

CATALOGUE OF INSECTS. 



Family BELOSTOMATIDiE. 



143 



Fig. fi4.— Giant wateibug, Belostoma 

 amtricanum. 



This family contains the " giant waterbugs "; 

 oval flat creatures with keel-like bodies beneath, 

 short powerful beak, large forelegs fitted for 

 grasping and long, broad hind legs fitted for 

 swimming. At the anal extremity is a short 

 strap-like appendage. 



They are predatory in character, feeding on 

 all sorts of acquatic insects, tadpoles and even 

 small fish and become two or more inches in 

 length in some species. At night, at certain 

 seasons, they fly from pond to pond and at this 

 time are often attracted to electric lights in 

 great numbers. For this reason they have been 

 called "electric light bugs," and occasionally 

 an unusual flight will inspire a reporter to give 

 them a foreign origin, or to invest them with 

 destructive powers— as when in 1899 the 

 "strangling bugs" from South Africa made 

 their appearance near Mt. Holly in great 

 swarms and developed into these bugs. 



They are of no importance to the agriculturist. 



ZAITHA Am. et Serv. 



Z. fluminea Say. Madison (Pr), Camden, Anglesea, Brigantine (Ss), River- 

 ton, V, 1 (Jn), Staten Island, V, VI, VIII (Ds), Orange Mts. 

 Z. aurantiacum Leidy. Riverton, IX, 5 ( Jn). 



BELOSTOMA Auct. 



B. americanum Leidy. Madison (Pn, Caldwell (Cr), Philadelphia at 

 electric light, very rare (Ss), Staten Island (Ds), g. d. throughout the 

 State. 



BENACUS Stal. 



B. griseus Say. New Jersey, rare (Bt), New Brunswick occasional Sni , 

 Philadelphia, at electric light very common (Ss), Hightstown, very com- 

 mon in 1899, and g. d. throughout the State. The two last mentioned 

 species are the "electric light bugs " 



Family NEPIDJE. 



Narrow, long-legged water bugs, the forelegs fitted for grasping, the others 

 for walking. A pair of grooved anal bristles keeps the insect in contact with 



