654 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



or sprinkling the paper with alum, powdered or in solution. If 

 the paper is not used the same protection will be secured by 

 dusting powdered alum under the carpets. A vacuum cleaner 

 is very effective in keeping out these insects. 



The Clothes Moths * 



The clothes moths are among the most annoying of household 

 pests and the injury they do is considerable. They feed on woolens, 

 feathers and fur and more rarely on other -fabrics. There are 

 three species, the Case-Making Moth (Tinea pelionella L.), 

 being the most common while the Webbing Clothes-Moth (Tinea 

 biselliella Hummel), is common in some more southern localities 



FIG. 574. A clothes moth (Tinea pellionella) . From Riley. 



and a third, the Tapestry Moth (Tricophaga tapetzella L.), is 

 rather rare and much larger and more striking in color than the 

 commoner species. The common forms are minute yellowish- 

 white moths with faint darker markings. One species makes 

 for itself small tube-like cases of the material upon which it is 

 feeding and silk spun by itself. The other spins webs throughout 

 its galleries but does not make cases. The larvae are very small 

 whitish caterpillars. The case-making moth has but one genera- 

 tion appearing in the spring while the other common species has a 

 fall generation as well. 



Small quantities of clothing may easily be protected by fumigat- 

 ing them in a trunk with carbon bisulphide, observing the usual 

 precautions. They may also be fumigated in a good tight 

 clothes-closet, preferably in an unused room. Moth proof 



*Famly ^Tineidce. 



