120 PRINCIPAL HOUSEHOLD INSECTS. 



form the pattern shown in the illustration (fig. 57, a). The caterpillar 

 (b) is whitish, shading off to a darker color at either end, and with a 

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

 and naked at fig. 5$, c, is reddish brown. 



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

 upon cereals, but seem not to prefer them in any particular condition, 

 feeding 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. Within the year larvae were brought to this office in flour and 

 specimens of the insect's work in sweet marjoram, an herb sometimes 

 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 the 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 never been properly understood, the 

 efforts to rear and observe it having always 

 proved unsatisfactory. Certain European 

 77 writers have expressed the belief that the 



species is biennial in development, but ex- 



Fig. 58.— Pyralix farinalis: a. ec^- . , , , 1 , 



n.ass; b, eggs, more enlarged; * penments now being conducted go to prove 

 egg showing embryo within; a, at least four generations a year. The spe- 



larva, dorsal view; e, pupa-all en- cieg hag been carrie( l through all its Stages 

 larged (original). . . . 



this spring m 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 

 occurriug 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 devouring such 

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



