33 
of the moths and larvse which were responsible for the annoyance. 
I recognized the insect as the Mediterranean flour moth, and gave 
the proprietor the necessary warning; but to make sure that my 
determination was correct I sent specimens of both larva and 
adult to Prof. J. H. Comstock, of Cornell University, Ithaca, New 
York, for identification, and at the same time forwarded speci¬ 
mens to Dr. C. Y. Riley, United State Entomologist, at Wash¬ 
ington, D. C., for comparison with those in the National Museum. 
The material sent to Prof. Comstock was referred to Mr. M. Y. 
Slingerland, Entomologist to the Cornell University Experiment 
Station, who replied that there was no doubt about the insects’ 
being that terrible pest, the Mediterranean flour moth. In the 
absence of Dr. Riley from Washington, my letter was acknowl¬ 
edged by Mr. L. O. Howard, Acting Entomologist, who wrote in 
reply that my determination was unquestionably correct, further 
stating that the Department had received no prior information 
regarding the occurrence of this species on the Pacific coast. 
I made frequent visits to the mill during the summer, and each 
time found the insect more abundant than on my previous exam¬ 
ination. After considerable correspondence with the the propri¬ 
etor, who had become greatly alarmed, I deemed it advisable to 
send out an emergency circular to various papers on the Pacific 
coast, in which due warning should be given to millers and deal¬ 
ers of the presence of this formidable enemy.. Accordingly, De¬ 
cember 1, 1892, I sent out from the Department of Entomology, 
Leland Stanford, Jr., University, Palo Alto, California, the follow¬ 
ing circular, which is tha first authentic record of the presence 
of this pest in mills in the United States: 
“Notes on the Mediterranean Flour Moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. 
(Emergency Circular.) 
“This moth was first found in a flouring-mill in Germany during 1877, 
and was brought to the attention of Prof. Kuehn, of the Agricultural 
Institute of the University of Halle, who sent specimens to Prof. Zeller, 
of Gruenliof, for determination. The insect proved to be new to science, 
and was described and named kuehniella by Professor Zeller, in honor of 
Dr. Kuehn. 
“The moth was little known until 1884 and 1885, when it appeared in 
some mills in Belgium and did much damage. Several articles appeared 
in English periodicals in 1887, concerning its ravages in Europe. It 
caused' a great deal of trouble, and in many instances mills were closed. 
, Very little w'as known about the pest in this country until 1889, when 
it appeared in Ontario, Canada. Much damage was done; mills were 
closed, and in one case the loss was estimated at one thousand pounds. 
“The fact that such an unwelcome pest has established itself on the 
Pacific coast is to be regretted. The announcement that it is in our 
midst should be a signal of alarm to every miller and grain dealer in 
this region. Notwithstanding its comparatively recent appearance, it 
has caused much trouble to millers and flour dealers. Every jiossible 
means should be taken to eradicate this ravenous pest from our midst. 
Not only are our mills in danger, but our commerce is at stake, and 
public health imperiled.” 
After the publication of this note, I received many letters of 
inquiry from various parts of the country regarding this pest. I 
pushed my experimental work in the laboratory, and made good 
my opportunity of studying this creature in the mill. I endeav- 
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