10 BULLETIlSr 783, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



breeding in a feed warehouse in Honolulu in July. On July 10, 1909, 

 it was captured at Kaena Point by Mr. Swezey. The latter part of 

 the same month moths were found emerging from a package of 

 cracked wheat obtained from a Honolulu grocery'. Mr. Swezey 

 expressed the opinion that although the species is a European moth 

 apparently not recorded at that time in the United States, it certainly 

 must have reached Honolulu from the United States. 



The habits of the moth are well described by Barrett (2). He 

 states that when disturbed in flight, unlike Ephestia and Plodia, it 

 darts down in a zigzag and almost immediately comes to rest. To- 

 ward evening the males run about, quivering their wings in a peculiar 

 manner. The moth shows considerable skill in selecting for a resting 

 place the projections of rough beams, to which, owing to its rough, 

 blunt head and closely folded wings, it bears so close a resemblance 

 that Barrett states he has taken specimens between his fingers before 

 he could satisfy himself that they were not projecting splinters. 

 This can be readily appreciated by reference to Plate I, B, which 

 shows the moth at rest. The moth is peculiarly sluggish, even more 

 so than those of the other genera. Barrett writes of this and of a 

 related species (Ephestia) that they were being replenished con- 

 stantly from imported dried fruits, since every cargo of fruit 

 swarmed with the larvse, some of which died from change of climate 

 and other causes, but many of which came to maturity. He states 

 that it is obvious that places in which old " currants " have been 

 stored are the most potent sources of infestation, the new fruit coming 

 into harbor during the month of September when the moths are al- 

 ready plentiful. Pie believed that the different species occurred in 

 about equal numbers and was certain that they had formed a settle- 

 ment from which it would be no easy task to expel them. 



CONTROL MEASURES. 



Warehouses and other structures in which the rice moth has be- 

 come established should be cleansed thoroughly. Any bags which 

 contain or have contained infested rice or other cereal, cacao beans, 

 cocoa or similar material, or dried fruits should be fumigated; all 

 corners, cracks, and crevices which may harbor the insect should be 

 brushed out; and all refuse promptly destroyed by burning. The 

 walls and floors then may be washed down with a soluble creosote 

 disinfectant, or a solution of common salt. The brushes used should 

 be stiff and strong, and every point should be reached so as to make 

 the compartment perfectly clean. 



The machinery also should be cleaned thoroughly and the entire 

 plant fumigated with hj^drocyanic-acid gas. In small plants either 

 carbon disulphid or sulphur dioxid may be employed for fumigation, 



