INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CLOTHES 195 



certain that it exists in the South in abundance, for the 

 writer has seen many of the naked larvae of this moth on 

 woolen materials. We recall to mind a college pennant 

 of red felt that was stretched on the wall of a room in 

 Mississippi. This banner was riddled and eaten by the 

 larvae of this species while it rested in that exposed posi- 

 tion on the wall of the room. On the other hand, the 

 webbing or naked clothes moth is certainly abundant in the 

 vicinity of Ithaca, New York. The author has collected 

 the larvae in abundance from furs and rugs and has taken 

 the moths in houses in April and May. In fact, this is the 

 only species we have taken at Ithaca. Fletcher, as we 

 have already pointed out, 

 found this form more com- 

 mon in Canada than he did 

 the case-making species. 



Washburn also States that Fig. 54. — Webbing clothes moth. 



he has come in contact with 



only this species in Minnesota. These observations 

 certainly indicate the abundance of the webbing clothes 

 moth in the North. 



This moth (Fig. 54) is usually a little larger than the 

 case-making moth, although it varies a good deal in size. 

 The fore wings are decidedly more yellowish in color — 

 generally described as "shining ochreous" without spots 

 or markings. The hind wings are paler, while the head is 

 reddish. 



The larvae live upon a great variety of substances such 

 as fur, feathers, wool, bodies of insects, and are occasion- 

 ally found in the upholstering of furniture. The larvae 

 have been observed in England to eat cobwebs found in 

 the corners of rooms and have, in fact, been reared to 



