. The American entomologist. Entomology. THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 47 the difference between the beaks of the cannibal sub-group and the phint-feediug sub-groups of this family, Fig. 41 a gives a magnified view of the beak of our insect seen from beIo\r, and Fig. 41 c a similarly magnified view of that of a plant-feeder belonging to the same family {Euschistus jninctipes, Say), which is so nearly of the same size, shape and color as our canni- bal friend, that at first sight many persons would mistake cue for the other. The Spined Soldier-bug, however, may be at once distin- guished from all
. The American entomologist. Entomology. THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 47 the difference between the beaks of the cannibal sub-group and the phint-feediug sub-groups of this family, Fig. 41 a gives a magnified view of the beak of our insect seen from beIo\r, and Fig. 41 c a similarly magnified view of that of a plant-feeder belonging to the same family {Euschistus jninctipes, Say), which is so nearly of the same size, shape and color as our canni- bal friend, that at first sight many persons would mistake cue for the other. The Spined Soldier-bug, however, may be at once distin- guished from all allied bugs, whether plant- feeders or cannibals, by the opaque brown streak at the transparent and glassy tip of its wing- cases. Two years ago we were informed by our or- nithological friend, Dr. Velie, that a good obser- ver in Henry county, 111., had discovered that the large brown Squash-bug (Coreus tristis, DeGeer), depredated extensively upon the larva of the Colorado Potato-bug. "VVe said at the time that this must be a mistake, because not a single species of this group {Coreus family) is known to be cannibal. We can now understand how the mistake arose. No less than five per- sons in South Illinois, to whom we showed a specimen of the Spined Soldier-bug, said at once: ""VVHiy, that is nothing but a Squash- ; And yet in the eyes of an entomologist the Squash-bug looks as diflerent from the Spined Soldier-bug as a cow does from a horse! That our readers may see the wide difference between the two insects, we give by the side of the wood-cut of the Spined Soldier-bug (Fig. 41 b) a correct drawing of the Squash-bug (Fig. 4-^0. and of its beak (Fig. 42 6). The Spined Soldier-bug by no means preys exclusively upon Potato-bugs. "We have caught him ill the spring of the year sucking the juices of a wild bee (Andrena) half an inch long, and carefiilly holding it out at arm's length all the time, so as to avoid its sting. He also attacks the green l
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectentomology, bookyear1
