210 



INSECT CALENDAR. 



fringed with long hairs, being formed for swimming. It rows 

 over the surface in pursuit of insects. Notonecta undulata Say 

 (Fig. 259) is a common form in New England. 



Another insect hunter is the singular Ranatra fusca (Fig. 260). 

 It is light brown in color, with a long respiratory tube which it 

 raises above the surface of the water when it wishes to breathe. 

 This species connects the Water-boatman with the Water- 



259. Notonecta. 



261. Water Skater. 



200. Ranatra. 



202. Pirates. 



skaters, or Gerris, a familiar insect, of which Gerris paludum 

 (Fig. 261) is commonly seen running over the surface of streams 

 and pools. 



Reduvius and its allies belong to a large family of very useful 

 insects, as they prey largely on caterpillars and noxious insects. 

 Such is Pirates picipes (Fig. 262), a common species. It is an 



