37 



tbau animal substances, bat the experiments of the writer indicate tliat 

 tbey subsist also on a vegetal diet. 



The larva of Attn f/enus j^iceus, or black carpet beetle, was received in 

 cereals from various sources, and was finally brought to tlie attention 

 of the writer in such manner as to lead to a suspicion that it might feed, 

 at least occasionally, on vegetable substances. Adult insects were con- 

 fined in ajar of flour and meal, and their jirogeny were found to thrive 

 upon this material. This species was also found to breed in timothy seed, 

 and incidental mention was made of serious injury to bolting cloth by it in 

 a mill at Georgetown, D. G. A brief review of the history of this insect 

 in America, where it has been known since about 1800, was given, and 

 instances of its reported occurrences in granaries cited. 



Trogoderma tarsaJe Melsh., a common museum pest, was found to 

 infest flaxseed, castor beans, and cayenne pepper that had been on 

 exhibition in the museum of the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture, the larva having been reared from the egg deposited in these sub- 

 stances and the adults having bred from other larvae feeding on them. 



An unknown and evidently recently imported species of Trogoderma 

 was' stated to be living in flaxseed, castor beans, and silkworm cocoons 

 with the above-mentioned species, and in red-clover seed. This sx)ecies 

 is believed to have been introduced at AVashingtou in the silkworm 

 cocoons. It has been taken in Xew Mexico and will probably be found 

 to have established itself elsewhere in the United States. 



Anthrenus verhasci Linn., our most abundant insect cabinet pest, 

 was reported as occurring in "middlings" and spoiled flour, and the 

 fact mentioned that at the time of writing larva? placed in flour were 

 feeding upon it, from which it was judged that they would in due time 

 reach the adult condition. 



In conclusion, it was stated that in the case of the Attagenus and 

 Anthrenus these insects Avere probably first attracted to granaries by 

 the presence of weevils and other grain insects, and that the granivor- 

 ous habit is consequently an acc^uired one. The presence of Trogoderma 

 in oil seeds and red i^epi)er, how^ever, admits of no other explanation 

 than that of the absence of animal food, and shows a wonderful adapt- 

 ability to unnatural environment. 



Mr. Howard said that the "buflalo moth" does not occur in Wash- 

 ington, its place being taken hy Attdgenus pircus. He asked for the 

 experience of others as to the former insect to determine its southern 

 extension, yl. ^/cet^s, he said, is not so troublesome as the '*butfalo 

 moth" but is yet a serious pest. In answer to a query from 3lr. Davis 

 he gave a brief description of the larva' of the two species. 



Mr. Lintner, referring to the popular designation of the insect as the 

 ''buffalo motli," said that he had often urged the discontinuance of 

 the use of this misnomer and thought an effort should be made to secure 



