METHODS OF COLLECTING HETEROPTERA. 25 



instead of an umbrella as a beating receptacle. For this pur- 

 pose it is held under the foliage with one hand while the limb 

 is struck a quick, sharp downward blow with a strong stick. 

 The sweep net serves best in the capture of such Heteroptera 

 as do not fly quickly and which are resting, for the most part 

 invisible until caught, on the foliage of herbs and shrubs. 

 These include most of the terrestrial leaf -eating species. The 

 one disadvantage in the use of the sweep net is that it prevents 

 the host plant from being definitely known, unless, as is seldom 

 the case, the vegetation is of a single species. 



For the taking of Cydnidae, Lygaeidae and other ground- 

 frequenting species, especially during the months from October 

 to April, a sifting net will be found of great service. Many 

 species can be taken with it which would probably be missed 

 otherwise. It is easily made by taking a circular piece of wire 

 netting about nine inches in diameter and with a mesh of one- 

 fourth or one-half inch, and fastening to it firmly a piece of 

 heavy unbleached muslin, so as to make a cylindrical bag 15 

 to 18 inches in length. To the top of the bag should be at- 

 tached a ring of heavy wire of the same diameter as the bot- 

 tom, this being held in one hand the other used to grasp the 

 bottom and shake it back and forth or up and down over a 

 newspaper, piece of canvas or other receptacle spread out on 

 a level piece of ground. The sifting should be done when the 

 sun is shining, and close watch should be kept for any move- 

 ment amidst the fine debris which passes through the bottom 

 of the net. Many of the insects will immediately try to escape 

 by running swiftly to the sides of the receptacle, but others 

 feign death, often for several moments, then begin to kick or 

 heave the debris, thus disclosing their presence. The sifting of 

 moss or vegetable debris about the roots of trees or that 

 beneath boards, partially decayed logs, piles of weeds, dry 

 and desiccated cow or horse dung, and other similar matter 

 will often result in the taking of many species not otherwise 

 obtainable. Especial attention should be given to the roots of 

 large clumps of dead grass. They should be held over the 

 newspaper or receptacle and thoroughly pulled apart and the 

 resulting debris then sifted. I have taken many rare species 

 of hibernating bugs and beetles from such clumps of grass. 



The use of a water net is indispensable for the taking of 

 most aquatic Heteroptera. A form with bottom of copper 

 wire and sides of light linen crash is sold by supply houses, but 



