65 



the country beyond what was ascertained in 1881 at Dr. Wilkinson's place. We know, 

 however, that there are several generations iu the course of the summer, probably at 

 least a half-dozen ; and, as in the case of all many-brooded insects, there will be a con- 

 stant overlapping of broods, so that moths will be flying most of the summer. This 

 means an almost continuous egg-layiug, and your only absolute protection, where the 

 moths are abundant and breeding, will be to spray with Paris green at frequent in- 

 tervals. In an experiment of this kind you will not mind taking considerable trouble, 

 and I would therefore advise you to purchase a "Little Climax " pump with outfit from 

 the Nixon Nozzle and Machine Company, of Dayton, Ohio, and to spray with Paris 

 green in the proportion of oue-quarter of a pound to 40 gallons of water. I would 

 spray at intervals of from two to three weeks, and oftener when heavy rains intervene. 

 I am surprised to learn that sorghum is more viciously attacked than tropical cane, 

 and should be very glad to have a note from you upon this insect for publication. 

 I should particularly like your criticism upon the paragraphs on remedies, on pages 

 10 and 11 of the little bulletin on Insects Injurious to Sugar-cane, which was pub- 

 lished after mj"^ return from your plantation in 1881. 



Lest you have not a copy of this bulletin by you I have had the paragraphs in 

 question copied and inclose them herewith. — [April 12, 1890.] 



Another Beetle destructive to Carpets. 



I presume the inclosed specimens are not new to an entomologist, although to me 

 and my neighbors they are new. I have resided in several states north and south at 

 different times but I never happened to meet any of these fellows before. We have 

 found the larvae very destructive to carpets, woolens, etc., and were unable to dis- 

 cover the perfect insect until by putting the larvse in a bottle we in time developed 

 them into the little black bug which you see. Any information which we can get re- 

 garding best methods of offense or defense against these little pests will be gratefully 

 received. These insects may be dead when they reach you but I presume you will 

 recognize them all the same. I am not certain whether I should send these specimens 

 to the "Smithsonian" or to the Agricultural Department, but presume, if I am wrong, 

 they can be put on the right track there. — [D. Strunk, Mankato, Minn., July 1, 1890. 



Reply. — The insect is one of the Dermestid beetles ( Attagenus piceus) that feeds on 

 animal substances, and may be killed by chloroform or bisulphide of carbon. Cam- 

 phor or, still better, naphthaline will prevent further attacks of this pest. In habit 

 and transformations this species closely resembles the true carpet beetle {Anthrenus 

 scrophulai'iw) and the same preventive and remedial measures given for that species 

 (Insect Life, Vol. II, No. 5, Nov. 1889, pp. 127-130) will answer.— [July 9, 1890. J 



Other Insects under Carpets. 



I sent you this morning some larvie found under carpets in my house. Both kinds 

 are new to me, or possibly, the brown one is a stage of the longer jointed one. Will 

 you be good enough to give me the name or names, and if described in "Insect Life" 

 please state where it can be found.— [J. B. Brinton, Philadelphia, Pa., March 29, 

 1890. 



Reply. — Your letter of March 29 is duly received, together with the accompanying 

 specimens of larvae found under carpets. The long, many-jointed larva found by 

 you belongs to the Dipterous genus Scenopinus and is probably the larva of S. palli- 

 pes. The larvae of these flies are very long and slender and are peculiar in that the 

 abdominal segments, except the last, have the appearance of being double, so that 

 the body, exclusive of the head, seems to be 22-jointed. These larvae have been occa- 

 sionally found beneath carpets or in woolen blankets, and they have also been found 

 in rotten wood. Professor Riley has also recorded the finding of larvae of Scenopinus 

 in human expectoration. The fly is black with a metallic hue. 



The brown larvae which you suppose may be a stage of the longer one belongs to 



