HOW TO KNOW THE IMMATURE INSECTS 



12b. Fore legs somewhat thickened. Fig. 366 Fconily REDUVIIDAE 



About 2,500 species of the 

 assassin bugs have been 

 described. They are pre- 

 dacious and feed upon in- 

 sects. Some species invade 

 habitations in search of in- 

 sects and other household 

 pests, but often inflict wounds 

 on humans. A few species 

 which suck blood from ro- 

 dents and other animals in- 

 cluding man are carriers of 

 trypanosomes. 



Fig. 366. a, Wheel bug, Arilus cristatus 

 (L.) (From Glover); b, Fore leg. 



13a. Dorsal scent glands prominent. (See Fig. 367) 14 



13b. Dorsal scent glands not prominent. 



16 



14a. Body broad and ovaL with more than 3 dorsal cd^dominal seg- 

 ments with scent glands. 

 Fig. 367 Fanuly PENTATOMIDAE 



a 



^SC€NT 



Fig. 367. Aerosternum hllaris (Soy) 

 o, 1st instor; b, later instar. 



They ore called stink bugs or 

 shield bugs. About 5,000 species are 

 known. They are often destructive 

 to orchards and other agricultural 

 crops. The members of the subfam- 

 ily Asopinqe are predacious upon 

 other insects and in consequence 

 ore counted as helpful. 



14b. Body elongate, with less than 3 dorsal scent glands 15 



133 



