4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 39 
mouth parts and feed primarily on plant material, but also may eat 
organic substances including meats or dead or weakened insects. 
The true wings are folded in a complicated man- 
ner beneath the wing covers or nonfunctional front 
wings. These insects dig in the soil, hide under 
old boards and other suitable shelter, and may re- 
- main over the winter either in the egg stage or as 
adult earwigs. The life changes are incomplete. 
Earwigs are sometimes pests and should be con- 
trolled by poisoned baits and sanitation. The ac- 
companying picture is that of the male European 
 earwig (Porficula auricularia). Adult insects of 
this species are from one-half to three-fourths of an 
inch long. 
Fleas.—Whenever cats and dogs are kept around 
the house, there is likelihood of introducing small 
insects that cause much annoyance to members of the household by 
attacking their legs and sucking the blood. Certain species carry 
bubonic plague. These insects are fleas, of efit i 
FIGurRE 98.—Earwig. 
which there are many kinds, but all types 
belong to the order Siphonaptera. They 
usually are dark reddish brown, very much 
flattened, and give the appearance of 
standing on edge. Fleas do not have wings. 
They have sucking mouth parts; the legs 
are fitted for jumping and are their only 
means of locomotion. The changes in the 
life cycle are complete. The larvae usually . ® >A 
are found wherever cats, dogs, hogs, and LCM OOS a9 8s 
some other animals bed down. The human flea (Pulea writans) is 
shown here. It is about one-eighth of an inch long. Removal of hogs 
from the vicinity of dwellings, treating cats and dogs with derris 
powder to destroy the fleas infesting them, and cleaning up the 
bedding of these animals will help in the control of this pest. 
Silverfish, silver moth, or bristletail—There is another small 
silvery-colored insect usually found on the floor, around books, or 
__ in other dark places. Occasionally it ventures out 
“into the light. It has several common names such 
as silverfish, silver moth, or bristletail. It is wing- 
less, and the body tapers rather gradually to the 
hind end, which branches out into three very 
definite spikes. These spikes give it the name 
bristletail. The silverfish belongs to the order 
Thysanura. Since the adult has the same form as 
the larva, it cannot be considered as having a 
metamorphosis; that is, there are no changes in 
a _ form during the life cycle. It has chewing mouth 
parts and feeds especially on starchy materials 
ot such as bookbindings, wallpaper, and starched 
Bicurp 190-—Silver- clothing. In the house this insect is active through- 
out the year and has no definite hibernation period. 
The species shown here is from one-half to five-eighths of an inch long 
and is Lepisma saccharina. Use of poisoned bait made of a mixture 
