4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 29 
Lepidoptera. It can be controlled by cleaning out all the old corn 
meal in the cracks and crevices of the pantry, or “by poison gas. 
Clothes moths.—There are other small moths not quite so large 
as the one just described that are found most frequently around 
clothes closets where woolens and furs are stored. These insects are 
of a uniform fawn color, and the wingspread is only about one-half 
an inch. Each of the four wings is much nar- 
rower than those of most of the butterflies and 
moths. These insects are the clothes moths. 
Clothes moths have complete life changes. The 
young of the moths—the small white larvae— 
chew holes in woolen clothes and the mohair 
fabric on furniture. These moths do not feed 
on any vegetable products such as rayon or cot- 
fone heplanvaespmpave: where theys Mave peels .4 “Ck= #1. Clothes 
feeding. There are three or more generations, - 
and breeding is continuous throughout the year if buildings are 
heated. The best control is prevention by frequent airing, sunning of 
clothes, and storing in mothproof containers. Also use a residual 
spray on closet walls. The clothes moth shown here is the kind known 
as the webbing clothes moth (7%ineola bisselliella). 
Webworms.—During the summer and fall there appear in the 
grasses a number of small moths that fold their wings closely about 
their bodies when at rest. They usually rest with 
their bodies forming an angle with the stalk of grass 
on which they alight, the front part of their bodies 
being farthest from the stalk. The palpi (mouth 
parts) are much elongated and extend beyond the 
head. The moths of this group belong to the genus 
Crambus. Owing to their peculiar resting position 
and extension of the palpi, they are readily distin- 
guished from other small moths. The larvae of the 
Crambus are called sod webworms because they usu- 
ally feed in a web on the roots of grass plants, 
where they overwinter. The wings of these moths 
are buff to ight brown in color with a spread of from 
Ficure 72.—Web- %4 inch to 114 inches. The life changes are com- 
pee oy plete. The insects often cause considerable dam- 
age to corn and other members of the grass family. Insecticides and 
cultural practices are suggested for control. The species shown here 
is commonly called the larger sod webworm; the specific or scientific 
name is Crambus trisectus. 
Clearwing moths.—Any boy 
or girl who has found an insect 
like the one illustrated here per- 
haps has had a hard time decid- 
ing whether it belonged to the 
order including the “butterflies 
and moths (or der Lepidoptera), 
or to some other group of in- 
sects having clear wings. These 
moths do not have scales cover- 
ing the entire wings, as do most 
of the others, but careful exam- FIGURE 73.—Clearwing moth. 
