CAEE OF A COLLECTION. 



00 



Insect Pests (Figs. 9, 10, 11, 1-2) with whicli we have to contend belong principally to the 

 two families Ti)iei(hr and Dennestidce — the former are motlis, the latter beetles. The moths are 

 of species identical with, and allied to, the common clothes moth, Thicn finrifronteUa, the carpet 

 moth, T. tapeLella, etc., — small species observed Hj'ing about our apartments and museums, 

 in May and during the summer. The beetles are several rather small thick-set species, princi- 

 pally of the genera Denncstes and Anthrenus. I am able to figure species of these genera, 

 with their larval stages, and of two other genera, Ptiiius and Sitodye^ia, through the attentions 

 of Prof. C. V. Riley, the eminent entomologist. The larv;B ("caterpillars'" of the moths, and 

 " grubs " of the beetles) appear to be the chief agents of the destruction. The presence of the 

 mature insects is usually readily detected ; on disturbing an infested suite of specimens the motlis 



Fig. 9. — Anthrenus scro/ularUv, enlarged; the sliort line shows nat. size, a, b, larv;i^; c. pupa; f/, imago. 



Fig. 10. — Dermestes lartlarius, en- 

 larged, a, larva ; h, an enlarged hair ; 

 c, imago. 



Fig. 11. — Sltoiirepa paniceat Fig. 12. 

 enlarged, a, imago; b, its an- 

 tenna, more enlarged. 



- Ptinus bnnmms 



flutter about, and the beetles crawl as last as they can into shelter, or simulate death. The 

 insidious larva?, however, are not so easily observed, burrowing as tliey do among the feathers, 

 or in the interior of a skin ; whilst the minute eggs are commonly altogether overlooked. But 

 thi? "bugs'' are not long at work ■n-ithout leaviug their unmistakable traces. Shreds cf 

 feathers float off when a specimen is handled, or fly out on flipping the skin with the fineevs, 

 and in bad cases even whole bundles of plumes come away at a touch. Sometimes, leaving the 

 plumage intact, bugs eat away the horny coverine of the hill and feet, making a peculiarly 

 unhappy and irreparable mutilation. I suppose this piece of wtirk is done by a particular 

 insect, but if so I do not know what one. It would appear that when the bugs effect lodgment 

 in any one skin, they usu;rlly finish it before attacking another, unless they are in great force. 

 We may consequently, by prompt removal of an infested specimen, save fuither dejiredations; 



