THE HETEROPTERA. 37 1 



part of the head. In the second — the Honioptcra — the wings are 

 entirely membranous and transparent, and the sucker is attached 

 to the frontal region of the head. 



There are four families in the section of the Hctcroptcra — the 

 Sc2itcllcridcB, the Lygcida, the Rcdmdince, and the NcpidcB ; and 

 there are also four in the section of Homoptcra — the Cicadidce, the 

 FidgoridcB, the Aphides, and the Coccid(s. 



The Saitclleridce contain a great number of species, and are 

 commonly called Land Bugs, or Shielded Bugs, or Wood Bugs. 

 They are distinguished by having long antennae, and a scutellum 

 that covers the whole of the wings and the abdomen. The body 

 is generally rather short and oval, and the insects are often 

 remarkable for the brilliancy of their colours, and for the red, 

 green, and metallic hues which adorn the greater part of their 

 surface. One set of these insects has the scutellum covering the 

 whole of the body behind the prothorax, and another has a tri- 

 angular scutellum, which leaves a large part uncovered. The 

 first is rarely seen in Europe ; but the genus Tetyra has some 

 kinds which are injurious to our wheat crops. The second set 

 is represented by Pcntatoma grisca, which is found on many 

 common plants and on walls, in groups ; and another kind, which 

 frequents the cabbage, is well known on account of its black and 

 red colouring. Hundreds of these are sometimes found upon 

 cabbages and upon other cruciferous plants, which they injure 

 very much. They have a very characteristic smell, which is 

 similar to that of the ordinary bug. 



In the engraving on page 372 a full-grown adult is flying, 

 and it will be noticed that the front wings are not membranous 

 near the body, and the triangular scutellum behind the chest is 

 very readily observed. These insects may be noticed in a state of 

 rest on the leaves ; and one on the left-hand side shows how the 

 wings are folded, and are half covered by the scutellum. Several 

 larvJE are crawling over the plants. 



The LygcidcB have rather elongated bodies, and their scutellum 

 is always very small. One of them, which belongs to the genus 

 Astemma, whose species, Astcmma aptera, has no ocelli, is 

 found everywhere during summer-time, especially in the fields 

 and gardens ; but it often runs about on the ground on roads 



Y 2 



