CHAPTER XV 



INSECTS AFFECTING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND 

 STORED FOOD PRODUCTS 



128. Cockroaches (31).* Roaches are undoubtedly 

 among the most offensive of all household pests and are usu- 

 ally present only in old houses or where cleanliness has been 

 neglected. In restaurants, boarding houses and on ship- 

 board they often become very serious pests. They are so 



FIG. 151. The German roach (Blatella germanica). (From Riley.) 



a, first stage; b, second stage; c, third stage; d, fourth stage; e, adult; /, adult 

 female with egg case; g, egg case, enlarged; h, adult with wings spread. All natural 

 size except g. 



well known as hardly to need description, but there are 

 three species which may be distinguished. The German 

 Roach or Croton Bug f is so-called because it was imported 

 into New York City about the time of the installation of 

 the Croton water system and, as the roaches crawl through 

 the holes made in floors for water pipes, they spread more 

 * Family Blattidce, see page 52. f Ectobia germanica Linn. 



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