Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-01
The CockrOach.

mestic pet without a shiver of disgust,
yet it is worth while to know something
of its life history. The more facts we
can gather regarding the habits of the
insects that infest our houses and fields
the better we are able to resist their in
vasion and set limits to their increase.
The common cockroach (Bldttd 0rien-
tdtis) is supposed to have originated in
Asia, whence it was carried to Europe,
and from there brought to America. 1t
had so oyerrun England that it may be
said to have taken possession OF the
island. 1t was at first confined to sea.
port towns, but is now found in every
nook and corner of the Kingdom. AS the
female cockroach is wingless, and de-
ponds wholly upon its legs for locomo-
ton, it is evident that its rapid spread is
owing TO its transportation from place to
place in baggage, freight, and even in
the wearing apparel. The insect is so
abundant and troublesome in London
that traps for catching il are a common
article of sale in all the hardware stores.
The insect lays its eggs in silky cap.
sule that is in the form of bean, with
two valves in the interior dividing ii into
two apartments, each containing row
of separate chambers, about thirty in
number, and each chamber inclosing a
single egg. The capsule or egg.case is
about three-eighths of an inch in length,
and nearly three-siXteenths of an inch
wide. Many days are required for owl
position, and during this period the fe-
male may be seen running about with
the capsule partly protruding from her
body. Ii is at this time that the embryos
are formed, and shortly after the capsule
is dropped the Larvae are Matched. Hum
mel, the German naturalist, once placed
female cockroach and an egg-pouch
that had just been abandoned by another
female under a bell-glass. On discover
ing the pouch the cockroach examined
it carefully, turning it about in al direc-
tions and then, taking it between her
front legs, made longitudinal opening
in it, Through this opening she assisted
the little white Larvae to come forth,
aiding them gently with her antenn@. In
a few seconds after their liberation the
Larvae were able to walk, after which the
dcc0uclteuse left them to take care of
themselves.
In ordinary circumstances the Larvae,
as soon rs they are excluded from the
egg held in the pouch, discharge liquid
which soitens the cement closing the
toothed edges of the longitudinal slit IN
the capsule, and thus are able TO emerge
from IL into the outer world. AS soon
as they have escaped the opening of the
capsule or egg-pouch closes again, and
thus the empty case looks exactly as it
did before it lost its contents.
The Larvae change their skin six times
before reaching the perfect state. They
are colorless on first emerging from the
old skin, but assume their usual TINT in
the course of few days. AT the fifth
mott the insect enters the pupa state,
and at the sixth, which takes place az
the end of six weeks, the pupa becomes
a perfect insect The female is distin-
guished from the male by the larger size
Of the abdomen and by the inferior size
OF the wings and clytra.
The cockroach is omnivorous, and de
yours all sorts of dead substances, vege-
table and animal. Ii is fond of the
backing on boots, and will consume the
leather and all But while il does so
much damage by eating garments and
destroying provisions il may in some
cases render an efficient service. 1t
feasts upon the bed bug with extreme
avidity, and will rid a ship or IA house Of
the noxious creature. 1t would be a
ers 10 decide which of these two pests
they-would prefer TO cherish at the OK.
pense of the other. There is some COM
fort in knowing that the cockrOach also
has some natural enemies among the
lower animals. The hedgehog considers
il delectable food, and tame one kept
in kitchen will clear the apartment of
the terrible nuisance. Almost all insec.
81 I'd al nf cock
roach.
Mr.. Wood, the English naturalist, re-
lates story which shows that To some
human pal atcs the cockroach is AN ex.
ceedngly agreeable titbit Two young
ladies from jamaica who were at school
in London some thirty years ago, were
found TO have the habit OF rising at night
and descending into the kitchen in order
to sup upon cockroaches. When remon-
strated with upon the filthy practice
they defended themselves by saying cock
reaches were clean feeders, and certainly
as fit for eating as shrimps.
The disagreeabie odor which the cock
roach emits, and which soon permeates
all places that il inhabits, proceeds from
a dark-colored fluid which IL discharges
from the mouth The cockroach loves
warmth and moisture, hence its popu-
lousness In kitchens where fire and
water are almost ever present. 1t Is
night.prowler, and swarms out from
its secret LARS on the departure Of day.
light.
For the destruction Of the coackroach
Mr. Harris, the late eminent entomolo.
gist, recommends a mixture containing
d tablespoonful of red lead, the same
amount of Indian meal, with molasses
enough TO make a thick batter. Set this
On plate at night in places frequented
by the insects and all that eat OF 1t Will
be poisoned. Another preparation is
composed Of one teaspoonful OF pow.
dered arsenic with tablespoonful OF
mashed potato. Crumble this every
night at bedtime where the insects will
find it, and IL is said 10 be an effectual
poison. Great care should be exercised
in the use Of such dangerous agents An
innocent method OF destroying cock
reaches is 10 place bowl or basin con
tanning little molasses on the floor at
night A bit Of wood, resting one end on
the floor and the other on the edge OF the
vessel, serves as bridge to conduct the
insects 10 the sweet deposit. Once IN the
trap and its slippery sides prevent re-
treat, and thus cockroaches may be
caught by the thousands. Various insect