38 



22. The voracity of these is so great, and their growth so rapid, that it is said they will 

 increase two hundred times in weight in twenty-four hours. Linnaeus asserted that three 

 female flies and their immediate progeny would devour a horse more quickly than would 

 a lion. 



The well-known Blow Fly, or Blue Bottle (Musca vomitoria), in the same family and 

 order, unlike the flesh fly, lays eggs. 



The larvse of both the above-named flies are pointed at the head and truncated at the 

 tail. They are used by anglers, and are called gentles. 



To preserve meat from fly-blows, keep it in ice-houses, refrigerators, or wire safes. 



9. The Bacon Beetle (Dermestes lardarius) belongs to the family Dermestidce in the 

 order Coleoptera. This insect is well known, and is much dreaded by Entomologists on 

 account of the destruction it works among their dried specimens. The creature lays its 

 eggs upon stuffed birds, skins, hams, dried meat, etc. The hairy larva is whitish brown 

 above, and white beneath. Its body is elongated and tapers towards the tail, which ends 

 in two spines. The cast skins of the larvse are often the tokens of its presence. The 

 perfect beetle is about a quarter of an inch long. Its colour is dull black, relieved by a 

 broad greyish band across the base of the elytra. This band is a growth of thick grey 

 down, and the spots that are found in it are places where the down is wanting. The 

 insect is oblong and compact. Its elytra cover the abdomen. The antenna? are clavated. 



The use of benzine will save the stuffed birds ; and care and cleanliness will banish 

 the beetles from the larder. 



10. The Cheese Fly (Piophila casei) belongs to the family Muscidce in the order Diptera. 

 The larvae of this insect are the well-known "hoppers" found in cheese. They are 

 whitish in colour ; and in shape they are tapering — pointed at the head and truncated 

 behind. The head is furnished with mouth-hooks, by means of which the creature draws 

 itself along. It has the power of leaping four or five inches. To accomplish the feat, 

 it brings its head and tail together, grappling the edge of the latter with the hooks at the 

 mouth, and then, suddenly quitting its hold, it is jerked by the rebound to the distance 

 named. 



The perfect insect is a shining black fly, three-twentieths of an inch in length. Its 

 wings are transparent, and its hindmost and middle legs are yellow. 



To preserve cheese from the fly, keep it in a closely covered earthen jar. 



Ill' — Insects Affecting House Plants. 



11. The Scale Insect (Lecanium hesperidum). Oleanders, rose-bushes, abutilons, etc., 

 are often infested with this creature which belongs to the family Coccidce in the order 

 Hemiptera. The scale is convex, smooth and shining. It is dark brown in colour and of 

 an oval shape. The short legs and thread-like antenna? are hidden by the shell. The 

 insects are found lying longitudinally, with the head upwards, on the stems and branches.. 

 The damage they do is caused by suction — the creatures insert their beaks and imbibe 

 the sap, and so doing weaken the plants. The young larva? are of a yellowish colour. 



The presence of the scale insect betokens too dry an atmosphere. 

 Wash the affected plants with a mixture of kerosene oil, milk and water, in equal 

 parts. It can be applied with a i-ag or sponge. 



12. The Mealy Bug (Dactylopius adonidum). This also belongs to the Coccidce. It is 

 universally distributed. When ijull grown it is one-eighth of an inch in length. It is of 

 an oblong shape flattened at the head. It has two long spines at the end of the body, 

 and other spines along the side. It is covered with a white mealy substance. The male 

 is a winged insect. 



Whiskey applied with a brush will kill the bugs. 



1 3. The Red Spider (Tetranychus telarhvs). This pest is a mite belonging to the family 

 TromhiiUiuK , in the order Aptera or wingless insects. The creature is very minute and 

 can hardly be distinguished by the unassisted eye. It varies in colour from green to brick- 

 red. Like other mites it has eight legs. It works on the under side of the rose-leaf, 

 lacerating it with its jaws and draining its juices by means of its beak or sucker. It 



