﻿The Life History of Two Species of Nalidae 159 



giving-off branches through the membrane; row of inner closed 

 cells and a row of outer, open cells formed in membrane; second 

 vein extending through corium to outer, posterior border of tliis 

 area and giving-off two branches about two-thirds of the way 

 along ; under side of the head dark and hairy ; prothorax imme- 

 diately before first coxae dark; mesothorax black below with fine 

 pubescence ; abdomen with dark streak along mid-ventral line ; mar- 

 gin of abdomen slightly reflexed ; a large spiracle surrounded by 

 red on ventral side of each segment of the connexivium ; abdomen 

 hairy below; last segment of male blunt at end, its dorso-lateral 

 sides hollowed-out to accommodate the claspers; terminal segment 

 of female pointed at posterior end and hairy ; fore-femora well 

 developed, heavily spotted above and barred on outer side, many 

 small stiff bristles below; tibia nearly colorless and with double 

 row of black teeth along the inner edge; mesothoracic femora 

 heavily barred on outer side, also heavily spotted and with small 

 bristles below ; tibia, with double row of black spines ; metathoracic 

 legs long, femora heavily spotted also, tibia heavily spotted; tarsi 

 dark at each end and three- jointed. 



Habits of Mature Nabids 



The nabids seem most active on warm and sunny days, most of 

 them having been captured at such times. The specimens used in 

 this experiment were found in grass and low bushes where there 

 was plenty of food. 



Observed in the cages, their movements were usually slow, walk- 

 ing along probing the surface of the leaf with the proboscis. On 

 being disturbed they could move away quickly, their long legs 

 being well adapted for walking. Oftentimes they would remain 

 quiet at some place on a leaf, but usually made a sudden dive if 

 a small insect came within reach. They are greedy feeders and 

 will reach for a second victim before the first is entirely consumed. 



Two nabids were found copulating, their abdomens together and 

 bodies extending in a straight line. During this time, which was 

 probably toward the end of the period, the claspers of the male 

 were seen to curl slightly and straighten-out again. This move- 

 ment occurred along both axes. When copulation was completed, 

 the male was seen to wave his claspers excitedly. No definite use 

 for these structures could be ascertained. 



There was no evidence of a second generation during that sum- 

 mer. The nymphs on maturing were placed in pairs in separate 

 cages for observation. On the 17th of September a copulation 

 was observed but the female was not seen ovipositing. It is there- 

 fore quite probable that the females hibernate over winter and 

 oviposite in spring. 



Natural Enemies 



Perhaps the greatest natural check of this family and species, 

 as of most other insects, is climate conditions. These affect the 

 younger nymphs more readily than they do the older ones. 



