HEMIPTERA. 1/5 



to be any typical form of the body, characteristic of this family. The 

 different genera differ so greatly that, on superficial examination, they 

 appear to have very little in common. Some even resemble butter- 

 flies and moths, while others might easily be mistaken for certain 

 Neuropterous genera. 



The most useful character for recognizing these insects is the 

 form and position of the antennae. These are bristle-shaped, and 

 inserted into a button-shaped base on the sides of the cheeks beneath 

 the eyes. Although the Fulgoridae are vegetable-feeders, none of 

 our species have attracted the attention of agriculturists. There 

 are, however, certain exotic species which do great injur}- to 

 crops. 



The Brazilian Lantern-fly, Laterndria phosphorca. — This is the 

 largest species of the family, and is one of the most striking in ap- 

 pearance of all insects. It has immense wings, expanding nearly 

 150 mm. (6 inches). Upon each hind wing there is a large eye-like 

 spot. But the character which makes this insect especially promi- 

 nent is the form of the head. There is a great bladder-like prolonga- 

 tion extending forwards. This prolongation has been aptly com- 

 pared to the pod of a peanut. In a specimen before me, the bod} - , 

 exclusive of the head, measures 45 mm. (1.8 inches) in length ; while 

 the head alone measures 30 mm. (1.2 inches). The specific name 

 refers to the supposed luminosity of this part. Prof. Branner tells 

 us of various superstitions held by the Brazilians regarding this 

 insect. For example : " That it has great powers of flight, and when 

 in its wild career it strikes any living object — if an animal, no matter 

 how large or powerful — it falls dead upon the spot ; if a tree, it soon 

 wilts and dies." 



The Chinese Candle-fly, Fulgoria candcldria. — This is another 

 very prominent insect, and also one that has the reputation of being 

 phosphorescent. It is commonly represented in collections of 

 exotic insects, and it is often figured by the Chinese. It is smaller 

 than the preceding species, measuring about two thirds as much in 

 length. The prolongation of the head is proportionately longer 

 than in the Brazilian insect; but it is more slender, and is conical. 

 The color of the insect is greenish or orange-yellow, with banded 

 wing-covers. 



The following of our native genera will serve to illustrate some 

 of the variations in form represented in this country. Our species 

 are all small compared with the exotics described above. 



