28 [Jli.v 



Notes on the Habits of some Coleopterous Larvae and Pupae. 



15Y (JK(»R(iK H. HORN. 



The tollowinj;- observations are few in number, and comprise only, such 

 as have been made on larvae and pupae taken during the present season. 



Researches into the habits of the hirvcB of Coleoptera are attended with 

 considerable difficulty, the conditions required for their existence and 

 development being in many instances so peculiar and so varied, that it is 

 only after repeated failures, that one can attempt to rear them with any 

 reasonable hope of success. Stimulated by the successes of many Euro- 

 pean entomologists, and by the hope of rearing some valuable insects, I 

 have been induced to enter the field, and so far my attempts have met 

 with much encouragement. Many observations have been made which 

 have not sufficient connection to warrant their publication, these will be 

 reserved for some future article. Descriptions of the larvae will not be 

 given at present, but will be reserved, until either the author shall have 

 completed their study, or some one already conversant with the subject 

 will undertake their descriptitn. 



Dermestes 1 a r d a r i u s , Linne. — This insect is found wherever dried 

 or smoked meat is stored, and when found it generally exists in consider- 

 able abundance. The larva is covered with bristly hairs. It is usually 

 seen creeping on the surface of the meat. For food it prefers such as 

 contains much fat and connective tissue, seldom attacking the muscular 

 portions when the others exist. This larva does not often bury itself in 

 its food till about the time of its assuming the pupa state. The insect re- 

 mains in the latter condition, for a period varying from three or four days 

 to a week or even more, depending principally upon the warmth of the 

 locality. 



Anthrenus destructor, Mch. — To ent(nnologists, one locality for 

 this insect is too well known. It is often taken in flight in the dusk of 

 the evening. Numerous specimens have also been obtained from flowers. 



I have lately obtained many specimens in all stages of development, 

 and have had opportunities for noting the time required for all its trans- 

 formations. The egg is deposited in any fissures that may exist in a spec- 

 imen, and after development, penetrates toward the centre, in which it 

 remains until perfectly developed, making its presence known by some 

 dust around the pin, if the specimen be an insect. 



It requires nearly two weeks for the larva to arrive at a state of growth 

 sufficient for the assumption of the pupa. During this time the larv;^ 

 show great powers of destruction, several of them rendering a large speci- 

 men perfectly valueless. In the pupa, it remains about four or five days. 



