AQUATIC INSECTS 



895 



Transformation occurs in the water, and is only a little more 

 of a change than are the earlier nymphal moults. The adults of 

 many genera fly from one body of water to another, and a few of 

 the largest forms (Fig. 1364) have a habit so well known of flying 

 to electric lights at night that they have been denominated ''electric 

 light bugs." These immense bugs are among the most powerful 

 members of the order; the largest of the dragon fly nymphs are no 

 match for them; they will frequently attack and kill frogs, and 

 they have even been found preying on woodpeckers, presumably 

 encountered in flight. Their weapon of offense is the stout beak, 



Fig. 1365. A water bug (at the left) and a backswimmer (at the right), 

 resting at the surface of an aquarium. 



which is capable of making painful wounds. Even the smaller 

 forms of Notonecta (Fig. 1365) can puncture the fingers of the 

 collector if carelessly handled. 



The eggs of the more strictly aquatic members of the family are 

 fairly well known. Those of Benacus (Fig. 1366) and Amorgius 

 are deposited on the vertical stems of Typha, etc., above the 

 surface of the water; these are among the largest of insect eggs. 

 Those of the Nepidae, Nepa and Ranatra, are distinguished by 

 long appendages at the micropylar end, and are inserted into the 

 soft tissues of plants — into rotten, water-soaked wood, or into 



