FAMILIES COREIDiG AND SCUTELLERIDjE. 171 



We have many species belonRinp; to this limiily. Probably no one, who has ever U^tn 

 engagctl in gatherini? our small Iruits, but has observed these narrow or rather elongated 

 bugs, some of them oriiamenteil very elal)orately with bright colors, as lor instance the 

 red and yellow that Ixjrder their elytra' and suj>erior surliice. 



Gems COKELS. 

 ' Antennae four-jointed : second and third longest ; the fourth rather enlarged or thickened, 

 and shorter than the second or third. Sides of the thorax not dilated ' ( Wi:stwood). 



CoHEus TRisTis. Sqtiashbug. ( Plate vii, fig. 1.) 



Color dark brown, rusty brown, yellowish beneath : head marked with a red line ex- 

 tending to the front of the thorax ; two others, parallel with the former, pass by the 

 side of the eyes. Thorax roughened with elevated black points, concealing the red 

 ground beneath : lateral edges also reddish ; posterior angles rounded, and base 

 bn)adly grmived transversely. Membranous part of the hcmelytra black, and showing 

 numerous longitudinal nervures. Beneath rusty ochre-yellow, and each segment of 

 tlie abdomen markeil with a row of black points near the outer edge, and a parallel 

 row of small black spots, the latter rather obscure. 

 The squashbug is a common insect in gardens and fiel({s,and is fiuuul not only on squash 

 leaves, but upon those of the pumpkin also. It is injurious by inflicting niunerous punc- 

 tures upon the leaves, which cause them to wither and dry, and, if the plant is feeble, will 

 destroy it. The first remedy for the effects of minute wounds of this kind, is to cultivate 

 highly, so as to impart to the plant sufRcient health and vigor to resist injuries by a rapid 

 growth. If this does not answer, it will be necessary to find the insects and destrov them 

 under foot, before their eggs are deposited for the new brood. The eggs are laid about the 

 last of June, by the insects that have survived the winter. During the summer, it will 

 frequently happen that the young appear at different times, and they may be found col- 

 lected together in little groups. 



Scutelleridae. 



This family is perhaps better known through some of its species than others. The dis- 

 agreeable smelling bugs that frequent berry bushes and strawberry vines belong here. 

 They are depressed and of an oval form, and are furnished with a very large scutellum. 

 The rostrum is composed of four joints, instead of three ; and the antenna Sometimes has 

 five joints, but not always. Two ocelli are always present, and the tarsus is three-jointed. 

 Of this family, the Genus Pi;nt.\toma is one of tlie nmst cumiiioiu and feeds up.n the 

 juices of plants ( Plate vii, fig. 2 ). Sometimes it has only to pass over a fruit, to impart to 

 it its offensive odor. 



