Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-18
PHGlNIx AND RECORD AND FARMER,
THE HOUSEHOLD.


(Anhrernus S-rQphui1ri1.)
Extracts from On article on 'The New CARPET Bee.
tie" by J. A. Liniuer, go the American Naturalist
for August, lslsl
The larva, the form in which II is usually
found when pursuing its ravagCs beneath the
carpet, measures At maturity about 3-16 Of an
inch in length. The entire length Of the in
sect, including the pencil Of hairs, is In the
largest specimens nearly Of an inch. uthas
six little legs
Having attained it's full growth, it prepares
for its pupal change without the construction
OF a cocoon or any other provision than mere
" seeking some convenient retreat Here Il
remains in quiet state, unaltered in external
appearance except somewhat contracted in
length, until 1t has nearly completed its pu-
patton, when the skin Is rent along the back,
and through the assure the pupa is seen. A
few weeks having passed, the pupal skin In
its turn is split dorsally, and the brightcolored
wing-covers Of the beetle are disclosed. Still
a few additional days Of repose are required
for its full development, when the now fully
matured beetle crawls from its protecting Gov
erings Of pupal case and larval skin, and ap-
pears in its perfect form-its final stage.
The earliest beetles emerge in October, and
continue to make their appearance during the
fall, winter and spring months. Soon after
their appearance, probably, they pair, and
the females deposit their eggs for another
brood Of the carpet-ea,ing larvu.
The beetle is quite small-smaller than
would ordinarily be expected from the size Of
the laryu being only Is inch long by 1-12
broad. 1t is beautifully marked little in
sect in its contrasting colors OF white, black
and scarlet the segments Of the body be-
meath are covered with pale red scales, and
the thoracc region (Which bear8 the legs with
whitish scales. Il does not confne itself
wholly to carpets, but infests and Injuries
articles hanging in closets or laid away in
drawers. An instance has also been stated OF
its preying upon cotton fabrics.
have found that convenient place in
which to discover the beetle is upon the win
dows Of the infested rooms during the day.
In the latter part Of April and through May
found them on the windows. From an &C
count given in this paper VIC may infer an
almost incalculsbie capability Of increase il
left to itself. and draw the lesson Of the ab.
soiute necessity Of combating its invasion by
every means in our power. The ordinary ap.
plications OF camphor, pepper, tobacco, tur-
peutine, carbolic acid, etc, are powerless
against IT, II has even been asserted that it
grows fat on these substances. The free
use Of benzine has been recommended in
some Of our journals, to be used in the satu.
ration OF cotton. with which to i'll the Join
iugs Of the floors and the crevices beneath the
base boards. This is to be done during the
winter months, at which time the insect will
/ be occupying these retreats, either in its per.
/ feet beetle form or as eggs deposited for an
other brood to either of these the direct APP
plication Of 5snzine would be fatal. To some
have suggested pouring kerosene oil in the
creVices Of the floors and filling all places OF
[ retreat with cotton saturated with the oil. !
/ would regard this as less dangerous in its use
/ than benz.ne, and equally efficient