INSECTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD 73 



Chapter IV ; make drawings and group language lessons 

 for the time being about the life story and work of the 

 clothes moths. 



The construction of its case is an interesting process 

 with the common clothes moth. It is made very small at 

 first to fit the tiny larva. As it becomes too short for its 

 growing occupant, new material is added at both ends, 

 and when it gets too tight the larva slits it down the side, 

 first at one end and then at the other, and inserts trian- 

 gular gores. If, after they have begun to grow, the black 

 cloth is removed and a piece of red 

 woolen, or any other color, sub- 

 stituted, then later some white, 

 and so on, a coat of many colors 

 will result which will show how 

 each addition has been made. The fig. 29. tapestry moth 



moth has but a single brood in the Adult moth. (Enlarged. After 



northern United States, the adult "^^' 



moths appearing and laying their eggs from June to August, 

 so that this latter experiment must be chiefly vacation 

 work for the pupils ; but it will take only a few moments' 

 attention from time to time, and the specimens may be 

 preserved and brought in at the opening of school in 

 the fall. The pupa is formed within the case, and the 

 pupal stage lasts ordinarily three weeks. The moth eats 

 nothing, its mouth parts being rudimentary, and causes no 

 damage, except as it lays its eggs upon exposed materials 

 that may furnish food for its destructive larvae. 



The final lesson should be focused upon developing 

 clear ideas about methods of dealing with clothes moths. 

 Draw out and arrange in an orderly fashion, so far as 



