ACANTHI D^ 



147 



The tliread-legged bug is a very thin insect which, Hke 

 the water scorpion and praying mantis, has the coxa of the 

 front legs elongated for grasping. The damsel bugs {Nahidce) 

 are serviceable in eating leaf hoppers and like pests. While 

 the ambush bugs {Phymaiidcp) are serviceable in reducing 

 the number of destructi^•e insects, they also show protective 

 coloration to a marked extent. Phymata erusa is our common 

 species. It is commonly found in blossoms of goldenrod or 

 other plants where it catches insects which visit the flowers. 



The Bed-bug Family {Acanthidce). — These bugs are much 

 flattened and are pretty generally predaceous or blood- 

 sucking. The most common species, bed-bug {Cimex lectu- 



¥iG. 100. — Phymata erosa: a, dorsal view; h, lateral view; c, front leg; 

 d, snout — a, h, enlarged; c, d, more enlarged. (Riley, Div. Ent., U. S. 

 Dept. Ag.) 



larivs), is restricted to houses and is quite largely dependent 

 upon human blood for food. It is almost entirely wingless, 

 the wings being very small, owing to disuse, and thus becom- 

 ing entirely useless as organs of flight. This species is 

 distinctly averse to light and hides during the daytime in 

 cracks and crevices, coming out at night to feed. They are 

 light colored when young and become darker with growth, 

 and appear darkest just after a meal, which consists of blood. 

 The feeding periods are far apart and the species is able to 

 live for a long period without any supply of food. It is said 

 that one can live a year without food. They cannot crawl, 

 and depend upon being carried from place to place on cloth- 

 ing. They are commonly found in cheap hotels and board- 



