In their holes they turn into their pupæ state, and so come forth winged in July; eating their way through the valances or curtains of a bed, or any other furniture that happens to obstruct their passage.
They seem to be most inclined to breed in beech: hence beech will not make lasting utensils, or furniture. If their eggs are deposited on the surface, frequent rubbing will preserve wooden furniture.—White.
BLATTA ORIENTALIS.—COCKROACH.
A neighbour complained that her house was overrun with a kind of black beetle, or, as she expressed herself, with a kind of black-bob, which swarmed in her kitchen when they got up in a morning before daybreak.
Soon after this account, I observed an unusual insect in one of my dark chimney closets, and find since, that in the night, they swarm also in my kitchen. On examination I soon ascertained the species to be the blatta orientalis of Linnæus, and the blatta molendinaria of Mouffet. The male is winged; the female is not, but shows somewhat like the rudiments of wings, as if in the pupa state.
These insects belonged originally to the warmer parts of America, and were conveyed from thence by shipping to the East Indies; and by means of commerce begin to prevail in the more northern parts of Europe, as Russia, Sweden, etc. How long they have abounded in England I cannot say; but have never observed them in my house till lately.
They love warmth, and haunt chimney closets and the backs of ovens. Poda says that these and house crickets will not associate together; but he is mistaken in that assertion, as Linnæus suspected he was. They are altogether night insects, lucifugæ, never coming forth till the rooms are dark and still, and escaping away nimbly at the approach of a candle. Their antennæ are remarkably long, slender, and flexile.
October 1790. After the servants are gone to bed, the kitchen
