COLEOPTERA. 



rn\iD/E. 



295 



SITODREPA PANICEA, L. 



Dermestes paniceus, Linn., Syst. Nat. (ed. X). p. 357 (1758). 

 Sitodrepa panicea, Chittenden, U.S.A. Bull. No. 4, pp. 124—126, 

 ff. 61. 62; Lefroy, [nd. Ins. Life, p. 318, t. 197- 



I ig. 138. Sitodrepa panicea, beetle and larva. The smaller figu 

 show tin.- natural sizes. (Larva after Chittenden.) 



Distribution. — Throughout Southern India. 



Lifehistory.—Eggs are laid in almost any dry substance of 



organic origin, the larvae, on hatching, tunnelling galleries in which 

 they pupate in small cocoons. The entire life-cycle may be passed 

 in less than two months. 



Food. This species has been said to " eat anything but cast 

 iron, " even perforating tin foil and sheet lead. Books, papers, 

 stored grain and drugs of all kinds, boots, sheet cork. 



Status. An important pest of books and papers and hence ol 

 great importance in Libraries, Record Rooms, etc. 



Control. Books and papers should be kept as far as possible in 

 1 losed almirahs or boxes and protected with a plentiful supply of 



Naphthaline renewed regularly. Books in exposed shelves should 

 be treated at least annually with Book Solution. (See page 172.) 



LASIODERMA SERRICORNE, Kb. (PLATE VTJ 

 Ptinus serricornis, Fab.. Ent. Syst., 1, 1. 241 (179 

 Lasioderma testaceum, Duftschmid, Faun. Austr., Ill, 46(1825;; 

 I efroy, Ind. Ins. Pests, p. 253, 1 305, Ind. Ins. Life, p. 319. 1 >'' 



