SPECIES INJURIOUS TO WOOLEN GOODS, ETC. 



Gl 



THE BLACK CARPET BEETLE. 



{Attarjenus })iceus < )liv.) 



This carpet beetle occurs in general in the same situations in which 

 the preceding species is found. The larva is an active, light-brown, 

 somewliat cjdindrical creature, clothed with closely api)ressed hairs, 

 and with a long terminal tuft of hairs at the end of the body. It is 

 readily distinguished from the so-called "buffalo moth" by its shape 

 and in general by its lighter color. It is not so fond of working in 

 cracks and cutting long slits in carpets, and in general is not so dan- 

 gerous a species as the other. 



This insect has beeii a denizen of the United States certainly since 

 1854. It is widespread in Europe and Asia, and first attracted atten- 

 tion as a carper insect in this country in 1870, when Dr. Lintner found 



Yia. 2i.— Attnnenus xticeus : a, larva: b. pupa: c. adult: d. dorsal abdominal sejnuent.s of pupa: above, 

 at left, male and female antenna'— all enlarged (orisinal). 



it in connection with the '-buttalo moth'' at Schenectady, X. Y. It had 

 previously been observed by Hagen in Cambridge, in the Museum of Nat- 

 ural History, at an early date, and had been fouifd in feathers by Walsh. 

 Since 1880 it has become very abundant in Washington, D. C, and 

 here takes the place of Anthrcn us scrophtdttriiv. It has been received 

 at the division of entomology from Goftstown, X. H.; Hartford, Conn.; 

 New York City, Lawrence, Long Island, X. Y.; Washington and Cha- 

 grin Falls, Ohio; Detroit, Agricnltural College. Charlotte, and Drain, 

 Mich.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Wadestown, W. Va., and Memphis, Teun. 

 From hearsay information the writer believes that it is also more 

 or less abuiulant in bouses in Charleston, S. C, Savannah, Ga., and 

 Jacksonville, Fla. 

 The .adult insect is a small, oval, black beetle of the general appearance 



