1907.] Insect, Fungus and other Pests. 



555 



Beetles in a Malt House. — A London inquirer sent specimens 

 of the grubs of a beetle found in a malt house, where they 

 were said to be covering the walls, being accumulated in masses 

 on the inner lining of match-boarding and between it and the 

 cemented brick walls. 



Owing to the condition of the specimens it was not possible 

 to identify the species. Such an infestation should be treated 

 by fumigating with carbon bisulphide or hydrocyanic acid 

 gas, both of which have already been dealt with in this Journal 

 (November, 1905, September, 1906, and October, 1907). 



It may, however, be remarked that where the pests are 

 collected in numbers in corners or crevices, or in places not 

 easily accessible, carbon bisulphide might be actually sprayed 

 on them ; or such crevices, &c, could have cotton waste, 

 previously dipped in the liquid, thrust into them. 



Dr. Howard, the United States Government Entomologist, 

 recommends the use of hydrocyanic acid gas against insects 

 in houses in the proportions of 1 oz. avoirdupois of potassium 

 cyanide (98 per cent.), 1 fluid ounce of commercial sulphuric 

 acid, and 2 fluid ozs. of water. 



Store Beetles infesting a Warehouse. — From Chester came 

 an enquiry as to beetles infesting a warehouse, in which 

 they were very troublesome. The beetles were identified as 

 bread or store beetles (Anobium paniceum), which breed 

 freely in provisions of various kinds, flour, biscuits, coffee, 

 pepper, ginger, beans, and in various kings of drugs. The 

 beetles have also been found to harm books and manuscripts. 

 The eggs are laid on the food selected, and give rise to small 

 curled, whitish grubs, with horny biting jaws. When full 

 grown the grubs pupate where they have been feeding, and 

 gradually the adult beetles mature. In extremely favourable 

 conditions the whole life-cycle has been known to be com- 

 pleted in two months. Where there is danger of infestation 

 stores should be kept in light, closed receptacles. Fresh 

 Keating's powder is stated to kill the exposed beetles, but 

 this should not be taken for granted, merely because the 

 beetles lie motionless. Such beetles should be swept together 

 and dropped into boiling water, not thrown aside. Where the 

 larvae and adult beetles are at work they may be destroyed by 

 fumigation, for which sulphur is sometimes used. Fumigation 



