io 4 OUR HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



is scarcely a house anywhere of which it is not an 

 inhabitant. 



Though the presence of the window-moth in our 

 houses may be condoned, the same cannot be said of its 

 near ally, the detestable pest OEcoplwra pseudo-spretella. 

 This is one of the most destructive insects imaginable, 

 and is apparently a perfectly general feeder; nothing 

 that is in the smallest degree edible comes amiss to it. 

 It is rather larger than Endrosis fenestrella, of a pale 

 brown colour, more or less completely mottled over with 

 dark brown and with three very deep brown spots, 

 two before the middle of the wing, placed one above the 

 other, like a colon, and one beyond the middle. The 

 distinctness of these spots depends upon the intensity of 

 the ground colour of the wings, which varies a good 

 deal. The hind-wings are paler, without markings, and, 

 as usual, have long fringes. When in good condition, 

 which is not likely to be the case except just after 

 emergence from the pupa, the fore-wings are shiny. 

 They are placed in a flat position over the back, and 

 thus cause the insect to appear larger than a Tinea of 

 the same size would. The moth is fond of concealment, 

 and often hides amongst the substances that have 

 suffered from its depredations. When disturbed, it 

 runs rather than flies, and that very rapidly, at once 

 seeking shelter again. To pursue it with one's fingers 

 is no easy task ; it is so rapid in its movements and so 

 slippery when touched, in consequence of the glossiness 

 of its scales, that the pursuit is apt to try both patience 

 and temper of pursuer. 



The caterpillar is a whitish creature with a brown 

 head, of an active habit, but concealing itself most 

 effectually by spinning together quantities of the 

 material it happens to be feeding upon. It does not 



