INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



211 



are exceedingly active, feeding upon various soft-bodied insects. When 

 captured they make a peculiar squeaking noise and are likely to insert 



the sharp proboscis into the flesh of 

 the captor unless care is taken to 

 prevent it. Occasionally they are 

 found in beds or may crawl into 

 clothing and will nearly always bite 

 in self-defense. 



Distribution. — The above species 

 is common in California and other 

 Western Slates. It replaces the two- 

 spotted corsair (Rasahus biguttatus 

 Say) of the Middle and Eastern 

 States, according to Mr. E. P. Van 

 Duzee. 



Food. — All stages of the bugs are 

 predaceous upon other insects and 

 apparently feed indiscriminately on 

 such as come in their way. In gen- 

 eral they are to be considered bene- 

 ficial, rather than injurious, as they 



Fig. 186. — The western corsair, Ra- never attack plants and OIllv OCca- 

 sahus thoracicus Stal. Adult female, en- • ■.-, ■, •, -i 



large,! twice. (Original) SUMially bite people. 



CAPSID.E (Family) 



LEAF-BUGS, FLOWER-BUGS OR PLANT-BUGS 



These are usually rather small, elongated or oval bugs of soft tex- 

 ture. The beak is four-jointed. The wing membranes have one or two 

 closed cells at the base with no longitudinal veins. They are very 

 active and among the most common of insects. Nearly all feed upon 

 the tissues of plants and become serious pests, while a few are carniv- 

 orous, feeding upon plant lice and other small insects. 



THE TARNISHED PLANT-BUG 

 Lygus pratensis Linnaeus 



(Fig. 187) 



Description. — The mature bugs vary from pale green to grayish- 

 brown, marked with yellow, black and sometimes red. The legs are 

 pale brown or yellow with dark rings. They average \ inch in length. 

 The young bugs are lighter in color than the adults, without wings or 

 pronounced markings. All forms are exceedingly common and very 

 active. 



Life History. — The winter is passed in the adult stage, activity and 

 feeding continuing throughout the entire year in California. In the 

 early spring the females insert the eggs into the stems and leaves. 

 partially or entirely beneath the epidermis, by means of an ovipositor. 

 In the leaves the eggs are usually inserted into the midribs or partially 

 imbedded in the epidermis between the veins. In the stems they are 

 buried into the tissues so as to be flush with the surface and not to 



