145 



The common West Indian species is not definitely known 

 to be a parasite of cockroaches, but it seems likely that 

 this is the case. Cockroaches are eagerly eaten by poul- 

 try, whenever the birds can find them. 



SILVER FISH (Lepisma sp.). Orthoptera. 



are 



The silver fish (Fig. 154), fish scale or fish moth, as they 

 often known, are familiar to most residents in the 



tropics. They infest books, 

 papers and photographs. 

 Various articles of clothing 

 such as woollen and silken 

 fabrics are generally believed 

 to be attacked by these pests, 

 and it is sometimes stated 

 that even cotton and linen are 

 eaten by them. They seem 

 to be most attracted, however, 

 by material in which there 



I^I^HSp is an abundance of starch or 



^^^^^^^^fc? 1 ^^ paste. A book solution, con- 



sisting of a mixture of 1 oz. of 

 corrosive sublimate, 1 oz. of 

 carbolic acid and 2 parts of 

 methylated spirit, applied to 

 the bindings of cloth-bound 

 books, will generally suffice to 

 prevent the attacks of both 

 cockroaches and silver fish. 

 Bookbinders in the tropics 

 should use a paste containing 

 bluestone (copper sulphate) at 

 the rate of |-oz. to every pound of the paste, to prevent 

 the bindings from being eaten by these pests. The abun- 

 dant use of naphthalene in the form of flakes, or in balls 

 known a$ moth balls or camphor balls, will be found very 

 useful in keeping these pests out of drawers, wardrobes, 

 storage boxes, book-shelves and similar places. 



THE HOUSE CRICKET (Amphiacusta caribbea). Orthoptera. 



This insect (Fig. 155) is often known in the We?t 

 Indies as the house or sick cricket. It occurs, sometimes in 

 great numbers, in houses, sheds, storage rooms, etc. It is 



Fig. 154. Silver fish. 

 Adult insect. Enlarged. 

 (From U. S. Dept. Agric.) 



