134 ORTHOPTERA. 



erally considered -noxious on account of the injury 

 they do to provisions and clothing ; but as they 

 greedily devour bed-bugs, they may, sometimes, be 

 considered beneficial. 



Note form of ootheca. (i, 575 ; 2, 145). 



V. 

 FoRFlcULARl.4i {Earzvigs). 



This family differs much from the other Orthoptera, 

 and is considered as a distinct order {Dcrniaptera 

 Leach, Eiiplexoptera Westwood) by many entomolo- 

 gists. 



The members of it have long, narrow, flattened 

 bodies. Their wing-covers are thick, short, and meet 

 in a straight line down the back. The extremity of 

 abdomen is armed with large, strong forceps. Hence 

 the generic name Forficula, from which the family 

 name is derived. 



The long bodies and short wing-covers of these in- 

 sects cause them to greatly resemble the Staphylini- 

 dae. 



Earwigs are rare in this country, but they are very 

 common in Europe. They are nocturnal and feed on 

 the corollas of flowers, fruits, and other vegetable sub- 

 stances. 



