COLEOPTERA. 539 



other beetles with similar habits by the fact that the wing- 

 covers completely cover the abdomen. They are chiefly 

 small beetles, although one of the common species measures 

 one third inch in length. They are usually oval, plump 

 beetles, with pale gray or brown markings, which are formed 

 by minute scales, which can be rubbed off. These beetles 

 have the habit of pretending that they are dead when they 

 are disturbed ; they will roll over on their backs with their 

 legs meekly folded and lie still for a long period. 



The larvae do much more damage than the adults. They 

 are active, and are clothed with long hairs. These hairs are 

 covered throughout their entire length with microscopic 

 barbs. 



The Larder Beetle, Dermestes lardarius (Der-mes'tes 

 lar-da'ri-us). — This pest of the larder is the most common of 

 the larger members of this family. It is three tenths of an 

 inch long, and black except the basal half of its wing-covers, 

 which are pale buff or brownish yellow. This lighter portion 

 is usually crossed by a band of black spots, three on each 

 wing-cover (Fig. 648). The larva feeds on dead animal 

 matter, as meat, skins, feathers and cheese. It is 

 often a serious pest where bacon or ham are stored. 

 When full grown it is about half an inch in length, 

 dark brown above, whitish below, and rather thickly Fig. 6 4 s. 

 covered with long, brown hairs. It is said that this insect 

 can be attracted by baits of old cheese, from which they 

 may be gathered and destroyed. 



The Carpet Beetle, Anthrenus scrophularice (An-thre'nus 

 scroph-u-la'ri-ae). — During recent years this insect has be- 

 come the worst of household pests, feeding in its larval state 

 on carpets, woollens, furs, and feathers. The larva is well- 

 known to many housekeepers as the Buffalo-moth. It is a 

 short, fat grub, about one fifth of an inch in length when 

 full grown, and densely clothed with dark brown hairs. It 

 lives in the cracks of floors, near the edges of rooms, and be- 

 neath furniture, where it eats holes in the carpet. It also 



