1910 



EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



79 



How different, and how wonderful, are the trunks of the nectar-sipping 

 moths and butterflies! They lie curled up so compactly within tlie sheltering 

 palpi, and can be extended so far when occasion requires. The length of the pro- 

 boscis in these cases enables the insect to take its food, as it hovers over the blos- 

 soms, without injury to its wings. 



Of the purposes served by the antennae of insects we know but little; but it 

 is obvious that they are fitted to the requirements of the species they adorn; the 

 bee, which enters blossoms in search of pollen and nectar would find antennae like 

 those of Paniscus geminatus unmanageable and entangling; and Geotrv/pes Black- 

 lurnii, would have difficulty in delving in the earth, if it were burdened with anten- 

 nae like those of Monohammus tUillator. 



The Thorax. To the thorax of insects are attached the legs and wings. 



Passing amongst the Golden Rod, this Fall, I came across three species of 

 insects that secure their prey by means of their fore-legs, viz. — Mantispa hrunnea 

 (Fig. 17), AchoIIa multispinosa, and Phymata erosa. 



Like the Praying Mantis of which Hood speaks, in his "Ode to Rae Wilson, 

 Esq.," as — 



"An insect, of what clime I can't determine, 

 That lifts its paws most parson-like, and thence, 

 By simple savages — through sheer pretence — 

 Is reckoned quite a saint amongst the vermin," 



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Fig. 17. (a) Mantispa brunnea ; (/') Wing of 

 M. brunnea much enlarged to show the venation. 



Fig. 18. Bat Flea. 



80, Mantispa Irunnea lifts its paws, with sweet "petitionary grace," lying in 

 wait amongst the flowers. When Argynnis myrina, or some other incautious inno- 

 cent butterfly comes within its reach, M. hrunnea secures it with its outstretched 

 arms — which are truly arms of offence. 



Aeholla multispinosa is a creature of like habits to M. hrunnea; and its fore 

 limbs are set thickly with sharp spines (hence the name), which enable it the 

 more readily to secure its prey. 



But the most remarkable of the three species is, I think, Phymata erosa. 

 This insect in its colours closely resembles the flowers of the Golden Rod in 

 which it lies in wait. On occasion, the tarsi of its extended fore-legs spring back 

 into a toothed groove in the large and powerful tibiae, and hold a captive as in a vice. 



In Dytiscus Harrisii the upper portion of the foot in each of the J^re-legs 

 is expanded into a disk or pad, supplied on the under surface, with suckers which 

 exhaust the air, so that the insect can attach itself firmly where it is inclined. 



