376 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. V, 
“It seeming desirable to ascertain if this species would 
breed on so pungent a substance as cayenne pepper, a few 
adults were confined with a quantity of this condiment. In 
due time larve appeared and when examined August 20, or 
nearly ten weeks from the time the eggs were deposited, were in 
vigorous condition, the average individual measuring a tenth 
of an inch in length, or about half that of the full-grown larva. 
Toward the end of September, while passing through the mu- 
seum of this department, my attention was attracted by an 
accumulation of powder and dust about the edges of an exhibit 
of peanut oil cake, and another of Indian turnip bulbs. A 
great number of the larve and their cast skins were found 
under and on the under surface of the cakes; also in flour and 
meal prepared from peanuts. The Indian turnip bulbs were 
very old and dry, and might have been on exhibition twenty 
years or more. 
‘“When this insect infests a substance of similar color and 
consistency to flour and meal only a few larve are sufficient, on 
account of their extraordinary habit of frequently molting, to 
occasion alarm. In fact, appearances are much worse than the 
reality. Thus, in a small box of peanut meal in which these 
larve had taken up their abode, about forty larval skins had 
accumulated when examined September 27, completely cover- 
ing one-half of the surface of the meal, and giving the impression 
of a whole colony of the insects. 
‘““After the experiences narrated I was prepared for almost 
anything, and was expecting that as this species was as nearly 
‘omnivorous as the preceding, it would in time be found like 
them to be granivorous. Having convinced myself by the 
process of ‘reasoning by analogy’ that the insect must be a 
grain feeder, I had resolved to experiment with a view of ascer- 
taining if the species would feed upon cereal food. A compul- 
sory delay of a few days saved me the trouble. While the 
Division of Entomology was moving into new quarters a bag 
of ‘Saskatchewan fif’’ spring wheat, formerly kept in stock for 
gratuitous distribution, and described on the label as a hard, 
amber variety with an exceedingly heavy grain, was unearthed, 
in which the larva of this insect was living, there being present 
no other insects except a colony of Anthrenus and a single stray 
Silvanus. In fact, this grain is so hard and flinty that weevils 
would not flourish on it. 
