REDUV1ID2EJ. 
697 
Valleriola cicindeloides, Dist. (A. N. H., 1909, p. 40), is found at 
Pusa running actively near an open water channel ; it is extremely like 
a Cicindela in appearance and movements, and appears to be predaceous 
upon other insects. 
Reduviid^e. 
Rostrum curved, usually stout, not closely pressed to the prosternum. 
Head usually elongate. 
The strong curved beak is characteristic of the family and cannot 
be mistaken in the field. They are insects of moderate size from a 
quarter to over one inch in length, usually about half an inch. Colour¬ 
ing is either dull and sombre or vivid and warning, red and black 
being common in the latter case. A small number of species resemble 
the large brown Coreids, some resemble flies and Neuroptera, and 
others mimic brightly coloured Pyrrhocorids and Lygseids. The head 
is long, the eyes situate remote from the edge of the pronotum. The 
antennae are simple and of moderate length. The rostrum is, with 
few exceptions, three-jointed. The prothorax is distinct and well 
developed, often transversely constricted in the middle. The wings lie 
flat on the abdomen in most species. The legs are long, formed for 
quick running ; the femora and tibiae are often spined. The form of 
the body is varied and while many are robust and similar to Lygceidce, 
some are slender and resemble delicate flies. The sexes are usually 
similar, the female sometimes wingless when the male is winged. 
Remarkably little is known of the details of the life-histories. Eggs 
are laid in clusters on plants or other objects in the open and are, in 
the known cases, of the cylindrical form found in Pentatomids with a lid 
that allows of emergence. The nymphs are similar in form and colour¬ 
ing to the adult, the wings developed during the later instars. Both 
nymphs and adults are found on plants, on grass, among herbage, 
under fallen leaves and in other situations in the open. A number are 
known to feed on the body fluids of insects, which they pierce with the 
beak and suck out, while the spined forelegs hold them. Some of 
these species have a painful bite, due to the injection of fluid at the 
moment of puncture. Others feed upon the juices of plants and 
somewhat divergent views are expressed as to the relative numbers 
which are predaceous and herbivorous. It is probably correct to say 
