THE FLOWER BUGS 



(Family Anthocoridce.) 



These insects are all small and are distinguished from those 

 of the bed-bug family by the possession of ocelli and wing covers. 

 The latter are usually well developed but are occasionally 

 abbreviated. The head is prolonged. Less than 200 species 

 are known of which only twenty-two are known to inhabit 

 North America. Some of them, however, are very abundant, 

 as the little Triphleps insidiosus Say, and are frequently found 



Fig. 176. — Triphleps insidiosus. 

 (After Riley.) 



in the flowers of different plants. Probably all of the Antho- 

 coridae are carnivorous, feeding on other insects and the little 

 Triphleps just mentioned is a voracious enemy of plant-lice, 

 lace-bugs and other small tender insects. Some forms have 

 been found in ants' nests. The life history of none of them has 

 been worked out in this country and Triphleps insidiosus offers 

 a good opportunity for investigation. 



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