THE HETEROPTERA. 
37 
part of the head. In the second — the Homoptera — the wings are 
entirely membranous and transparent, and the sucker is attached 
to the frontal region of the head. 
There are four families in the section of the Heteroptera — the 
Scutelleridce , the Lygeidce, the Reduviince, and the Nepidee ; and 
there are also four in the section of Homoptera — the Cicadidce , the 
Fulgoridce , the Aphides, and the Coccidee. 
The Scutelleridee contain a great number of species, and are 
commonly called Land Bugs, or Shielded Bugs, or Wood Bugs. 
They are distinguished by having long antennae, and a scutellum 
that covers the whole of the wings and the abdomen. The body 
is generally rather short and oval, and the insects are often 
remarkable for the brilliancy of their colours, and for the red, 
green, and metallic hues which adorn the greater part of their 
surface. One set of these insects has the scutellum covering the 
whole of the body behind the prothorax, and another has a tri- 
angular scutellum, which leaves a large part uncovered. The 
first is rarely seen in Europe ; but the genus Tetyra has some 
kinds which are injurious to our wheat crops. The second set 
is represented by Pentatoma grisea , which is found on many 
common plants and on walls, in groups ; and another kind, which 
frequents the cabbage, is well known on account of its black and 
red colouring. Hundreds of these are sometimes found upon 
cabbages and upon other cruciferous plants, which they injure 
very much. They have a very characteristic smell, which is 
similar to that of the ordinary bug. 
In the engraving on page 372 a full-grown adult is flying, 
and it will be noticed that the front wings are not membranous 
near the body, and the triangular scutellum behind the chest is 
very readily observed. These insects may be noticed in a state of 
rest on the leaves ; and one on the left-hand side shows how the 
wings are folded, and are half covered by the scutellum. Several 
larvae are crawling over the plants. 
The Lygeidce have rather elongated bodies, and their scutellum 
is always very small. One of them, which belongs to the genus 
Astemma , whose species, Astemma apt era, has no ocelli, is 
found everywhere during summer-time, especially in the fields 
and gardens ; but it often runs about on the ground on roads 
Y 2 
