The Buff. 



101 



Since we have always fonnd three pairs of month- parts on insects, 

 and have already seen that the second maxillse ma; be so changed 

 as to form the mask of the yonng dragon-fly, children will nee after 

 a little questioning, if not before, that the long tnbe is the second 

 pair of mazillsa, and the needles are modified mandibles and first 

 maxillse. The tissues of plants are pierced with the sharp needles. 



.^« .'""y 



Fig. 6. 



and their jnices are drawn in throngh the sncking-tabe. The tri- 

 angular head, with its broad base, is firmly braced against the 

 broad thorax to fnmish a strong support for the thrust with the 

 needles. 



In August the light brown larva (Fig. 6, three times 

 life-size) and the pupa of the squash-bug can be collected 

 on the leaves of squash- vines. The pupa resembles the full- 

 grown insect, but is lighter 

 in color and has only wing- 

 pads in place of wings. 



Comparison of the beetle 

 and the hug. — The beetle 



has a hard crust. Its wing- 

 covers are hard and horny, 

 and meet in a straight line 

 down the back. The hind 

 wings are doubled up under 

 the wing-covers. The beetle 

 has hard mandibles for bit- 

 ing, and two pairs of maxillae with palpi. 



Fig. 6. 



