416 



HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



fact that these insects are given names in every country 

 in which they occur that have reference to this attributed 

 habit of entering the ears of human beings. For instance, 

 in Germany an earwig is known as an Ohren-wurm, while 

 in France it is known as perce oreille. Despite this wide- 

 spread and persistent attempt to connect these insects 

 with human ears, by name at least, there does not appear 

 to be one iota of evidence to show that the earwigs are 

 any more apt to get in one's ears than 

 are other insects. In fact, there are 

 on record a few cases where other 

 species of insects have accidentally 

 crawled into the ears of people, but 

 never a case has been reported, so 

 far as the author is aware, of an ear- 

 wig's performing a like feat. It seems 

 to be the general consensus of opinion 

 among entomologists that earwigs are 

 harmless insects. 



There are in the order Hemiptera 

 several species that may cause severe 

 pain by the punctures of their pro- 

 bosces. Among these are the small 

 water insects, known as back-swimmers, Notonectidoe. The 

 back of one of these insects is more or less keeled like a 

 boat and, unlike all other aquatic insects, these notonectids 

 swim on their backs, using the hind pair of legs as oars. 

 They possess a short, powerful beak with which they can 

 inflict most painful stings, which they will sometimes do 

 if handled roughly. Under ordinary conditions they try 

 to escape from man. Riley says that the pain from the 

 puncture of the proboscis may last "sometimes for hours." 



FIG. 143. An earwig. 

 (X2.) 



