124 



PRINCIPAL HOUSEHOLD INSECTS. 



Contrary to the rule with regard to indoor species, there is every 

 reason to believe that this insect is of American nativity. It differs 

 also from most other storehouse species in being annual in its develop- 

 ment, propagating, it is true, throughout the warm season, but bringing 

 forth only a siugle brood each year. 



THE DRUG-STORE BEETLE AND ITS ALLIES. 



THE DRUG-STORE BEETLE. 



(SUodrcpa panicea Linn.) 



One of the commonest of storehouse pests is the little Sitodrepa 

 panicea, a frequent visitor in habitations, which it enters at open 

 windows. 



This beetle is a member of the family Ptinidse. It is cylindrical in 

 form, measuring about a tenth of an inch in length, and is of a uniform 

 light-brown color, with very fine, silky pubescence. The elytra are dis- 

 tinctly striated and the antennae terminate in an elongate three jointed 



Fig. 61. — Sitodrepa panicea: a, larva; 6, pupa; c, beetle, dorsal view; d, lateral view — all much 

 enlarged; <•. antenna — more enlarged (original). 



club. Fig. 61, c, shows the beetle with antenna? extended, e represent- 

 ing an antenna greatly enlarged. When at rest the head is retracted 

 into the peculiar hood like thorax, as shown in profile at d, and with the 

 legs and antenna? folded under and tightly appressed to the body, the 

 little creature easily escapes observation. The larva is white, with 

 darker mouth-parts, and of the cylindrical curved form indicated at a. 

 The characteristic form of the head aud legs is reproduced at fig. 62. 

 The pupa, illustrated at b, is white. 



The insect received its Latin name from its occurrence in dry bread 

 (pants), and in Europe it is still known as the bread beetle, but its chief 

 injuries are to druggists' supplies; hence the name drug-store beetle. 

 Its depredations do not stop here, however, for it invades alike stores 

 of all kinds, mills, granaries, and tobacco warehouses. Of household 

 wares its preference is for flour, meal, breakfast foods, and condiments. 

 It is especially partial to red pepper, and is often found in ginger, rhu- 

 barb, chamomile, boneset, and other roots and herbs that were kept in 



