LARDER-BEETLES. 



39 



In running" over persons engaged in mills it will bite, even without 

 provocation, and may cause bad sores. It is a small and flat 

 beetle, of a light brown color, with highly polished wing-covers, 

 with a light space upon each. Related beetles are found also in 

 stores of grain and dried fruit. 



FAMILY DERMESTIDAE 



( Larder-beetles; Carpet-beetles; etc.). 



Most of the beetles composing this family feed upon decaying 

 substances, or on skins, furs, and dried animal matter of all kinds. 

 The wing-covers completely cover the abdomen, and are not 



\i!< ---■-■, 



Fig. 44. — Dermestes lardarius, Linn. After Division of Eutomulogv, U. S. De- 

 partment of Agriculture. 



shorter than it, as was the case in most of tbe scavenger beetles 

 mentioned thus far. They are usually small, but few reaching 

 a length of one-third of an inch. They arc oval or elongated, 

 ornamented with pale gray, yellow, or white markings formed by 

 minute scales which rub oft very easily, and are sometimes 



