REDUVIUS 539 



Conorhinus renggeri, Herr-Schaff 

 (Great Black Bug of Pampas). 



This large black bug is mentioned by Darwin/ who states as 

 follows : " At night I experienced an attack (for it deserves no. less 

 a name) of the benchuca, a species of Reduvius, the great black 

 bug of the Pampas. It is most disgusting to feel soft wingless 

 insects, about an inch long, crawling over one's body. Before suck- 

 ing they are quite thin, but afterwards they become round and 

 bloated with blood, and in this state are easily crushed. One which 

 .1 caught at Iquique (for they are found in Chili and Peru) was very 

 empty. When placed on a table, and though surrounded by people, 

 if a finger was presented the bold insect would immediately protrude 

 its sucker, make a charge and, if allowed, draw blood. No pain was 

 caused by the wound. It was curious to watch its body during the 

 action of sucking, as in less than ten minutes it changed from being 

 flat as a wafer to a globular form. This one feast, for which the 

 benchuca was indebted to one of the officers, kept it fat during four 

 whole months, but after the first fortnight it was quite ready to have 

 another suck." Mr. Kirby 2 also refers to this species. 



Conorhinus variegatus (Variegated Cone-nose). 



Occurs in Florida in houses, and chases bugs (Cimex) and flies ; 

 not definitely known to bite man. 



Conorhinus nigrovarius. 



This species occurs in South America. It is one of the forms 

 known as bichuque. Its bite makes a troublesome swelling. 



Conorhinus protractus 



also attacks man in Utah. 3 It has been called the " big bed bug." 



Genus. Reduvius, etc. 

 Reduvius personatus, Linne. 



Syn. : Reduvius personatus, Leconte, 1855' 



European, but also found in the United States. The bite causes 

 intense pain. It bites when caught or handled, but does not seem 

 to do so voluntarily. Swelling and irritation result which may last 

 a week, and may even cause death. 4 In 1899 it was very abundant 



1 Charles Darwin, "A Naturalist's Voyage" (Voyage of the Beagle), 1888, p. 330. 

 ' 2 " Text-book of Entomology," 1885, p. 205. 



8 " The Big Bed Bug of the Far West," Bull. 18 (N.S.), U.S. Dept. Agric., 1898, p. 101. 

 4 " Insects to which the name ' Kissing-bug ' became applied during the summer of 1899,'' 

 Bull. 22 (N.S.), U.S. Dept. Agric., 1900, p. 24. 



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