FOOD MATERIAL. 61 



or later, but remain (where they are not in warm quarters) for the 

 winter in their places of development (" Weige," or cradles), and 

 appear early in the following year, often in the first days of April. 



Propagation begins about May, when the eggs are laid on such 

 substances as serve the beetles for food, as meat of various kinds, 

 hides, furs, &c. 



Dr. Lintuer* notes that "there are apparently several broods 

 throughout the year," and that " the cast larval skins, which are 

 thrown off from time to time during growth, often disclose the lurking- 

 places of the active larvae, buried within the substance on which they 

 are preying." 



Of the food of this infestation. Dr. Lintner observes that "it 

 is particularly fond of bacon, although it also preys on other dried 

 meats, as hams, &c., also on cheese, peltry, skins, horns and hoofs 

 of dead animals, feathers, insects in museums, and mounted birds and 

 mammals " ; . . . but " it does not eat clothing of any kind unless 

 it encloses or is heavily charged with fatty matter. It is the larva 

 that commits by far the greater depredations, the perfect insect being 

 comparatively harmless, except as it continues the species by the 

 deposit of the eggs." — (J. A. L.) 



In the paper by Dr. Lintner, noted above, are references to obser- 

 vations, with quotations from various publications on bee-keeping, 

 showing that D. lardanus also feeds on wax, and on dead bees and 

 pollen in the comb ; and in an observation quoted from Prof. C. V. 

 Eiley (Entomologist to the Department of Agriculture, U.S.A.) he 

 remarks that specimens of the larvae sent to him fed ravenously on 

 wax, and after changing their coats several times became beetles. 



The latest information I am acquainted with as to the life-history 

 and habits of this beetle is that given in the publication referred to 

 below, which brings results of research up to 1896.1 Here it is noted 

 that "under favourable circumstances the insect is unquestionably a 

 rapid breeder." An instance is given of an observer having placed a 

 female beetle in a glass jar with a piece of meat, and five weeks 

 afterwards " a large and flourishing colony of larvae, most of them 

 full-grown," were found. 



Quotation is made from Dr. G. H. Horn, in the 'Proceedings of 

 the Entomological Society of Philadelphia ' (1861, vol. i. p. 28), who 

 states that the insect remains in the pupa condition fur a period 



* See paper on " Dermestes lardarius " in ' Sixth Eeport of Injurious and other 

 Insects of State of New York,' pp. 119-123, by Dr. J. A. Lintner, Albany, U.S.A. 

 1890. 



t 'The Princiiml Household Insects of the United States,' by L. 0. Howard 

 and C. L. Marlatt. Bulletin No. 4. New Series. United States Department of 

 Agriculture, Washington. 1896. 



