oct.2i. i9i8 The Meadow Plant Bug, Miris dolabratus 193 



distinctly longer, the second segment being longest, with the third a 

 little longer than the fourth. The beak reaches the base of the hind 

 coxae. The length is 3 to 3.5 mm. and length of antennae 3 mm. 



THIRD INSTAR 



The third-instar individual is distinctly lighter colored, and the pat- 

 tern of marking is more like that of the later stages. The wing pads 

 are distinctly indicated, those of the metathorax extending well onto 

 the base of the second abdominal segment and those of the mesothorax 

 extending well back on the metathorax pads to a line with the base of 

 the second abdominal segment. The antennal segment, too, is nearly 

 one and a half times the length of the third, the third twdce the length 

 of the fourth and three times the length of the first. The beak reaches 

 between the mid and hind coxae. Length, 5 mm. Total length of 

 antennae, 4.5 to 5 mm. 



FOURTH INSTAR 



Lighter in color, greenish border of thorax and abdomen broader, 

 first and second segments of the antennae, except at apex greenish; legs 

 except tarsi greenish, hairs black; antennal second segment about one and 

 one-half times as long as the third, the third three times as long as the fourth 

 and first, fourth and first about equal. The wing pads are considerably 

 enlarged, the mesothoracic pads extending over and beyond the meta- 

 thoracic pads and to the middle of the third abdominal segment. The 

 beak reaches to the hind border of the middle coxae. Length of body, 

 6 mm.; of antennae, 6 to 6.5 mm. 



FIFTH INSTAR 



The individual of the fifth instar is light gray-green or yellowish green 

 with black or fuscous patches and stripes forming two nearly continuous 

 stripes over the wing pads and abdominal segments, paralleHng the 

 margin, and a median double row of spots on abdomen; antennae greenish, 

 tips of first and second and all of third and fourth segments blackish, legs 

 greenish, tarsi black. Antennal segment two three times as long as the 

 first, two and one-fourth times as long as the fourth, and about one and 

 two-thirds times as long as the third. Length of body, 6.75 to 7.25 mm. ; 

 of antennae, male, 6.25 mm. The beak extends to the base of the middle 

 coxae. 



The characters that seem of special service in recognizing the various 

 instars are the comparative lengths of the antennal segments and the 

 development of the wing pads. While these are subject to slight varia- 

 tion in different individuals, they seem fairly constant, and the descrip- 

 tions and figures have been made from what seemed to be representative 

 specimens. The orifice of the dorsal gland between third and fourth 

 segment, while not furnishing distinctive characters of the instars, is a 

 good landmark for locating the abdominal segments. 



