488 THE BEB-kkepKR'S GUIDE ; 



with the bisulphide of carbon or sulphur fumes, will destroy 

 these also, and might be desirable in case comb honey is 

 injured. 



TWO DESTRUCTIVE BEETLES. 



There are two destructive beetles that often work on the 

 comb, more, however, for the pollen and dead bees than for 

 the wax. One of these, Tenebrio molitor, Linn., is the 

 common flour or meal beetle. It is dark brown in color, and 

 five-eighths of an inch (16 mm.) long. The larva or grub is of 

 a lighter color, and when fully developed is one inch (25 mm.) 

 long. It resembles very closely the larva of our Elater beetles 

 — the wire-worms. The other is the bacon beetle, Dermestes 

 lardarius, L,inn. (Fig. 268), which is a sore pest in museums. 



Fig. 268. 



J). Lardarius, — Orighial. 



as it feeds on all kinds of dried animal tissues. The beetle is 

 black, while nearly one-half of the wing-covers, next to the 

 thorax, are yellowish-gray, lined in the middle with black. 

 The beetle is three-eighths of an inch (10 mm.) long. The 

 larva is some longer, very hairy, and ringed with brown and 

 black bands. These beetles are not very troublesome in the 

 apiary, and can be readily destroyed by use of bisulphide of 

 carbon. Care is necessary, however, in the use of this very 

 inflammable and explosive liquid. It is no more to be feared 

 than would be gasoline. We have only to keep the match or 

 lighted cigar away. There are other beetles and moths of 

 similar habits, which are likely at any time to invade the 

 apiary. 



ROBBER-FUES. 



There are several of these flies that prey upon bees. The 

 most common is Asilus missouriensis, Riley. This is a two- 

 winged fly, of the predacious family Asilidae, which attacks 



