Habits of Phymata Erosa, 42 1 



in locomotion, would seem like awkward, clumsy organs, 

 but when we learn that they are used to grasp and hold 

 their prey, then we can but appreciate and admire their 

 modified form. The femur (Fig. 20S, b) and the tarsus 

 {Fig. 208, a) are toothed, while the latter is greatly en- 

 larged. From the interior lower aspect of the femur (Fig. 

 310) is the small tibia, while on the lower end of the 

 tarsus (Fig. 209, d') is a cavity in which rests the single 

 claw. The other four legs (Fig. 211) are much as usual. 

 This insect, as already intimated, is very predaceous, lying 

 in wait, ofteti almost concealed, among flowers, ready to 

 capture and destroy unwary plant-lice, caterpillars, beetles, 

 butterflies, moths, and even bees and wasps. We have 



Fig. 211. 



Fig. 210. 



Claw, enlarged. Middle leg, much magnifled. 



already noticed how well prepared it is for this work by 

 its jaw-like anterior legs, and its sharp, strong, sword-like 

 beak. 



It is often caught on the golden rod. This plant, from 

 its color tends to conceal the bug, and from the character 

 of the plant — being attractive as a honey plant to bees — 

 the slow bug is enabled to catch the spry and active honey- 

 bee. 



As Professor Uhler well says of the "stinging bug:" 

 "It is very useful in destroying caterpillars and other vege- 

 table-feeding insects, but is not very discriminating in its 

 tastes, and Would as soon seize the useful honey-bee as the 

 pernicious saw fly." And he might have added that it is 



