94 



INSECTS 



find that modification of habit which is elsewhere re- 

 ferred to a tendency to get plant juices at second 

 hand, by sucking the juices of such soft-bodied larvae 

 as have just fed upon plant tissue. This is found in 

 quite a large number of the families, making a con- 



FIG. 40. The wheel-bug, Prionidus cristatus, in all its stages. 



siderable series of species that feed indifferently on 

 plant or soft insect tissue. But there is also a large 

 number of species with short stiff beaks and small 

 narrow heads that are distinctly and exclusively pred- 

 atory. These are the Reduviida commonly known as 

 " pirate " or " assassin bugs " from their habit of stabbing 

 or piercing the specimens upon which they feed. 



