COLEOPTERA 151 



The carpet-beetle in its adult state feeds on the pollen of flowers. Some- 

 times it abounds on the blossoms of currant, cherry, and other fruits. 



The museum pests, Anthrenus verbdsci and Anthrenus musebrwm. — 

 There are two minute species of this family that are a constant source of 

 annoyance to those having collections of insects. The adult beetles 

 measure from -^ to £ of an inch in length, and are very convex. They 

 deposit their eggs on specimens in our collections; and the larvae feed 

 upon the specimens, often destroying them. In order to preserve a 

 collection of insects it is necessary that they should be kept in tight cases, 

 so that these pests cannot gain access to them. Specimens should not be 

 left exposed except when in use. And the entire collection should be 

 carefully examined at least once a month. The injury is done by the 

 larvae, which are small, plump, hairy grubs. Their presence is indicated 

 by a fine dust that falls on to the bottom of the case from the infested 

 specimens. These larvas can be destroyed by pouring a small quantity 

 of carbon bisulphide into the case, and keeping it tightly closed for a 

 day or two. Benzine poured on a bit of cotton in the box will cause the 

 pests to leave the specimens, when they may be taken from the box and 

 destroyed. But we have found carbon bisulphide the better agent for 

 the destruction of these pests. 



Family Tenebrionid^e 



The Darkling Beetles 



The darkling beetles are nearly all of a uniform black color, although 

 some are gray, and a few are marked with bright colors. The different 

 species vary greatly in size and in the form of the body. The hind tarsi 

 are four-jointed, and the fore and middle tarsi are five-jointed. 



These insects occur chiefly in dry and warm regions. Thus while 

 we have comparatively few species in the northeastern United States, 

 there are many in the Southwest. Most of the species feed on dry 

 vegetable matter, and often on that which is partially decomposed; 

 some live in dung, some in dead animal matter, others in fungi, and a 

 few prey upon larvae. More than eleven hundred species occur in this 

 country. The three following will serve to illustrate the variations in 

 form and habits. 



The meal-worm, Tenebrio mblitor. — This is a well-known pest in 

 granaries and mills. The larva is a hard waxy yellow, cylindrical " worm, " 

 which measures when full-grown 1 inch or more in length, 

 and closely resembles a wireworm; it feeds on flour and meal. 

 The beetle is black and about f of an inch in length, (Fig. 258). 

 The larvae and pupae are used for bird-food and are grown in 

 quantity by bird-supply houses. 



The forked fungus-beetle, Bolitotherus cornutus, 

 is common in the northeastern United States and 

 in Canada about the large toadstools which grow 

 on the sides of trees. The surface of the body and wing- 

 covers is very rough, and the pro thorax bears two prominent 

 horns (Fig. 2^0). The larva lives within the fungi referred to 



Fig. 250. \ t> jvt o 



above. 

 The pinacate-bugs. — Several species of Elebdes are abundant on the 



