FAMILY SMYNTHURID^ 



These are globular-bodied with long four-jointed antennae. 

 The ventral spring is composed of a basal portion and two arms. 

 We have a half dozen or more described species in the United 

 States. They occur in vegetable mold, upon decaying wood, 

 and feed upon the spores and mycelium of fungi. Some are 

 found upon aquatic plants, and some under stones in woods. 

 Lubbock, writing of one of these minute insects, Smynthurus 

 luteus, says: "It is very amusing to see these little creatures 

 coquetting together. The male, which is smaller than the female, 

 runs around her and they butt one another, standing face to face 

 and moving backwards and forwards like two playful Iambs. 

 Then the female pretends to run away, and the male runs after 

 her, with a queer appearance of anger, gets in front and stands 

 facing her again; then she turns 'round, but he, quicker and more 

 active, scuttles around too and seems to whip her with his 

 antennae; then for a bit they stand face to face, play with their 

 antennae, and seem to be all in all to one another. *' 



FAMILY PAPIRIID/E 



These little creatures are found in moss, and do not seem to 

 be common, only four species having been recognized in the 

 United States. 



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