312 INSECTS AFFECTING MAN AND HOUSEHOLD 



surfaces of human beings and animals. Among these are oil of 

 tar and pennyroyal, citronella, citronella mixed with vaseline, 

 and the various "fly dopes" which are advertised for this purpose. 

 Smudges of smoke are good protection for animals and sometimes 

 are used about the camp. Pyrethrum powder burned upon pieces 

 of bark in the house or in a tent will kill or drive away black flies. 

 The "No-see-um," or "Punkie." This tiny speck of a fly 

 (Fig. 319) (Creptopogon sp.), barely visible to the naked eye, and 

 capable of getting through the finest netting, is frequently a great 



tormentor of human beings who visit 

 the wilderness during the summer. It 

 is yellowish, and its transparent wings 

 are marked with cloudy areas. 



The ointments advised for buffalo 

 gnats are partially effective. 



Mites. These minute animals (Car- 

 poglyphus passularum Herring) are not 

 insects, but belong to the class Arach- 

 nida and order Acarina. Unlike in- 

 sects, they have four pairs of legs in 

 the adult stage. Originally an European 

 species, this has been introduced on 

 our west coast. It is found in stored 

 fruits, especially such as come from 

 California, rendering them unfit for use ; 

 it is frequently found in California figs. 

 Fumigation under proper conditions 

 FIG. 3i9. "No-see-um," "punkie." should do much to destroy these pests. 

 (Lugger.) (See discussion of f um ig a tion.) 



Wood Ticks. Several species of ticks other than the two known 

 fever-bearing forms are found in the United States. Many of 

 these attack man, and practically all of them cause irritations and 

 sores. Sometimes serious inflammation is caused where they 

 attach themselves to human beings. They are often found attack- 

 ing dogs, rabbits and other animals. The female ticks, which 

 have strong hooks at the end of the rostrum with which they 

 anchor themselves to the flesh, are the dangerous individuals. 

 They become engorged with the blood of the host and finally drop 

 from a rabbit or dog, as the case may be, and lay their eggs on the 

 ground. 



Control, No absolutely effective method of control is available. 



