-~ 3 
STORED-PRODUCT INSECT INVESTIGATIONS, 
XE. A. Back, Entomologist, in Gharge. 
The jae Warehousemen'ts Association held its midwinter. Convention 
at the Willard Hotel, Washington, .D. C., December l'to.4, At the request 
of the Household odds Division Dr. Back gave a talk on general storage 
protlems, particularly along the line of the relationship between fur- 
niture construction and insect attack in neces 
Earl L. Allured, président of the Manufacturing Confectioner Pub- 
lishing Company, of ‘Chicago, was a visitor at this. Division in the past 
month, He wished among other things to arrange for a round-table dis- 
cussion of pests troublesome to the confectionery industry. 
At the request of a rice milling ‘and packing concern, Dr. Back was. 
present at a commercial fumigation of sacked rice in New York early in 
December, It is interesting to note that business firms, once .contacts 
have been made with them, are glad to have the Bureau send representatives 
as disinterested observers who will report dependable results. These 
contacts are also very useful to the Department in advancing our helene 
information on store ge conditions, 
In December a serious at ndnnit of the AE pneetid Anthrenus semi- 
niveus Casey was brought to the attention of the Bureau. In 1916 
Colonel Casey described this insect as new, from speeimens collected 
in an apartment hotel on Connecticut “Avenue , Washington. = Since the 
original description appeared this species has never been, recorded 
except on two occasions late in 1925. In one instance the insect had 
destroyed the brushes in 4 leather case containing a shoe. blackening 
outfit, and in another it had attacked the curled hair stuffing of a 
piece of upholstered furniture. One of these instances of damage ocourred 
in the bmilding which was occupied by Colonel Casey; the other ina 
building about half a mile distant. 
In December, at the raquest of the War Department, Dr, Back visited 
the Ariy Supply Base at Brooklyn, N. Y., to examine present storage con- 
ditions and to recommend improved methods of insect control. In a letter 
dated December 2, 1925, the Adjutant General wrote the Commanding Officer 
of the New York General Intermediate Depot, New York City: "In view of 
the particular problem at present in reference to the disposition of 
certain material on the basis of its continuing deterioration and the 
fact that moth infestation is an ever-present problem in our Depots, it 
appears desirable to have an expert opinion on development of systems of 
prevention of this evil, The methods being used are different from those 
now generally in vogue and the War Department feels that progress along 
this line is essential if we are adequately to protect our reserves of 
materials," i 
