178 



AN ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 



Tlie larder-beetle. Dermes- 

 tes lardarius. — a, larva; b, a 

 single hair from larva ; c, adult 

 beetle. 



These belong to the family Dey))U'stidce, which contains such 

 nuisances as the "larder-beetles," "carpet-beetles." and "mu- 

 seum-beetles." The elytra, which cover 

 the abdomen completely, are black or 

 gray, usually ornamented with white or 

 colored scales, which sometimes form 

 quite pretty markings. 



The "larder-beetle," or "bacon- 

 beetle," Dermestes lardarius, is rather 

 more than one-fourth of an inch long, 

 and easily recognizable by having the 



1^ MiM^k>< \t. anterior half of the wing-covers pale 



C luHliiifc brown or vellowish, its livery else being 



JlBiiLjIf K ^,f ^ sombre black or dark gray. The 



larva is nearly half an inch in length, 

 rather narrow yet plump, ;uid clothed 

 with rather dense, long, brown hairs. 

 It feeds on stored provisions of all 

 kinds, on hides, skins, or other similar substances, and is occa- 

 sionally quite troublesome in smoke-houses. Cleanliness, plenty 

 of air, tight receptacles, and close-meshed wire netting on the 



covers or doors of 

 pantries and boxes 

 are the best prevent- 

 ives, supplemented 

 by destruction of the 

 beetles and larvae 

 wherever noticed. 

 Good results are 

 often obtained by 

 leaving a tempting 

 bit in an exposed 

 position, which will 

 act as a trap, attract- 

 ing beetles and lar\ai 

 where they can be 

 easily found and destroyed. Several other species, similar in 

 size but differently marked, have similar habits, and among 

 them the " leather- beede," D. vu/phms, has been responsible 



Leather-beetle, Dermestts viilpinus. — a, larva ; //, pupa ; 

 k, adult ; d \.o i, details of larva. 



