from an open box of nuts. Subsequently the moths were reared in 
great numbers, this accidental evidence of the cereal-feeding habit of 
the species proving more satisfactory than a purely artificial experi- 
ment would have done. 
During July a larva, evidently from the same source as the ones 
found in the corn meal, was discovered at work in a small box of dupli- 
cate moths. It had ruined seven specimens by eating away their abdo- 
mens and in some cases a portion of the wings. In the rearing jars I 
had previously noticed evidences of this same habit. 
It is yet early to predict the future of this moth. From its partiality 
for nuts and figs, taken with the fact that no cases of severe damage 
by it to cereals have come to light, it is reasonable to suppose that little 
apprehension need be felt of its becoming so serious a pest as the 
Mediterranean flour moth in flouring mills and granaries, in spite of 
appearances which indicate that it is perfectly capable of becoming- 
troublesome. 
THE CHOCOLATE MOTH. 
(Ephestia elutella Him.) 
The habits of our flour- and meal-feeding phycitids, Ephestia Jcueh- 
niella and Plodia interpunctella, are so well known as to necessitate 
no further comment here, but there is still a fourth moth which, 
although represented in our faunal list, seems never to have received 
mention as an injurious species in this country. I refer to Ephestia 
elutella Hbu. Its habits have been known in Europe since early in the 
last century, yet so far as I know at present, American records show 
nothing positive regarding injuries. 
Reaumur's account of the moth that injures chocolate, published in 
1737, is generally conceded to refer to the present species, and as it is 
this species that is most often associated with the chocolate nut of 
commerce it may be called the chocolate moth. Recent study of bred 
material shows this to be the moth mentioned in Insect Life (Vol. IV. 
p. 3.32) as having been received at this office from Mr. II. F. Wickham, 
who found it injurious to cayenne pepper in one of the drug houses at 
Iowa City, Iowa. We have also specimens bred from dried apples 
obtained from a New York City dealer and submitted to this office by 
the Division of Chemistry, and others from cacao beans received from 
Mr. C. A. Barber, who obtained them from Montserrat. West Indies. 
According to various European authorities this species also attacks 
manufactured chocolate, coffee, and various dried fruits, and even does 
considerable damage to ship biscuit, which it injures after the manner 
of E. Jcuehniella. 
STOREHOUSE MOTHS LIABLE I'O CNTBODUOTION. 
In this same family PhycitidsB, ;is also in the Galleriidse, are several 
other moths which, like the preceding species, are undoubtedly often 
brought into the United States in shipments of dried fruits and similar 
