Geometridae 



Genus EOIS Hubner 



(i) Eois ptelearia Riley. (The Herbarium Moth.) 

 The moth which is the subject of consideration is interesting 

 because of the fact that in recent years it has become known as a 

 destructive herbarium pest. The larvae attack the flowers, to 



FIG. 199. Eois ptelearia. a, larva, from side; b, do., from 

 above; c, side view of abdominal segment ; d, tubercle of same; e, 

 pupa;/^ cremaster ; g, abdominal projection. All figures greatly 

 enlarged. (After C. V. Riley, " Insect Life," Vol. IV, p. 109.) 



some extent the leaves, and also to a less extent the hard fruits 

 and seeds of specimens collected in the Southwestern States 

 and in Mexico. Their ravages were first detected at the 

 United States National Museum in the year 1890. Strangely 

 enough, they show no appetite for species belonging to the flora 

 of the Eastern and Northern States. It is believed that the insect 

 is native to the region the plants of which it devours, but thus 

 far no entomologist has reported its occurrence in the section of 

 country from which it is supposed to come. The damage it 

 is able to inflict upon specimens is very great, because of the 

 very rapid multiplication of individuals which takes place. 



An exceedingly interesting account of the insect and its 



334 



