HKMLPTEROUS IXSKCTS OX ORANGE. J 63 



inch long. Although sluggish in habit, it takes wing when disturbed, 

 and flies heavily with a loud, buzzing noise. 



The eggs have the form of an oval casket, triangular in section, an d 

 are quite large; 3 mm (-ffo inch) in length. They are laid singly upon 

 the leaves of plants, and are very beautiful objects, 



opalescent, and gleaming like a drop of molten gold. ^ /> 



Figs. 76 a and b show the egg with the exit hole of (. j) c_V j 



the larva. FIG. 75. Egg of Met- 



The young make their exit through a large hole forigXud? 1 * 

 eaten in the end. The young bugs are brightly va- 

 riegated with red and black, and their bodies bristle all over with 

 spines. They grow more somber in color with each casting of the skin, 

 and gradually approach the adult in form and color. 



OTHER SUCKING BUGS. 



Metapodius terminalis Dallas. This species can, with difficulty, be 

 distinguished from the preceding, and the same account may be given 

 of its life and habits. Both species of Metapodius vary greatly in size, 

 but M. terminalis is usually the larger and heavier of the two. M.fem- 

 oratus is the commoner species in the cotton-growing States, and M. 

 terminalis is more abundant in the orange districts of Florida. 



Like the Green Soldier bug (Raphigaster hilaris), the species of Meta- 

 podius are known to prey upon other insects, particularly upon cater- 

 pillars, which are filled with the juiceS of plants, and there may be often 

 a doubt as to whether they are injurious or beneficial. 



Euthochtha galeator (Fab.). (Fig. 77). This is another foul-smelling 

 bug, having the general shape and appearance of 

 Metapodius. It is however a smaller and lighter-col- 

 ored insect; and the shanks of the hind legs are slen- 

 der. The color is rusty-brown, and the length of 

 the adult insect is 16 mm (-ffe inch). 



The eggs of Euthochtha galeator resembles those 

 of Metapodius, but are only one-third as large, and 

 are laid in irregular clusters on leaves or stems of 

 plants. Their color is a ruddy gold. 



The.- young bugs are purple-black, with orange 

 heads and crimson abdomens. Their bodies are 



irorv crn n \r FIG. 76. Euthochtha gal- 



kpiny. eator. (Original.) 



The habits of this bug do not differ from those of 

 Metapodius. It is a very common and often a very destructive insect. 



Other species of plant-sucking bugs will be found doing occasional 

 damage to tender growth on Orange, but the above are the largest and 

 best known of this class of offenders. 



