Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-02


The American roach Periplaneta Americana: A.
view from above: B. from bencath-both enlarged
one-third (orfginalJ.
Germany these reaches are known as
"Schwaben.' a name which applies to the
inhabitants of south Germany. and the
latter section '.even up by calling them
'Preussen." after the north Germans. In
east Germany they are called "Russen"
and iii west Germany "Franzosen," the
two latter appellations indicating a GER
tain national antipathy to rival countries
as well as fanciful Idea as to origin. Still
other names are ''SDanier.' dating from
the time of Charles v. and Dane" from
Denmark.
The reaches belong to a very extensive
family. the Blattidae, comparatively few
of which, fortunately, have become do
mes;icated. In temperate countries some
four or five species are very common house
hold pests, and a few occur wild in woods:
but they are essentially Inhabitants of
warm countries. and in the tropics the
house species are very mum erous. and the
wild species occur in great number and
variety. many of them being striking in
shape. coloration, and size. one species
expanding more than six inches.
The inability OF the domestic reaches to
withstand unusual cold was Illustrated by
the fat that the severe weather in the
winter of 1894 in Florida, which was SO
destructive to the citrus groves, on the
authority of Mr.. Fl. q. Hubbard. destroy
Gu all the rOdCneS, even those IN houses,
except a few unusually well protected.
Under suitable conditions in the more
northern latitude thee domestic species
often multiply prodigiously. and even in
of the Laplanders. and sometimes entirely
devours the stores CT dried fish put away
Tor winter consumption
OF Ancient Family.
The roach Is enc of the most primitive
and ancient insects, in the sense of its
early appearance on the globe, fossil
mains of reaches occurring in abundance
In the early coal formations, ages before
the more common forms of insect life of
the present day had begun to appear. The
species now existing few In number
In comparison with the abundance of forms
in the carboniferous age, which might with
propriety be called the age Of cGckroacEss.
the moisture and warmth of that distant
period being alike favorable 10 plant
growth and the multiplication Of this fam
lily OF insects.
doubtedly very early associated with man
In his primitive dwellings. and through
the agency of commerce have followed
him wherever navigation has extended. In
faoI, on shipboard they are always especial
ly numerous and troublesome. the moisture
and heat of the vessels being particularly
favorable to their DEVELOPMENT.
Although among the Oldest insects geo
logically. reaches have not departed not
ably from the early tyres. and form one
Of the most persistent groups among In
sects. The house species are rather uni
formiy dark brown or dark co1ored, a col
Grafton which corresponds with their habit
Of concealment during Daylight. They are
smooth and slippery insects, and in shape
bread and fiattened The head Is infiexed
under the body, so that the mouth parts
ore directed backward and the eyes di-
fected downward, conforming with their
groveling habits. The antennae are very
lhr,n ar1 sic 1ar nh h,,,
one hundred joints. The males usually
have two pairs of wings. the outer ones
Somewhat coriaceous and the inner ones
more membranous and once folded longi-
tudinally. In some species as. for instance,
the black beetle, the females are nearly
winsless- The legs long and powerful
and armed with numerous strong bristles
Or spfnes. The mouth parts are we'll de-
yeloped and with strong biting jaws en-
abling them to eat all sorts of substances.
Habits and Life History.
In houses reaches are particularly abun-
dant in pantries and kitchens, especially
In the neishborhood of fireplaces. on ac-
count CT the heat For the same reason
they are often abundant in the oven rooms
of bakeries wherever the temperature
Is maintained above the normal. They
conceal themselves during the day behind
baseboards. furniture or wherever security
and partial protection from the light are
afforded. Their very fiat thin bodies en-
dble them to squeeze themselves into small
cracks or spaces where their presence
Would not be suspected and where they are
out of the reach Of enemies. Unless rout-
ed out by the moving of furniture or dis
turbed in their hiding places, they are
rarely seen. and II SO uncovered, make off
With wonderful celebrity, with a scurrying
nervous gait. and usually are able to elude
all efforts at their capture or destruction
1t may often happen that their presence
at least In the abundance in which they
occur. is hardly realized by the housekeep-
Or. unless they are surprised in their mid
hight feasts. Coming into a kitchen or
PANTRY suddenly, sound Of the rustling
of numerous objects will come to the ear
And If a Light be introduced, often the floor
or shelves will be seen covered with sour
Tying reaches fastening to places of con-
oeaiment. In districts where the large
american roach occurs they sometimes
Swarm in this way at night in such num-
bers that upon entering a small room in
which they are conSregated one will be
Repeatedly struck and scratched on the
face and hands by the insects In their fran
tic flight to gain concealment.
The black roach Is less active and wary
than the others. and particularly the Ger
man roach. which Is especially agile and
shy.
What They Eat.
The domestic reaches are practically ona-
Iivorous. feeding on almost any dead ami
NAL matter, cereal products, and food ma
terials of all sorts. They are also said to
eat their own cast skins and egg cases.
and 1T is supposed that they will attack
other species of reaches. or are, perhaps
occasionally cannibalistic. They will also
eat or gnaw woolens. leather Gas of shoes
Or furEiture). and frequently are the cause
or extensive damage to the cloth and
leather bindings Of books in libraries and
publishing houses. The sizing or paste used