178 



AN ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 



Fig. 156. 



These belong to the family Dermestid^E, which contains such 

 nuisances as the "larder-beetles," "carpet-beetles,'' and "mu- 

 seum-beetles." The elytra, which cover 

 the abdomen completely, are black or 

 gray, usually ornamented with white or 

 colored scales, which sometimes form 

 quite pretty markings. 



The "larder-beetle," or "bacon- 

 beetle," Dermestes lardarius, is rather 

 more than one-fourth of an inch long, 

 and easily recognizable by having the 

 anterior half of the wing- covers pale 

 brown or yellowish, its livery else being 



of a sombre black or dark e: 



ray. 



The 



The larder-beetle, Dermes- 

 tes lardariiis. — a, larva; b, a 

 single hair from larva ; c, adult 

 beetle. 



larva is nearly half an inch in length, 

 rather narrow yet plump, and clothed 

 with rather dense, long, brown hairs. 

 It feeds on stored provisions of all 

 kinds, on hides, skins, or other similar substances, and is occa- 

 sionally quite troublesome in smoke-houses. Cleanliness, plenty 

 of air, tight receptacles, and close-meshed wire netting on the 



covers or doors of 

 Fig. 157. pantries and boxes 



are the best prevent- 

 ives, supplemented 

 by destruction of the 

 beetles and larvae 

 wherever noticed. 

 Good results are 

 often obtained by 

 leaving a tempting 

 bit in an exposed 

 position, which will 

 act as a trap, attract- 

 ing beetles and larvae 

 where they can be 

 easily found and destroyed. Several other species, similar in 

 size but differently marked, have similar habits, and among 

 them the "leather-beetle," D. vulpimts, has been responsible 



Leather-beetle, Dermestes zmlpinus.—a, larva; h, pupa: 

 k, adult ; d to 7', details of larva. 



