88 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



develop upon vegetation near at hand, it is easy to see that a fre- 

 quent rotation of crops, incidentally a good agricultural practice 

 where possible, is also a most efficient method of preventing these 

 pests from becoming extremely abundant. Plowing either in the 

 fall or moderately early in the spring must mean the destruction 

 of millions of the young leaf hoppers. 



There are conditions where a moderately frequent rotation of 

 crops is inadvisable or impossible and for such cases we would sug- 

 gest burning over infested meadows in late fall or preferably in 

 early spring as the most promising method of destroying many of 

 the eggs. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



Thelydrias contractus Mots. A number of peculiar larvae of this 

 remarkable beetle were received from a New York correspondent, 

 accompanied by the statement that they occurred in great numbers 

 in the house and were found almost everywhere excepting in woolen 

 garments or articles. They occurred in pasteboard boxes where 

 there was apparently nothing to attract them., in perfectly clean 

 garments, in clean muslin bedding and in almost everything covered 

 with white tissue paper, in china closets, in a bookcase and also in 

 a tool chest. The number of larvae sent indicated a considerable 

 degree of abundance. 



This sending is of more than ordinary interest, since it relates to 

 an European species first discovered in this country in 1902, and one 

 which may possibly become a pest of considerable importance in 

 museums, probably in stored food products and perhaps in dwellings. 

 The larvae resemble somewhat those of the Buffalo carpet beetle 

 or Anthrenus except that they are considerably smaller in size and 

 may be readily distinguished by the characteristic clavate hairs or 

 scales. The studies of Mr L. H. Joutel of New York indicate that 

 one year may be required to complete the life cycle. He has also 

 ascertained that the larvae may live for three or four years without 

 food and that they are unusually resistant to the fumes of carbon 

 bisulphide. It is quite possible that this insect might establish 

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

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

 out a building. The runways and nests of rats would also probably 

 furnish attractive conditions. 



Thorough cleaning of the infested rooms and the free use of sodium 

 flouride was advised. This was done and a month later the 

 correspondent reported a comparative freedom from the insects. 



