CHAPTER IX 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CLOTHES AND CARPETS 



A rather large variety of insects attacks fabrics of 

 different kinds, particularly those that contain much wool. 

 Some, however, are impartial in their tastes, while others 

 prefer starched cotton materials. Fabrics that remain 

 undisturbed for some time are most likely to harbor the 

 pests. 



THE CASE-MAKING CLOTHES MOTH 



Tinea pellionella et al. 



Clothes moths have been the bugbears of all house- 

 keepers probably since man began to live in houses and 

 wear woolen and fur garments. The larvae of clothes 

 moths subsist on dried animal matter, such as the dead 

 bodies of insects, dried skins, feathers, wool, and hair. 

 It is quite possible, as Marlatt suggests, that these insects 

 first came into association with man as scavengers living 

 upon the waste animal matter about his rude and unsani- 

 tary habitations. Subsequently, when these convenient 

 supplies of food were removed, the insects were driven to 

 eat the hair and skin of the garments worn by man, later 

 attacking the woolen fabrics as they came into use. Thus 

 the moths have kept pace with man, improving their tastes 

 as man progressed until now they apparently delight most 

 in attacking the finest garments and costliest furs. 



189 



