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A NEW CLOTHES BEETLE. 



BY PROF. A. J. COOK, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, MICHIGAN. 



One of the most interesting studies of the 'scientific entomologist — more interesting 

 because of its economic importance — relates to variation of habits of insects consequent 

 upon variation in their environment. The Carpet Beetle — Anthrenus scrophularice Linn., 

 feeds on flowers in its native Europe. In the new atmosphere of America it feeds and 

 thrives upon carpets, shawls and other woolen goods. The Apple Maggot, Try f eta pomo- 

 nella , feeds upon our wild haw and other wild fruits. Civilization exterminates its old- 

 time aliment, and it betakes itself to our apples, cherries and plums. The curculio, apple 

 tree borers, bark lice, etc., are other illustrations of the same truth. 



The past season I have discovered another illustration in the Lasioderma serricorne, 

 Eab. This insect belongs to the family Ptinidce. A small family of very small insects. 

 Very few of the insects of this family are noxious ; the two best known of which are 

 the apple tree twig borer, Arnphicerus bicaudatus, Say, which bores in the mature state, 

 in the twigs of the apple ; and Linoxylon basilare, Say, which attacks the hickory and 

 grape. The insect in question, Lasioderma serricorne* Fab., has been found to attack 

 plush furniture. The larva? in this case do the mischief. They perforate the plush mak- 

 ing it like a sieve. I know of several pieces of upholstered furniture utterly ruined by 

 these minute larva?. 



The beetle is light brown in color. There is little variation in the color except that 

 the eyes and tips of the elytra are black. The wing covers appear a little lighter, because 

 of a covering of light hairs which are more dense on the elytra than on the thorax and 

 head. The thorax bends down, so that as we look from above we cannot see the head. 

 The serrate antenna?, which give its name to the beetle, are also close bent under the head, so 

 as to rarely show. The beetle is very small, hardly more than two m.m. long. The elytra 

 are non- striated. The first two joints of the antennae are small. They then increase 

 to the sixth, and then decrease to the end. The tenth or last joint is rounded. The 

 grubs are short, curled and hairy. They are two m.m. long and one thick. The color is 

 white, and the hairs nearly white. These latter have a slightly yellowish tinge. The six 

 thoracic legs are tipped with black. The upper part of the head shows four yellowish- 

 brown Lines. The upper ones are narrowest, while the lateral ones are abbreviated 

 behind. The front of the head is brown, while the jaws and other mouth parts are nearly 

 black. 



Like all insects, these beetles — both as larva? and imago — are very susceptible to 

 gasoline or bisulphide of carbon. Both of these, used in large quantities, were quickly 

 fatal to the insects. Like the Carpet Beetle, they infest upholstered furniture between 

 the folds, especially where the back joins the seat. It is easy to drench such parts of a 

 sofa or chair with gasoline and destroy the larva? of either moth or beetle. 



Nearly every year brings examples of such changes of habits as described above. 

 Such incursions, present and prospective, emphasize the importance of thoroughly trained 

 entomologists in every State of our country. 



INSECTS INFESTING WILLOWS. 



BY W. HAGUE HARRINGTON, OTTAWA. 



The trees and shrubs belonging to the genus Salix of botanists, are not of such 

 economic importance as many other of our native woods, but they are at least of suffi- 

 cient value to receive some consideration from entomologists. About fifty species are 

 recorded from Canada, many of which are arctic or mountain plants, some being shrubs 



