THE DERMAPTERA 97 



Control. — During the spring months the nymphs may be destroyed 

 by the use of poisoned bread bait, using 10 lb. of stale bread and 1 lb. of 

 Paris green or arsenic. Grind the bread fine and thoroughly mix it with 

 the poison; then add water enough to make a mixture which will run 

 through the fingers and which, spread broadcast, will scatter in small 

 particles. Spread this during the evening over lawns or gardens where 

 the insects occur. It may need to be repeated once or twice. After 

 the first of July when the earwigs have taken to feeding on blossoms, 

 the best treatment thus far found is to spray the plants at night with 

 the following contact insecticide: 



Soft potash soap 30 oz. 



Water 96 oz. 



Nicotine sulfate 40 per cent 20 teaspoonfuls 



Dissolve the soap in some of the water by heating, then add the rest 

 of the water and the nicotine sulfate, making about a gallon of stock 

 solution. For use, mix 1 part of this with 22 parts of water. The spray 

 should be a fine mist and be thoroughly applied, to be effective. 



In Europe this earwig is not a serious pest, perhaps being kept in 

 check by natural enemies not present in this country. 



The Dermaptera as a whole cannot be considered as a group of great 

 economic importance. They have sometimes been regarded as a family 

 of the Orthoptera and sometimes as a separate order akin to the latter, 

 but recent studies seem to indicate a closer relationship to the Coleoptera 

 or beetles. Probably not over 500 species of the group are known. 



