106 



NATURAL HISTOKY. 



or yellowish tint. The insects are found chiefly upon plants during the summer and autumn and in 

 moss or under dead leaves in winter. A few, such as Platygaster f ermine us, which is very flat 

 winter under the bark of coniferous trees. 



w 



FAMILY IV. PYRRHOCORID^. 



These insects, which may be denominated Eed Bugs," approach the typical Lygseid* in 

 respects, especially in their being generally of a bright red colour with black spots and other 

 markings, but they may be at once distinguished by the absence of ocelli, and the presence of 

 uinerous longitudinal veins in the membrane. They are found in most parts of the world, but, like 



the other families, 

 are more abundant 

 and much larger in 

 warm than in tem- 

 perate climates. They 

 are much more pre- 

 daceous in their habits 

 than any of the pre- 

 ceding. 



One species of 

 this especially tropical 

 family occurs in the 

 south of England, and 

 is exceedingly abun- 

 dant on the continent 

 of Europe. It is 

 known as Pyrrkocoris 

 apterus, the specific 

 name having reference 

 to the absence of the 

 wings and of the 

 membrane of the 

 hemelytra in most 

 specimens found in 

 cold or temperate 

 regions. It is about 



a third of an inch long, and of a scarlet colour, with the head, the disc of the pro thorax, the 

 scutellum, the clavus, a spot upon each hemelytron, and the abdomen and limbs black. These 

 insects usually occur in great numbers together, so as to produce the appearance of bright red patches 

 about the foot of the trees, especially lime trees, which they frequent. They feed upon the juices 

 of plants and fruits, but also to a great extent upon fluid sucked from the bodies of other insects, 

 not even sparing young individuals of their own kind. 



FAMILY V. PHYTOCORID.E, OR PLANT BUGS. 



These insects agree with those of the last family in wanting the ocelli ; they also have a rostrum 

 and antennae composed of four joints ; but they differ from all the preceding Bugs in the structure of 

 the hemelytra. In these organs the outer apical angle of the corium is cut off from the rest by a 

 transverse suture, so that it forms a separate triangular piece (appendix) ; and the only veins in the 

 membrane itself form one or two cells at its base. The integuments of the body are rather soft, and 

 the antennae have the second joint long and the third and fourth usually very slender.. 



The Phytocoridse abound in most parts of the world, and in Europe and Britain are undoubtedly the 

 most numerously represented of all the families of Bugs. They may be found in the greatest abun- 

 dance during the summer upon plants, bushes, and trees, and especially upon the low herbage of hedge 

 bottoms. Several species may always be obtained during the summer from the nettles which usually 



PYRRHOCORTS APTERUS. 



