AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGY. 71 



REDUVIUS Fabr., Latr. Plate XXXI. 



Generic character. Body not linear; thorax sub-bilobate ; ros- 

 tellum arcuated, three-jointed, middle joint longest: antennae in- 

 serted above a line drawn from the eyes to the base of the rostrum ; 

 tibia? simple. 



Obs. Linne placed the species in the same genus with the 

 common and well known " bed-bug," from which, however, they 

 are without doubt very distinct. Under the reforming hand of 

 Fabricius, they were established as a separate group, with the 

 present designation. These insects are carnivorous, and live by 

 rapine in all their states. They seize smaller insects, and suck 

 out their fluids. The collector must be very cautious how he 

 handles these insects, as they are apt to inflict a painful punc- 

 ture with their very pointed beak. When disturbed they emit 

 an acute sound, by the friction of the base of the head or the 

 neck against the thorax. 



Reduvius NOVENARIUS. — Specific character. Blackish ; an- 

 tennas and rostellum rufous : thorax crested, crest eight or nine- 

 toothed. 



Desc. Brownish liver color, with very short hair ; head cylin- 

 drical, a profoundly impressed transverse line between the eyes : 

 a spine behind each antenna inclining forwards : antennas ru- 

 fous; rostellum dark rufous, first joint more than half the whole 

 length of the organ ; thorax with a short robust spine each side 

 at the base of the head : crest prominent, with eight or nine 

 cylindrical, rather distant teeth : lateral angles bidentate, poste- 

 rior tooth largest : posterior margin crenate, with two promi- 

 nent, terminal spines : hemelytra, membranaceous portion, brassy: 

 feet simple, rather long ; tibias tinged with rufous. 



Obs. This large and fine species is not uncommon in various 

 parts of the Union, at least from Pennsylvania to the southern 

 boundary. Its puncture is very painful, benumbing the vicinity 

 of the wounded part, for a considerable time. 



Its great similarity to the R. cristatus of South America, has 

 hitherto induced entomologists to identify it with that species ; 

 but having carefully considered their respective characters, I am 

 of opinion that they are distinct, though certainly very closely 

 allied. The cristatus has at least twelve denticulations to its 



