THE TOBACCO BEETLE. 11 



it is a well-known pest in many cigar factories in the United States. 

 It seems to have been only within comparatively recent years, how- 

 ever, that the insect has attracted attention as a serious pest in fab- 

 ricated tobacco. Since the earliest days of the colonies tobacco has 

 been an important crop and one of the main exports of several 

 States. In Colonial times laws regulating the tobacco industry were 

 very exacting and rigidly enforced, and for a long series of years to- 

 bacco for export which failed to come up to the legal requirements 

 as to quality and soundness was destroyed. In view of these cir- 

 cumstances it seems strange, if damage to stored tobacco from insects 

 had occurred to any great extent, that the fact was not recorded. 



ECONOMIC HISTORY. 



From an economic standpoint the history of the species begins 

 with the paper by G. F. Atkinson (21), published in 1885-86. 

 An account of the occurrence, habits, and life history of the insect 

 is given and emergency remedies and means of control are discussed. 

 In 1889 the same investigator published an account of the insect, 

 its life history, remedies, etc.. in a report (22) of the South Caro- 

 lina Agricultural Experiment Station. 



Prof. C. V. Eiley (31), in 1892, reported the insect as injuring 

 chewing tobacco in Baltimore. He discussed its habit of flight and 

 recommended that windows be closed at night to prevent its en- 

 trance. Steaming is given as the best means of killing the larvse 

 and eggs. 



In 1898, in a report upon insect enemies of tobacco, Dr. A. L. 

 Quaintance (40), then State entomologist of Florida, described in- 

 jury to stored tobacco caused by the beetle, giving an account of 

 habits, food substances, and method of treatment of infested tobacco 

 with carbon disulphid. 



Dr. L. O. Howard (42), in 1899, in an article on tobacco insects, 

 gave a general account of the tobacco beetle and other insects injur- 

 ing stored tobacco, and suggested many practical means of control. 

 Fumigation with carbon disulphid, steam sterilization, and other 

 repressive measures applicable to factory and warehouse conditions 

 were described. 



In 1904 Prof. T. B. Symons (51) gave results of experiments in 

 fumigation with hydrocyanic-acid gas and carbon disulphid. Dr. 

 F. H. Chittenden (53), of the Bureau of Entomology, conducted 

 experiments with hydrocyanic-acid gas against the beetle in furni- 

 ture in 1905. 



In 1909 Mr. J. S. Houser (65) reported the beetle extremely de- 

 structive in Cuba, and stated that infested tobacco may be fumigated 

 with carbon disulphid or hydrocyanic-acid gas without injury. 



The results of experiments with dry cold storage in treating 

 infested tobacco in Brazil were given by Gustav Pook (69) in 1910. 



