INSECTS AFFECTING STORED CEREAL AND OTHER PRODUCTS IN 
MEXICO. 
By F. H. CHITTENDEN. 
The warm, equable climate of Mexico, particularly of its tropical 
portions, where insects breed continuously the year round, is particu- 
larly adapted to the existence of such species as subsist on grain and 
other edible products that are kept in store, a fact that was brought 
prominently to view by the collections of the writer in the exhibits of 
that country displayed at the World’s Columbian Exposition. 
Toward the close of Mr. Townsend’s tour of investigation in Mexico 
he was requested by Mr. Howard to collect sueh insects as might be 
found in stored cereal and other edible seeds and similar products, but 
owing to the then limited time at Mr. Townsend’s disposal and the 
further fact that only a few localities were visited nothing new or 
especially interesting was taken, all the species reared from samples of 
his collecting being common and of cosmopolitan distribution. 
The grain and seed display of Mexico was one of the largest on the 
Exposition grounds, and as the numerous samples came from many 
parts of that country an exceptionally fine opportunity was afforded 
for the collection of the native and injurious forms. 
A greater number of insects were present in these exhibits than 
from any other country, and all of the really dangerous species were 
found in them (see author’s report, Insect Life, vol. V1, p. 225). Several 
of these insects are unknown or of limited distribution in the United 
States, and it seems fitting that a list of such as infest stored edible 
products be brought together as a supplement to the lists of other 
Mexican insects prepared by Mr. Townsend. I have included a few 
data gathered from collections at the Atlanta Exposition of 1895, and 
have added brief notes on their food habits, injuriousness, and distri- 
bution, and have indicated the species whose introduction into our 
storehouses are especially to be guarded against. 
The cosmopolitan species of wide distribution in the United States 
are marked with a star (*). 
LIST OF MEXICAN INSECTS THAT AFFECT STORED PRODUCTS. 
* Silvanus surinamensis Linn. (saw-toothed grain beetle).—A common cosmopolitan 
and widely distributed species, found in various Mexican exhibits at the Columbian 
Exposition by the writer and in shelled corn sent to this office by Mr. Townsend. It 
is injurious to a great variety of cereal and other seeds, dried fruits, and many other 
substances. 
Silvanus sp.—An undetermined species found in yams and edible tubers in the 
Mexican exhibit at the Exposition. 
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