HOW TO KNOW THE IMMATURE INSECTS 



16b. Body not spinous, meso- and metapleuron distinct. 



Fig. 371 Family MIRIDAE 



They are called 

 plant bugs or leaf 

 bugs. About 5,000 

 species have been 

 described. They are 

 mostly plant feed- 

 ers, but some are 

 predacious. The tar- 

 nished plant bug, 

 Ly gus oblineatus 

 (Say) and Creonti- 

 ades pallidus Ram- 

 bur carry plant 

 diseases. 



Pig. 371. Tarnish plant bug, Lygus oblineotus (Say). 



ORDER HOMOPTERA 



la. Beak evidently arising from the 

 head; tarsi 3-segmented. Fig. 372. . . 2 



Fig. 372. Cephalic 

 aspect (o) and 

 lateral aspect (b) 

 of head and legs. 



lb. Beak evidently arising between the fore legs; 

 tarsi 1 or 2-segmented; insects usually live in col- 

 onies. Fig. 373 6 



Fig. 373. Beak (a) 

 arising between the 

 fore legs. 



135 



