ORTHOPTERA. 



93 



Fig. 86.— Ootheca of a Cock- 

 roach. 



like pod (Fig. 86). This pod varies in form in different genera ; but 

 is more or less bean-shaped. Upon one edge 

 there is a longitudinal slit. Within, the cap- 

 sule is divided into two spaces, in each of 

 which there is a row of separate chambers, 

 each chamber enclosing an egg. The females 



carry this pod, or ootheca, as it is termed, about with them, pro- 

 truding from the end of the abdomen for several days. 



The use of Pyrethrum or Persian insect-powder is the most effi- 

 cient means of ridding an infested house of these pests. It should 

 be sprinkled about their haunts at night, or blown into the cracks 

 from which they come. (See Chapter XIV., Pyrethrum). 



The Croton-bug {Blatta germanicd). — This is the best known of all 

 of the cockroaches in our Northern cities. The above popular name 

 originated in New York City, and was suggested by the fact that 

 these pests are very abundant, in houses, about the 

 water-pipes connected with the Croton Aqueduct. 

 The adult insect varies in length from ii mm. to 13 

 mm. (0.43 in. to 0.51 in.). It is light brown in color, 

 with two longitudinal black stripes on the pronotum. 

 The wings extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. 

 This is an imported species, which has spread to 

 nearly all parts of the world, living upon ships, and 

 spreading from them. (Fig. 87.) 



The Oriental Cockroach {Periplaneta orientdlis). — 

 This also is a cosmopolite, which, like the preceding 

 species, is a great pest in dwellings throughout the civilized world. 

 It is dark brown, and measures from 20 mm. to 23 mm. (0.8 in. to 0.9 

 in. in length). With the females the tegmina are only about 4 mm. 

 in length, and have no wings under them. In the males both pairs 

 of Wings are developed, but do not reach to the end ol the 

 abdomen. 



Of our native species there are two which I have found very com- 

 mon at the North. Ectobia flavocincta is a blackish-brown species, 

 about 16 mm. (0.63 in.) in length, with a light stripe extending on 

 each side from the head along the margin of the pronotum and the 

 basal half of the tegmina. The wing-covers do not quite reach the tip 

 of the abdomen. Platamodes pennsylvanica is a much larger species. 

 with long delicate light-colored tegmina and wings. These extend 

 beyond the tip of the abdomen. The margin of the pronotum is 

 light, while the disk is dark ; and the lateral margins of the tegmina, 

 7 



Fig. 87.— The 

 Croton buj, r . 



