INSECTS AFFECTING CEREALS, ETC. 127 



and hairy than that of Sitodrepa, and differs as well in the strncture of 

 the head and leos (see fig. G4). The pupa, shown at fi^. 03, h^ is white 

 and is incased, like other ptinids, in a fragile cocoon. 



THE WHITE-3IAIIKED SPIDER BEETLE. 

 (Ftinus fur Linn.) 



Two more species of this same family and of somewhat similar habits 

 to the two beetles just mentioned are sufficiently common in storerooms 

 and cellars, particularly of old houses, and especially in the Xorth, to 

 attract occasional notice. The more important of these is Ftinus fur^ 

 which may be called the white-marked spider beetle, to distinguish it 

 from the allied Ft. hrunneun^ which is uniform brown in color. This 

 beetle is reddish brown, with four white bauds on its elytra. It has 

 long antenna; and legs and a more or less globular body, and strongly 

 suggests a spider in general appearance. The sexes difier considerably, 

 the female being much more robust than her consort. 



As long ago as 1766 Linnanis gave an account of this species, which 

 he stated was very injurious in libraries. It (UH'urs also in old barns, 

 warehouses, and museums, and is credited with feeding upon a variety 

 of substances, vegetable and animal, including insect collections and 

 dried plants in herbaria. It has also been recorded as living in boxes of 

 red pepper, and during March of the year 1896 was so reported by Mr. 

 11. C. Lyle, who furnished us with specimens in the infested substance 

 brought from his home at Cedar Springs, IMich. Man}- years ago it 

 was severely injurious to flour at Versailles, France, and recently Dr. 

 James Fletcher received complaints of its occurring abundantly in 

 flour at Orillia and Toronto, Canada. 



During 1894 we received specimens of this insect, with information 

 that they had been discovered near Concord, IST. H., in a barn in 

 which were stored a hundred or more bags of cotton seed. They had 

 devoured the bags and increased so enormously as to cover the build- 

 ings; had invaded neighboring houses, and were attacking clothing of 

 all kinds. The owner of this barn, who also conducted a store, was 

 greatl}^ alarmed for fear they would spread throughout the town, and 

 serious apprehension was felt in the infested locality that the insect 

 might become a public nuisance. 



When to the items just mentioned we add that Dr. George Dimmock 

 found this species swarming in a barrel of refuse wool covered with 

 sheep's dung, and in which it was doubtless breeding, and that, to the 

 writer's personal knowledge, the adults are attracted to fresh fruit, we 

 sum up the principal facts known regarding this insect in America; 

 but if we are to believe all the bad things that are said of it in Euroi)e, 

 it is capable of becoming a serious pest if once permitted to gain 

 sufiicient headway, for it is accused of depredating upon furs and cloth- 

 ing, roots, grain, and stuftVd animals, and of invading seed stores, 

 apothecaries' wares, and cracker stores. 



