I20 First Report on Econoiuic Zoology. 



seldom flies. A smaller species, Lctbia minor, uses its wings mucli more 

 freely. The food of earwigs is very varied, tliey are both carnivorous 

 and herbivorous ; hops, fruit, snails, slugs, flowers, leaves, etc., form 

 their bill of fare as a rule. 



" They are mostly nocturnal in habits, hiding away during the day 

 in crevices in walls, woodwork, etc., under the bark of trees, under 

 clods of earth, and any shelter upon the ground. They lay their eggs 

 in a hole in the ground, about twenty to thirty yellowish ova being 

 placed together. Some authorities say the female looks after these 

 eggs and the young for some time. They take from two to four 

 weeks to incubate. The young are at first very pallid and wingless, 

 but after several moults they reach the matiu'e winged form. The 

 winter is passed in the adult stage, the insects hibernating under the 

 bark of trees, beneath rubbish, etc. They become noticeable in the 

 latter part of the summer, especially in August, but may be found 

 much sooner. The small Earwig (Lahia minar) flies in the day-time 

 as well as at niglit. 



"With regard to their destruction, 'trapping' is the most successful 

 method. Place some baskets filled with straw or dry moss under the 

 windows and some flower pots filled with moss on the window sills. 

 These should be examined in the day-time and the insects collected 

 and destroyed. I do not think you could employ any chemical, as 

 they get into so many places of a day-time ; but by ' trapping ' you 

 will get rid of the nuisance, especially if you put a plum or other 

 fruit in each pot." 



SUB-GROUP B. 



Acarine Household Pests. 



{Glyciphagus domesticus and G. spinipes). 



Several instances of acarine pests have been reported. Mr, 

 White WTites from Bii'mingham, " This mite is a veritable plague in 

 my house." It proved to be the Glyciijhagus do^nesticus, De Geer 

 (the G. cursor of Gervais). 



Another con'espondent wrote from Walthamstow as follows : — 



" I have upholstered a suite for my firm which has been sent into 

 the country, and since it has been in the customer's possession it has 

 developed a small insect as sample sent on enclosed piece of banding 

 . . . my firm seem to think I have been using dirty material, but it 

 is nothing of the kind." 



The mites sent were identified by Albert Michael, Esq., as 



