FARMERS’ 
BULLETIN 
Wasuinaton, D.C. 658 Marcu 27, 1915 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O. Howard, Chief. 
COCKROACHES. 
By C. L. Maruarr, 
Entomologist and Acting Chief in the Absence of the Chief. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. | Page. 
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DISTRIp Mion and histOnyeese se --me~ ose. 2 | The common domestic roaches......-...----- 
Sinuctural characteristics see o-- =). se- == 4 | Natural enemies and parasites........-.----- 
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INTRODUCTION. 
Roaches are among the commonest and most offensive of the insects 
which frequent human habitations. They were well known to the 
ancients, who called them lucifuga, from their habit of always shun- 
ning the light. The common English name for them, or, more prop- 
erly, for the common domestic English species, is “‘black beetle.” In 
America this name has not been adopted to any extent for this insect, 
which was early introduced here, and the term ‘‘roach,” or ‘ cock- 
roach,” is the common appellation of all the domestic species. The 
little German roach, however, is very generally known as the ‘‘ Croton 
bug,’ or ‘water bug,’ from its early association with the Croton 
waterworks system in New York City. The popular designations of 
this insect in Germany illustrate in an amusing way both sectional 
and racial prejudices. In north Germany these roaches are known as 
‘““Schwaben,” a term which applies to the inhabitants of south Ger- 
many, and the latter section retaliates by calling them ‘“ Preussen,” 
after the north Germans. In east Germany they are called ‘‘ Rus- 
sen,’ and in west Germany “‘Franzosen,” the last two appellations 
Norr.—This bulletin is of special interest to housekeepers throughout the United States. It is a 
révision of Circular No. 51 of the Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
83143 °—15. 1 
