Studies on the Digestion of Wool by Insects VIII. the Significance of Certain Excretory Products of the Clothes Moth, Tineola Bisselliella, and the Carpet Beetle, Att Agenus Piceus

Abstract

The excreta of clothes moth larvae (Tineola) bred on a· standard undyed woollen fabric, the black carpet beetle (Attagenus) living on wool, and the potato moth (Gnorimoschema) feeding on potato tubers, have been examined. Water-soluble nitrogen constitutes most of the total nitrogen in both Tineola and Attagenus excreta. The fraction of this water-soluble nitrogen ontributed by uric acid or its salts is high in Tineola, but considerably lower in Attagenus. Up to 3 per cent. urea and an appreciable quantity of ammonia are also present.