HEMIPTERA. 197 



antennae also are masked in this way: second, this species infests 

 houses for the sake of preying upon the bed-bug. It feeds also upon 

 flies and other insects. Dr. Le Conte, in writing of this insect, states 

 that it is remarkable for the intense pain caused by its bite; that, 

 when caught or unskilfully handled, it always stings. In this . 

 the pain is almost equal to that of the bite of a snake, and the swel- 

 ling and irritation which result from it will sometimes last fora week. 

 In very weak and irritable constitutions it may even prove fatal. 



The Hig Bed-bug, Conor hinns sa*guistgUS.C\OSt\y allied to the 

 masked bed-bug-hunter is a large bug which insinuates itself into 

 beds for a less commendable purpose than that of its ally; for it 

 sucks human blood at first hand. 



This insect measures 25 mm. (i inch) in length. It U black, 

 marked with red. The prothorax is triangular, with a tubercle in 

 front on each side, slightly constricted before the middle, in front 

 with two raised lines diverging backwards, and most raised in front, 

 margined with red; scutellum with two raised diverging lines din 

 forwards and joined at the base; wing-covers with two trianiuilai 

 spots on each, one at the base, the other near the middle on t lie- 

 outside ; abdomen with six red spot-* <>n each side, both above and 

 below. The species was first described from Georgia; but it occurs 

 also in the more Northern and Western States. It, too, is re- 

 markable for sucking the blood of mammals, particularly chil- 

 dren. Dr. Le Conte, who first described this ii iya that 

 it, like the preceding sj most painful wound. And 

 that he lias known its bite t<> be followed by rious Co- 

 quences, the patient not -ing from it> for nearh 



that the accounts which we ha\ 

 being bitten by spiders are based on stings of these or allied in- 



iiough th to illustrate the 



form of the members of this family, tl. >tional in habits. 



I ki DO others that habitually enter the duelli: 



Usually the members of this family pa-s their li 



bs, or li adroitly catchin- theii pfey, I 



both in the larva ami adult Nnm 



mces are on record of their destroying the Colorado pot 

 beet Kocky M othcrimpor 



The wh a good 



ion of the habits of th( nbersofthi 



I is a common insect in the South. ggs, 



and several nyn 



