686 
RHYNCHOTA. 
ocelli, it may be either family. The Lygceidce are small insects, few 
exceeding one-third of an inch. Some are vividly coloured with 
warning tints, the majority are dull 
earth or bark colour. The head is 
distinct, the antennae moderately long, 
with compound eyes and ocelli. The 
rostrum is straight, in repose closely 
applied to the under-surface of the 
body between the legs. The legs are 
long, formed for active running. The 
hemelytra lie closely on the abdomen. 
Males are distinguishable only with 
difficulty and there are no obvious 
external characters. 
Practically nothing is known of the 
life-history and food of these insects, 
the life-history of only one species 
(Oxycarcenus Icetus, Kby.), having been worked out in India. A few 
are plant-feeding, one is injurious to a crop plant, one is predaceous 
and the food of the remainder is a matter of doubt. Distant remarks 
that the family is an important one economically. This does not apply 
to India ; we include only one Lygaeid in our list of injurious insects, 
this being Oxycarcenus Icetus , Kby., the Dusky Bug of Cotton. 
Distant enumerates 143 species in the Fauna of India, and has added 
others since (A. N. H., 1909, p. 317). 
The Indian forms fall into nine sub-families as listed in the Fauna 
of India ; it is probable that the classification of these insects will be con¬ 
siderably improved by revision, when more natural divisions are 
adopted. 
Lygceince .—The brightly coloured forms are included here, small 
red and black insects common everywhere on vegetation. 
Lygceus militaris, Fabr., is very common a,nd occurs on cotton and 
other plants as well as on akh ( Calotropis ). It is not injurious and 
seldom abundant. The fore femora are armed with spines. The small 
oval eggs are laid in clusters on soil or on sheltered spots on the food 
plant, the young being red. L. hospes , Fabr., is smaller, without the 
Fig. 448— Head of coeeid (above) 
AND LYG.EID. 
