COLEOPTERA. 
539 
other beetles with similar habits by the fact that the wing- 
covers completely cover the abdomen. They are chiefly 
small beetles, although one of the common species measures 
one third inch in length. They are usually oval, plump 
beetles, with pale gray or brown markings, which are formed 
by minute scales, which can be rubbed off. These beetles 
have the habit of pretending that they are dead when they 
are disturbed ; they will roll over on their backs with their 
legs meekly folded and lie still for a long period. 
The larvce do much more damage than the adults. They 
are active, and are clothed with long hairs. These hairs are 
covered throughout their entire length with microscopic 
barbs. 
The Larder Beetle, Dermestes lardarius (Der-mes'tes 
lar-da'ri-us).—This pest of the larder is the most common of 
the larger members of this family. It is three tenths of an 
inch long, and black except the basal half of its wing-covers, 
which are pale buff or brownish yellow. This lighter portion 
is usually crossed by a band of black spots, three on each 
wing-cover (Fig. 648). The larva feeds on dead animal 
matter, as meat, skins, feathers and cheese. It is y ( 
often a serious pest where bacon or ham are stored, 
When full grown it is about half an inch in length, 
dark brown above, whitish below, and rather thickly Fig. 648. 
covered with long, brown hairs. It is said that this insect 
can be attracted by baits of old cheese, from which they 
may be gathered and destroyed. 
The Carpet Beetle, Anthrenus scrophularice (An-thre'nus 
scroph-u-la'ri-ae).—During recent years this insect has be¬ 
come the worst of household pests, feeding in its larval state 
on carpets, woollens, furs, and feathers. The larva is well- 
known to many housekeepers as the Buffalo-moth. It is a 
short, fat grub, about one fifth of an inch in length when 
full grown, and densely clothed with dark brown hairs. It 
lives in the cracks of floors, near the edges of rooms, and be¬ 
neath furniture, where it eats holes in the carpet. It also 
