PROCEEDINGS. 1920 23 



that at this stage of their growth they cannot Hve extensively on animal 

 food hut require a constant supply of fresh green leaves. They seem 

 to require a certain amount of moisture and were seen sucking at drops 

 that condensed on the glass of the breeding jar. The experiment of 

 feeding them on syrup, of white sugar and water, was tried, and this 

 they took readily. The second moult of those kept at the house was 

 noted on May 20th, the third on June 2nd, the fourth on June 19th, and 

 the fifth on July . th. Four lots were kept under observation at different 

 periods and the average length of the instars was found to be thirteen 

 da\"s under artificial conditions, the fourth and fifth instars being the 

 longest. I was able to observe the change from the last nymphal stage 

 to adult. The nymph in each case rested head downwards hanging 

 from a twig. Ecdysis was complete in ten minutes and as soon as 

 free the adult reversed its position. At first the adults are pale salmon 

 pink and do not harden completely for nearly two days. The final moult 

 was observed on July 8th and on the 10th the bugs were observed to 

 be sufficiently hardened and attacking tent caterpillars. During the 

 fifth instar the nymphs refused animal food, seeming to prefer plant 

 juices. Young branches of wild rose were supplied, the bugs invariably 

 sucking from the leaf petioles or midribs. Other plant food besides 

 briar rose was tried, namely, pear, apple, oak and willow, but rose 

 seeined to be preferred. Of the four broods kept under observation 

 the last reached adult condition on August 18th. 



Feeding Habits. It was interesting to observe the extreme timidity 

 and caution which marked the attitude of the bugs when attacking their 

 prey. Not being possessed of any weapon to aid them, such as the 

 powerful grasping forelegs of those species that are solely predatory, 

 they are forced to await a propitious time for attack. On scenting game 

 the beak is immediately extended and the bug advances towards its 

 quarry. Usually weak and sickly caterpillars are selected or one that 

 is in such a position as to be unable to escape. When within half an 

 inch or so the rate of advance is cautiously slackened and the progress 

 of the extended beak towards the caterpillar becomes so slow as to be 

 scarcely perceptible. Should the caterpillar make the slightest move- 

 ment, the bug immediately retreats, advancing again and again imtil 

 at last from sheer weariness the caterpillar permits the beak to be 

 inserted. Once this occurs there is no escape. The barbed tips of 

 the maxillae give the bug a hold that is not readily shaken off, and 

 despite wriggling and squirming the beak turns in the wound without 

 \\ithdrawing. Not until the caterpillar is sucked dry does the bug 

 withdraw its beak, and it may retain its hold for as long as twelve hours. 

 It is only when pressed by hunger that they show any boldness. Some 

 that had been without food for nearly a fortnight were supplied with 

 larvae of the poplar sawfly (Platycampus victoria MacGill). These 

 they accepted readily, following them up with beak extended and 



