HISTORY IN AMERICA. 15 
zuela at the Columbian Exposition, where the species was first observed 
by the writer. There were hundreds of bags and open boxes and jars 
-of cacao beans exhibited by most of the tropical and semitropical 
countries, many of which were more or less affected by the larva of 
this insect. It seems probable that this species has been introduced 
wherever cacao-bean cultivation thrives and wherever chocolate is 
manufactured, judging by the fact that so many exhibits showed signs 
of infestation. 
At the same exposition it was found to have bred in dried gallnuts, 
labeled “ gobaishi,” exhibited by Japan. 
In October, 1895, a lot of flaxseed meal that was badly infested 
with the larva of this moth, was received from Calla, Ohio. The 
meal was transferred to a jar and as the larve worked toward the 
sides it could be seen that they were present in great numbers, and it 
was necessary to add fresh meal in order to keep them supplied with 
sufficient food. Long after the larve of Plodia interpunctella, which 
were present in vivaria under similar conditions, had for the most 
part left their food in search of places for pupation, these caterpillars 
were still active, although kept in a very cool room at an average 
temperature of about 60° F. Upon moving the jar an explanation 
of this was offered. The bottom and sides of the jar, a thick glass 
fruit “can ” in this case, were quite warm. 
In December of the same year specimens of this insect in different 
stages were received from the Atlanta exposition in cacao beans from 
Venezuela, South America, and from Jamaica and Trinidad, British 
West Indies, and in tonka beans (Dipterya odorata) from Guayaquil, 
Eeuador. During this and following months in 1896 several pounds 
of English walnuts more or less affected by the larva were obtained 
by the writer from various local merchants and street venders. In 
some lots nearly every nut had been ruined by the caterpillars. Their 
presence is manifested by the lighter weight of the nut and its stem 
end usually shows a small hole or two that has been used either for 
entrance or exit, and a few particles of webbed-up excrement will 
sometimes be found accumulated at this point. If such a walnut be 
opened, its interior, if it be badly infested, will be found filled with 
larval excrement, the particles composing the mass being united by 
webbing. 
The writer has also reared the species from pecan nuts and has 
seen specimens reared from peanuts. 
Figs purchased of street venders in different parts of the city at 
about this time were found to be very generally affected by this 
species. 
The following June (1896) the Bureau of Chemistry transmitted 
specimens of the larvee in a sample of pearl hominy purchased in open 
market in this city. The larve were “spun up” in the same manner 
