and deposit eggs much earlier. The inimite wliite " worm " or gi'ul) 

 (the second stage of the insect known as the hirva), upon hatching 

 from the egg, proceeds to burrow in and through the W'ood in all direc- 

 tions, feeding and growing as it proceeds, until it has attained its full 

 growth. It then excavates a cell at the end of its burrow, in which it 

 transforms to a semi-dormant stage (the pupa, or third stage in the 

 insect's life), remaining thus until the legs and wings have fully devel- 

 oped, when it bores its way out and appears as the matured adult or 

 beetle (the fourth stage), to mate and repeat the life process. Under 

 normal conditions, so far as we positively know, there is pr()balil.v onh^ 

 one generation annuall3^ 



Each female deposits many eggs, and many females oviposit on or 

 in a single piece of wood, so that the combined work of their numerous 

 progeny, burrowing through the wood in quest of food for their develop- 

 ment, results in the complete destruction of the interior wood fiber and 

 its conversion into a mass of fine powder. If the first attack and the 

 first generation do not accomplish this destruction, subsequent gener- 

 ations will follow in the same wood until nothing of the solid fiber is 

 left but a thin outer shell. 



FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR ATTACK. 



The conditions which appear to be most favoral)]e for inducing 

 attack are perfectl}^ dry wood material, or sapwood which has been 

 stored or piled in one place for two, three or more years, manufactured 

 articles wliich have attained consideral)le age, floors and frame timbers 

 in old houses, and other wooden structures. The insects prefer such 

 material before it has been painted, varnished, or otherwise treated, but 

 it appears that certain species will, in rare cases, even attack old wood 

 which has been painted or varnished. 



METHODS OF PREVENTING LOSS. 



The methods of combating this class of insects, and of i)reventing 

 losses from their ravages, come under two primary heads : First, 

 destruction of the insects; Second, prevention of attack. 



Destruction of the inserts. — In the case of luml)er and other manu- 

 facturers' and merchants' supplies whic-h are found to be infested, the 

 entire stock should be gone over carefully, and every piece showing 

 the least indication of injury sorted out. Every piece found to be so 

 injured that it is of no value should l)e removed and innnediately 

 l)urned, together with all waste pieces of wood, lumber, sticks, and 

 other useless material which might serve as breeding places for the 

 insects. Thus vast numbers of the insects will be destroj^ed. October 

 to March is probably the best time in which to do the work, in order 

 that none may escape. All partially damaged material, su(;li as the 

 sap edges of lumber, and parts of other material too valualile to destroj^ 



