344 



ures of it, Plate III., Fig. 13. Prof. P. R. 

 IJliler, our greatest American autliority in 

 this sul)-order. In " Heiniptera West of tiie 

 Mississippi," p. 58, spealts of tlie liabits of 

 tlie Pliyniata Erosa. In tiie current volume 

 of tiie Country Oentleimm, p. 5.51, the able 

 entomological editor. Prof. J. A. Liutner, in 

 response to a correspondent, gives a brief 

 account of the habits, etc., of this same 

 insect. 



DESCKIPTION. 



Tlie "stinging bug" (Fig. 1) is somewhat 

 jagged in appearance, about % of an inch 

 long, and generally of a yellow color ; 



Fig, 2.— Magnified twice. 



though this latter seems quite variable. 

 Frequently there is a distinct greenish hue. 

 Beneath the abdomen, and on the back of 

 the head, thorax and abdomen, it is more or 

 less specked with brown ; while across the 

 dorsal aspect of the broadened abdomen is 

 a marked stripe of brown (Fig. 2, d, d). 

 Sometimes this stripe is almost wanting, 

 sometimes a mere patch, while rarely the 

 whole abdomen, is very slightly marked, 

 and as often we find it aiinost wholly brown 

 above and below. The legs (Fig. 2, b), beak 



Fig. 3.— Beafc, m,v,ch magnified. 



and antennpe (Fig. 2, a) are greenish yellow. 

 The beak (Fig. 3) has three ioints (Fig. 3, a, 

 b, c)and a sharp point (Fig. 3, d). This beak 

 is not only the great weapon of offense, but 

 also the organ tliiough which the food 



Fig. i.— Antenna, much magnified. 



is sucked. By the use of this, the 

 insect has gained the soubriquet of stinging 

 bug. This compact jointed beak is peculiar 

 to all true bugs, and by observing it alone, 

 we are able to distinguish all the very varied 



forms of this group. The antenna (Fig. 4) 

 is four-jointed. The first joint (Fig. 4, a) is 

 sliort, the second and third (Fig. 4, b and c) 

 are long and slim, while the terminal one 

 (Fig. 4, d) id much enlarged. This enlai'ged 

 joint is one of the cliaracteristics of the 

 genus Pliymata, as described by Latreille. 

 But the most curious structural peculiarity 

 of this insect, and the chief character of the 



Fig. &.— Anterior Leg, magnified -exterior view. 



genus Pliymata, is the enlarged anterior 

 legs (Figs. 5, 6 and 7). These, were they 

 only to aid in locomotion, would seem like 

 awkward, clumsy organs, but when we learn 

 that they are used to grasp and hold their 

 prey, then we can but appreciate and admire 

 their modified form. The femur (Fig. 5, b) 



FIG. 6.— Interior view. 



and the tarsus (Fig. 5, a) are toothed, while 

 the latter is greatly enlarged. From the 

 interior lower aspect of the femur (Fig. 6) is 

 the small tibia, while on the lower edge of 

 the tarsus (Fig. 6, d) is acavity in which rests 

 the single claw. The other four legs (Fig. 

 8) are much as usual. 



This insect, as already intimated, is very 

 predaceous, lying in wait, often almost coa- 



FlG. l.—Claw extended. 



cealed, among flowers, ready to capture and 

 destroy unwary plant-lice, caterpillars, 

 beetles, butterflies, moths, and even bees 



Fig. 8.— AfiddJe Leg— much magnified. 



and wasps. We have already noticed h ow 

 well prepared it is for this work by its jaw- 



