298 INSECTS AFFECTING MAN AND HOUSEHOLD 



summer, and if they have access to food, they lay their eggs thereon. 

 Therein the larvae hatch, feed, and pupate. The pupal stage lasts 

 four, five, or more days. Several broods are possible under 

 favorable conditions. 



Injury. This beetles is frequently attracted to bacon or ham. 

 It is also fond of old cheese. The fatty portion of meat is pre- 

 ferred. The larvse feed on the surface of the food until time for 

 pupation; then they bury themselves below the surface. 



Control. General cleanliness in housekeeping is desirable. 

 Food may be kept in insect-proof receptacles. An infested piece 

 of meat may be treated by cutting away the infested portion and 

 washing the cut surface with a very dilute solution of carbolic 

 acid. These beetles may be very easily trapped with pieces of 

 meat and old cheese. Badly infested buildings should be thor- 



FIQ. 307. The drug store beetle: a, larva; b, pupa; c and d, adults. (U. S. Bu. Ent.) 



oughly cleaned, and may be fumigated with bisulfid of carbon 

 or hydrocyanic acid gas. 



The Drug Store Beetle, or "Death Watch." This insect 

 (Sitrodrepa panicea Linn.), when working in wood, causes a tick- 

 ing sound which has suggested to the mind of the superstitious 

 the name of "death watch." The beetle is stout, light brown 

 in color, and one-eighth of an inch long. It has a retractile head 

 (Fig. 307) . The larva is grub-like and occurs in the same material 

 in which the adults are found. 



Injury. The beetle is practically omnivorous. It is found in 

 mills, granaries, and warehouses, as well as in the dwelling houses. 

 It lives on flour, meal, cereal^, condiments, roots, herbs, and animal 

 substances. It has been known to colonize on a human skeleton, 

 dried, with the ligaments attached. It has also been recorded 

 as perforating tin foil or sheet lead. 



