Chapter VIII 



INSECTS WITH MYRIAPODA 



MYRIAPODA 



(Order Chilopoda, see Appendix B, p. 558.) 



Order SCHIZOTARSIA 



Family CERMATiiDiE 



Cermatia smithii, Newport 



One example of this species was received recently (1919) at the 

 Dominion Museum, Wellington. It was taken at Wanganui. 



INSECTA 



(The scheme of classification generally adopted is that used by Dr D. 

 Sharp in the Cambridge Natural History, but I have been obliged to depart 

 from it in regard to several groups, especially those of parasitic insects, 

 regarding which the classification is still in a condition of flux.) 



Order I. APTERA 



Sub-order THYSANURA 



Family Lepismid^e 



Lepisma saccharina, Linn. (Silver-fish), Bristle-tail or Fish-moth 



This species is very common throughout the North Island, but 

 not so widespread in the South. (Dr Hilgendorf reports it as only 

 found in heated linen cupboards about Christchurch.) I have found 

 it by no means uncommon in Dunedin. Mr Philpott has only found 

 it in one locality in Southland. Hudson considers it was introduced 

 at a very early date. 



Mr Howes reports it from houses in Wellington, Christchurch 

 and Invercargill. " It is undoubtedly throughout N.Z. but cannot be 

 said to be conunon." 



This insect is essentially a vegetable feeder, but its favourite 

 food is starch. Hence the damage it does to books and papers, 

 muslin curtains, starched articles of clothing, and silk garments and 

 tapestry which have been stiffened with starch. They are great pests 

 in libraries, where they eat the glaze, paste of the labels and the 

 surface of the paper. 



A number of insects sent to Mr Jas. Drummond in May, 1913, 



