THE LESSER G'RAIN-BORER. 33 
to Dr. Riley's article. 14 April 20, 1881, beetles and larva?, were found 
in the museum of this department, where they were infesting wheat 
from Peru, sorghum, and edible bulbs, as well as br&ad made from 
them and used as food by Indians, and in wild prairie turnip. 
During the World's Fair in 1893 the writer obtained specimens of 
the beetles which had bred from a jar of some product of Abyssinian 
banana (Musa ensete) from Mexico. 
February 3, 1896, beetles were received from Mrs. Lucy P. Love, 
New York City, who found them in graham flour. October 8, speci- 
mens were received from the writer's sister, Mrs. E. C. Jones, Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., found in a box of rice in an importing house in New York 
City. The information was elicited, by inquiry, that this species is 
known to the trade as " the wood bug " from its frequent importa- 
tion in the wood of boxes used in the shipment of rice. The exact 
origin of this lot of rice could not be ascertained. It seems probable, 
however, when we take into consideration the habits of the genus, 
that this grain-borer is quite as often introduced into new localities 
in the wood of rice boxes as in the grain itself. November 11 speci- 
mens were detected in a soft variety of Indian corn purchased at this 
department and said to have come from Peru. 
June 11, 1898, specimens were found in Carolina rice received from 
Mr. J. L. Sheppard, Charleston, S. C, and in September and later 
in that year this bureau received several lots of " pearl millet " 
{Pennisetum typhoideum) through the then Division of Agrostology, 
with report that the seed was originally from India. 
There are other records of receipt of this species in rice and other 
grains which need not be mentioned here. 
During 1901 the Bureau of Entomology received specimens in a 
consignment of seed Japan rice from Mr. W. W. Bamberge, who re- 
marked as follows: 
Honduras rice in the vicinity of infested Japan rice did not show the insects' 
presence. It was noticed that the insects were flying, and their flight, though 
short, being coincident with the growth of new rice, our correspondent was 
alarmed lest they attack rice in the field, and that they might prove a scourge. 
July 6, 1903, Mr. G. H. Harris sent a large section of a horse collar 
(fig. 8) infested by many specimens of this beetle from Calvert, Tex. 
The dealers in saddlery and in leather goods stated that the beetles 
do not attack goods unless they have been kept in stock for three or 
four years. They dispose of such stock at a loss of from 10 to 20 
per cent. 
Later a saddlery firm at San Antonio, Tex., wrote in regard to 
injury to horse collars as follows: 
Complying with the esteemed request of yours of the 12th inst, 1908, I am 
forwarding you by today's mail, under separate cover, specimens of the bug 
mentioned to you in our favor of August 6. I am also inclosing a portion of 
a horse collar showing the stuffing as the collar is made. My collars are 
73944°— Bull. 96, pt 3—11 2 
