NOTES FROM THE CAIRD IXSECT HOUSE. 711 



the museum pest Anthrenus vi2csearum. The infested cases 

 were isolated and kept under observation. The larvae fed upon 

 the contents of the egg-masses, and duly pupated within their 

 own skins. The beetles have been emerging during September 

 and October. 



The genus Thaumaglossa is I'epresented in the National Col- 

 lection hj eight species known to inhabit egg-masses of Mantids, 

 their distribution being China, S. Australia, Nigeria, Rhodesia, 

 and the Malay Peninsula. The insect now exhibited was ex- 

 amined by Mr. G. J. Arrow at the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) 

 and has been described by him under the above name. 



The type-specimen will be deposited in the National Collection 

 and the co-type in the general reference collection now in 

 course of formation in the Caird Insect House. 



P T I N I D .E. 



Ptinus jnts'iUus Sturm. 



This active little beetle is a well-known grauary pest in France 

 and C4ermany, but was not known to inhabit this country until 

 1906, when I discovered it in a corn-shop at Edmonton. 



The female, which is more robust than the male and with 

 shorter anteinise, has for some years been confounded with 

 another species, P. testacens Boield., in British works and 

 collections. 



I have taken both sexes in profusion in the Society's Gardens, 

 and it is due to the study of the specimens collected there and at 

 Edmonton that I have been able to clear up this old error. 



Ptinus tectas Boield. 



This beetle is another cosmopolitan granary pest, and during 

 the last few years has become exceedingly common throughout 

 this country. During last May a so-called insect-destroyer was 

 recommended and submitted for test upon some Blow- fly maggots. 

 It was not a success, its intended victims proving its ineffective- 

 ness by simply pupating in a dish of the sujjposed deadly powder. 

 The paper-bag containing the remainder was put aside in a cup- 

 board in the Fly-room, and was forgotten until after the closing 

 of the Fly Exhibition in September, when upon clearing out an 

 accumulation of samples, etc., I noticed numerous small round 

 perforations in the bag which had become slightly mouldy, and, 

 upon peeling back the paper near the perforations, I discovered 

 P. techis, larvaj, pupse, and iinagos, perfectly healthy aud ap- 

 parently enjoying the novelty of breeding in an insect-killing- 

 powder, which actually appears to be a vegetable-meal upon 

 which a corn-shop pest might be expected to thrive. 



In conclusion, I must confess to a feeling of pleasure in 

 recording the successful rearing of an African beetle new to 



