426 NATURAL HISTORY OF HAWAII. 



of recent introduction. The red-bug family ^-^^ has a single introduced species; 

 the family Myodochida' has a number of species, among them the several mem- 

 bers of the Hawaiian genus Xysius — insects less than six milimeters in length. 

 The curious Lantana bug,^^- purposely introduced, is the only representative 

 of its family i-'-" in the islands. The damsel-bugs,^-^-' so called for want of a 

 better name, are well represented by several Hawaiian species belonging to 

 a large genus. ^"^' The assassin bugs'-^" have won their popular name on ac- 

 count of their predaceous habits. A dozen species, most of them of fair size, 

 and usually of wide distribution, occur in the islands. The large assassin 

 ]r,^g^i37 QY kissing bug, is thirteen millimeters in length, and is doubtless an 

 American species that first appeai'ed in Hawaii about 1897. The minute, 

 slender-bodied Miridce are represented by several species of small insects, 

 belonging to a number of genera, none of which are liable to be seen by casual 

 observers. 



Conspicuous among the few species of insects that live on or within the 

 Avater in Hawaii is the representative of the family of water-boatmen.i'*'^ It 

 is represented by a small oval, gray and black mottled species ^^'^ that has the 

 body flattened above and swims on the ventral surface. This peculiar habit 

 IS of value to the novice in identifying them, since in this they differ from the 

 next family, in which the various species all swim on their backs. 



When the water-boatmen swim through the water they are almost com- 

 pletely enveloped in air which gives them a silvery appearance. If they stop 

 swimming or lose their hold on the bottom they quickly come to the surface, 

 as their bodies enveloped in air are much lighter than the water. They occa- 

 sionally float on the surface of the water, or slowly paddle about with their 

 oar-shaped legs. When they choose they can leap from the water into the air 

 and fly away. They feed principally on other insects and lay their eggs upon 

 water plants. 



The back-swimmers,^ ^1 like the foregoing family, are represented by a 

 single species ^^^ that happens to be one of wide distribution. The favorite 

 attitude of the back-swimmers is floating on the surface of tlie water back 

 down, with their long oar-like legs stretched outAvard and forward read}' for 

 making a stroke. When disturbed they will dart out of the way, usually by going 

 rapidly to the bottom, there to remain hidden for some time. Other minute 

 bugs,!^- with minutely-spotted wings in the adult and Avith a red edge to the 

 abdomen in the immature stage, that walk about on the water, especially in 

 stagnant, w^eedy pools, are very common. They belong to a totally different 

 family 1^3 ^f insects from either of the two species just described, and in turn 

 may be easily confused wath rarer species of bugs and flies that frequent sim- 

 ilar places. 



i«^ Pprrhocoridie. ^"- Teleotniiia lantana;. ^^^ Tingvido'. ^^* Xabidtr. ^''^ Rediiriohis. 



^^" Rrdiiriidrp. ^^~ Zebix reiiardii. '^^^ Corixidm. ^^^ Arctoeorisa hlarkhurni. ^*'> Notonertidce. 



1*' Biienon fiaUipes. i*- Mir ran'} in ra(/ans. i*^ Gerridw. 



