198 



matter to find specimens of this insect — the few that we have examined with a 

 magnifying glass are smaller than a flea, and of a milk-white color with long anten- 

 nae, although one was discovered considerably larger, about the size of a flea, and 

 dark colored, but was the only one. I would like to ask you: (1) The scientific 

 name and common name of the insect. (2) A remedy, if there is any, to prevent the 

 destructive work of this little pest. — [C. Ducomman, Los Angeles County, Cal., Sep- 

 tember 7, 1892, to Editor ^' Scientific American."] 



Reply. — (1) There are several Coleopterous insects of the family Ptinidse known 

 to infest dry hard wood that is used for handles of various implements. SincaMr. 

 Ducomman does not send any specimens, it is impossible to name the particular 

 species which does the damage. It is, however, in all probability, one of the Pow- 

 der-post beetles, genus Lyctas, of which L. striatus and X. imrallelopipedus have been 

 observed under conditions similar to those described by Mr. Ducomman. They are 

 small, elongate, brownish beetles, and their larvae small, six-legged yellowish-white 

 grubs, with their bodies always curved near the tail end. 



(2) The beetles and their larvte may be destroyed by immersing the infested han- 

 dles in kerosene for a short time. It is quite important, however, to thoroughly 

 disinfect in this manner all handles which show the least trace of the presence of 

 the beetle. The entire stock of handles kept in the store should be carefully 

 inspected from time to time. The presence of the beetles may be easily detected 

 from the small circular holes through which the beetles have entered the wood, or 

 from the little heaps of fine saw-dust which accumulate beneath the infested 

 handles. 



[The above correspondence has also been published in the Scientific American of 

 October 1, 1892.] 



On Remedies for the " Cigarette Beetle.'' 



As yet we are unable to estimate the damage done by the '' Cigarette Beetle" Las- 

 ioderma serricorne, but we are now making a test by having placed 36 cases which 

 are infested with them into cold storage, but the time is short to decide whether this 

 process Avill kill them. You advise us to keep the windows closed at night ; we no- 

 tice that in cool weather they become rather stiif and are unable to move, but just as 

 soon as it gets a little warmer they become more active. As our nights are rather 

 cold at present might it not be well for us to leave our windows open at night? Can 

 you give us any idea as to how these insects get into our place or whether tBey origi- 

 nated in our house. We at first discovered them in a lot of fine cuts. — [Hettermann 

 Bros., Kentucky, October 7, 1892. 



Reply. — * * * In view of the cool nights at the present time it may be as well 

 to do as you suggest and leave your windows open at night. It will become neces- 

 ary, however, to take strenuous methods in case you wish to rid your establishments 

 of the insects. The tobacco Avhich is worst infested should be burned or submitted 

 to the fumes of bisulphide of carbon or thoroughly steamed, the latter probably 

 being the easiest method to adopt. The insects will be much more easily killed by 

 a very high temperature than by a very low one and the success of your cold storage 

 experiment is open to some doubt. The Entomologist would be very glad to be in- 

 formed, however, as to how it turns out. The insects could not have ''originated'^ 

 in your house, but must have been brought in iu one stage or another with tobacco or 

 perhaps have flown in in the beetle stage from some neighboring establishment. 

 They are not absolutely confined to tobacco for food, but are found also in pepper, 

 spices, and other pungent substances. They may have come to you from some drug 

 store or from some large grocery establishment, perhaps, should there be such in your 

 immediate neighborhood. It is more likely, however, that they were brought in with 

 tobacco.— [October 12, 1892.] 



