62 FOTJE- STRIPED PLANT-BUG. 



PJant-bug {Brochimena annulata), and the Lined Plant-bug {Cap- 

 sus linearis). The last species, also known as the Tarnished Plant- 

 bu^, is one of our most pernicious insects, and belongs not only 

 to the same order, but also to the same genus with the species now 

 under consideration. All these insects do their damage by punc- 

 turing the leaves or stems of plants, and wilting them by the ab- 

 straction of their sap. The suddenness with which the parts be- 

 yond their punctures, wither, and sometimes turn black, has led to 

 the general belief that they infuse a poison into the wounds ; but no 

 such poisonous secretion has been proved to exist. 



This species has never been fully described, and I therefore ap- 

 pend the following description : 



Length, three-tenths of an inch. Deep honey-yellow, inclining to orange. Elytra, 

 bright greenish-yellow, with four black stripes. 



Head, deep honey-yellow ; nasus and antenna, black. Thorax, greenish-yellow ; its 

 anterior border, honey-yellow, and with four black stripes ; the two middle ones in the 

 form of large sub-triangular spots, the outer ones slender and near the margin. Scu- 

 tellum, greenish-yellow, with the lateral angles black. Elytra, greenish-yellow, each with 

 two black stripes, the outer ones more slender, near the margin, and having a black dot 

 beyond its tip. Membrane, black. Beneath, honey-yellow, the venter deepening into 

 orange; vent black, in the male furnished wiih two black hooks; in the female with a 

 blackish sword-shaped ovipositor, originating from the middle of the sixth segment, lying 

 upon the venter, when not in use, and concealed between two valvular folds, forming a 

 carina, with its point backwards. When elevated from its sheath, it appears to issue 

 from the middle of the venter. Legs pale-greenish, with two black rings near the end 

 of the thighs ; last joint of the feet black. 



The females are easily distinguished, at this season, by their more swollen abdomens. 

 Upon opening them they are found to contain about 20 (from 15 to 24) oblong subcylin- 

 drical flask-shaped eggs, pale, with white tips. I have not been able to discover where 

 these eggs are deposited. 



These insects may be called social rather than gregarious, be- 

 ing sometimes found singly, but usually in small companies. 



The insects of the genus Capsus are very active, and instantly 

 take to flight when alarmed, especially in the heat of the day. 

 The only time when they can be captured and destroyed is very 

 early in the morning, when they are chilled by the coolness of the 

 night, and therefore disinclined to fly. They can be shaken or 

 brushed off into a pan or pail partly tilled with lye or strong suds. 

 Simple water answers just as well, so far as to prevent their flying 

 away. 



