INDIAN-MEAL MOTH AND WEEVIL-CUT PEANUTS, 3 



In imheated houses the first eggs are hiid in March and April l)y 

 the moths just issuing from the pupal stage. At this time they are 

 comparativelj^ scarce and are little noticed; but later, when the 

 successive generations have been allowed to multiply, they become 

 very abundant, reaching their maximum in the latter part of Au- 

 gust. In heated rooms reproduction may be continued throughout 

 the winter. 



The eggs hatch in about 4 days after deposition, and the larvae 

 at once begin the work of destruction. The larval stage may be con- 

 sidered to last about 18 days, varying according to weather condi- 

 tions. During this time the larvip crawl from one kernel to another, 

 feeding as tliey go, and spinning a quantity of silken thread, which, 

 mixed with food particles and excrement, disfigures and injures the 

 material over which they crawl. Allien the nuts have been attacked for 

 some time the entire mass resembles a mat of webbing mixed with 

 powdered food material and frass. '\Mien fulh^ mature the larvae 

 crawl about, seeking a place for pupation and spinning large quan- 

 tities of web as they go, finally making, in cracks in the flooring, 

 between bags, or in other dark places, cylindrical silken cocoons, in 

 which the larvae transform to the pupal stage. In hibernation the 

 larva remains throughout the winter in the cocoon, in a state of 

 quiescence, pupating early the following spring. 



The pupal stage usually lasts from 5 to 10 days before the issuance 

 of the mature insect, making the life cycle, under good conditions of 

 temperature, from 4 to 5 weeks and affording opportunity for from 

 4 to 7 broods or generations of larvae in one year. As the female 

 is capable of depositing from 300 to 400 eggs, it ma}' be seen that 

 the capacity for injury is considerable.' 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



This insect has a number of natural enemies, the most prominent 

 being two hymenopterous parasites, Omorgus frumentarin.s Rond. 

 and Uadvohracon hehetor Ashm. These two forms do much to check 

 the multiplication of this and other similar pests. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Although at first sight this insect seems to present a problem to the 

 packer, its control is by no means so difficult as might be supposed. 

 At least two effective methods of control are applicable, namely, 

 heat and fumigation. 



The heat rtvethod of control. — The treatment by heat, while new in 

 its application to entire buildings, has during the past two years been 



^ The description of stages and notes on the life cycle are compiled largely from the work 

 of Dr. F. II. Chittenden, published in r.nlletin 4, new series, of the Bureau of Entomology, 

 United States Department of Agriculture. 



