ibz 



Marvels of Insect Life. 



Not only is this so, but there is another bug ^ that flies into bug-infested houses 

 and feeds upon the pests. This bug-kilhng bug is, however, a rather dangerous 

 ally to call in, for he is so fond of human blood that he takes it from its source, as 

 well as second-hand. In its earlier unwinged condition this fly-bug, as it is some- 

 times called, covers its back and limbs with dusty rubbish, which makes it scarcely 

 recognizable as what it is. But the bed-bug has another enemy in the shape of 

 a little black ant, allied to the minute yellow ant — an imported species — that 

 often establishes itself under the floors and hearthstones of houses in towns. It 

 is said that these ants if they take up quarters in a bug-infested house will soon 



effectually clear out the red- 

 / ^ V ^ coats. 



Hawk-Moths. 



\ 



the 



Though the hawk-moths are 

 largest and handsomest of 



our moths, they are little known 

 to the public, except when pinned 

 out in collections. Then they 

 evoke admiration ; but if a 

 li\'ing specimen should chance to 

 put in an appearance through the 

 open window at twilight, it 

 causes the greatest consterna- 

 tion and alarm. If it is one of 

 the larger species, whether it be 

 the death's-head or not, it is 

 almost certain to be ascribed to 

 that species, and various con- 

 sequent evils will be feared. No 

 doubt, were they seen more 

 frequenth' thev would inspire 

 less alarm ; but they have a way 

 of securely hiding themselves 

 during the day, and do not fly 

 until dusk. The general scheme 

 of colour and marking is such 

 that, when the wings are folded to the sides, there is a general harmony with their 

 surroundings, so that it may happen that one of these large moths is well within 

 range of the eyesight but remains unseen. 



The caterpillars, too, from their large size should be frequently seen, but here 

 again colour renders them all but invisible in most cases, and the exceptions are 

 so marked as to make the beholder afraid to touch them, in the belief that they 

 are something other than caterpillars. The largest of these caterpillars is that of the 

 death's-head hawk-moth ,- which when full grown measures about five inches in kMigth, 

 and has a diameter of more than half an inch. Its colour is yellow-green, upon 



' KcMluvius iHTsonatus. - .\chcrontia atropos. 



Phoio by] 



Typical Bugs. 



[H. Bnstin. 



The two upper corner examples are shield-bugs — so called from their shape. 

 Between them is a very -I'lider form, which might be mistaken easily for a crane- 

 fly. Below it is a spi ' i- - inti i mediate in slenderncss and representative of a 

 large family, of which > \.iiii|i!' s may be seen commonly on garden plants. On 

 either side of this is om ul the ditch-skaters, that to the right bearing a close 

 resemblance to a young stick-Insect. .All about twice the actual size. 



