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Articles in regional publications that pertain to a wide range of North Carolina-related topics.

Bugs were the Fashion

Record #:
9039
Author(s):
Abstract:
In the 1850s, wealthy women of Wilmington wore fire beetles on their clothes for formal evening occasions. Emitting a beautiful greenish light at the base and reddish light at the abdomen, fire beetles were sold at about twenty-five cents a dozen. The beetles required food, twice daily baths, and were kept in tiny cages. The bugs are native to tropical North and South America.
Source:
The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 48 Issue 12, May 1981, p19