THE TRUE BUGS 113 



known as the masked bedbug hunter, from the habit of the nymph 

 of covering itself with dust and rubbish so as to be thoroughly con- 

 cealed as it waits in dusty corners for its prey. This species, with 



FIG. 149. Thread-legged bug (Emesa longipes De G.) 

 (After Lugger) 



another (Melanolestes picipes], was the subject of considerable 

 newspaper notoriety a few years ago as the kissing bug, since it not 

 infrequently attacks the lips of people while they are asleep. The 



FIG. 150. A damsel-bug (Coriscus subcoleopterus Kby.) 

 (After Lugger) 



thread-legged bugs (Emesidae] are well described by their name, all 

 of the legs being long and threadlike. The forelegs are fitted for 

 grasping the prey, resembling those of the mantis, and the anten- 

 nae are bent so as to simulate forelegs. They are sometimes found 



