824 



A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 



early settlers is uncertain. It is quite likely, however, that like the 

 wood-rats they may have been introduced from the West Indies by 

 earlier visitors. 



Cockroaches are much less numerous here than might be expected 

 in so warm a climate. They are undoubtedly kept in check to a 

 great extent by the common ichneumon parasite (Urania appendi- 

 f/aster, p. 754, fig. 109), which destroys the eggs in the egg-capsules. 

 The Agua Toad also feeds largely on cockroaches, as shown by its 

 stomach contents. They are also destroyed by the larger spiders 

 and centipedes. 



American Cockroach. (Periplaneta Americana (L.)Burm.; Sauss.) 



Figures 198 ; 199. Plate XCIX ; Figure 19, a. 



Very common and perhaps indigenous: It is one of the most 

 abundant species here. Supposed to be of American origin, but 

 now found in nearly all warm countries, especially on the sea-coasts. 

 It sometimes lives among and under the decaying debris, just above 

 high-tide, but is mostly found in houses and stores and on ships. 



Figure 199.— American Cockroach ; a large male ; about nat. size. Length 

 43 mm . Phot, by A. H. V. from a Bermuda specimen. 



It is yellowish or rusty brown, but the thorax (pronotum) is 

 usually marked with a sub-marginal pale yellowish band, and often 

 with a triangular median spot of the same, which may be divided. 

 The elytra of the male reach decidedly beyond the end of the body ; 

 in the female they are much shorter. The adult male is decidedly 



