading to a pond or pool which contained w^ater 

 only during the spring and early summer when rains were frequent. 

 This little freshet and pond were in a small pasture just outside the 

 city limits of Chanute, Kan. Here, within a few blocks of home, I 

 found two different species of saldids, though in not very plentiful 

 numbers. 



Knowing that no Kansas saldid had yet been reared, I captured 

 all the lively little fellows I could and sat about the task of rearing 

 them. One was a large black species, the other a much smaller 

 species. 



THE LARGE BLACK SALDID. 

 Saldula major (Pro\\). 



June 12 there were two adults, and by June 18 the others had 

 reached the adult state and were mating. June 21 I found twelve 

 newly laid eggs on a blade of grass. These hatched July 3. With 

 what pleasure and interest these active little fellows were watched! 

 The adults were shy, but very inquisitive, and when food was placed 

 in their dish they were always ready to run up and take a look at it, 

 curiosity-bent, it seemed; or when removing food that had been 

 given to them the day previous, they were equally curious to see 

 what was going on. Not so with the smaller species; they were 

 always trying to get away or hide. 



*I wish to thank Dr. H. B. Hungerford for his help and kindly criticism and for the loan 

 of a binocular from the University. 



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