CIMEX PIPISTRELLI 511 



about on the skin before settling down to suck. As a rule they return to 

 the paper when replete with blood, but sometimes they have to be brushed 

 up and placed on the paper. As soon as all the bugs have fed the paper 

 is pushed back to the bottom of the tube. The great advantage of 

 using these tubes is that the observer can see exactly how the bug feeds, 

 copulates and lays its eggs. They can be carried in the pockets without 

 the danger of the bugs escaping, provided they are properly plugged with 

 cotton wool. 



Cimex columbarius, Jenyns. This species is smaller and more orbicular 

 than lectularius, which, however, it closely resembles, especially in col- 

 ouration. Its antennae are shorter and the joints not quite so slender ; 

 the difference in length between the third and fourth joints is not so 

 great as in lectularius. The prothorax is less hollowed out in front, 

 and the anterior angles less produced ; the sides are much less reflexed. 

 The abdomen is much rounder than in lectularius ; its greatest breadth 

 is just behind the middle. 



This species is common in Europe in the nests and coops of pigeons; 

 in the United States it has been recorded by Girault from a chicken 

 house, in a large fowl yard at Anacostia, D.C. It is probably more 

 widely distributed than the records would lead one to suppose. 



Cimex hirundinis, Jenyns. This species is smaller than either colum- 

 barius or lectularius, and in general form differs from both species. Its 

 antennae are comparatively short, and the third joint scarcely if at all 

 longer than the fourth; according to Jenyns the eyes are not so pro- 

 minent as in the other two species. The prothorax is much less hollowed 

 out in front, the anterior angles are only a little produced towards 

 the eyes, and the sides slightly reflexed and more like those of 

 rotundatits. The elytra are less coarsely punctured. The abdomen is 

 not so broad, and is more rounded at the apex ; the sides are regularly 

 curved. The whole insect is more pubescent, and its colour is ferrugin- 

 ous inclining to testaceous, and darker than lectularius. This species 

 is common in Europe in the nests of Hinmdinis urbicae. 



Cimex pipistrelli, Jenyns. This species is closely allied to rotundatits. 

 The antennae are intermediate in length between those of lectularius 

 and columbarius; the third joint is longer than the fourth. The eyes 

 are prominent. The prothorax is moderately excavated in front and 

 the sides only very slightly reflexed. The abdomen is narrower than in 

 either lectularius or columbarius, and is much more attenuated posteriorly 

 than in rotundatus ; the greatest breadth is just in front of the middle 

 of the abdomen. The whole insect is very pubescent and coarsely 



