On the Length of the Adult Life in the Webbing Clothes Moth, Tineola Bisselliella Hum.

Abstract

Although the webbing clothes moth ( Tineola bisselliella Hum.) is a common pest in many parts of the world, few investigators seem to have been interested in the bionomics of this insect. The observations to be discussed in the present paper have been made in connection with an extensive study which is under way concerning the food habits of clothesmoth larvae. The insects are being reared from the egg stage. As soon as the eggs hatch, each larva is placed in a small shell vial with its particular kind of food. The vials are kept in a dark cupboard under temperature and humidity conditions comparable to those of an ordinary living room. While the larvae are small, the vials are examined from time to time as opportunity offers. When the larvae become nearly full grown, however, daily observations are made, as it is desired to know the exact length of the life cycle in every instance. Knowing the date of emergence, it seemed worth while to carry the observations further and to determine the length of the adult life for each individual reared.