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HOUSEHOLD PESTS. 



By Joseph Willi aius, London, Ontario. 



1. The Bacon Beetle (Dermestes lardarius). j 3. The Mosquito {Culex pipiens f). 



2. The Clothes Moth {Tinea fiavifrontella), \ 4. The House Fly {Musca domestica). 



INTRODUCTION. 



As, hitherto the insects treated of in these annual Reports have been principally 

 those affecting our field and garden products, it has been thought advisable and appropri- 

 ate to the character of the Reports, to say a few words concerning those insects which 

 flourish in the abodes of man. We give nothing original in these articles, merely selec- 

 tions from standard authors of such descriptions and. facts as may most clearly show the 

 history and character of each insect. Under the circumstances, we have not thought it 

 necessary to insert authors' names in the body of the articles, but trust this will be suffi- 

 ent acknowledgment. 



The Bacon Beetle {Dermestes lardarius, Linn). 



Dermestes lardarius is a European insect which has become naturalized in this country. 

 The accompanying figure will give an idea of the appearance of the Bacon Beetle through- 

 ^i?- out its various stages, which we will endeavour to make more 



plain by verbal description. 



When fully developed this beetle measures about a quarter 

 of an inch in length, is of a dull blackish colour, and has the 

 base of each wing cover of a pale buff or ash tint ; each wing 

 cover is also marked with three black spots. Its body is of an 

 oblong oval shape. The insect is furnished with two horns or 

 antennae, which are notched regularly ; it has short legs, is very 

 timid and slow in its movements, and when disturbed or handled 

 it seeks shelter or counterfeits death, a deception which all insects 

 belonging to the same family — Dermestidce — are guilty of. 



The perfect insect itself does not produce the ravages which 

 are associated with its name, but the larvae or maggots that it 

 gives birth to are the mischief workers. In some instances it has 

 proved so destructive that great rewards have been offered for a remedy against its depre- 

 dations. 



The substances to which the Bacon Beetle is most injurious, are bacon, cheese, hams, 

 dried meats, and the bodies of dried insects in the cabinet of the entomologist. It lays 

 its eggs on these substances, and after a certain time the young larvae come forth. The 

 body of one of these creatures is elongated, tapering from the head to the tail, which lat- 

 ter part is furnished with two short, curved, horny spines on the last segment. It is of a 



