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<5f the moths and larvse which were responsible for the annoyance. 

 I recognized the insect as the Mediterranean flour moth, and gave 

 the proprietor the necessary warning; but to make sure that my 

 determination was correct I sent specimens of both larva and 

 adult to Prof. J. H. Comstock, of Cornell University, Ithaca, New 

 York, for identification, and at the same time forwarded speci- 

 mens to Dr. C. V. Kiley, United State Entomologist, at Wash- 

 ington, D. C, for comparison with those in the National Museum. 

 The material sent to Prof. Comstock was referred to Mr. M. V. 

 Slingerland, Entomologist to the Cornell University Experiment 

 Station, who replied that there was no doubt about the insects' 

 being that terrible pest, the Mediterranean flour moth. In the 

 absence of Dr. Eiley from Washington, my letter was acknowl- 

 edged by Mr. L. O. Howard, Acting Entomologist, who wrote in 

 reply that my determination was unquestionably correct, further 

 stating that the Department had received no prior information 

 regarding the occurrence of this species on the Pacific coast. 



I made frequent visits to the mill during the summer, and each 

 time found the insect more abundant than on my previous exam- 

 ination. After considerable correspondence with the the propri- 

 etor, who had become greatly alarmed, I deemed it advisable to 

 send oat an emergency circular to various papers on the Pacific 

 coast, in which due warning should be given to millers and deal- 

 ers of the presence of this formidable enemy,- Accordingly, De- 

 cember 1, 1892, I sent out from the Department of Entomology, 

 Lelaud Stanford, Jr., University, Palo Alto, California, the follow- 

 ing circular, which is the first authentic record of the presence 

 of this pest in mills in the United States: 



"Notes on the Mediterranean Flour Moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. 



{Emergency Circular.) 

 "This moth was first found in a flouring'-mill in Germany during 1877, 

 and was brought to the attention of Prof. Kuehn, of the Agricultural 

 Institute of the University of Halle, who sent specimens to Prof. Zeller, 

 of Gruenhof, for determination. The insect proved to be new to science, 

 and was described and named huelmklla by Professor Zeller, in honor of 

 Dr. Ivuehn. 



"The moth was little known until 1884 and 1885, when it appeared in 

 some mills in Belgium and did much damage. Several articles appeared 

 in English periodicals in 1887, concerning its ravages in Europe. It 

 caused a great deal of trouble, and in many instances mills were closed. 

 Very little was known about the pest in this country until 1889, when 

 it appeared in Ontario, Canada. Much damage was done; mills were 

 closed, and in one case the loss was estimated at one thousand pounds. 



"The fact that such an unwelcome pest has established itself on the 

 Pacific coast is to be regretted. The announcement that it is in our 

 midst should be a signal of alarm to every miller and grain dealer in 

 this region. Notwithstanding its comparatively recent appearance, it 

 has caused much trouble to millers and flour dealers. Every possible 

 means should be taken to eradicate this ravenous pest from our midst. 

 Not only are our mills in danger, but our commerce is at stake, and 

 public health imperiled.'' 



After the publication of this note, I received many letters of 



inquiry from various parts of the country regarding this pest. I 



pushed my experimental work in the laboratory, and made good 



my opportunity of studying this creature in the mill. I endeav- 



— A 3 



