Cigd^ Inrf/c and Lti^ilc^ Beetle. 125 



The Cigar Beetle. 



(Lnsiodcrma tcstacca, Duf.) 



I)r. Cliristy, of St. James riace, torwank-tl some In<liaii ci^Mi-s, a 

 case i»l' which were beini; seriously daiaa^'ed by a siiuill l>eelk*. The 

 pest is known as the Ci^T'^r ]>eelle {Lasiodcrma tcMarca, Duf.), and 

 is closely ix'lated to the American, West Inilian, and almcjst cosmopo- 

 litan Cigajx'tte lieetle (La^ioderma scrricorne). It is reconled from 

 India as attacking cheroots, rice, saffron, the leaf coverings of ojiium 

 balls, etc. 



They have l>een noticed largely in Burmah cheroots, and are 

 lre<[uently found in Manilla cigars and cheroots. It is almost cosmo- 

 politan, and attacks most diy vegetable substances. I do not 

 remember having seen it in Havana cigars. The egg stage lasts from 

 eight to sixteen days. The grub stage normally takes six weeks, but 

 under unfavoimible conditions it may last for a year or more. The 

 pupal stage lasts about eight days. 



The ]KM?tles may live for two months. Tlie development of the 

 larv'ie is hastened and retarded by heat and ct)ld. Both larva' and 

 beetles do the damage ; a single tunnel into the cigar, as a i-ule, sti'ps 

 it drawing, so that the damage done by a comparatively small nuinl>er 

 of l»eetles and theii* larvio in a case may often be considerable. This 

 pest, when a case is o|)oned and found to bo infested, may easily 

 be checked by bisuljdjitle fumigation. 



The Larder Beetle. 



{Ikrmmti^ larduriu-ti, Lmu.; 



The I>arder Beetle previously mentioned (p. 45) was sent with 

 various enquiries by a correspondent from "Wantage. 



Tliis l)eetle is also known as the Bacon Beetle. As far as 

 jx'rsonal observations go it lays its eggs first in May and on through 

 the year in successive broods, under favounible conditions. 



Xo obser%'ations have been made on the length of egg-life. The 

 laivje that I have kept under observation took nearly five weeks to 

 i-each maturity, but I ludieve they may do so in four weeks. 



Hams and Imcon aflected by this i>est should have the parts 

 invaded by the insects cut away and washed with a strong solution 

 of salicylate of .scKla. Store rooms in which this pest has occunvd 

 should be well swept out and either fumigated with bisulphide of 

 carbon or hydrocyanic acid gas. 



