12 CIRCULAR 8 6 9, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



one generation of insects, and under certain conditions two genera- 

 tions, before cold weather begins. Tobacco for export, packed from 

 July through September and held for even a few days in an infested 

 storage, is almost certain to develop an infestation unless it is fumi- 

 gated before shipment. In its early stages an insect infestation is not 

 easily detected, and new-crop tobacco exported late in the summer 

 may be infested on arrival abroad. Railway freight cars may be in- 

 fested with cigarette beetles and tobacco moths. 



Turkish tobaccos are usually infested before they are imported. 

 The tobacco moth and the cigarette beetle are common pests in Tur- 

 key. Greece, and the Balkans, and little effort at insect control is at- 

 tempted in those countries. Much imported tobacco is fumigated at 

 the port of entry. 



Warehouses that have been in use for several years may harbor an in- 

 festation even though all old tobacco is moved out before a new crop 

 is received. Tobacco dust and scrap accumulate in cracks and crevices 

 and under dunnage and false flooring. The tobacco moth's habit of 

 leaving tobacco in order to pupate may also help to spread infestations. 



Cigar Tobaccos 



Cigar tobaccos are attacked by the cigarette beetle only, and this 

 insect is prevalent in almost every area where these tobaccos are stored. 

 The beetle is present in many warehouses and attacks the tobacco soon 

 after it enters storage. During the aging or sweating process some 

 infestation is usually present. Much imported cigar tobacco is al- 

 ready infested when received. Much tobacco is imported from Cuba 

 and Puerto Rico, where the cigarette beetle is prevalent. 



Manufactured Tobacco Products 



Practically all manufactured tobacco products are attacked by the 

 cigarette beetle. In cigarette factories leaf tobacco is passed through 

 a thermal vacuum, which destroys all stages of the cigarette beetle. 

 However, much of the tobacco brought into a factory is infested, and 

 this tobacco may remain in the plant for several hours, or even days, 

 before being processed. Beetles emerge from this tobacco and readily 

 fly about in the plant. In the factory the shredded tobacco is treated 

 with flavoring and allowed to stand for several days for the flavoring 

 to permeate the tobacco. Eggs laid on the tobacco at this time usually 

 will not hatch until the tobacco has been made into cigarettes and pack- 

 aged. This is why cigarettes packed in hermetically sealed vacuum 

 tins are sometimes infested. 



At a moderate temperature and high relative humidity the cigarette 

 beetle, which thrives best at approximately 80° F. and 70 percent rela- 

 tive humidity, is active and breeds the year round. Great care should 

 be taken to eliminate any accumulations of scrap tobacco and not to re- 

 tain more than a few days* supply of tobacco in this part of the factory. 



The cigarette beetle is a strong flier and has been known to fly '1 miles 

 or more. In any manufacturing center beetles can and probably will 

 fly through any open door or window. They frequently lay eggs on 

 packaged cigars, cigarettes, or other tobacco products in wholesale or 



