154 COLEOPTERA. 



though not fieen in the drawing. This larva attacks 

 many household articles, but is especially fond of 

 carpets and woollen garments. No preventive is more 

 effectual than repeatedly shaking these garments. The 

 larvae, unlike those of the clothes moth, do not cling 

 to the goods, but fall and can then be killed. Benzine, 

 kerosene, naphtha, boiling water, and corrosive subli- 

 mate ^ can be used for kiUing the larvae. 



The metamorphosis is indirect. Fig. 93, b, is a 

 dorsal view of the pupa with the split larval skin sur- 

 rounding it ; Fig. 93, c, a ventral view of the same 

 removed from the skin. After casting the pupa skin 

 the beetles leave our houses and feed upon the pollen 

 of plants, notably of Spiraeas, after which the females 

 return and lay their eggs. The beetles do some dam- 

 age, although but very little as compared with the 

 larvae. 



The family Dermestidae includes many insects 

 destructive to entomological collections. Teachers 

 sometimes find their specimens badly eaten, and the 

 bottom of the insect boxes covered with a fine dust. 

 To prevent such attacks, camphor gum, benzine, tur- 

 pentine, or, better than these, disinfecting cones, made 

 chiefly of naphthaline, should be used. These cones 

 are manufactured in Philadelphia and sold among tax- 

 idermists' supplies. Small, uncorked bottles of bisul- 

 phide of carbon can be placed in the collections, and 

 the liquid allowed to evaporate. This will kill every 

 living thingj whether in the fonn of an egg, lar\^a, pupa, 



1 This is a dangerous poison and can be used effectively and 

 safely only by persons of experience. 



