120 



PKINCIPAF. HOUSEHOLD INSECTS. 



form tlie pattern shown in the ilinstration (fig. 57. a). The caterpillar 

 {h) is whitish, shading off to a darker color at either end, and with a 

 reddish head. The pnpa, shown in its enveloping cover of silk at c, 

 and naked at fig. 58, e, is reddish brown. 



The habits of this moth are peculiar. The larvae subsist chiefly upon 

 cereals, but seem not to i^refer them in any particular condition, feed- 

 ing alike on the seed, whole or ground, bran, husk, or straw. They 

 will attack other seeds and dried plants, and are at times injurious to 

 hay, particularly clover. They are also reported to feed upon stored 

 potatoes. Larv* have been brought to this office in flour and speci- 

 mens of the insect's work have been seen in sweet marjoram, an herb 

 used in cooking. The caterpillars live in long tubes or tunnels com- 

 posed of silk and particles of meal or other material, and while thus 



incased in tlie obscure corners in which 

 they habitually live are completely con- 

 cealed from observation. When mature 

 they leave them and construct cocoon-like 

 cases and undergo transformation within. 



The life history of the meal snout-moth 

 has not until recently been properly under- 

 stood, efforts to rear and observe it having 

 proved unsatisfactory. Certain European 

 writers have expressed the belief that the 

 species is biennial in development, but ex- 

 periments recently conducted go to prove 

 at least four generations a year. The spe- 

 cies has been carried through all its stages 

 in spring in about eight weeks. 

 From recent experience it would seem that comparatively little danger 

 need be apprehended from injuries by this insect if material upon which 

 it is likely to feed be kept in a clean, dry place. Almost without excep. 

 tion, the cases of damage attributable to it have occurred in cellars, 

 upon floors, in outhouses, or in places where refuse vegetable matter 

 had accumulated. 



THE GRAIN BEETLES. 



There are two clavicorn beetles, known, respectively, as the saw- 

 toothed grain beetle and the cadelle, of omnivorous habits and universal 

 distribution, that commonly occur in dwellings as well as in granaries, 

 mills, and warehouses. The former is so small as to readily escape 

 notice except when it is present in numbers ; the latter, though seldom 

 occurring in abundance, is conspicuous, both as larva and beetle, on 

 account of its size. The two species resemble each other in being 

 partially carnivorous and predaceous, following in the wake of other 

 insects like the Indian-meal moth, the cadelle particularly making 

 atonement for its ravages in the pantry supplies by destroying such 

 small insects as cross its path that it is able to overcome. 



Fig. 58.— Pyralis farinalis : a, egjj- 

 mass; b,eggSy more enlarged; c, egg 

 showing embryo within; d, larva, 

 dorsal view ; c. pupa — all enlarged 

 (author's illustration, reengraved). 



