30 ANIMAL BIOLOGY 



ing the windfall apples, it is possible to reduce very greatly 

 the ill effects of this pest. 



The clothes moths may not only destroy what the silk- 

 worm moth has produced but they will also attack furs 

 and all sorts of woolen cloth. There are several species 

 of clothes moths all of which are of small size and similar 

 appearance. They lay their eggs preferably in woolen gar- 

 ments, carpets, blankets, etc., the larvae feeding upon the 

 wool. There may be more than one generation a year. 

 The damage done is entirely the work of the larvae since 



FIG 23. The clothes moth, a, adult; b, larva; c, larva in case 

 enlarged. (From Riley.) 



the moths themselves only deposit their eggs on the cloth. 

 The moths are most active at night and are. frequently 

 attracted to lights. In many places persistent vigilance 

 is required to keep these unobtrusive creatures from 

 doing much damage. Clothing that is packed away 

 should first be well brushed and exposed to light. If 

 pasteboard boxes are used they should be sealed by past- 

 ing paper around the edges of the cover. If it is suspected 

 that eggs or larvae may still be in the clothing it should 

 be kept in a tight receptacle together with about half a 

 cup of bisulphide of carbon for twenty-four hours. The 

 bisulphide will rapidly evaporate and penetrate all parts of 

 the clothing and kill the eggs or larvae if any are present. 



