.141) THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



INSECTS AFFECTING DRUGS. 



Editor Ca/i. Ent. — Dear Sir : To the list of drug insects observed 

 in this country, as given by Mr. Wm. Edwin Saunders in the Hay number 

 of the Canadian Entomolo(;ist, I have two additions to make. One is 

 the Tobacco-beetle, Lasioderma scrricoriic Fabr.. a well known pest in 

 many cigar factories in the U. S. I found this in a drug store at Detroit, 

 Mich., where the larvae had completely honeycomljed a lot of rhubarb. 

 The same habit of the species has been recorded by European writers. 

 The second addition is Cryphalus jalappce Letzn.er, a small, inconspicuous 

 Scolytid beetle, probably originating from Mexico, which has been carried 

 by commerce all over the world. It was first found by Mr. H. G. Hub- 

 bard and myself in 1S74, in the Medical Laboratory of the U. S. Navy 

 Yard at Brooklyn, N. Y., and later observed by myself in drug stores at 

 Detroit, Mich, and Washington. D. C. It occurs only in Radix jalappce. 

 The species has to my knowledge never before been recorded from North 

 America, but will no doubt be found where\ er the drug mentioned above 

 is kept. Yours truly, 



Washington, D. C, June 8, 1883. E. A. .Schwarz. 



DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANTS. 



Early in the month of June I discovered that certain portions of the 

 flooring and supports of my verandah were giving way, and I accordingly 

 sent for a carpenter to do the necessary repairs. On taking up the flooring 

 I found two nests of large black ants, and examination showed that nearly 

 the whole damage was caused by these insects. Large joists were very 

 much excavated, and in some cases eaten completely through : two pillars 

 or posts eight inches square were eaten out to a distance of some two feet 

 from the floor, and unless prompt measures had I)een taken the corner of 

 the verandah would in all probability have given way. I had noticed 

 these ants for a couple of years back, but never dreamt that they were so 

 numerous or were doing so much injury. I sent specimens to my friend, 

 Dr. Hagen, and asked his opinion as to remedy. He writes me that the 

 ant is Formica ligiiiperda Latr. ( Campoiiotiis lignipcrdus Mayr). He 

 recommends an application of boiling water in which soft soap has been 

 largely dissolved. E. B. Reed. 



