108 



PRINCIPAL HOUSEHOLD INSECTS. 



that an entire generation may be developed in six weeks. Therefore, 

 the increase of the insect may be very rapid and there may be four or 

 five generations annually. The larva, when feeding upon dried and 

 smoked meat, according to Dr. Horn, is usually seen creeping on the 

 surface of the meat. For food it prefers such as contains fat and con- 

 nective tissue, seldom attacking the muscular portions. It does not 

 bury itself in its food until about the time of assuming the pupa state. 

 In general, the beetles make their way into houses in May and June, 

 and at once deposit their eggs on their favorite food if they can obtain 

 access to it. Where this is impossible they will lay their eggs, as will 

 other beetles of the same family, near small cracks, so that the young 





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Fig. 50. — Dermestes lardarlus : a, larva; b, pupa; c, adult beetle — all enlarged (original). 



larvae when hatched can crawl through. Dr. Riley, in his Sixth Mis- 

 souri Report, states that fresh hams are not so liable to attack by this 

 insect as are those which are tainted or injured. 



REMEDIES. 



Where a storeroom is overrun with this insect its contents should be 

 cleared out, so far as practicable, and the room should either be sprayed 

 with benzine or subjected to strong fumes of bisulphide of carbon. 

 Where an article of diet such as a ham, has begun to be infested, the 

 affected portion should be cut away and the surface should be washed 

 with a very dilute carbolic solution. Miss Lleustis, in the article above- 

 mentioned, showed that tallow was very offensive and destructive to 

 this insect, but there is seldom a case where this interesting bit of 

 knowledge can be utilized. Dr. Hagen, when he first came to Cam- 

 bridge, found his office overrun with this insect. On a sunny day in 



