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The American Swallow Bug, Oeciacus vicarius Horvath (Hemiptera, Cimicidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

L. Emery Myers
Affiliation:
Stanford University, California.

Extract

The swallow bug, Oeciacus vicarius Horvath, is of common occurrence in North America, chiefly, if not entirely, upon the cliff swallows, Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say); it has been recorded from the barn swallow, probably in error.

It appears to be really distinct from the European swallow bug, Oeciacus hirundinis (Linnacus).

The habits, structure, and specific characters of the bug do not seem to have been adequately studied hitherto.

This paper deals with the external structure of the bug and of such of its biology as could be worked out under the handicap that its natural host could not be kept in captivity.

The bugs attack man readily, but do not appear to adapt themselves readily to living upon man or in his dwellings.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1928

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References

1 Acknowledgments are also due to Dr Karl Jordan, from whom specimens of the European swallow bug were received after Mr Myers had completed his work.—G. F. Ferris.

1 Specimens of O. hirundinis were received through the kindness of Dr Jordan after Mr Myers' work was finished. The two species are indeed quite distinct, the organ of Berlese being very different.—G. F. Ferris.

1 Professor Ferris informs me that he is sure there has been such a record within recent years, but he cannot recall the place of its publication and I have not been able to trace it.