MEAL AND TABBY MOTHS in 



suffused with glossy grey ; on the front margin of the 

 same pair there are also two large yellow blotches, 

 which towards the middle of the wing suddenly thin 

 away into tiny golden threads, and thus finish their 

 course to the opposite edge. Anything more charming 

 than this little gem, when freshly disclosed from the 

 pupa, can scarcely be imagined, and words seem too 

 tame to do justice to its glories. It is not so common 

 as the meal moth, and seems chiefly to frequent 

 gardens. 



With the meal moth one always mentally associates 

 another common insect called the " Tabby " or " Grease 

 Moth" (Fig. 32). Though not 

 belonging to the genus Pyralis, 

 it is nearly related thereto, and 

 exhibits kindred habits in its 

 earlier stages, and is, moreover, 

 a house frequenter. It is scien- 

 tifically known as Aglossa pin- 



rnii'nnT'I* Tf is nrmdrlprflhlv FIG. 32. Grease Moth or 



guinans. .eraoiy Tabby Moth, 



larger than its cousin of the 



meal- tub, often reaching an expanse of an inch and a 

 half ; but it is far less attractive in appearance, being 

 merely dark greyish- brown, with the fore-wings crossed 

 by zigzag blackish lines, suggestive of the markings on 

 the sides of a tabby cat, whence one of its popular 

 names. 



The caterpillar begins life as a minute, pale, flesh- 

 coloured grub, but as it grows its colour deepens, until 

 at last, when full fed, it becomes quite black. Like 

 that of P. farinalis, it constructs silken tubes in which 

 it obstinately remains concealed till full-fed, living in 

 almost total darkness. It is to be sought for in barns, 

 stables, and outhouses, amongst the accumulations of 



