CARE OF A COLLECTION. 55 
Insect Pests (Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12) with which we have to contend belong principally to the 
two families 7?necde@ and Dermestide — the former are moths, the latter beetles. The moths are 
of species identical with, and allied to, the common clothes moth, Tinea flavifrontella, the carpet 
moth, 7. tapetzella, ete., — small species observed flying about our apartments and museums, 
in May and during the summer. The beetles are several rather small thick-set species, princi- 
pally of the genera Dermestes and Anthrenus. I am able to figure species of these genera, 
with their larval stages, and of two other genera, Ptinus and Sitodrepa, through the attentions 
of Prof. C. V. Riley, the eminent entomologist. The larve (‘‘ caterpillars” of the moths, and 
‘“erubs” of the beetles) appear to be the chief agents of the destruction. The presence of the 
mature insects is usually readily detected ; on disturbing an infested suite of specimens the moths 
Fic. 10.— Dermestes lardarius, en- Fia. 11.— Sitodrepa panicea, Fiq. 12. — Ptinus brunneus. 
larged. a, larva; b,anenlarged hair; enlarged. a, imago; 3, its an- 
c, imago. tenna, more enlarged. 
flutter about, and the beetles crawl] as fast as they can into shelter, or simulate death. The 
insidious larvee, however, are not so easily observed, burrowing as they do among the feathers, 
or in the interior of a skin ; whilst the minute eggs are commonly altogether overlooked. But 
the ‘“‘bugs” are not long at work without leaving their unmistakable traces. Shreds of 
feathers float off when a specimen is handled, or fly out on flipping the skin with the fingers, 
and in bad cases even whole bundles of plumes come away at atouch. Sometimes, leaving the 
plumage intact, bugs eat away the horny covering of the bill and feet, making a peculiarly 
unhappy and irreparable mutilation. I suppose this piece of work is done by a particular 
insect, but if so I do not know what one. It would appear that when the bugs effect lodgment 
in any one skin, they usually finish it before attacking another, unless they are in great force. 
We may consequently, by prompt removal of an infested specimen, save further depredations; 
