144 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANGOUMOIS GRAIN MOTH AND 
ITS PARASITES. 
By F. M. WExBsTER. 
Tue Ancoumois Gray Morn. 
(Gelechia cerealella, Oliv.) 
Order LEPIDOPTERA. Family Tinerpm. 
{A small, slender, brownish-gray moth, with broadly fringed hind wings, the larva of 
which, a slender, white, fleshy worm, eats out the substance of wheat and other grains, 
both in the field and in store |] 
T'his insect, which is known also under the name of ‘‘fly weevil,” 
is one of the most destructive pests known to infest stored grain. 
The rapidity with which it increases under favorable conditions, 
the nocturnal habits of the moth and the secluded habits of the 
larva, all combine to place it beyond the reach of natural or arti- 
ficial restrictions, and make its appearance in any locality a very 
serious matter. 
The New York Sun some years ago expressed the opinion that if 
the progress of this pest could at that time be arrested by the Gov- 
ernment at an expense of five million dollars, it would be the best 
investment ever made for the people. 
When we take under consideration the fact that this pest has been 
known to reduce the weight of grain infested by it fifty per cent, 
within a few months, the above figures do not seem in the least 
exaggerated. 
But the habits of the insect, and its confusion with other gram 
feeding species, render it difficult to ascertain where it really occurs, 
or exactly when it first appears in any locality; and it is usually 
not until it has become fully established that it is noticed by farm- 
ers and others engaged in the growing and handling of grain. 
HISTORY. 
The history of this species reaches back nearly one hundred and 
fifty years, when Réaumur found it to be very injurious to stored 
barley at Lucon, in the province of La Vendée, France, and learned 
that it also destroyed wheat. 
