CAEE OF A COLLECTION. 



65 



I 



Insect Pests (Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12) with which we have to contend belong principally to the 

 two faiiiilies Tineidcc and Dermestidce — the former are moths, the latter beetles. The moths are 

 of species identical with, and allied to, the common clothes moth. Tinea flavifrontella, the carpet 

 moth, T. tapetzella, etc., — small species observed Hying about our apartments and museums, 

 in May and during the summer. The beetles are several rather small thick-set species, princi- 

 pally of the genera Dermestes and Anthrenus. I am able to figure species of these genera, 

 \\-ith their larval stages, and of two other genera, Ptinus and Sitodrepa, through the attentions 

 of Prof. C. V. Riley, the eminent entomologist. The larvae ("caterpillars" of the moths, and 

 " grubs " of the beetles) appear to be the chief agents of the destruction. The presence of the 

 mature insects is usually readily detected ; on disturbing an infested suite of specimens the moths 



Fig. 9. — Anthrenus scrofularice, enlarged; the short line shows nat size, a, h, larvae; c, pupa; d, imago, 



Fjg. 10. — Dermestes lardarius, en- FiG. 11. — Sitodrepa panicea, 



larged. a, larva ; 6, an enlarged hair ; enlarged, a, imago ; 6, its an- 

 c, imago. tenna, more enlarged. 



Fig. 12. — Ptimis brunneus. 



flutter about, and the beetles crawl as fast as they can into shelter, or simulate death. The 

 insidious larvae, however, are not so easily observed, burrowing as they do among the feathers, 

 or in the interior of a skin ; whilst the minute eggs are commonly altogether overlooked. But 

 the "bugs" are not long at work without leaving their unmistakable traces. Shreds of 

 feathers float off' when a specimen is handled, or fly out on flipping the skin with the fingers, 

 and in bad cases even whole bundles of plumes come away at a touch. Sometimes, leaving the 

 plumage intact, bugs eat away the horny covering of the biU and feet, making a peculiarly 

 unhappy and irreparable mutUation. I suppose this piece of work is done by a particular 

 insect, but if so I do not know what one. It would appear that when the bugs effect lodgment 

 in any one skin, they usually finish it before attacking another, unless they are in great force. 

 We may consequently, by prompt removal of an infested specimen, save further depredations ; 



