4 FARMERS BULLETIN 754. 



of most other true bugs are lacking. The absence of wings is a most 

 fortunate circumstance, since otherwise there would be no safety 

 from it even for the most careful of housekeepers. Some slight vari- 

 ation in length of wing pads has been observed, but none with 

 wmgs showmg any considerable development has ever been found. 



THE "BUGGY" ODOR. 



Th(i most characteristic feature of the bedbug is the very distinct 

 and disagreeable odor which it exhales, an odor well known to all 

 who have been famihar with it as the "buggy" odor. This odor is 

 by no means limited to the bedbug, but is characteristic of most 

 plant bugs also. The common chinch bug affecting small grains 

 and the squash bugs all possess this odor, and it is quite as pungent 

 with these plant-feeding forms as with the human parasite. The 

 possession of this odor, disagreeable as it is, is very fortunate after 

 all, as it is of considerable assistance in 

 detecting the presence of these vermin. 

 Tlie odor comes from glands, situated 

 in various parts of the body, which se- 

 crete a clear, oily, volatile liquid. With 

 the plant-feeding forms this odor is cer- 

 *^ tainly a means of protection against in- 

 sectivorous birds, rendering these in- 

 Y sects obnoxious or distasteful to their 

 feathered enemies. With the bedbug, 

 on the other hand, it is probably an 

 FIG. 2.— Bedbufr: Adult before engorge- illustration of a very commou phenom- 

 toUonT'"'^'''^''''^''^' ^^^"""''''^^'^' eiion among animals, i. e., the persist- 

 ence of a characteristic which is no 

 longer of any especial value to the possessor. TTie natural ene- 

 mies of true bugs, agauist which this odor sen-es as a moans of pro- 

 tection, hi the conditions under which the bedbug Uves, are kept 

 away from it; and the roach, which sometimes feeds on bedbugs, is 

 evidently not deterred by the odor, while the common house ant 

 and the house centipede, which may also attack the bedbug, seem 

 not to find this odor disagreeable. 



HABITS AND LIFE HISTORY. 



The bedbug is normally noctm-nal in habits and displays a certain 

 degree of warhiess, caution, and intelligence in its efforts at conceal- 

 ment during the day. Under the stress of hunger, however, it will 

 emerge from its place of concealment in a well-lighted room at night, 

 so that under such circumstances keepmg the gas or electric light 

 burning is not a complete protection. It has been known under 

 similar conditions to attack human beings voraciously in broad 



