40 



CARPET-BEETLES. 



arranged very prettily. Most of the insects pretend to be dead 

 when disturbed, and roll upon their back, on which they remain 

 for a long time. To this family belongs the Larder-beetle, (Der- 

 mestes lardarius Linn.), which is shown in Fig. 44. Both larvae 

 and adults enter houses, and for no good purpose, since they de- 

 stroy stored provisions, especially those composed of animal mat- 

 ter, as smoked meat, hides and feathers. The Museum Pest de- 

 stroys collections, and the Carpet-beetles (Authrenus scrophulariae 



Fig. 4.5.— Anthrcrms strop/iu/ar/ie, Linn. Alter Riley. 



Fig. 46.— Deimestidie and Ptinus at work. After Brehm. 



