Hofmannophila pseudospretella(Stnt.) (Lep., Oecophoridae), its status as a pest of woollen textiles, its laboratory culture and susceptibility to mothproofers

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Abstract
Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Stnt.) is a very widespread and common omnivorous scavenger in Britain. It is able to digest keratin and, while rarely occurring in large infestations, has a nuisance value as a textile pest in dwellings. It is commonly found breeding in birds' nests and dry organic débris likely to be found in attics and roof spaces, and mature larvae wandering from the feeding site are probably the only cause of damage to domestic textiles which, according to our records, are principally carpets.A method of maintaining cultures in the laboratory and obtaining standardised larvae for mothproofing tests is described.Adequate protection against newly hatched larvae was given by 0·1 per cent. Dielmoth (25 per cent, dieldrin) and 1·0 per cent. Mitin FF (an unknown percentage of N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N′-2-(2-sulpho-4-chlorophenoxy)-5-chlorophenyl urea, sodium salt), while six-week-old larvae were not controlled by 0·15 per cent. Dielmoth or 1·0 per cent. Mitin FF. No protection against larvae in the wandering stage was given by Dielmoth in concentrations up to 0·63 per cent, or by 1·0 per cent. Mitin FF.Both six-week-old and wandering larvae were controlled by 5·0 per cent. Mystox B (20 per cent, pentachlorophenol) and the latter also by 4·0 per cent. Mystox LPL (100 per cent, commercial pentachlorophenyl laurate).

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