Cigar Beetle and Larder Beetle. 125 



The Cigar Beetle. 



{Lasiodc nna tcsfacca, l)uf.) 



Dr. Cliristy, of St. James Place, forwarded some Indian cigars, a 

 case of which were l)eing seriously damaged hy a small l)eetle. The 

 pest is kuown as the Cigar JJeetie [Ludodemui tcdacca, Duf.), and 

 is closely related to the American, West Indian, and almost cosmopo- 

 litan Cigarette Beetle {Ladoderma >icrrworne). It is recorded from 

 India as attacking cheroots, rice, saffron, the leaf coverings of opinm 

 balls, etc. 



They have l)een noticed largely in Burmah cheroots, and are 

 frequently found in ^lanilla cigars and cheroots. It is almost cosmo- 

 politan, and attacks most dry vegetable substances. I do not 

 remember having seen it in Havana cigars. The egg stage lasts from 

 eight to sixteen days. Tlie grub stage normally takes six weeks, but 

 under unfavtniraljle conditions it may last for a year or more. The 

 pupal stage lasts about eight days. 



The beetles may live for two months. The development of the 

 larva' is hastened and retarded by heat and cold. Both larvic and 

 beetles do the damage ; a single tunnel into the cigar, as a rule, stops 

 it drawing, so that the damage done by a comparatively small number 

 of beetles and tlieir larvio in a case may often be consideral)le. This 

 pest, when a case is opened and found to be infested, may easily 

 be checked by bisulphide fumigation. 



The Larder Beetle. 



(DermcstiS lardarins, Linn.) 



The Larder Beetle previously mentioned (p. 45) was sent with 

 various enquiries ])y a correspondent from Wantage. 



This beetle is also known as the Bacon ]>eetle. As far as 

 personal observations go it lays its eggs first in INIay and on through 

 the year in successive broods, under favourable conditions. 



No observations have been made on the length of egg-life. The 

 larvie that I have kept under observation took nearly five weeks to 

 reach maturity, but I believe they may do so in four weeks. 



Hams and bacon affected by this pest should have the parts 

 invaded by the insects cut away and washed with a strong solution 

 of salicylate of soda. Store rooms in which this pest lias occurred 

 should be weU swept out and either fumigated with bisulphide of 

 carbon or hydrocyanic acid gas. 



