CLOTHES MOTHS AND OTHER TINE^l 99 



thus secured from molestation during the period of its 

 seclusion. 



Even at this stage of its life it is a lively little being, 

 any disturbance of its retreat being resented by petulant 

 wrigglings of its brown mummy-like form. When the 

 time for its final change arrives, it shifts itself along to 

 the entrance of the cocoon by means of tiny hooks on 

 its back, and then works its way out of its pupa case, 

 which it leaves projecting from the end of the cocoon. 

 The larvae may be found in our houses from February 

 to September inclusive, and the moths from April to 

 November. 



The next species is T. tapetzella (Fig. 29). This is 

 considerably larger than the two preceding, and very 

 different from them in 

 coloration, though suffi- 

 ciently similar in shape 

 to show that it should be 

 referred to the same genus. -^^^^ i \ 



When the wings are fully 



J FIG. 29. Tinea tapetzella. 



spread, the moth has an 



expanse of three-quarters of an inch, and it may very 

 easily be recognised by the startling contrast in the dis- 

 tribution of its colours. The fore-wings are black over 

 their basal third part, and then over the rest of their area 

 creamy white, slightly mottled with darker, especially 

 at the tip. The hind- wings are shining brownish-grey, 

 and have long fringes. When the wings are closed, 

 they are laid close alongside the body, and then, of 

 course, no trace of the hind pair is seen. We have simply 

 a long narrow object with the front part black and the 

 hinder white. 



This insect, in its larval condition, delights in coarser 

 food than its predecessors, and devours with avidity such 



