THE INSECTS OF NEW JERSEY. 



267 



A. scrophulariae Linn. The "carpet beetle," known in the larval stage 

 as the "Buffalo moth." Adults hibernate and are common on flowers 

 in spring; the larvse infest woolens chiefly. From stored clothing 

 they can usually be kept with naphthaline; infested carpets should 

 be removed and cleaned if possible and) the floors thoroughly 

 scrubbed. If removal is not possible, drench with gasoline twice at 

 intervals of ten days, or press the infested areas with a very hot flat- 

 iron over a wet cloth so as to drive a steam through the texture. 



A. verbasci Linn. The common Museum pest, injuring dried animal and 

 vegetable products of all kinds. In collctions naphthaline is used 

 as a repellant. 



A. musaeorum Linn. Less common than the preceding and not injurious 

 in this country. 



CRYPTORHOPALUM Guer. 



C. ruficorne Lee. Common on flowers in Ocean County. 

 C. triste Lee. Throughout the State on flowers, spring and fall. 



ORPHILUS Er. 

 O. niger Rossi, (glabratus Fab.) Not rare on flowers, g. d. 



Family HISTERID^. 



This family is recognizable by the usually short, chunky form, shining 

 black color, the elytra squarely cut off behind so as to leave the end of the 

 abdomen exposed. The legs are short, the tibite broad and flat and fitted 

 for digging. When disturbed, the beetles fold these legs so close to the 

 body that they are practically invisible. The antennal club is short and 

 rounded or capitate. The adult beetles are found in or under decaying 



Fig. 103. Hister arcuatus and H. bimaculatus; much enlarged. 



animal or vegetable matter, in excrement or in fungi. A few of them are 

 more oblong and flattened, and these live under bark and generally in 

 moist places. The larvae as a rule occur in similar situations. 



