566 



HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA 



CHAP. 



Fig. 278. — Zaitha anura, 

 carrying eggs on its baclc. 

 West Indies. 



short rostrum. They appear to be unable to resist the attrac- 

 tion of artificial light, and are consequently sometimes destroyed 

 in large numbers. It has long been known that species of the 

 genera Biplonychus and Zaitha carry 

 their eggs on their backs. There is no 

 special receptacle for the purpose, but the 

 eggs are kept in their peculiar position 

 by means of a cement insoluble in water. 

 It has been stated by Dimmock that 

 they are placed in position by means of 

 a long, flexible ovipositor. Schmidt, how- 

 ever, found that a specimen of Diplo- 

 iiychus, bearing eggs and examined by 

 him, was a male, and he subsequently 

 found that this was the case with other 

 egg-bearing individuals of other species, 

 so that the mode in which the eggs are 

 placed in this position and the object of 

 so curious a habit, remain uncertain. The species of Belostoma 

 are highly remarkable on account of the curious and complex 

 structure of their antennae, in respect of which the nearest 

 analogy is to be found in the large Coleoptera of the genus 

 Hydropliilus. A very deep, ear -like pocket, exactly suited 

 to the form of the antennae, 

 exists on the under side of the 

 head ; hence in repose no sign 

 of the peculiar shape of the 

 antennae exists. When the 

 antennae are placed in this ear- 

 like pocket only the one side 

 of the basal joints is exposed, 

 the long processes being re- * B 



Ceived into the deep pocket. l^i<>- 279.-Antenna of ZJ.toa sp A, 



J; r One .side ot the under surface of the head, 



In HydrO'philuS the antenna is with antenna, S, extended ; B, with the 



used as an accessory organ of 

 respiration, and it will be in- 

 teresting to learn whether this 

 is also the case in Belostoma. Belostomidae have patches of air- 

 carrying pubescence, analogous with those of Hyclropliilus, on 

 the under sides of the body, elytra and wings, but we do not 



antenna retracted, a. Side of head ; c, 

 pocket for antenna ; d^ position of the eyes. 

 The corresponding joints of tlie antenna 

 are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 in each figure. 



