698 
RHYNCHOTA. 
that of the common plains’ species the majority are predaceous, a 
smaller number, especially those living on trees, herbivorous. Many 
are diurnal in habit, many nocturnal and the latter are attracted to 
light. As in other insects with no metamorphosis, the imaginal life is 
more extended and important than the nymphal. The duration of 
nymphal life is not known in detail ; hibernation, aestivation and 
similar states are apparently passed mainly in the imaginal stage and 
no definite seasons for reproduction, etc., have been established. Like 
other insects they are most active and abundant during the rains, when 
both insect and plant life affords abundant food, but they are also to be 
found at other times, except when cold causes them to become dormant. 
None are recorded as pests and it is believed that most are beneficial. 
Nothing is known as to the enemies of these insects. Their powerful 
odour and, in some species, their poisonous bite are defensive and 
may protect them from birds and other foes. The species of Acanthas- 
pis, Conorhinus, Pirates and Ectrychotes especially have a poisoned 
bite, one so painful that they should be handled by the student with 
care, lest in the surprise of the sudden pain the specimen escape. 
Reduviidce occur throughout the tropical and temperate zones, with 
the maximum development in moist tropical areas. The family is a 
large one and over 250 species are recorded as Indian by Distant in 
the Fauna of India. The greater number of these are recorded from the 
hills and the family does not seem to have been much collected in the 
plains. 
The student requiring to identify species should consult the Fauna 
of India ; the sub-families are a little complex, but are readily grasped 
if a reference collection is available or if a good number of specimens 
representing different sub-families can be compared; in the Harpac- 
torinae, the absence of any definite keys to the divisions makes the 
matter confusing but with patience the genus can be made out. 
Holoptilince .—Membrane large, extending beyond the abdomen. 
Legs and antennae with long hairs. Holoptilus is the only one of the 
two Indian genera likely to be found and none are common. 
Emesince. —Anterior coxae long, legs raptorial as in the Mantidae. 
They are very slender insects, with long legs and some are apterous. 
One species, allied to Myophanes , has been found in the plains; the long 
