RELATION TO THE HOUSEHOLD 



227 



long spiny legs, long slender feelers, and the head bent 

 down so that the mouth comes almost between the 

 front legs. Some are winged and some are not; but 

 even the winged species do not as a rule fly readily and 

 some never at all. They hide in crevices during the day 

 and roam abroad at night seeking what they may de- 

 vour, and they are not at all particular what it is; dry 

 scraps of animal matter, moist vegetable matter almost 

 anything indeed that can be eaten. Moist articles are 



FIG. 106. The "Croton bug," Ectobia germanica: a, first; b, second; c, third; 

 d, fourth stage; e, adult; f, female with egg case; g, detached egg-case; h, adult 

 with wings spread. 



preferred and a warm wet dishrag which was not washed 

 after using has almost irresistible attractions. If there 

 was only one roach in a kitchen and I wanted that roach 

 I would place just such a rag on the middle of the floor 

 soon after dark, and I. would expect that roach there 

 before ten o'clock. This applies more particularly to the 

 large oriental roach or "black beetle" which is very 

 heavy, does not climb much, and prefers moist places. 

 The " croton bug" or "German roach" is a much 

 smaller species, climbs readily, and favors drier places. 

 It is much bolder than the oriental species, and is not 

 infrequently seen during the day. 



