a2 BULLETIN 737, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
plication is largely checked. In all cases observed in rearing experi- 
ments, the insects failed to develop properly if the food substance 
became too dry or if the larve or pups were not protected from 
excessive evaporation. 
MOLD IN FOOD SUBSTANCES. 
The growth of mold in the food substance usually results in the 
complete extermination of the beetle. This has been observed in 
many instances. It is often owing to this fact that infestation from 
damaged or worthless products does not extend to uninfested prod- 
ucts near by. | 
INSECT ENEMIES. 
Several species of insects have been found to destroy the tobacco 
beetle and some of these appear to be widely distributed. While both 
predatory and parasitic insects are important factors in the repres- 
sion of the tobacco beetle, the insect still is able to maintain itself 
successfully in all localities where it has become established. 
PREDACIOUS INSECTS. 
THANEROCLERUS GiRODI Chevrolat. 
Among predatory enemies of the tobacco beetle the most important, 
so far as is known, is the clerid beetle Thaneroclerus girodi Chevrolat 
(PL. II, fig. 3; Pl. II, fig. 5; PL IV). This beetle was found in un- 
usually large numbers at Key West, Fla., and is a very important 
factor at that cigar-manufacturing center in keeping the tobacco 
beetle in check. It was first found in the United States by Dr. W. 
D. Hunter and Mr. A. C. Morgan, of the Bureau of Entomology, at 
Key West, Fla., in April, 1912 (78). Specimens of the beetle were 
determined by Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of the Bureau of Entomology. The 
insect has since been found by the writer to be more or less common, 
but much less abundant, at Tampa, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, and 
Quincy, Fla., and was found in tobacco stored in a tobacco barn at 
Tallahassee, Fla., in 1914 by Mr. J. R. Watson, State entomologist of 
Florida. Specimens were also located at Richmond, Va., in a pack- 
age of smoking tobacco infested with the tobacco beetle, which had 
been returned to the manufacturers from Galveston, Tex. Mr. John 
Wardlow, of Key West, Fla., stated that he had observed the beetle 
frequently in the bales of cigar tobacco imported from Habana, Cuba. | 
Among Cuban cigar makers the insect seems to be well known. They 
state that it is common in cigar factories in Habana, where it is called 
the “bicho grande” or “ big bug” to distinguish it from the smaller 
species, the tobacco beetle (Zasioderma serricorne), upon which it 
