2Q6 SOMESOl III INDIAN INSECTS, ETC. 



Distribution. Throughout Southern India all tin- year round. 



Lifehistory. The minute shining white eggs are laid on dried 

 tobacco, being generally thrust in under a fold of the leal ; in the 

 case nt cheroots they are generally laid just under the outei leal 

 inside the open end. The eggs hatch after four or five days, when 

 the grub emerges and tunnels through the tobacco until it is full- 

 led, when it spins a small cocoon covered with fragments ol leal in 

 which it pupates. The complete life-cycle occupies about 8 10 

 weeks according to temperature and the beetles live a considerable 

 time after emergence. The beetles are quite active on the wing 



Food. Dry tobacco as a rule. Occasionally found in other 

 vegetable matter, such as opium leaves (/.■-.. the poppy petals used 

 lor wrapping opium cakes), turmeric, etc. 



Status. A pest of great importance in eif£ar ami tobacco 

 factories, 



Control. — The most effective method is fumigation ol the finished 

 cheroots by exposing them to the fumes of Hydroi yani< Vcid ^as 

 for 24 hours, then airing for half an hour, and boxing them imme- 

 diately afterwards. This treatment does not injure the .noma of 

 the tobacco. 



NECROBIA RUFIPES, Fb. 



Dermestes rufipes, Fab., Spec. Ins.. I. 65 (1781) 

 Necrobia rufipes, Howard, l.S.A Ent. Hull. 4. p. 105. 1 49 

 Lefroy, Iml. Ins. Life, p. 320. f. 204. 



Fig. 13". Necrobia rufipes. ["he natural size i- indicated bj the line; 

 .il.H ires of thi beetle. I From Indian Museum Notes.) 



