48 BED-BUGS AND FLOWER-BUGS. 
FAMILY ACANTHIIDAE. 
(Bed-bugs and Flower-bugs). 
This family contains two closely allied groups, which are 
frequently considered as distinct families. 
The sub-family Acanthiina contains but a few species of in- 
sects only too well known as bed-bugs. The one preying upon 
man is found over the greatest part of the world, although we 
have a number of villages in Minnesota where they are not 
found—according to the claims of their respective citizens. 
Lucky people! 
In this subfamily “the head is broader, and the frontal nar- 
rower division is bluntly rounded, not conically produced as in 
the next subfamily. The antennz have the two basal joints 
stout, the first being very short and much thicker than the second, 
while the two end joints are very slender and more pubescent; 
the rostrum is slender, excepting the base, and extends to the 
fore-coxe.” Uhler. 
Acanthia lectularia Linn. (The Common Bed-bug). 
This household pest is reddish-brown in color, and measures a 
little less than one-fifth of an inch in well fed specimens. The 
latter are often quite coarsely punctured and hairy, while their 
half-starved brethren have a much thinner outside integument and 
finer punctures, with less conspicuous pubescence. According to 
Uhler some specimens have the wing-pads hanging loose, as if 
ready to change into wing-covers, but generally they are run to- 
gether in one piece in the middle line. Thus far no individuals 
of this insect have been met with fully winged. 
A full account of these nasty insects has been given in the 
“Second Annual Report of the Entomologist,” which is repeated. 
Some persons claim that they have never seen these para- 
sites! This means that they have either been very fortunate, or 
that they did not use their eyes or their nose, as bed-bugs are 
found wherever man has made a home for himself. It is a 
mooted point whence they came originally, but this, although in- 
teresting, makes but little difference at present, as they are now 
everywhere. 
