PLAN FOR INSECT STUDY 59 



of museum pests. The one especially to be feared is a 

 minute beetle, Anthrenus, that feeds, both in the larval 

 and adult state, upon such dry animal substances as 

 museum specimens. This is the insect pest that reduces 

 practically every uncared-for specimen to a heap of brown 

 dust. Heretofore it has made the gathering of biological 

 school collections almost impossible. A class leaves a 

 fine collection in the cabinet at the end of the spring 

 term, only to find it dust in the fall, and the teacher and 

 school are naturally discouraged. Specimens promptly 

 sealed up in the way just described have already stood the 

 test of several years, but we cannot tell when Anthrenus 

 may have laid its eggs on a specimen, and we must watch 

 for the first indications of its presence, — fine brown dust 

 on and underneath the insect. If this be seen, drill a 

 small hole through the wooden frame of the mounting 

 case, and with a pipette, with the point drawn out to a 

 fine tube, insert a drop of carbon bisulphide. Plug the 

 hole immediately, and its contents will be safe forever 

 after. 1 



With the above suggestions any class in nature study 

 may easily begin a permanent collection of insect life 

 stories that will be an invaluable aid in instruction and 

 grow in excellence and completeness for the important 

 insects of the neighborhood from year to year. The col- 

 lection should be kepi in the dark, except when in use, 

 to prevent fading of specimens, and it may be packed 

 in small space in a drawer or box. The mounting cases 

 should be labeled on one end with the name of the insect 



1 1 have never been obliged to do this, but give it as a suggestion to 

 those who may be troubled by museum pests. 



