54 XEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The black carpet beetle" 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 frecpently 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 carpetbeetle, x4. (Original) 



The odd beetle^'- 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 Xew 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 Buff'alo 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 evers'thing covered 

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

 itself in stuff"ed natural historv' 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 ^lay and early in Tune and may be brought into 

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

 are found in the fall and occasionally in the \vinter. Both play 

 possum when disturbed. The eggs of the Buffalo carpet beetle 



■^"Attagenus piceus Oliv. 

 s^Thelvdria? contractus !Mots. 



