CLOTHES-MOTHS. 



opening. Into this opening it inserts a triangular gore 

 of the woolen material upon which it is feeding. This 

 process is repeated on the opposite side of the case and 

 without leaving its retreat it turns around and repeats 

 the same thing on the other half of the case. Thus the 

 case is enlarged in diameter, but it remains for the larva 

 to lengthen its home. This is done by additions to each 

 end of the case. On the outside the case appears to be 

 composed of fibers of the material upon which the larva 

 has been feeding, but inside the case is lined with a soft 

 layer of fine silk. By transferring the larva to different 

 color r , iterials a curl, .sly parti-colored case may be 

 obtained, for the insect will use the various materials for 

 the enlargements. The larva completes its growth by fall 

 and seeks a secluded place in which to secrete itself and 

 spend the winter in a torpid condition. The larva) have 

 been observed to leave the carpets upon which they were 

 feeding and drag their cases up a wall fifteen feet high and 

 fasten them to the ceiling. In the spring, the larvae 

 transform to pupae in the cases within which they have 

 lived during the winter." About three weeks later the 

 moths emerge. They have a wing expanse of about 

 half an inch; the front wings are shining, yellowish brown, 

 with indistinct dark spots; the hind wings are lighter and 

 plain; both pairs are fringed with long hairs. The second 

 species, Tineola biselliella, has a webbing 



Tineola larva; it makes no case but feeds, naked, 



biselliella . 



usually in a fold or crevice of the material 



it is eating and often under the web of silk which it spins 

 wherever it goes. The cocoon is an irregular affair of 

 silk and food material, somewhat resembling the case of 

 pellionella. The adult is about the size of pellionella; 

 the front wings are yellower and without spots; the hind 



wings are pale. The third species, Triclio- 

 Trichophaga p} iag a tapetzclla, is, as yet, rather rare in 



America. Mr. Wm. T. Davis has bred it 

 from larvae in barn-owl pellets, but the larvae are usually 

 found in fur robes, horse-blankets, upholstering of car- 

 riages, and the like. It is not so domestic as the other 

 two species. The larvae burrow into their food-material, 

 making silk-lined galleries, within which they eventually 



227 



