118 MISC. PUBLICATION 657, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Famiry NABIDAE 
The nabids are elongate-oval to rather slender oblong species of 
medium size, usually between 7 and 9 mm. long, and pale brown to 
straw-colored. The beak is 4-segmented; however, the first segment 
is short and easily overlooked. The forelegs are fitted for grasping 
prey, having the tibiae armed with minute spines, and the fore femora 
are somewhat enlar ged. The nabids may be considered as beneficial, 
since they appear to be entirely predaceous on the soft-bodied larvae 
and nymphs of plant-feeding insects. Nabis sordidus Reuter is prob- 
ably the species most frequently encountered in eastern forests. Here 
it is often found in considerable numbers on rank undergrowth. This 
species overwinters in the adult stage, and may have as many as four 
generations a year. 
Famiry ANTHOCORIDAE 
There are several species in this family of small bugs, some of 
which are pr edaceous on other insects. Altogether they are pr obably 
of little importance in checking infestations of i injurious species. One 
species, Anthocoris musculus (Say) (= borealis Dallas), occurring in 
the United States from ee northward, is predaceous on soft- 
bodied, leaf-feeding insects, principally the tingids on deciduous trees. 
It is most common on willow. It has a single generation yearly, and 
passes the winter under dead bark or leaves. 
Famity MIRIDAE 
This is the largest family in the order Hemiptera, and more than 
500 species have been described from America north of Mexico. Al- 
though many of the species are found on trees and shrubs, very few 
are of economic importance. Many species are predaceous on soft- 
bodied or young insects, but most of them are probably plant feeders 
(Britton 59, pp. 422-0: 58). A more complete discussion of this family, 
together with descriptions of many of its species, may be found in 
Knight (267). 
Three species that may be numerous enough to cause noticeable 
injury are as follows: Veoborus amoenus (Reuter) on species of ash, 
Neolygus invitus (Say) on young succulent growth of elm, and 
the tarnished plant bug (Lygus oblineatus (Say) ), a pest of nurs- 
ery stock and ornamental plants. 
Famiry COREIDAE 
The boxelder bug (Leptocoris trivittatus (Say)) becomes a pest at 
times where boxelder is grown as a shade tree. It is principally a 
source of annoyance because of its habit of congregating in large 
numbers in or on houses in the fall, when it is seeking hibernation 
quarters. It feeds on the leaves and seed of boxelder during the 
summer and, when abundant, on ash and maple. 
This bug is elongate, somewhat flattened, and almost one-half inch 
long. Mature insects are blackish on top with three red longitudinal 
stripes on the thorax and with red margins on the basal half of the 
wings. Under the wings the abdomen is bright red. Eggs are de- 
posited on boxelder leaves in the spring by female bugs that have 
survived the winter. ‘There is one generation each year. 
