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NOTES ON THE LIFE-HISTORY OF 

 EPHESTIA KUHNIELLA. 



By RAYMOND V. WADSWORTH. 



Very little has been recorded of the life-history of this moth, although it is so 

 well known and of such economic importance. The writer having had for some years 

 experience of the moth as a warehouse pest, and in breeding experiments, thought 

 that the following record would be of value. 



The moth flies during any time of the day or night. Its flight seems 

 to be particularly aimless, as it is not drawn to any of the common 

 devices used to attract insects. Although it has been stated in the 

 Gordian that it is attracted by light, the writer has not been able to 

 obtain the least success by this method, and it seems likely that some 

 other small moth was mistaken for E. kuhniella. During its life the 

 moth needs no food of any kind, and very seldom if ever takes any, 

 which probably explains the failure of many of the methods of insect 

 capture. It is slow and heavy in its flight, though it can sustain its 

 flight for a considerable time. Above all things, it loves a very still 

 atmosphere. In secluded corners and small recesses where the air is 

 hardly moving, and the atmosphere heavy, the moth abounds and enjoys 

 it to the full, whilst in draughty places scarcely one can be found. Gener- 

 ally it finds its way out of the open into some secluded spot. Cupboards 

 and boxes provide a paradise for it. This dislike of moving air has been 

 hinted at by J. H. Durrant, of the British Museum, in his report on the 

 Army Biscuit question, but not sufficiently emphasised. 



The moth fives about a month, laying its eggs towards the latter 

 half of its existence. The eggs are white, 0-0197 in. by 0-0145 in., easily 

 visible to the naked eye, and under the microscope very prettily wrinkled. 

 In laying the eggs the moth does not necessarily display any great 

 maternal feeling, for it will often lay them at a considerable distance 

 from food. Generally however they are placed on the food stuff, singly 

 and not in groups. When the food is in sacks, there are generally holes 



