ENTOMOLOGY 225 



The larva measures about three-sixteenths of an inch in length, 

 is whitish in color, and footless. The body is quite robust, sub- 

 cylindrical in shape, somewhat flattened on the ventral surface. The 

 caudal end is rather bluntly rounded, the cephalic end tapering 

 slightly from about the third segment. Labrum and mandibles yel- 

 low, the tips of the mandibles being almost black. The body is 

 quite thickly covered with hairs. 



A single larva only occupies the interior of a kernel of corn, 

 eating out a broad cavity from the base to the opposite end of the 

 kernel, where it is usually enlarged, and a small portion eaten out 

 to the hull before pupating. It would seem that the larva enters the 

 kernel at its base where it may be more easily penetrated. An in- 

 fested grain usually appears quite sound exteriorly until the pupal 

 stage is reached when the cavity may be detected through the thin 

 hull. The adult escapes by gnawing through the thin membrane 

 to the exterior. Immediately after coming from the pupa state the 

 adults are reddish brown, not acquiring their final color and activity 

 for two or three days. Older specimens liberated from their cavities 

 immediately took flight; they are surprisingly quick in the use of 

 their wings, and thus frequently escape. 



Adults kept in confinement fed readily on cow-peas and corn, 

 showing no preference to any part of the seed. Eggs have not as yet 

 been discovered, nor has the manner of oviposition been observed. 

 Experiments indicate that under favorable conditions the life cycle 

 may be completed in five or six weeks. Breeding continues as late 

 as November and probably throughout the winter. 



The Catorama Flour Beetle. This small beetle which may be 

 called the Catorama flour beetle, is an insect of considerable abun- 

 dance in corn, corn-meal, and flour. It is also quite destructive to 

 museum specimens, particularly bird-skins and insects. It belongs 

 to the Ptinidse, a family of small beetles, which feed mostly upon 

 vegetable matter in an incipient stage of decay. The beetle is about 

 one-eighth of an inch long, body rather elongate, the head being 

 strongly deflexed, and when in repose bent up on the under surface 

 of the prothorax. The beetle is of a dark brown color, cjuite densely 

 and uniformly covered with light yellowish colored hairs. 



Treatment. Many different substances have been recom- 

 mended at various times for the destruction of insects injurious to 

 stored grain. Some of these are of value in a greater or less degree. 

 Others are quite worthless. Certain preventive measures that are 

 in practice in the South seem to be of some value. Most farmers in 

 Florida do not husk their corn when harvested as the husks offer 

 considerable protection against lepidopterous insects, and weevils. 

 It is also a common practice to gather the corn and leave it in heaps 

 in the field for a few days to allow the ants to destroy the larvae that 

 infest it. Others leave an open space in the roof of the crib so that 

 rain may enter and thoroughly wet the corn, bringing about a period 

 of heat that is said to destroy the infesting weevils and larva?, doing 

 no harm to the corn. It is a rather prevalent idea that certain varie- 

 ties of grain are weevil proof, and inquiry is sometimes made for 



