FLOUR MOTHS 



361 



traveling about before pupation, with the result that the material in 

 which it is at work is matted together and rendered valueless. In 

 most situations, breeding goes on continuously. 



Remedies consist of fumigation 

 with hydrocyanic acid gas. Treat- 



FiG. 570. — Larva of the Mediterra- 

 nean Flour Moth. Slightly enlarged. 

 Original. 



Fig. 571. — The Mediterranean 

 Flour Moth. Slightly enlarged. 

 Original. 



ment by heat is now gaining in favor, and promises to be a valuable 

 method. This treatment is described under the following insect. 



The Indian-meal Moth {Plodia interpunctella Hbn.) 



Stored grains and flours of many kinds frequently become infested 

 with the larvse of this tiny moth, which travel here and there through 

 the grain or meal,* eating as they go, and always spinning quantities 

 of web with which will be found mixed the castings of the worms. 

 The larva is about a half inch long, 

 whitish or pale pink or greenish. 



In heated warehouses breeding may 



go on throughout the year. The adult 



is a small moth, expanding one half to 



three fourths of an inch, the fore wings 



reddish brown in their outer parts, the F^«- ^^2. — The Indian-meal 



, • , ^. Moth. Larva. Slightly en- 



^ ^ ^' larged. Original. 

 In elevators or warehouses that are 



heated by steam the pest may be treated successfully by heat. If 



the temperature throughout the building can be raised to 120 degrees 



Fahrenheit, and maintained at that point for 6 hours, practically all 



