HEMIPTERA. 



143 



number millions, and so attract much attention. As soon as 

 they find a new field of grain they lay their eggs there for 

 another brood. 



No satisfactory means of combating this insect was 

 known until recently. But it has now been ascertained that 

 it is destroyed by a contagious disease which can be spread 

 artificially. Diseased bugs are sent to places where the dis. 

 ease does not exist ; and thus the contagion is spread. 

 Extensive experiments are being carried on in Kansas at the 

 time of this writing, and the results so far seem very encour- 

 aging. 



Family BERYTID^E (Be-ryt'i-dae). 

 The Stilt-bugs. 

 This family includes a small number of land bugs, in which 

 the body, legs, and antennae are very slender, resembling 



somewhat the thread-legged bugs 

 (Emesidse). 



The stilt bugs have the tip of 

 the femora, the tip of the first joint 

 of the antennae, and the last joint 

 of the antennae somewhat enlarged 

 (Fig. 175). Only two species have 

 been found in the United States. 

 These are Neidcs muticus (Ne'i-des 

 mu'ti-cus), which has a prominent 

 spine on the vertex of the head ; 

 and Jalysus spinosus (Jary-sus spi- 

 no'sus), which, although spined in 

 k other places, lacks the spine on the vertex. 



These are sluggish insects, found in the undergrowth of 

 woods and in meadows and pastures. 



Family Coreid^: (Co-re'i-dae). 

 The Squash-bug Family. 

 This family is also a very extensive one, including many 

 species. The best character for distinguishing the members 



Fig. 175.— Jalysus spinosus. 



