INSECTS INJURIOUS TO DRUGS 



49 1 



ered with fine hairs as in Sitodrepa, is not uncommon. The larva or grub 

 is like the grub of Sitodrepa, and the habits are about the same. I have 

 found Lasioderma serricorne attacking powdered ergot, and Prof. J. B. 

 Smith, entomologist of Rutgers College, has found it attacking belladonna 

 root. Ptinus brunneus, another species of the family, which I have found 

 attacking musk root, powdered senna, and powdered jaborandi leaves, 

 differs considerably in appearance from the other two members of the 

 family just referred to. It is slightly larger, being about 4 mm. long, 

 and it has long, slender antennae or feelers which project forward from the 

 head (see Fig. 267). The antennae of Sitrodrepa and Lasioderma are usu- 

 ally bent back upon the body. The body of Ptinus is not subcylindrical, 

 but tapers toward the head, the head itself being much narrower than the 

 body. Bostrichus dactilliperda, another member of the family Ptinidae, 

 attacks sweet almonds. 



Another family of beetles which includes several drug-attacking species 

 is the Dermestidae. To this family belongs 

 the common buffalo bug (Anthrenus scrophu- 

 lariacea) of the house. The Dermestidae com- 

 prise a number of beetles, mostly small, which 

 feed on skins, furs, various dried animal sub- 

 stances, and, to some extent, on dried vege- 

 table substances. A nthrenus varius, which I have 

 found in jars of powdered cramp bark and fenu- 

 greek, is small, rounded-oval, with transverse 

 black, white, and reddish-brown waved stripes 

 (see a, Fig. 268). The grub differs from the 

 larvae of the Ptinidae in bearing many long, 

 bristly hairs (see c, Fig. 268). The adult beetle 

 lives chiefly upon the pollen of certain plants, 

 but the larva or grub lives indoors, and, feeding 



on rugs, woolen goods, collections of natural history, furs, hairs, and drugs, 

 is a serious pest. 



Another family of small beetles, the Cucujidae, is represented among 

 drug pests by several species of the genus Silvanus. The beetles belonging 

 to this genus are about one-tenth of an inch long, light brown, flattened, 

 and with antennae clubbed at the tip (see Fig. 269). I have found Silvanus 

 surinamensis attacking almond meal, Silvanus advena feeding on aconite 

 root, and another species of Silvanus attacking angelica seed, quince seed, 

 bitter-sweet, senega root, hyoscyamus, pellitory root, etc. 



A large black beetle, Tenebrio obscurus (family Tenebrionidae), is some- 

 times found attacking drugs. I have taken it in jars of parsley root. It 

 is three-quarters of an inch long, dull black all over, with bead-like an- 

 tennal joints, and with narrow, parallel, longitudinal ridges along the 

 wing-covers. A small, shining, black beetle (genus Paromalus), belonging 



FIG. 267. Ptinus brunneus 

 Duft. (Riley.) 



