CHAPTER XIII 



The Predaceous Insects 



While a large proportion of the insects that we meet in 

 our walks afield are in one way or another injurious to 

 cultivated crops or domestic animals, there are vast num- 

 bers of species which may be regarded as either beneficial 

 or neutral. From the beginning of their lives as eggs 

 until their death as adults, the injurious insects are beset 

 by a multitude of enemies. Some of their enemies attack 



Tiger Beetles 



them with wide-open jaws, devouring the victims bodily, 

 while others pierce their bodies with pointed beaks to suck 

 their lifeblood. Yet others insert lancelike ovipositors by 

 means of which they leave inside the body of the victim 

 tiny eggs that develop into parasites whose attacks are as 

 fatal as those of the larger foes. Those insects that de- 

 vour the bodies or suck the lifeblood of their victims are 

 called Predaceous Insects. 



There are a great many different groups of predaceous 

 insects belonging to many families in various orders. 



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