. Animal parasites and human disease. Medical parasitology; Insects as carriers of disease. 372 BEDBUGS AND THEIR ALLIES. tend with these pests. Many other bugs are characterized by similar odors, as, for example, the common " ; The odor is produced by a clear volatile fluid secreted by a pair of glands of very variable size which open between the bases of the hind pair of legs. Although in most "wild" bugs the stink glands are supposed to be distinctly bene- ficial in that they make the owners obnoxious to enemies which would otherwise prey upon them, they are a
. Animal parasites and human disease. Medical parasitology; Insects as carriers of disease. 372 BEDBUGS AND THEIR ALLIES. tend with these pests. Many other bugs are characterized by similar odors, as, for example, the common " ; The odor is produced by a clear volatile fluid secreted by a pair of glands of very variable size which open between the bases of the hind pair of legs. Although in most "wild" bugs the stink glands are supposed to be distinctly bene- ficial in that they make the owners obnoxious to enemies which would otherwise prey upon them, they are a decided handicap to the do- mestic bedbugs in the struggle for existence, since the odor draws Fie. 164. Head and part of thorax attention tO the presence of bugS of bedbug, ventral view. X 20. Note which might Otherwise escape jointed beak, eyes and stout spines, notice. Nor does the scent ap- pear to be any protection to them against such enemies as cock- roaches and red ants. Murray suggests that it may be of some use to them in their social intercourse in the dark recesses in which they spend their lives. The nasty odor of bedbugs has evidently inspired some faith in their medicinal value. Seven bugs ground up in water was said by Pliny to arouse one from a fainting spell, and one a day would render hens immune to snake bites. Even at the present time there are places in civilized coun- tries where bedbugs are given as an antidote for fever and ague. There are a number of species of , . , ^. , Fig. 165. Indian bedbug, Ciniex bugs m the genus timex, but some hemi]4erus(T0lundatus),iema\e. X of the species confine their attentions ^ ^- (^f*®"" Casteiiani and Chai- to poultry and other birds, bats, etc. There are two widely distributed species which attack man: one is the common bedbug, Cimex ledularius, found in all temperate climates; the other is the tropical or Indian bedbug, Cimex hemip- terus (rotundatus), prevalent in many tropical countries, includ-. Please
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