ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. 225 



by the insect wliile in this stage, except as in egg-laying it prepares for 

 future mischief. 



The larva — the real mischief maker — {a in Fig.) as will be seen is about 

 one-half longer than the beetle. It is ringed with light and darker brown 

 bands, and the body is margined with tufts of brown hairs. These are very 

 long at the ends of the body, and at the front end obscure the head. Similar 

 shorter hairs clothe the whole body. The ringed and hairy character makes 

 it easy to identify this larva. 



When the larva is fully developed, usually late in July and August, it 

 seeks some concealed place, as the crevice between the boards of the floor, 

 where it changes to a pupa (c in Fig.). Sometime before the full change to 

 the pupa is made, the larva skin breaks open as seen at b in Fig. Usually 

 the pupa remains in this split skin, though many sent to me in boxes had 

 fallen out. These pupaj, which will be seen from July to October, and even 

 later, are quiet, and so of course do no damage while in this state. 



We see, then, that the injury from the carpet beetle comes through the 

 larva and is most marked in June, July and August, when the larvae are 

 most numerous and abundant. The fact, however, that beetles are emerging 

 from the pupa state from October till the following spring, together with 

 the artificial conditions of heated rooms will, undoubtedly, as has been the 

 case with the clothes and carpet moths, vary their habits in this respect, so 

 that very likely in our rooms that are always kept warm, development may 

 be hastened and the insect may become even double brooded, so that quite 

 possibly we may find the larvae feeding at all seasons. Another fact may 

 change these cycles of growth and development, that is retarded develop- 

 ment of the larvaj. I received in August, 1884, one of these larva and put 

 it into a close wooden box with a small piece of woolen cloth, and it did not 

 become a pupa till the next August. It is possible that the food was not to 

 its taste, and so it fasted, and was slow in coming to maturity. I think, then, 

 that while we may expect the most injury in mid summer, we may well fear 

 that in warm rooms, at no month of the year will our woolen goods be 

 entirely out of danger, if we harbor these pernicious beetles in our houses. 



REMEDIES. 



The fact of the rapid increase of these insects, and the terrible destructive- 

 ness which attends an onslaught by them, makes it imperative that we find 

 a remedy for this evil or else abandon the luxury of carpets, not to speak of 

 woolen garments. Cases are known where the insects have taken entire 

 possession of houses from basement to garret, in the year or two's absence of 

 the owner, and have destroyed or seriously injured all woolen belongings, 

 even to the picture cords. The small size, fearful destructiveness, and its 

 power to resist insecticides makes it a terrible pest. And wisdom urges, 

 that all learn to detect it so as to stamp it out upon its first arrival. 



Exjoerience shows that it first attacks carpets, and there is where we may 

 look for an assault. Like the well-known carpet moth, Tinea tapetzella, it 

 works first and most at the borders of the carpet. Though I have had no 

 experience in battling these pests, yet from my general knowledge of such 

 matters, I think I may urge certain remedies with much confidence. 



First, I should recommend ironing wet cloths placed over the affected 

 part of the carpet, using flat irons that are very hot. The clo!;hs may be 

 two or three thicknesses of common toweling, wrung out of water just so 



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