HOW TO KNOW THE INSEOS 



51b Snout often long and curved downward. Palpi rigid. Antennae 

 almost always elbowed, (a) (The Typical Snout Beetles) Fig. 146. 



Family 107, CURCULIONIDAE 



Fig. 146. Hypera punctata Fab. The 

 Clover Leaf Weevil. 



Convex, robust. Black, so clothed 

 v/ith gray, brown, and yellowish 

 scales as to be much striped and 

 mottled. Thorax with narrow midline 

 and a wavy one on either side, 

 light. (From U.S.D.A.) 



The Curcullonids comprise a large 

 and very Important family. Some 

 Figure 146. serlous posts Of com and small 



grain belong here. Many of the 

 worms" in fruit and nuts are the 

 larvae of snout beetles. Thus a long list of complaints might be 

 registered against these interesting beetles, but they feel that 

 they must live and have chosen to let man pay the bill. A life 

 time could be spent In studying this one family in Iowa without 

 at all exhausting its possibilities. 



KEY TO THE MORE COMMON FAMILIES OF THE ORDER HEMIPTERA 



la Antennae shorter than the head, frequently hidden, mostly 



aquatic 16 



lb Antennae longer than head, not hidden (except in 



Phymatidae) 2 



2a Scutellum very large and convex, covering most of abdomen. 



Antennae of five segments 3 



2b Scutellum not as above 4 



3a Tibiae without strong spines. Our Iowa species light 



brown. (The Shield-backed Bugs.) Fig. 147. 



Family I, SCUTELLERI DAE 



Figure 147. 



Fig. 147. Homaemus bl.lugis Uhler 



Ground color yellowish tan ranging from 

 light to darker in different specimens. 

 Head black with lateral margins, reddish 

 tan. Diverging stripes on thorax and 

 scutellum formed by numerous black punc- 

 tures. Length 6-8 mm. 



Comparatively few species of these 

 curiously shaped bugs are known to Iowa. 

 They seem to be vegetable feeders and are 

 taken by sweeping. 



3b Tibiae with strong spines. Shiny black or dark brown. 

 Often resemble beetles. (The Negro Bugs and the Burrower 

 Bugs.) Fig. 148. Family 2, CYDNIDAE 



76 



