The eggs of the C. sanguisuga are at first white, then become yellow, then pink; the young hatch in twenty days. There are two larval and two pupal stages, the latter showing wing-pads. The eggs are laid and the young feed out of doors, chiefly upon insects. It is particularly abundant in April and May indoors.
Conorhinus, sp. novum (Monster Bug).
Another species; acts in a very similar way in California, the bite being very poisonous.
Conorhinus rubrofasciatus, de Geer[366] (Malay Bug).
This large bug attacks man in Malaysia and elsewhere. It is recorded as inflicting “a very nasty sting, which is done by the huge proboscis.” Acute pain and inflammation follow in a few minutes. In one case the whole leg became swollen. This species occurs over the whole Oriental region, in Madagascar and Sierra Leone. It is dark brown in colour with dusky yellow or brick-red markings on the pronotum and elytra. Donovan suggests that it may be connected with the kala-azar piroplasma.
Conorhinus renggeri, Herr-Schäff
(Great Black Bug of Pampas).
This large black bug is mentioned by Darwin,[367] who states as follows: “At night I experienced an attack (for it deserves no less a name) of the benchuca, a species of Reduvius, the great black bug of the Pampas. It is most disgusting to feel soft wingless insects, about an inch long, crawling over one’s body. Before sucking they are quite thin, but afterwards they become round and bloated with blood, and in this state are easily crushed. One which I caught at Iquique (for they are found in Chili and Peru) was very empty. When placed on a table, and though surrounded by people, if a finger was presented the bold insect would immediately protrude its sucker, make a charge and, if allowed, draw blood. No pain was caused by the wound. It was curious to watch its body during the action of sucking, as in less than ten minutes it changed from being flat as a wafer to a globular form. This one feast, for which the benchuca was indebted to one of the officers, kept it fat during four whole months, but after the first fortnight it was quite ready to have another suck.” Mr. Kirby[368] also refers to this species.
Conorhinus variegatus (Variegated Cone-nose).
Occurs in Florida in houses, and chases bugs (Cimex) and flies; not definitely known to bite man.