672 
RHYNCHOTA. 
Coptosoma include the species common in the plains, species which 
are distinguishable only with some care (Plate LXXII, figs. 1—4). 
B. subaeneus , Westw., is the most widely spread species of the former 
genus, and has been found destructive in one instance to jute plants 
and also to feed specially upon val (Dolichos lablab). C opto soma cribra- 
rium, Fabr., is widespread and perhaps the most generally distributed 
insect of this sub-family. Like the preceding species, this has a habit 
of clustering gregariously on growing plants, specially on the stems of 
such plants as jute and val ( Dolichos lablab) which are growing freely. 
Though very common, none appear to be pests since they do not 
confine their attacks to individual plants for a sufficiently long 
time to do harm. C. siamicum, Wlk., is widespread and common, 
appearing in abundance in the rains among dense vegetation. The life- 
history of no species has been worked out, and though these insects are 
most common in the rains, they have been found at all seasons 
of the year. 
It is a curious fact that, while the adults are commonly found 
exposed on plants, the nymphs are not, and it is probable that nymphs 
of this group live wholly in concealment at the surface of the soil or at 
the roots of plants. This applies very markedly to this sub-family and 
also to a large maj ority of the whole family ; the species whose nymphs 
are found living an open life is comparatively small and it will be 
interesting to learn details of the life of these concealed nymphs. 
Scutellerince.—The obvious character that distinguishes this sub¬ 
family is the extension of the scutellum over the hemelytra, the latter 
not being long and folded as in the previous sub-family but straight. 
The extreme base of the outer margin is alone not covered by the 
scutellum. The insects are larger, more brightly coloured and without 
the peculiar facies of the previous sub-family (Plate LXXII, figs. 5—10). 
Cantao ocellatus, Thunb., is commonly found upon trees or vegetation 
and in the fields during the rains. The female has been found to lay a 
number of eggs on a leaf and to sit over the eggs until they are hatched. 
The insect is common both in the plains and the hills. Pcecilocoris 
includes large brightly-coloured species rarely found in the plains. 
Scutellera includes plains species, the metallic green or blue insects 
found among vegetation. S . nobilis, Fabr., is the usual species, de 
