98 OUR HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



juveniles than would be those of cloth that had never 

 undergone such a preparatory process. 



Tinea pellionella is one of the commonest and most 

 destructive of our clothes moths, and is especially partial 

 to furs and feathers. Its attachment to the former is 

 indicated in its name, which is derived from the Latin 

 pellio, a "furrier." It is sometimes, therefore, called 

 the fur moth. Its larva has also been known to feed on 

 cobwebs. 



It noV remains to consider the other members of the 

 genus Tinea to which the epithet clothes moth is appli- 

 cable. And first as to T. biselliella. This is a little 

 creature, something like pellionella, but usually rather 

 larger and with shining ochreous fore-wings, which are 

 perfectly devoid of spots ; the hind-wings are paler, and 

 the head reddish. Its caterpillar feeds upon various 

 animal substances, such as hair, feathers, wool, &c., and 

 so may occasionally be found in the linings of sofas and 

 chairs, and in mattresses. It is an abundant insect, 

 and its habits are similar to those of the before- 

 mentioned species, but there is this difference, that the 

 present insect does not, when a caterpillar, weave for 

 itself a coat in which to go on its travels. At the 

 commencement of its larval life it is said to feed without 

 any covering by way of protection ; but after a while it 

 finds the necessity of preserving its delicate body from 

 the attacks of its somewhat ill-tempered and aggressive 

 companions, if from nothing else, and therefore con- 

 structs a kind of tubular tunnel in which to take shelter. 

 This, however, is fixed to some support, and is thus a 

 shed rather than a garment. It is in this run, too, 

 that the change to the chrysalis takes place ; but then 

 the ends are closed up, and the dormant insect is 



