Orthoptera — Gryllidae — Gryllus. — In country houses the
cricket on the hearth may become the cricket in the laundry
basket, the bureau drawers, or closets, and it may meet its
death in the uncovered dish of liquid from which it took its
last draught. It prefers liquid food, but that failing, it
finds other pantry supplies decidedly to its taste. If these
be not at hand, it does not hesitate to attack clothing,
whether from hunger, or simply to keep its jaws moving, it
is hard to tell. Perhaps the most harm comes to the basket
of damp clothes awaiting the laundress, for there the
cricket finds a convenient source of moisture. The common
grasshopper, too, will, if detained in the house, dine on the
housewife's possessions.
HOUSEHOLD PESTS 359
The cricket cannot become a serious household pest so
long as it does not breed there, but always in the fields.
It is well to be on the watch, however, for some enterprising
individual cricket may decide to change its habits, and be-
come an in-doors insect. The metamorphosis is direct.
The adults are large, nearly or quite black insects, with
long, threadlike antennte extending from the large, smooth
head. The hind legs have strongly developed muscles,
which enable the insect to take quick, long leaps. This is
more often its method of escape than by the use of its wings,
although these are long, and well developed. The feet are
furnished with prongs, which enable the insect to hold quite
tightly to any fabric. Its characteristic love song is made
by movements of one wing over the other. Its mouth parts
are suitable for biting, and they use them as a means of
defence when captured by hand.
Cricket is so plump, so merry, and altogether so interest-
ing that one hesitates to kill it. Yet, if it becomes a pest,
it should be exterminated. Rs desire for moisture and
sweet liquids may become its ruin, and such substances
may serve as traps for Mr. Gryllus.
Ancient superstitions still cling about this black singer,
and many persons still believe that if a cricket be killed, its
relatives will avenge the murder by destroying the clothes
of the murderer. It is easier to kill crickets than supersti-
tions.
Preventive measures may be included in one word —
watchfulness ; remedies can scarcely stop short of actual
death. \
Suggestions for Related Language and Reading Lessons. —
Encourage observation of insects in field and garden —
especially ants, beetles, and bees. Require written descrip-
tions of the results of such observations.
360 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
Written descriptions of typical insects. Compare with,
authoritative descriptions in books.
Keep list of insects observed and studied.
Note adaptations of structure to habits of life — flattened
bodies in insects choosing cracks as hiding places ; color and
markings like substances preferred for food, etc.
Written description of the above in the form of essays, to
cultivate accuracy of statement, and in form of stories or
dialogues between insects and carpenters, etc., for the exer-
cise of the imagination.
Calculate damage to property, actual or estimated, due to
lack of care. Compare this with actual or estimated expense
of preventive or remedial measure. Draw up balance sheet.
Select from Bibliography books or selections most appro-
priate for grade and work. Eead, and have written reviews
of matter read — condensed or expanded account of same.
Page 177
Presented as published in 1900. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Orthoptera — Gryllidae — Gryllus. — In country houses the cricket on the hearth may become the cricket in the laundry basket, the bureau drawers, or closets, and it may meet its death in the uncovered dish of liquid from which it took its last draught. It prefers liquid food, but that failing, it finds other pantry supplies decidedly to its taste. If these be not at hand, it does not hesitate to attack clothing, whether from hunger, or simply to keep its jaws moving, it is hard to tell. Perhaps the most harm comes to the basket of damp clothes awaiting the laundress, for there the cricket finds a convenient source of moisture. The common grasshopper, too, will, if detained in the house, dine on the housewife's possessions.
The cricket cannot become a serious household pest so long as it does not breed there, but always in the fields. It is well to be on the watch, however, for some enterprising individual cricket may decide to change its habits, and become an in-doors insect. The metamorphosis is direct.
The adults are large, nearly or quite black insects, with long, threadlike antennæ extending from the large, smooth head. The hind legs have strongly developed muscles, which enable the insect to take quick, long leaps. This is more often its method of escape than by the use of its wings, although these are long, and well developed. The feet are furnished with prongs, which enable the insect to hold quite tightly to any fabric. Its characteristic love song is made by movements of one wing over the other. Its mouth parts are suitable for biting, and they use them as a means of defence when captured by hand.
Cricket is so plump, so merry, and altogether so interesting that one hesitates to kill it. Yet, if it becomes a pest, it should be exterminated. Rs desire for moisture and sweet liquids may become its ruin, and such substances may serve as traps for Mr. Gryllus.
Ancient superstitions still cling about this black singer, and many persons still believe that if a cricket be killed, its relatives will avenge the murder by destroying the clothes of the murderer. It is easier to kill crickets than superstitions.
Preventive measures may be included in one word — watchfulness ; remedies can scarcely stop short of actual death.
Suggestions for Related Language and Reading Lessons. — Encourage observation of insects in field and garden — especially ants, beetles, and bees. Require written descriptions of the results of such observations.
Written descriptions of typical insects. Compare with authoritative descriptions in books.
Keep list of insects observed and studied.
Note adaptations of structure to habits of life — flattened bodies in insects choosing cracks as hiding places ; color and markings like substances preferred for food, etc.
Written description of the above in the form of essays, to cultivate accuracy of statement, and in form of stories or dialogues between insects and carpenters, etc., for the exercise of the imagination.
Calculate damage to property, actual or estimated, due to lack of care. Compare this with actual or estimated expense of preventive or remedial measure. Draw up balance sheet.
Select from Bibliography books or selections most appropriate for grade and work. Eead, and have written reviews of matter read — condensed or expanded account of same.