92 THE STINK-BUG FAMILY. 
is a good thing that it is not very common. Some years ago a 
large field of wheat was almost covered with these bugs in all 
stages, all intent upon sucking the sap from the growing plants. 
Of course their presence boded no good, as was shown by the 
greatly lessened yield of the infested field. In the following 
year not a single insect of this kind could be detected. -This 
shows how unexpectedly insects, usually very uncommon in one 
locality, may suddenly so increase in numbers through some 
favorable conditions as to become injurious. 
In the sub-family Halydina, which contains chiefly broad, 
moderately flat, gray and brown bugs, with slender feelers and 
Fic. 91.—Brochymena annulata Fab.: Adult; under surface shown at left—en- 
larged. After Insect Life, Div. of Entomology, Dep. of Agriculture. 
beaks, prominent shoulders and uneven surface, with very 
branching veins to the membrane, we possess a number of species 
which have of late become decidedly numerous. Late in autumn 
numbers of them may be seen sunning themselves while resting 
upon the bark of trees, with which their color and shape blend 
so well that they can hardly be distinguished, notwithstanding 
that the insects are rather large. Again we find them during 
winter under loose bark of trees, or in early spring slowly walk- 
ing about upon the dry and warmer fence-posts. They well de- 
serve to be classed with the stink-bugs! 
