374 



AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY 



ognized by the form of the antennas (Fig. 429, b). These are four- 

 jointed; the first two segments are short and thick; the third and 

 fourth segments are long, slender, and clothed with long hairs; 

 the third segment is thickened toward the base. In these two families 



ocelli are present; the beak is three- 

 jointed; the legs are quite slender, and 

 the tarsi are three- jointed. The species 

 are small or very minute. 



The Schizopteridas is distinguished 



from the following family by the shape 



of the head and the form of the cavities in 



which the front legs are inserted. The 



head when viewed from above is wider 



than long and is strongly deflexed; the 



fore coxal cavities are very prominent 



and tumidly formed. The beak is short. 



Fig. 429.— Glyptocomhussaltator: The Schizopteridae is represented in 



c, dorsal aspect; b, antenna, our fauna by a single species, Glyptocom- 



(After Heidemann.) bus saltator (Fig. 429). This is a minute 



bug, measuring only 1.2 mm. in length 

 and .6 mm. in width. The known specimens were taken on 

 Plimimers Island, Md. The describer of this species, Mr. O. 

 Heidemann, states: "This species is most difficult to collect and is 

 only to be found by sifting fallen leaves, rubbish and earth. The 

 collector must watch patiently until the minute insect makes its 

 presence known by jimiping, and even then it takes a skillful hand 

 to secure it in a vial." 



Family DIPSOCORID^ 

 The Dipsocorids 



This family is closely allied to the preceding family; the dis- 

 tinguishing features common to the two families are indicated in the 

 account of that family. 



In the Dipsocoridae the head is extended horizontally or slightly 

 deflexed, and the fore coxal cavities are not at all prominent. The 

 beak is long. 



This family is represented in our fauna by a single genus, Cera- 

 tocombus, of which two or three species have been found in New 

 Mexico ; and one of these is doubtfully reported from Florida. These 

 measure less than 2 mm. in length. 



Family ISOMETOPID^ 

 The Isometopids 



This is a family of limited extent, there being very few species 

 known in the entire world. It includes very small bugs, those found 

 in this country ranging from 2 mm. to 2.6 mm. in length. 



