THE STINGING-BUG.—Phymata Erosa, Fabr.
This insect is very widely distributed throughout the United States. I have received it from Maryland to Missouri on the South, and from Michigan to Minnesota on the North. The insect will lie concealed among the flowers, and upon occasion will grasp a bee, hold it off at arm's length, and suck out its blood and life.
This is a Hemipteran, or true bug, and belongs to the family Phymatidæ Uhr. It is the Phymata Erosa, Fabr., the specific name erosa referring to its jagged appearance. It is also called the "stinging bug," in reference to its habit of repelling intrusion by a painful thrust with its sharp, strong; beak.
| Fig. 118.— Side view, natural size. | Fig. 119.— Magnified twice. | Fig. 120.— Beak, much magnified. | ||
The "stinging bug" ([Fig, 118]) is somewhat jagged in appearance, about three-eighths of an inch long, and generally of a yellow color; though this latter seems quite variable. Frequently there is a distinct greenish hue. Beneath the abdomen, and on the back of the head, thorax and abdomen, it is more or less specked with brown; while across the dorsal aspect of the broadened abdomen is a marked stripe of brown ([Fig, 119 d, d]). Sometimes this stripe is almost wanting, sometimes a mere patch, while rarely the whole abdomen, is very slightly marked, and as often we find it almost wholly brown above and below. The legs ([Fig. 119, 6]), beak and antennæ ([Fig. 119, a]) are greenish yellow. The beak ([Fig. 120]) has three joints ([Fig. 120, a, b, c]) and a sharp point ([Fig. 120, d]).
| Fig. 121.— Antenna, much magnified. | Fig. 122.— Anterior Leg, magnified—exterior view. | Fig. 123.— Interior view. | ||
This beak is not only the great weapon of offense, but also the organ through which the food is sucked. By the use of this, the insect has gained the soubriquet of stinging bug. This compact jointed beak is peculiar to all true bugs, and by observing it alone, we are able to distinguish all the very varied forms of this group. The antenna ([Fig, 121]) is; four-jointed. The first joint ([Fig, 121, a]) is short, the second and third ([Fig. 121, b and c]) are long and slim, while the terminal one ([Fig. 121, d]) is much enlarged. This enlarged joint is one of the characteristics of the genus Phymata, as described by Latreille. But the most curious structural peculiarity of this insect, and the chief character of the genus Phymata, is the enlarged anterior legs (Figs. [122], [123] and [124]). These, were they only to aid in locomotion, would seem like awkward, clumsy organs, but when we learn that they are used to grasp and hold their prey, then we can but appreciate and admire their modified form. The femur ([Fig, 122, b]) and the tarsus ([Fig. 122, a]) are toothed, while the latter is greatly enlarged. From the interior lower aspect of the femur ([Fig, 123]) is the small tibia, while on the lower edge of the tarsus ([Fig, 123, d]) is a cavity in which rests the single claw. The other four legs ([Fig, 125]) are much as usual.
| Fig. 124.— Claw, extended. | Fig. 125.— Middle Leg, much magnified. | |
This insect, as already intimated, is very predaceous, lying in wait, often almost concealed, among flowers, ready to capture and destroy unwary plant-lice, caterpillars, beetles, butterflies, moths, and even bees and wasps. We have already noticed how well prepared it is for this work by its jaw-like anterior legs, and its sharp, strong, sword-like beak.
It is often caught on the golden rod. This plant, from its very color, tends to conceal the hug, and from the very character of the plant—being attractive as a honey plant to bees—the slow bug is enabled to catch the spry and active honey-bee.