THE ENTOMOLOGIST 



Vol. XXXL] AUGUST, 1898. [No. 423. 



A GUIDE TO THE STUDY OF BRITISH WATERBUGS 

 (AQUATIC RHYNCHOTA). 



By G. W. Kirkaldy. 



The study of British waterbugs has been much neglected, 

 even by those entomologists who have given a certain amount 

 of attention to the land-inhabiting species, and it has been 

 suggested to me by our editor that a few introductory remarks 

 upon their collection and preservation, upon some salient points 

 in their structure, and upon their metamorphoses and habits, 

 may be of interest to British collectors. 



Collecting, &c. 



The apparatus required is simple, viz. a net, a killing-bottle, 

 forceps, some glass tubes and small tin boxes, a pocket-magnifier, 

 a piece of rag, and various odds and ends that experience will 

 dictate from time to time. The net should be of good stout 

 material (of sufficiently wide mesh to allow the water to escape 

 readily, while retaining such small insects as Micronecta (Sigara) 

 and Plea), not too long, with the bottom rounded off at the 

 corners; this last point is important. The frame of the net 

 should be strong ; I myself use a "salmon landing-net" ring, 

 jointed in three places, so that when the net is removed and 

 squeezed dry, the ring (which is, during use, screwed into a 

 strong stick) can be folded and placed in the satchel or bag 

 when starting for home. Care should be taken to wipe the ring 

 and stick-socket quite dry before packing. 



The long-legged " pondskaters " (Hydrometridas) may be 

 captured by a quick stroke of the net, scarcely entering the 

 water at all. Velia and some species of Gerris are generally 

 found on little inlets of water close to a running stream, or on 



ENTOM. AUGUST, 1898. S 



