/! 



214 



there is more than one generation annually in southern latitudes. The 

 parent moth (Fig. 42a) is of a delicate straw-color and has no black 

 spots. The larva is shown at Fig. 426 and the cocoon at Fig. 42c. The 

 latter is often found with the empty pupa-skin protruding from its ex- 

 tremity. 



The moth of Tinea tapetzella — the last species— is readily distinguished 

 from the others by the fact that the front wings are black from the base 

 to the middle, and white beyond. The white portion is often clouded 

 with dark gray. The habits of this species are much the same as in 

 the others except that the larva forms for itself a silken gallery mixed 

 with fragments of cloth and thus destroys much more material than it 

 needs for food. It remains hidden within some part of the gallery and 

 retreats to another portion when alarmed. It transforms to pupa with- 

 out other covering than the gallery affords. This is probably the 



species mentioned by Pliny and re- 

 ferred to in Holy Writ. The moth 

 is shown at Fig. 43. 



And now as to the question of 

 remedies: During the latter part 

 of May or early in JuDe a vigorous 

 campaign should be entered upon. 

 All carpets, clothes, cloth-covered 

 furniture, furs, and rugs should be 

 thoroughly shaken and aired, and, if possible, exposed to the sunlight 

 as long as practicable. If the house is badly infested or if any partic- 

 ular article is supposed to be badly infested, a free use of benzine, in 

 the manner mentioned in my last article, will be advisable. All floor 

 cracks and dark closets should be sprayed with this substance. Too 

 much pains can not be taken to destroy every moth and every egg and 

 every newly-hatched larva, for immunity for the rest of the year de- 

 pends largely — almost entirely — upon the thoroughness with which the 

 work of extermination is carried on at this time. The benzine spray 

 will kill the insect in every stage, and it is one of the few substances 

 which will destroy the egg. I would, however, repeat the caution as to 

 its inflammability. No light should be brought into a room in which it 

 has been used until after a thorough airing and until the odor is almost 

 dissipated. 



The proper packing away of furs and winter clothing through the 

 summer is a serious matter. A great deal of unnecessary expenditure 

 in the way of cedar chests and cedar wardrobes and various compounds 

 in the way of powders has been urged by writers on these pests. But 

 experience fully proves that after a thorough treatment in May or June, 

 garments may be safely put away for the rest of the season with no 

 other protection than wrapping them closely in stout paper, to preclude 

 infection through some belated female. My assistant, Mr. L. O. How- 

 ard, tells me of an excellent plan which he has adopted. He buys for a 



Fig. 43.— Tinea tapetzella— enlarged (after Riley). 



