The evening times., 1899-07-19
2HB KISSING BUG SCARE
DR.. Howard Attributes 1t Largely
to Oyerwronght Imaginations.
The Entomolosical Expert Identifies
the Insect az the Opsecoetes Per-
sonatus, a Specimen Common to
America-Its Unusual Numbers and
Activity Due to Peculiar Weather.


bug scare has reached national proportions,
and from all sections come reports of the
activity Of this pernicious insect. Accord
ing to the entomologists Of the Agricult-
uraI Department, however, the general
fright is unwarranted. They intimate
strongly that the newspapers have had as
much to do with bringing the so-called
kissing bug into prominence and abhor-
renee as any other agent. although there is
some small foundation for believing that
there is bug at large whose bite is caus
ing some discomfort.
DR.. L. o. Howard, the chief of the divi-
sion Of entomology Of the Agricultural De-
partment, when seen by Times reporter
this morning, stated that in his opinion
there is but little cause to stand in awe of
the insect which is accredited with biting
people on the lips. He thought that the
present fear of the so-called kissing bug
is nothing more than a craze which has
gained impetus through the newspapers,
and the active imaginations Of certain peo-
pie. There is a bug, however, which has
more than any other been responsible for
the discomfort Of large number of vic
Tins 1t is called the Opseeoetes persona
tus and is an insect common to America.
Its sting is not harmful in itself and the
serious effects sometimes observed are in
all probability due, so DR.. Howard stated
to the fact that, previous to attacking its
victim, il had had its beak in some some Of
putrefied or decaying matter, thus gather
ing poisonous germs which, when commu-
nicated to the blood of the person bitten,
| cause swelling or sores. The bug in ques-
tion is a night flyer and feeds upon other
small insects. Contrary to the popular
supposition, the bug does not bite the lips
always, but perforates the neck or face
of its victim as well. This fact DR.. How
ard accounts for by saying that, as the in
sect is a night bug it generally attacks
people while they sleep, and as the face is
the most exposed portion of the body IT
consequently is the most favorable point
of attack.
The OpsecoeteS perSonatus is found in
the United States at all times, but it seems
| to be more common this year than is usual
Just why it is present in larger numbers
now DR.. Howrad was unable to say. but
he thought that peculiar weather conditions
might account for il.
The claim has been made that the kissing
| bug is a Philippine importation and tha,
| it is likely to multiply. This contention
DR.. Howard denied and pointed out the fac,
| that the insect is very common to Ameri-
ca. Since the craze commenced several
weeks ago, the entomologists of the Agri-
| cultural Department have been in receipt
| of numerous specimens of the so-called
kissing bug from different parts of the
country
Among the specimens sent have been
| bugs of many different varieties, which
upon examination have proved to be moth
| ing more than those common to America
many of them being entirely harmless
| People previous to this year have in all
probability been bitten by the same bugs
| repeatedly without thinking anything O!
| it, but now, upon feeling an insect light
| upon some exposed part of their person
and experiencing its sting, they imagine
| that they have been attacked by the wide
| ly advertised kissing bug and proceed to BIZ
frightened. The nervousness over such q
| bite DR.. Howard said, will cause some
! times an irritation which would not have
been felt had not the victim made himseli
| believe that he was sorely afflicted. Per
sons of a nervous temperament when bit
| ten by mosquito or stung by bee are
often more seriously affected than those
| who are not exeitable. The same thing is
no doubt true of the so-called kissing bug
! DIR. Howard is gathering a collection oi
clippings from different sources with
view to gathering interesting data for 6
| thorough study of the present craze.
| Dr. Howard placed nc faith in the state.
| ments recently made in the press that ths
country is about to be afflicted by plague
| of the so-called strangling bug. He doe!
| not know of such q bug and thinks that thu
| depredations said to have been committee
4 by it are all Imaginative. The description
of the new bug DR.. Howard thought Tailed
very closely to that of the Beiostom:
AmericanuM, more commonly know as tn,
great water bug, or the electric light bug
Its sting is harmless. but it has stroni
claws which cause a painful wound. Th'
new bug, it has been 1tated, attacks cattl