115 



In well-heated buildings in a latitude like that of Washington we thus 

 have the possibility of at least four generations a year. 



The mature larva is shown in the figure (fig. 52) at b, the pupa at c 

 and d. 



THE BUST-BED FLOUR BEETLE. 



( Tribolium ferrugineum Fab.) 



This species, as previously stated, closely resembles the first-men- 

 tioned flour beetle in color, form, and size, but may be distinguished 

 by the form of the head, which is not expanded beyond the eyes at the 

 sides, and by the antennae, which terminate in a distinct three-jointed 

 club (see fig. 52,/*). In its habits and life history this insect closely 

 resembles its congener, T. confusum, but it is apparently somewhat 

 restricted to the Southern States, although occasionally found in the 

 Korth. It is often reported in flour, meal, and grain, and is sometimes 

 shipped north in consignments of rice. 



THE BROAD-HORNED FLOUR BEETLE. 

 (Echoccrus cornutus Fab.) 



A third flour beetle that sometimes finds its way into houses is the 

 one above mentioned. It so closely resembles the two preceding spe- 

 cies that the females particularly are with difficulty distinguished from 

 them. The male, with its broad, conspicuous man- 

 dibular horns, is shown at fig. 58. The general habits 

 of this species also so nearly resemble those of Tri- 

 bolium that it will be unnecessary to give more than 

 a brief mention of its known foods. It has been 

 found in ground cereals of various sorts, including 

 flour, meal, "germea," rolled barley, bread, army 

 biscuit, maize, wheat, and rice. In southern Califor- 

 nia it occurs even under bark, showing complete 

 acclimatization. It is somewhat limited in distribu- 

 tion in the United States, but is frequently met with fio. 53.— Eckocerua tor- 

 in large seaport towns, especially on the Pacific nutuS: 11,ale beetie- 



,>. , , . ,, , . T enlarged (original). 



Coast, and is on the increase elsewhere. In some 

 parts of Europe, according to report, it is a veritable pest in bakeries 

 by getting into the flour and into the masses of fermenting dough that 

 accumulate upon the molds used in baking bread. 



THE MEAL-WORMS. 



Two species of beetles and their larvae, the latter familiar to nearly 

 everyone under the name " meal-worms, " attract attention by reason 

 of their large size and somewhat serpent-like appearance when they 

 invade the family flour barrel, the teed box, bags of bran or meal, or 

 are turned up in unexpected places. These are among the many species 



