15 
Eecent observations, however, prove that at least four common species 
have vegetarian proclivities. The species in question are Attn genus 
piceus, or black carpet beetle; Trogoderma tarsale, one of our worst 
cabinet pests; Trogoderma sternale, and our common Anthrenus verbasci. 
The adults of certain of the Dermestida 1 , it is true, are pollen feeders, 
but no significance attaches to this, as it is well known that the adult 
food habit of an insect is not necessarily an index to the habits of 
its larva. I need only mention among- Coleoptera the families of the 
Carabidae and Cleridae, the larvae of which are predaceous, and yet cer- 
tain genera feed upon pollen in their adult condition. Certain of the 
wood-boring Scarabrcidae, Buprestidae, and Cerambycidae also are pollen- 
feeders as adults, while numerous instances could be cited among other 
families of Coleoptera where the adults eat pollen and the larvae have 
totally different habits. 
Attagentjs picetjs Ol. 
The larva of Attagenus piceus was received at this office September 
20, 1894, in wheat and flour from a milling firm of central Indiana. In 
the same lot were several well known grain insects and it was thought 
at the time tbat the dermestid was merely attracted by the dead bodies 
of the purely grain feeders. In the following spring it was found in 
''middlings" in several mills and feed stores of this city, invariably 
with other insects and often with bits of sacking, feathers, and similar 
material. 
I have in remembrance the finding of this and other dermestids in 
like situations, and many who read this can no doubt recall a similar 
experience, as well as that such occurences incited no further thought 
at the time than that in accordance with our accepted opinion of their 
habits they were feeding upon the dead insects or other animal matter 
that was almost invariably to be found in the immediate vicinity, if 
searched for. 
Finally this insect was brought to my attention in such manner as to 
lead to the suspicion — despite traditional beliefs that the household 
Dermestidae were strictly carnivorous and that the only appropriate 
habitat of this particular species were under carpets — that ir might 
feed, at least occasionally, on vegetable substances. One lot of mid- 
dlings contained a flour beetle that was desired for breeding, and to 
capture a sufficient number of these for the purpose little boxes oC 
meal were placed with this material as traps. The desired beetles were 
entrapped in this way, but an equal number of Attagenus larvae were also 
taken. Next an Attagenus larva and afterwards an adult were found 
that had been attracted to spillings of corn meal left overnight on my 
office table. I was now satisfied that the larvae i'ed upon meal, but was 
it possible that the insect could actually breed in it .' 
The larva bred from the egg in flour and meal. — To settle the question, 
a few beetles were captured on the window panes of the Department 
