54 LEAF-BUGS. 
Besides feeding upon such insects, as well as upon the eggs 
of some very destructive moths, it has also been charged with 
injuring chrysanthemum shoots, and Osborn reports that it has 
actually been seen to puncture the blossoms of clover. 
Two other species of bugs belonging to this family, which 
have proven to be very beneficial in destroying injurious insects, 
are given to show their forms. Fig. 45 is a western species 
(Piezostethus californicus Reut.) ; Lyctocoris fitch Reut. (Fig. 
48) is fairly common in our state, and was recently discovered 
in a neglected saw-mill, in which some small wood-boring beetles 
Fic. 45.—Piezostethus californicus Reut. Fic. 46.—Lyctocoris fitchii Reut. 
had caused great damage by destroying dry boards of hard 
lumber. Here our friendly bugs were at work, killing the 
larvee of the destructive beetles, and could be found in almost 
every burrow made by them. 
FAMILY CAPSIDAE. 
(Leaf-bugs). 
This is one of the largest families of the true bugs. Prof. 
Uhler writes of them: ‘The eye is bewildered by the excessive 
variety and numbers of ornamentation which are present on 
every hand; while the mind is delighted with their graceful 
