HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 93 



insects, by rubbing together parts of the body with a rapid 

 motion. In the case of the cricket each fore wing has a finely 

 grained, rasping surface; when the two are opposed a suc- 

 cession of jerky motions made by the cricket evokes the shrill 

 notes of far more penetrating quality than might be expected 

 from such a small creature. Crickets remain torpid in cool 

 weather but their activities readily respond to warmth so 

 that the appellation of the Cricket on the Hearth is quite 

 appropriate. 



The erratic, darting flight of several tiny species of moths 

 that periodically appear in dwellings is always a signal of 

 alarm to the provident housekeeper, as these clothes moths 

 are well-known to every one both as winged insects and as 

 the cause of moth-eaten garments. Quite contrary to most 

 moths, these forms feed in the larval state not upon foliage or 

 vegetable material, but upon wool, fur, feathers, and material 

 of animal origin. Their eggs are deposited very generally 

 upon articles of clothing made from such materials and the 

 tiny larvae may construct cases for themselves or ill-defined 

 burrows, lined with loose silk which they spin about them. 

 There are several species, all rather closely similar, and prob- 

 ably of Eurasian origin. They are now widespread and 

 closely associated with man. Undoubtedly under natural 

 conditions the clothes moths were not abundant and lived a 

 rather precarious existence, but they were well known to the 

 ancients, whose crude garments suffered as does the highly 

 tailored and garnished clothing of the present day. 



The larvse of several small beetles cause damage similar to 

 that due to the clothes moths. They belong to a family of 

 beetles known as the Dermestidse which feed very generally 

 upon dry animal matter of various kinds. The entomologist 

 can speak with great feeling upon the subject of these pests, 

 as they show a great fondness for his collections of pinned 

 insects upon which they feed with great readiness. In 

 households, carpets, rugs, and heavy furs frequently suffer. 

 Two of the smaller species belong to the genus Anthrenus 

 and are minute beetles of mottled color. The larvae are sue- 



