726 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



flat and scooped, and is red above. Below, the insect is red 

 spotted with black. 



The genus to which Ranatra Asiatica belongs is a very large 

 one, and is spread over the greater part of the world. 



The present species, as its name imports, is an inhabitant of 

 Asia. If they are, as is likely, as tierce, voracious, and com- 

 bative as our comparatively small species, some of the exotic 

 insects must be rather formidable. Our own species are as 

 fearless and as quarrelsome as the great Rove Beetles, and attack 

 everything to which they may choose to take an objection. 



Fig. 469.— Ranatra Asiatics. 

 [(Red-brown.) 



Their mode of attack is exactly like that of the Leaf Insects, 

 which have already been described, their fore-legs being used 

 as weapons which can be used with singular swiftness and 

 address. These limbs are employed for capture as well as for 

 striking, the tarsus doubling over on the tibia so as to enclose 

 any insect which may be struck. The colour of this species 

 is reddish brown, and in the British Museum there are many 

 specimens not yet named: 



The insect which is represented in the accompanying illustra- 

 tion is the largest of the Kemiptera, and is really a formidable 

 creature. It is here only represented about half its real dimen- 



