126 



PRINCIPAL HOUSEHOLD INSECTS. 



victim releutlessly, even entering insect boxes infested by its host, as 

 the writer had once occasion to observe. A diminutive mite, Pedicu- 

 Joides ventricosus Xewp., also preys upon this as well as upon many other 

 species of like habits, attacking it in its larval and pupal condition. 



THE CIGARETTE BEETLE. 



{Lasioderma serricorne Fab.) 



.^.-1 //■ 



Fig. 63. — Lasioderma serricorne: a, larva; /7,.p)ii)a: c, beetle; d, same, lateral view— all 

 enlarged; e, aTitenna — much enlarged (authors illustration, reengraved). 



Another little beetle, superticially resembling the preceding species 

 and having very similar habits, often occurs in houses. As its English 

 name indicates, it is chiefly known as a destroyer of tobacco, and as such, 

 in the opinion of many thinking people, should be classified with bene- 

 ficial insects. It is by no means so common as the drug-store beetle, 

 but it is on the increase and doubtless will in time be found to have 

 nearly the same range of food materials. As a tobacco feeder it out- 

 ranks that species, and also appears to favor 

 certain medicinal plants not so often affected 

 by the Sitodrepa. 



Of household sui)plies it has been found, 

 in the experience of the writer as well as of 

 others, infesting cayenne pepper, ginger, rhu- 

 barb, rice, figs, yeast cakes, and prepared fish 

 food. It has been reported as destructive to 

 silk and plush upholstery, and has done con- 

 siderable damage to dried and preserved 

 herbarium specimens in Washington. Of 

 drugs it is partial to ergot and turmeric, and 

 tobacco it devours in every form, in the leaf 

 and when made up into chewing plug, ciga- 

 rettes, and cigars. 



This species is of about the same size and 

 color as the drug-store beetle, but, as may 

 be seen in the figure (63, c), is more robust and the elytra are not 

 striated. The head is more prominent and the antennae are nearly 

 uniformly serrate, not ending in a three-jointed club (fig. 63, e). The 

 larva, rei^resented at d in curved position at rest, is more wrinkled 



Fig. 64. — Lasioderma serricorne: 

 Head of larva, shown above : leg 

 of larva below — much enlarged 

 (origiTlal^. 



