ENTOMOLOGY. 63 



blood, are discussed and remedies given. Thorough and daily inspec- 

 tion of beds and bedding form the best safeguard against the former 

 insect. Benzine and the like should be used freely. Corrosive subli- 

 mate and hot water are effectual. Iron or brass bedsteads should be 

 used instead of wooden ones. The conenose can be excluded from the 

 house by screens. 



House flies, centipedes, and other insects that are annoying rather than 

 injurious, L. 0. Howard and G. L. Marlatt (pp. 43-57). — Here are treated 

 the common house fly (Musca domestica), stable fly (IStomoxys calcitrans), 

 cluster fly (Pollenia rudis), another stable fly {Gyrtoneura stabulans), 

 the so called blue bottle fly (Galliphora erythrocephala), green bottle fly 

 (Lucilia ccesar), small house fly (Homaloniyia canicular is), house centi- 

 pede (Scutigera forceps), clover mite (Bryobia pratensis), house crickets 

 (Gri/Ilus domesticus and G. assimilis), Meld cricket (G. luctuosus), paper 

 wasp ( Vespa germanica), and bald faced hornet ( Yespa maculata). The 

 difference between the flies is pointed out and the observations and 

 experiments of A. S. Packard, Ue Geer, and Bouche are noted as 

 showing that horse manure is the favorite breeding place of the house 

 fly. Continuous observations made upon the larvae of flies breeding 

 most freely in this substance indicate that they molt twice and that 

 therefore there are 3 distinct larval stages. The periods of develop- 

 ment were found to be nearly as follows: £ day for the egg from depo- 

 sition to hatching; 1 day for the larva to the first molt; 1 day to the 

 second molt; 3 days to pupation, and 5 days to the time of the emer- 

 gence of the adult insect, making a total of about 10 days. It follows, 

 therefore, that in the climate of Washington there is an abundance of 

 time every summer for the development of 12 or 13 generations of flies. 

 The number of eggs laid by au individual fly averages about 120. 



Among the natural enemies of the fly are the house centipede and a 

 fungus disease known as Empusina muscce. The prompt gathering of 

 horse manure in cities, and treating it with lime is recommended, along 

 with general cleanliness, as the proper preventive. Under the head of 

 the house centipede the authors figure and describe a young stage of 

 the animal in which there are 9 pairs of perfect legs and as many as 3 

 pairs of leg buds. This is the youngest stage thus far described. An 

 endeavor is made to remove the popular fear of the centipede and to show 

 that it is a friend, aiding in keeping in check various household pests. 

 The clover mite is included, because during its migrations in the fall it 

 sometimes enters houses in enormous numbers. The pests may be dis- 

 posed of by means of insect powders, the use of burning brimstone, 

 spraying with benzine, etc. Entrance to the house may be prevented 

 by spraying the sides of the house liberally with kerosene or by treat- 

 ing the lawns with kerosene emulsion. Crickets are noted at some 

 length as ravaging curtains, garments, etc. They may be destroyed 

 by the use of poisoned baits. The paper wasp should be excluded from 

 the house by means of screens. 



