C|e Canadian Entomologist. 



VOL. XV. LONDON, ONT., MAY, 1883. No. 5 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO DRUGS. 



nV WILLIAM EDWIN SAUNDKRS, PH. (1. 

 [From an Inaugural Kssay presented lo the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.! 



In this paper is given simply what has been noted ]\y the writer during 

 a study of these insects extending over more than a year. 



Sivodi-epa panicea. — This is the ehiptical, reddish-brown beetle, about 

 one-eighth of an inch long, which is found in almost every edible drug, 

 and in some, such as aconite root and capsicum, that would be pro- 

 nounced far from edible. In addition to these two drugs, I have found it 

 in bitter almonds, sweet almonds, angelica, boneset, calumba, chamomile, 

 chocolate, coriander, dandelion, elm bark, ergot, extract of licorice, 

 German chamomile, orris root, prince's pine, rhubarb, scpiill, and sweet 

 flag. 



The larva is white, with a l)rown head, is about twice as long as the 

 beetle when full grown, although it is seldom or never seen stretched out 

 at full length, always remaining curled up in a ball. It will in time fairly 

 honeycomb a piece of root with small holes about one-twenty-fifth of an 

 inch in diameter, at the end of which it is generally to be seen at home. 

 Under the intiuence of camjjhor, these larva; become uneasy, but l)eing 

 apparently unable to crawl away, resign themselves to their fate, and seem 

 to thrive just as well with camphor as without it. 



Calant/ra rcmotopuiutata. — This is a small, l)lack beetle, about the 

 size of the last, with what is popularly termed a "'snout," projecting from 

 the front of the head downwards. Under the microscope the back, thorax, 

 and head are seen to be finely pitted, giving the insect a rough appearance. 

 It was found in large numbers, the larva feeding on pearl barley, inside of 

 which it lives, the egg being probably laid in the grain by the parent, and 

 on hatching, the little insect makes its home there, eating all l)ut tlie shell, 

 and sometimes attacking the grain from the outside. 



Tenebrioides Diauritanica, a species of " meal-worm," was found in 

 pearl barley, and one specimen in rahimba. It is a dark brown beetle. 



