176 Second Report on Economic Zoology. 



GEO UP F. 

 Insects in Furniture. 



The rurnitiu-e and liuuseliuld pests sent by a eoiTespundeiit iVuui 

 Wliileliui'ch, Glainor-aushire, belong to two, uot three, species as 

 mentioned in his letter. 



They are (1) the so-called " Death Watch" (Atrojm diciiiatoria), 

 (the same name is given to certain furnitnre beetles — Aaohium 

 tes.ieUahim, etc.), and (2) mites belonging to the genus Gli/clphaf/us, 

 and arc proljably CUycipha(jn>< cv.rsor, de (leer, and Ci. domcstictix, 

 de Geer. (Specimens were sent to A. Michael, Esq., for identification. 

 They proved to be G. domesiicns, de Geer.) 



They are both best destroyed by fumigation. Sulpliur is usually 

 employed, but if both the pests are particularly abundant, the rooms 

 should be fumigated with hydrocyanic acid gas as well. Kooms 

 should be well brushed down and the floors washed with soap and 

 water. I'.ooks, etc., which harbour the Atropos should be subjected 

 to the fumes of benzine in closed boxes. Fumigation Avith sulphur 

 answ^ers best for the mites, but is not so effective upon the Alrupoa, 

 hence hydrocyanic acid gas is mentioned. 



The Saw-Toothed Grain Weevil. 



{Sikanus avrinamensis, Linn.). 



Sunie insects sent by a correspondent of the Board as abundant 

 1 tests in all kinds of corn and meal, in a meal room, were— (1) The 

 Saw-toothed Grain-Beetle {Slkanm surinameims, Linn.), and a fcAv 

 of the Corn Weevil {Chdandra fjianaria). The hitter pest has been 

 mentioned in previous Beports and a note upon it will l:te found 

 in the Journal (Vol. YIIL, Xo. :3, p. 358, Dec. 1901). 



The Saw-Toothed Grain AVeevil (Fig. 27) is one of the conmionest 

 pests in grain, groceries, meal, and almost all edilde stores. Although 

 it is mainly omnivorous, it has a strong liking for cereals and farina- 

 ceous sul)stances. It is recorded as attacking amongst other things red 

 )>ei>])er, mace, yeast, tobacco, and preserved fruits. Bags in whicli meal 

 tlnur, etc., are kept may be perforated ]>y them, and in one instance 



