63 



that the beetles begin to appear in houses in Washington, 1). C, as 

 early as the last of April and occur in the greatest numbers during the 

 hot spells late in May and early in June. By the middle of June their 

 numbers become less. Beginning on May 0, beetles were placed from 

 time to time into a jar with woolen cloth. On June 13 certain larvje 

 measuring about 1 mm. in lengtli were found. A year from the placing 

 of tlie first beetles in the jar the largest larvae were found to be only 

 4.5 mm. long. Isolated full-grown larvie were several times observ^ed 

 to pulsate, Avith the result that the pupal stage was found to last from 

 six to fifteen days. In Mr. Chittenden's experiments in rearing this 

 insect two years were required for its development from egg to beetle. 



REMEDIES. 



Owing to the similarity of habits, the same remedies may be used 

 against this insect as against the buffalo carpet beetle. Notwith- 

 standing Mrs. French's experience to the contrary, we do not consider 

 it as serious a household pest as the other species. 



L. O. H. 



THE CLOTHES MOTHS. 



(Tinea 2)ellionella, cf al.) 



The destructive work of the larvai of the small moths commonly 

 known as clothes moths, and also as carpet moths, fur moths, etc., in 

 woolen fabrics, fur, and similar material, during the warm months of 

 summer in the Korth, 

 and in the South at any 

 season, is an altogether 

 too common exj)eri- 

 ence. The preference 

 they so often show for 

 woolen or fur garments 

 gives these insects a 

 much more general in- 

 terest than is perhaps 

 trueof any other house- 

 hold |)est. Xot only ^'^^^■^5-—Tinea2JelUonella:a,aduU:b,\ai 



are they a pest to the 



larva in case— en- 



larged (from "Riley). 



good housekeeper, but the bachelor, whose interest in domestic mat- 

 ters might otlierwise remain at a low ebb, knows to his sorrow of 

 their abundance in the disastrous results of their presence in his 

 wardrobe. 



The little yellowish or buft-colored moths sometimes seen Hit- 

 ting about rooms, attracted to lamps at night or dislodged from in- 

 fested garments, are themselves harmless enough; in fact their mouth 

 parts are rudimentary, and they can not enjoy even the ordinary 



