LEPIDOP TERA 651 



the colonies of bees strong. Of course the moths and larvae should 

 be destroyed whenever found. 



Subfamily PHYCITIN^ 

 The Phycitids 



Our most common members of this subfamily are small moths 

 vitn rather narrow but long fore wings, which are banded or mottled 

 with shades of gray or brown. The subfamily is, however, a large 

 one and other types of coloration occur. In this subfamily there is a 

 fringe of long hairs on the basal part of vein Cu of the hind wings ; 

 the radius of the fore wings is only four-branched (Fig. 791) ; and the 

 frenulum of the female is simple. This is a very large subfamily; 

 more than three hundred species have been described from our fauna, 

 and there are doubtless many undescribed species in this country. 



The larvcB of the different species vary greatly in habits. Some 

 live in flowers, some fold or roll leaves within which they live and 

 feed; some are borers; others feed upon dried fruits, or flour and 

 meal; and one, at least, is predacious, feeding on 

 coccids. Usually the larva lives in a silken tube or 

 case, lying concealed by day and feeding by night. 

 The case made by certain of the leaf -eating species is 

 very characteristic in form (Fig. 799), being strongly 

 tapering and much curved ; in this instance the case 

 is composed largely of the excrement of the larva. 



The following species are those that have at- 

 tracted most attention on account of their economic 

 importance. Fig. 799. 



The Indian-meal moth, Plodia inter punctella. — This is the best- 

 known of the species that infesb stored provisions. The larva is the 

 small whitish worm, with a brownish-yellow head, that spins thin 

 silken tubes through meal or among yeast-cakes, or in bags or boxes 

 of dried fruits. The moth expands about 15 mm. The basal two- 

 fifths of the fore wing is dull olive or cream colored; the outer part 

 reddish brown, with irregular bands of blackish scales. 



The Mediterranean flour-moth, Ephestia kithniella, is an even 

 more serious pest than the preceding species, which it resembles in 

 habits. It has become very troublesome in recent years in flouring- 

 mills. The moth expands about 25 mm. and is grayish in color. 



When this pest or the Indian-meal moth infests a limited stock of 

 flour, meal, or other cereal, the most economical way to combat it is 

 to feed the infested product to stock, and then thoroughly clean the 

 storage bin or pantry. In mills, where an entire building must be 

 treated, fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas is probably the best 

 method of destroying the pest. This should be done under the 

 direction of an expert. 



