32 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



jointed antennge, the last joint not enlarged or clavate. They 

 seldom, if ever, have wings. In addition to the common bed- 

 bug, there are species infesting pigeons ((7. columbarius 

 Jenyns) ; swallows ((7. hirundinis J .^ ; and bats (C. pipistreUi 

 J.). It is doubtful, however, whether all these be not identical 

 with the common species. At any rate, it appears that the 

 common bed-bug will attach itself to bats and various birds, 

 when opportunities occur. 



The Bed-Bug , QCimex lectularius Linn.). Figure 28. 



This species has long been notorious. It was mentioned 

 by Pliny, Aristophanes, Aristotle, Dioscorides, and other an- 

 cient writer's. Yet English writers have argued that it was 

 first carried to that country from America, and thence to 

 the continent of Europe. Moffitt mentions it, however, as 

 having been seen in England as early as 1503, though it does 

 not appear to have been common there until a century later. 

 Its early English name was " wall louse " ; the term " bug " 

 was applied to it much later, its original meaning having been 

 nearly synonymous with " bug-bear." 



At the present day this insect is sufficiently common 

 throughout the civilized world, if not among the barbarians 

 also. Its form and general appearance are well shown in Fig- 

 ure 28, which represents it considerably larger than ordinary 

 specimens. Its size varies greatly, however, according to its 

 locality and the amount of blood it has been able to imbibe. 

 Its color, when young, is pale yellowish, the blood in the in- 

 testine showing through; as it grows older it becomes darker, 

 until, when full grown, it is reddish brown, the color being 

 darker wlien filled with blood. The eyes are small and bright 

 red ; the proboscis is much like that of the ordinary blood- 

 sucking Heraiptera, which prey on other insects ; the labium 

 forms a three jointed sheath or tube, the middle joint being 

 broadest, the last one sharply pointed ; the labrum is broader 

 than the basal joint, which it overlaps. According to Dr. 

 Packard, the internal structure is as follows: " Tlie mandibles 

 and maxillae arise near each other, in the middle of the head, 

 opposite the eyes, their bases slightly diverging. Thence they 

 converge to the mouth, over which they meet, and beyond are 



