CHAPTER VIII 

 HEMIPTERA 



THE order Hemiptera is made up of insects having 

 sucking mouth-parts and direct development. They have, 

 typically, four wings but many kinds are wingless and the 

 males in one group have two wings only. The order is made 

 up of two sub-orders that are so dissimilar in appearance, 

 structure and habits, that they may be considered sep- 

 arately. 



43. Heteroptera. The members of this sub-order are 

 the true bugs and are the only insects to which the name 

 bug, not in combination with some other word, is properly 

 applied. Most bugs are winged. The front wings are 

 thick and narrow at the base and are broader and thinner 

 and overlap at the tips. They are usually carried rather 

 flat on the back, though some forms have strongly arched 

 backs. The beak is strong and arises from the front part 

 of the head. The habits are varied. Some bugs are 

 predaceous, some are plant-eaters and seriously injurious. 

 Several families, which we shall consider together as the 

 "Aquatic Bugs," live in or about the water. 



Aquatic Bugs. Several families, which need not be 

 considered in detail, are aquatic. The largest of our bugs 

 are those known as the Giant Water-bugs or, sometimes, 

 as the " electric-light bugs." These are about three inches 

 long by one inch broad, flattened, brownish in color, with 

 legs fitted for swimming. They are frequently attracted 

 to the electric lights and may also be found swimming near 



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