HALF-WINGED INSECTS. 289 



back of the same color. The motions of these caterpillars 

 are very slow, and they eat but little. Commonly the 

 perfect insect has more beauty than the larva from which 

 it comes, but here we have an example of a contrary 

 character. 



Questions. What characterizes the wings of the Lepidoptera? 

 What is said of the shapes and arrangements of the scales ? Which 

 are the Mandibulate orders of insects, and which are the Haustellate ? 

 What is the construction of the haustellum of the Lepidoptera? 

 What are the two kinds of legs of their larvae, and how are they used ? 

 Describe the two modes of walking. What is the food of caterpil- 

 lars ? What is said of the quantity which they eat ? How are cater- 

 pillars of great service to us ? What is said of their spinning ? What 

 is said of the Tent-caterpillars ? What of the Canker-worm ? What 

 is said of the habits of the Lepidoptera ? How are the Butterflies 

 distinguished from the Moths ? What is said of the pupae of the But- 

 terflies ? How many families are there of Butterflies ? What is said 

 of the Troilus ? What of the Berenice ? What are the two groups 

 of Moths? What is said of the Crepuscular Moths? What of the 

 Humming-bird Moth? What of the Nocturnal Moths? What of 

 the Clothes Moth? What of the Rusty Vapor Moth and its larva ? 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



HALF-WINGED AND TWO-WINGED INSECTS. 



491. THE insects of the order Hemiptera present many 

 curious varieties. They agree, however, generally in the 

 arrangement of the mouth, it being adapted to suction 

 by a beak which is singularly constructed. It is a horny 

 sheath, containing in a channel or groove four stiff bris- 

 tles as sharp as needles. This instrument, which is thus 

 fitted for both piercing and sucking, when not in use is 

 bent under the body, and lies against the chest. This 

 order is termed by some Rhynchota, from a Greek word, 

 meaning beak. The food of these insects consists of the 

 juices of plants in most cases, but in some of those of 

 animals. They are called Hemiptera, half-winged, on 



N 



