90 PARASITES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



morphosis is incomplete, the immature insect resembling the adult ex- 

 cept in the absence of wings. 



Family Cimicid^ 



Hemiptera (p. 89). Bedbug and allies. — The body is much flat- 

 tened and is ovate in outline. The adults are reddish brown in color ; 

 young yellowish white. AVhen full grown they are from one-sixth to one- 

 fifth of an inch in length. The mouth parts inclose long slender stylets 

 (Fig. 61, d). Ocelli are absent. Wing-covers rudimentary (Fig. 61, c). 



CiMEx Lectularius 



Acanthia lectularia. The common bedbug. (Fig. 61). — Cimicidse 

 (p. 90). The body is covered with short hairs; rostrum short; third 

 and fourth joints of antennae much thinner than first and second; second 

 segment of antennae shorter than third. 



The eggs are oval, pearly-white, and about a millimeter in length. 

 The young leave the egg by a small operculum at the end. The female 

 deposits from one hundred to two hundred eggs in cracks, crevices, and 

 seams of beds and bedding, beneath loose portions of wall-paper, base- 

 boards, floor spaces, and similar retreats. 



Hatching occurs in about one week. Development from the nymphal 

 to the adult stage will, under favorable conditions, occupy about six 

 weeks. The time required for the development of adults from deposited 

 eggs under such conditions may, therefore, be approximated at from 

 seven to eight weeks. 



Habits and Effect of Bite. — In their feeding habits bedbugs are 

 nocturnal, hiding in their darkened retreats during the day and coming 

 forth at night to crawl upon the legs, arms, neck, or other unprotected 

 parts of their victims, where they will feed to repletion. After this en- 

 gorgment the insects will retreat to their usual haunts to remain for 

 several days, during which time the meal is digested. 



The effect of the bite of the bedbug varies, depending upon the sus- 

 ceptibihty of the one attacked. In some it produces marked irritation 

 with more or less sweUing; others may not be made aware of its presence. 

 The inflammation experienced by sensitive persons seems to result 

 mainly from the puncture of the skin. The biting organ is like that of 

 other hempiterous insects; there are four piercing filaments within the 

 labium which is closely applied to the point of puncture as the blood is 

 drawn up. 



The degree to which the insect may injure other animals than man is 

 somewhat obscure. Probably the same or closely allied species to those 

 attacking man attack animals in the same manner. Chickens are es- 



