132 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



Figure 151 represents a common 

 form, natural size. Like other 

 water-bugs, these insects fly readily 

 from pond to pond, and they are 

 frequently attracted to lights. 

 This is especially the case where 

 electric lights are used, into which 

 they sometimes fly and are killed 

 by hundreds. On this account 

 they are known in many parts of 

 the country as " Electric-light 

 Bugs ; " and in some sections the 

 absurd idea prevails that they have 

 appeared only recently, as if they 

 were in some way a product of the 



FIG. 151. Belostoma americanum. electric light. 



Figure 151 represents Belostoma americanum (Be-los'to- 

 ma a-mer-i-ca'num). In Belostoma the front femora are 

 grooved for the reception of the tibiae, as in the preceding 

 family. Another common representative of the family is 

 Benacus griseus (Be-na'cus gris'e-us). This resembles Belos- 

 toma americanum very closely, but can be distinguished from 

 it by the absence of the femoral groove. 



There are other species of the family which are smaller 

 and belong to the genus Zaitha (Za'i-tha). Figure 152 rep- 

 resents one of these, natural size. 



In thS far West there is a common spe- 

 cies which* is an inch and a half long and 

 about half as broad ; this is Serphus dilatatus 

 (Ser'phus dil-a-ta'tus). These insects are 

 known to California children as " Toe-biters," 

 owing to the great interest they are sup- 

 posed to take in the feet of waders and 

 swimmers. 



The Giant Water-bugs are rapacious 

 creatures, feeding on other insects and small fish. With 



