. The life of North American insects [microform]. Insects; Insectes. ORDER V. NET-WINGED INSECTS. 219 all kinds of butterflies, mosquitoes, and caterpillars, are delicious morsels for them. It is, however, in this their murderous character and rapacious habits that their chief use to man consists; for, being thtmselves directly incapable of injuring him, they rid him of insects that are directly capable of annoying him by biting and stinging. Thus, if a few dragoi -flies be shut up in a house for only a short time, they will effectually purify it of all flies, mosquitoes, or other troublesome
. The life of North American insects [microform]. Insects; Insectes. ORDER V. NET-WINGED INSECTS. 219 all kinds of butterflies, mosquitoes, and caterpillars, are delicious morsels for them. It is, however, in this their murderous character and rapacious habits that their chief use to man consists; for, being thtmselves directly incapable of injuring him, they rid him of insects that are directly capable of annoying him by biting and stinging. Thus, if a few dragoi -flies be shut up in a house for only a short time, they will effectually purify it of all flies, mosquitoes, or other troublesome blood- suckers, in the same manner as toads, so much despised and trod upon, will destroy whole armies of disgusting cock- roaches, and several species of running beetles {Carahi) will destroy bed-bugs if shut up in the places which these inju- rious insects infest. Here, again, we see the practical utility of the study of Natural Plistory in all its details. How many take measures to drive out of their gardens the harmless toad, ignorantly bringing upon themselves much greater mischief by the ac- cumulation of noxious insects which the toads are destined to destroy, and would destroy, if allowed to carry out the benevolent designs of Nature that placed them there. So, also, would many be horrified to find beetles such as Harpa- lus calliginosus, Agonoderus pallipes, etc., in their rooms, or beds, even if the latter were infested with that worst of all household pests the bed-bug, and yet the former are harm- less, can not bite or sting, and would surely and effectually destroy the latter. So, too, the dragon-fly, which may be handled by man with perfect impunity—for it can not bite, or sting, or poison him—is often a source of terror in a house or garden, where it might be extremely useful in destroying mosquitoes if al- lowed to remain. Only a short time ago, while on a visit to a friend in the country, we were much amused to see one of the young graduates of one of our u
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1864
