El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-03-16

times produces a telling similar to
that produced by the black carpet
beetle
Worse in Washington.
The webbing or southern clothes
moth IS more abundant and injurious
in the latitude OF Washington, and
farther south. 1t IS about the size OF
the case moth, but the fore wings
are uniformly pale ochre without
markings or spots. Its larvae feed
on a large variety OF animal sub
stances-WoOlens, furs, feathers, hair,
and in England IL has been known TO
feed on cObWebs in the corners Nof
rooms and in confinement has been
successfully reared upon this delicacy.
1t IS q great pest in museums. The
collection OF large moths belonging
TO Prof. F. H. Webster OF the GATED
States bureau OF entomology, was once
badly damaged by southern clothes
moth larvae some Of the specimens
being completely riddled- The larva
OF this moth does not construct g case
but spins a silken cObWebby path
wherever II goes When It is fun
grown. 1t builds a cocoon similar TO
that Of the PeluOnella, but more fr-
regular in outline.
The tapestry moth IS larger than eth
er OF the others and more striking IN
its cOlOring. The head is white, the
basal third OF the fore wings black,
with the exterior tWO-thrids a creamy
white, more or less Obscured IN the
pale gray This moth affects rather
.cOarser and heavier fabrics than the
smaller ones and is more apt to occur
In carpets, horse blankets and tapes
tries than the finer wOOlens. It also
affects lettings furS and skins and
frequently damages the wooden up
holstery OF carriages 1t is more like
-ly to be found In carriage houses and
barns than in dwelling houses. Its
larVa enters directly into the material
fnTnErg O.
or galleries which IL lines with silk
Within these galleries it is protected
and concealed during its larval life
and undergOes its transformation
damage 1t causes Is due more to its
burrowing than TO the actual amount
Of material IL consumes for food
The Buffalo IOth.D
In addition to these three moths
there is an insect known as the car
pet beetle or Buffalo MOTH which in
some parts OF the country is more
detrimental to wooden fabrics even than
the regular moths 1t works all the
year around in wen heated houses. but
is most active in summr and fail. 1t
abOunds in all Of the New England
states and through the central west
Its scientific name is Anthrenus scro-
pulariae and IL IS OF European origin, [
having been first found In this coun-
try IN 1863. 1t is now more prevalent I
here than in Europe chiefly because Z
carpets are more generally used Tt I
becomes less numerous wherever bare
floors and small rugs are substituted I
for carpets. When the carpet beetle /
has once taken possession OF a house. I
IT is most difficult TO eradicate. Only I
the most through cleansing has any
effect The carpets must be taken up. I
thoroughly beaten and sprayed out OF I
doors with benzine or gasoline andi al 4
lowed to air. The same liquid should j
be poured literally over the floor and /
under the base boards. II there are 1
anv cracks they should be filled with I
plaster Of paris in a liquid state. Lat
er in the season II there is any evil l
dence Of the insect having reappeared, +
a good remedy is to lay a damp cloth
over the suspected spot and iron it dry
with a hot iron The steam generated I
from this process viii kill the insects
beneath IL.
The Remedies,
The remedies recommended for the
determination of moths are number
less. but the essential thing Is to see
that the articles to Be preserved are
kept free from larvae. It does no
good to pack garments away in moth
balls or cedar chests IL the larvae
have already been deposited upon
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