The Stinging Bug. 



419 



Another insect very common and destructive in Georgia, 

 though it closely resembes the two just described, is of a 

 ■different genus. It is the Laphria thoracica of Fabi-icius. 

 In this genus the third vein is forked, and the third joint 

 of the antenna is without the bristle, though it is elongated 

 :and tapering. The insect is black, with yellow hair cover- 

 ing the upper surface of the thorax. The abdomen is 

 -wholly black both above and below, though the legs have 

 jellow hairs on the femurs and tibia:. This insect belongs 

 to the same family as the others, and has the same habits. 

 Jt is found North as well as South. 



THE STINGING BUG PHYMATA EROSA, FABR. 



This insect is very widely distributed throughout the 

 United States. I have received it from Maryland to Mis- 

 ■souri on the South, and from Michigan to Minnesota on 

 the North. The insect will lie concealed among the flowers, 

 and upon occasion will grasp a bee, hold it off at arm's 

 length, and suck out its blood and life. 



Fig. 204. 



Fig. 206. 



Fig. 205. 



Side vieTv, natural size, Magnijied twice. Seak mucit magnified. 



This is a Hemipteron, or true bug, and belongs to the 

 family Phymatidae, Uhler. It is the Phymata erosa, 

 Fabr., the specific name erosa referring to its jagged ap- 

 pearance. It is also called the "stinging bug," in refer- 

 ence to its habit of repelling intrusion by a painful thrust 

 •with its sharp, strong beak. 



The "stinging bug" (Fig. 204) is somewhat jagged in 

 appearance, about three-eighths of an inch long, and gen- 



