126 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



III. 



The greatest difficulty is finding the nest as they tunnel all 

 through the wood, but fumigating with carbon bisulphide is 

 good if one can reach the seat of trouble. 



IV. 



Gasoline poured into the burrow will destroy them. 



Bacon or Ham Beetle. 



(Derniestes lardaris Linn) 



This insect is about 3-16 in. long and yi in. broad. The lower 

 iialf of the wing covers are covered with grayish-yellow scales, with 

 several small black spots on the wings, which sometimes form 

 almost an entire band across the beetle. This insect is always 

 recognized by its feeding on bacon, ham, lard and cheese. It 

 especially like the fatty portions of the ham. The adult female 

 beetle begins laying her eggs in the spring on meats or nearby, so 

 that the nfewly hatched larvae may crawl to the meat. The full 

 grown larva are about 9-16 in. long. When full grown, they bury 

 themselves in meat and cheese, and change to the pupa stage. 

 They stay in this state from 3 to 5 days, according to conditions. 

 These beetles reproduce about every six weeks.' 



I. 

 If these beetles are found in the meat, the best remedy is to 

 cut away the infested parts and wash in a weak solution of carbolic 

 acid and water, or the good parts may be sliced and fried, lay the 

 pieces in a stone jar and pour over hot lard and cover. 



~ II- 



Some find spraying with benzine to be very effective method 

 for destroying the larvae. 



III. 

 Fumigating smokehouses and storerooms with carbon bisul- 

 phide or hydrocyanic acid gas will rid the building of this pest 

 Hydrocyanic acid gas is very dangerous so great care should be 

 taken in handling it. 



IV. 



The smokehouse should be screened in order to keep it insect 

 proof. The mesh should be fifteen to the inch. 



