54 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The black carpet beetle 57 is a more slender, blackish or brownish 

 beetle somewhat larger than the oval Buffalo carpet beetle though 

 rarely attaining a length of three-sixteenths of an inch. Its 

 decidedly somber colors and markedly more slender proportions 

 distinguish it at once from the gayly colored Buffalo carpet beetle. 

 It is also peculiar on account of the greatly produced terminal 

 antennal segment in the male. The beetles are frequently found 

 in warmed houses throughout the winter and it is probable that 

 the grubs are active under such conditions. The slender, reddish 

 brown grubs are about one-fourth of an inch in length and easily 

 recognized by the nearly equally long, bushy tail of reddish hairs 

 in connection with the short, sparse hairs of the tapering body. 



Fig. 20 The long-tailed grub of the black carpet .beetle, X4. (Original) 



The odd beetle 58 is a provisional designation for a unique species 

 which may prove a domestic pest. Introduced from Europe a 

 number of years ago, it has established itself in New York City, 

 and last summer appeared in large numbers in a city dwelling. The 

 larva or grub is approximately one-tenth of an inch long and 

 presents a general resemblance to the small larva or grub of the 

 much better known Buffalo carpet beetle, from which it is easily 

 distinguished by the thick covering of somewhat club-shaped hairs. 

 This insect was recorded as occurring in almost everything covered 

 with tissue paper, and it is quite possible that it might establish 

 itself in stuffed natural history specimens, such as birds, animal 

 heads, etc. and, from such breeding centers, gradually spread 

 throughout the building. Thorough cleaning of infested rooms 

 and the free use of sodium fluoride appears to be the most practical 

 method of checking an infestation. 



Habits. Both of the carpet beetles are rather common on flowers 

 the latter part of May and early in June and may be brought into 

 houses therewith. They also occur on windows in early spring, 

 are found in the fall and occasionally in the winter. Both play 

 possum when disturbed. The eggs of the Buffalo carpet beetle 



"Attagenus piceus Oliv. 

 58 Thelydrias contractus Mots. 



