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OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANGOUMOIS GRAIN MOTH ANI 
ITS PARASITES. 
The Angoumois Grain Moth. 
(Qdezkia cerealella, Hliv.) 
By F. M. Webster. 
Order LEPIDOPTERA. Family Tineid;e. 
1A small, slender, brownish-gray moth, with broadly fringed hind wings, the larva- 
which, a slender, white, fleshy worm, eats out the substance ot wheat and other grans 
both in the field and in store 1 
This insect, which is known also under the name of “fly weevil, 
is one of the most destructive pests known to infest stored grain, 
The rapidity with which it increases under favorable condition? 
the nocturnal habits of the moth and the secluded habits of tli 
larva, all combine to place it beyond the reach of natural or arts 
ficial restrictions, and make its appearance in any locality a ver 
serious matter. 
The Neiv York Sun some years ago expressed the opinion that i 
the progress of this pest 'could at that time be arrested by the Gov 
ernment at an expense of five million dollars, it would be the bes 
investment ever made for the people. 
When we take under consideration the fact that this pest has beei 
known to reduce the weight of grain infested by it fitly per cent 
within a few months, the above figures do not seem in the lea? 
exaggerated. 
But the habits of the insect, and its confusion with other gran 
feeding species, render it difficult to ascertain where it really occur 
or exactly when it first appears in any locality; and it is usual! 
not until it has become fully established that it is noticed by farm 
ers and others engaged in tiie growing and handling of grain. 
HISTORY. 
The history of this species reaches back nearly one hundred am 
fifty years, when Reaumur found it to be very injurious to store 
barley at Lucon, in the province of La Vendee, France, and learns 
that it also destroyed wheat. 
