ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 77 



Anthrenus verhasci Linn, our most abundant insect cabinet pest, was reported as 

 occurring in " middlings " and spoiled flour, and the fact mentioned that at the time of 

 writing larv;v placed in flour were feeding upon it, from which it was judged that they 

 would in due time reach the adult condition. 



In conclusion it is stated that in the case of the Attagenus and Anthrenus, these 

 insects were probably first attracted to granaries by the presence of weevils and other 

 grain insects, and that the graminivorous habit is an acquired one. The presence of 

 Trogoderma in oil seeds and red pepper, however, admits of no other explanation than 

 that of the absence of animal food, and shows a wonderful adaptability to unnatural 

 environment. 



Mr. Howard said that the buflfalo moth does not occur in Washington, its place 

 being taken by Attagenus piceus. He asked for the experience of others as to the for- 

 mer insect to determine its southern extension. A piceus, he said, is not so troublesome 

 as the buffalo moth but is yet a serious pest. In answer to a query from Mr. Davis he 

 gave a brief description of the larvte of the two species. 



Mr. Lintner, referring to the popular designation of the insect as the " buffalo moth," 

 said that he had often urged the discontinuance of the use of this misnomer and thought 

 an effort should be made to secure popular acceptance of a more appropriate common 

 name for this species. He thought it not so strange that Dermestidas fed on vegetable 

 material, since many species having an altogether animal feeding habit in the larval 

 state are vegetable feeders as adults, instancing the feeding of larvifi of various species 

 on woollens and other animal products, the adults of which feed on pollen. 



Mr. Fernald discussed the use against these insects of inflammable and explosive 

 insecticides in connection with its bearing on insurance policies and was inclined on this 

 latter account, not to recommend them. He gave the method of controlling the pest 

 followed with success by his wife, as follows : (1) Before bringing flowers into the house 

 thoroughly shake them to dislodge the beetles. (2) Regularly collect and destroy the 

 beetles which emerge and gather on the windows of the house during the months of 

 March and April. (3) Carefully treat the carpets on the upper floors of the house, as 

 the beetles commonly enter through the upper windows, and these carpets act as traps, 

 getting the first and the bulk of the invasion. 



Mr. Davis said his wife had been unsuccessful in the use of similar remedies. 



Ml-. Rolfs said that the work of the carpet beetle was much worse in the South 

 than in the North, but he did not know the species. He used carbon bisulphide or 

 cyanide gas, preferring the latter. If used with caution he thought neither of these 

 substances dangerous, and their use was especially desirable in connection with herbariums. 



Mr, Lintner said that he ordinarily recommended kerosene, which he thought more 

 suitable than gasoline. Before laying new carpets all the grooves should be carefully 

 filled with cement or plaster, and the carpets should be left loose at the borders to facili- 

 tate frequent investigation. The use of tarred paper was also advisable. He had found 

 the following trap method valuable ; Remove all woollens from rooms or closets and 

 scatter about them bits of red flannel, which is a very attractive bait for the Anthrenus. 

 The beetles thus attracted are afterwards collected and destroyed. Referring to Mr. 

 Fernald's statement regarding the method of entrance of the beetles from flowers out 

 of doors, he said that this is a common experience and that they commonly enter houses 

 through the upper windows and appear first in the carpets of the upper rooms, thus 

 making their reappearance after having been exterminated. 



Mr. Fernald discussed the subjects of the relation of colour in woollens or carpets to 

 infestation by the buffalo moth, and said that it had been carefully investigated by his 

 former assistant, Mr. Lounsbury, as to the attractiveness both of particular colours and 

 different dyes to the beetles. The information was sought from various sources, including 

 factories for the manufacture of carpets and rugs. The conclusion arrived at was that 

 colour is not an important factor — at least the beetles do not confine their attacks to 



