Abstract
MY own experience of clothes moths in museums extends over many years, and I regret that I cannot agree with “E. E. A.” in NATURE of October 27, p. 622, that paper is a barrier. The clothes moth “fauna” of Britain is changing. At one time the chief pests were moths belonging to the genus Tinea, which are animal feeders, attacking furs, feathers, wool, silk, etc. To-day the most dangerous pest is Œcophora (or Acompsia) pseudospretella, which, according to Meyrick, was first introduced about 1840. This species eats both animal and vegetable substances. I know it as a disastrous guest of neglected herbaria, preying indifferently on the dried plants or, on the paper; and I have observed that it has perforated and penetrated the newspaper coverings of mounted birds and mammals. Fabre, apparently, was unacquainted with this species when he stated that paper is a sure barrier. Pseudospretella certainly prefers slightly damp surroundings, and is known to be a lover of cool climates; it is extremely abundant in London, and is much more conspicuous than any species of Tinea. Perhaps it is not yet established in central or southern France.
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STUBBS, F. Insecticides. Nature 112, 792 (1923). https://doi.org/10.1038/112792b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/112792b0
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