The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-08-29
THE FLOUR MOTH.
An Obnoxious Pest Which Has Recently
Found It's Way to America.

An Obnoxious Pest Which Has Recently
Found It's Way to America.
A new insect pest has recently made
its appearance on the Continent Of
America. 1t is known as the -four moth
(Ephestia kuhnieua), and its ravages, as
its name indicates, are seen in the de-
struction of -four, in which it weaves its
webs, and upon which the caterpillar
feeds. 1t is very destructive and in
creases with marvellous rapidity, and it
is Of the utmost Importance that every
precaution should be taken to prevent
its spread. 1t is indigenous to the Med
iterranean, and has probably made its
way to America with importations of
wheat or -four.
An examination Of the flour infested
by the mass shows mass completely
spun together with the web. An expert
found it so matted together that after
some Jumps of it were pulled away, the
rest hung down in Jumps or clots, so felted
together that little flour remained in a
loose state. From a mass of these clOts,
containing two or three cubic inches,
only teaspoonful of -four could be OBJ
tanned by repeated shakings. The mass
was filled with live caterpillars, living
and dead chrysalids and remains of dead
moths.
From all that can be learned of the
habits of this insect it seems that it is
unceasing in its ravages where the tenn
perature is suitable, in fact that it is an
all-the-year-round pest. The pupa stage
is short, hence it's multiplication is very
rapid. A warehouse, seventy-fve feet
long, twenty-five wide and four stories
high, became literally alive with moths
in six months, while thousands of
cOcoons were found adhering to the
walls, ceilings and joists, and in every
crack, crevice and nail-hole, necessitat-
ing thorough cleansing of the entire
building and its contents the burning
of great deal of the wood work, and
the disinfecting of the whole place to
destroy any germs that might possibly
have escaped.
In March, 1885, the moth was observed
in mill in Ontario, Canada. Little
attention was paid to it, as its danger
Gus character was unknown, but soon
the moths began to appear in greater
numbers, and small worms were OBJ
served in the -four. Alarm was then
felt, and it was suspected that these
worms came from the moths which had
been seen flying about.
In July the boiling cloths, elevators
and some other parts of the machinery
were carefully cleaned and washed. In
about four days after starting again the
bolts and elevators were found to be in
worse state than ever, full of moths,
webs and worms
The mill was shut down AID more
thorough cleansing set about. But il
was found that every crack and crevice
was alive, and an application was made
to the Government for assistance.
The machinery was taken down and
thoroughly steamed; the building was
swept and subjected to the fumes Of
burning sulphur; the loose wooder
parts, such as elevator spouts, were
burned, and paper bags, boxes and any
goods suspected of being infected were
similarly disposed of. Even the mill
stones and iron-rollers were thoroughly
steamed by placing them in tight boz
with pipe from the boiler.
After the loss of about two months
time and large outlay for new ma
ohinery, stock and the like, the mil
was pronounced free from infection
and ready to go to work again AS may
be supposed, the proprietOrs have taker
precautions to prevent the pest AGAR
getting hold in their mill.Youth'l
Noro niov