i3 2 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS . 
Figure 151 represents a common 
form, natural size. Like other 
water-bugs, these insects fly readily 
from pond to pond, and they are 
frequently attracted to lights. 
This is especially the case where 
electric lights are used, into which 
they sometimes fly and are killed 
by hundreds. On this account 
they arc known in many parts of 
the country as “ Electric-light 
Bugs; ” and in some sections the 
absurd idea prevails that they have 
appeared only recently, as if they 
were in some way a product of the 
Fig. 151 .—Belostoma americanum. electric light. 
Figure 151 represents Belostoma americanum (Be-los'to- 
ma a-mer-i-ca'num). In Belostoma the front femora are 
grooved for the reception of the tibiae, as in the preceding 
family. Another common representative of the family is 
Benacus griseus (Be-na'cus gris'e-us). This resembles Belos - 
toma americanum very closely, but can be distinguished from 
it by the absence of the femoral groove. 
There are other species of the family which are smaller 
and belong to the genus Zaitha (Za'i-tha). Figure 152 rep¬ 
resents one of these, natural size. 
In the far West there is a common spe¬ 
cies which is an inch and a half long and 
about half as broad ; this is Serphus dilatatus 
(Ser'phus dil-a-ta'tus). These insects are 
known to California children as “ Toe-biters/' 
owing to the great interest they are sup¬ 
posed to take in the feet of waders and 
swimmers. # Fig. 
The Giant Water-bugs are rapacious mine a. 
creatures, feeding on other insects and small fish. With 
