PROCEEDINGS, 1920 21 



shading- from light to dark brown; wings hyaline, subcosta ends in Rj 

 about two-fifths of the distance between the humeral cross-vein and 

 base of radial sector; cubitus forks about under distal end of subcosta, 

 not detached ; anterior veins much stronger than posterior ; R4-5 

 strongly arched in proximal half, distal half being only gently curved ; 

 length of rhomboidal cell varies from 1.23 to 1.75 its width; base of 

 radial sector and R2-3 slender. 



J^riiialc. Resembles the male ; genitalia yellow tipped with dark 

 l)rown. 



Described from a series of one male and four females taken during 

 May and June in the vicinity of Vancouver. 



THE LIFE HISTORY OF APATETICUS CROCATUS Uhl. 



(HEMIPTERA) 

 By W. Downes. 



The species which forms the subject of the present paper is a large 

 pentatomid bug which is fairly common in the neighbourhood of Victoria 

 and a somewhat familiar object during the late summer and fall. It 

 belongs to the class popularly called "stink bugs," a well-earned name 

 by the way, and is one of the largest members of the Heteroptera in 

 our local fauna. 



Although, in common with the rest of the pentatomids, it has an 

 uneviable reputation owing to the possession of repugnatorial glands 

 which secrete the objectionable odour familiar to all who have attempted 

 to handle them, nevertheless the species we are considering has good 

 points which make it worthy of our interest and protection, for it is of 

 considerable economic value, its food consisting- to a very large extent 

 of caterpillars, especially tent caterpillars, and larvae of the oak looper 

 (Ellopia somniaria), so that it may be classed among our useful insects. 



Wherever caterpillars are numerous, these bugs will be found. 

 Many of them take up their abode within the webs made by the tent 

 caterpillars, where they find a plentiful food supply within easy reach. 

 Others are found on the oak trees infested with "looper" caterpillars, 

 but they are not entirely dependent on animal food by any means. In 

 fact, a certain amount of vegetable food is essential for them, and during 

 the first instar the little nymphs are entirely phytophagous and possibly 

 the species may be al)le to subsist without much animal food. 



The Egg. The egg is cylindrical with slightly convex sides, its 

 height being about one-third greater than its diameter, somewhat barrel- 

 shaped in fact. The top and bottom are convex and the cap, or lid, is 

 surrounded by a fringe of short incurving spines. The eggs are smooth 

 and shiny and in colour are brownish black with irregular oval areas of 

 dull white on the sides. Around the rim is a narrow white band from 

 which arises the chaplet of spines of the same colour, tipped with black. 



