Clothes Moths
Overview
There are at least three species of clothes moths, namely: The Common Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella), The Brown House
Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) and The Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella). These are all small moths,
varying in size from the Brown House Moth (8-14mm in length) to the Case-bearing Clothes Moth (6mm in length.
Adult Moths do no damage when feeding. It is the moth larvae that eat wool, hair, fur or feathers, digesting the keratin that all
such animal fibres contain. The grubs are white caterpillars with golden-brown heads, which spin a hiding place of characteristic
loose silk webbing, beneath which they feed. They make irregular holes in textile fabrics and pupate as silken cocoons. The Case
Bearing Clothes Moth grub produces an open ended protective case of silk as it feeds, and attaches fibres of its food material to
this in order to camouflage itself. Found around the world, they are found wherever animal fibres are to be found all year round.
Moth larvae can cause significant damage to clothing, feathers and furs, as they feed on a wide range of fabrics of animal origin,
such as wool, felt and fur. Particular pests of animal exhibits found in museums.
Clothes moth larvae can be difficult to detect, since they shun the light, although their effects are far more evident. Typically, moth
damage to carpets is found when heavy furniture is moved. Once located, infested materials must be removed and residual
insecticides applied to the surrounding area.
Click on the links to the left to find out more on individual UK species.
</i> is a common pest of fabrics in the home, and in museums. It is regarded as a scavenging moth, and feeds on the fluff and detritus that accumulates beneath skirting boards, under heavy furniture etc.<p><h3>Biology:</h3><p>The larvae are whitish in colour, caterpillar-like, with brown heads. Produce silken tubes on the food substrate, which they seldom leave. May enter a resting phase, called diapause for several months, if the temperature drops. Generally develop in two to five months.<p>Pupation occurs in silken cocoons near food, developing in 2 weeks to 2 months. The adults are brownish, with coppery coloured speckled wings with fringe. Typically 8mm in length. Live for a short period perhaps 1 - 4 weeks.<p><h3>Distribution:</h3><p>It is an Asian species introduced into Europe and many other parts of the world in the 1840s, but is now widespread in the UK.<p><h3>Significance:</h3><p>May be a sign of poor hygiene, possible pest of museums, causes occasional damage in domestic premises.<p><h3>Control:</h3><p>A thorough inspection is necessary to determine the source and extent of any infestation. The inspection must extend to every room in the premises including lofts and cellars.<p>Once the source of the infestation and any harbourages are located, they should be treated with a residual insecticide.','success')){kind=link}
</i> are textile pests commonly found in birds nests and feeding in carpets beneath heavy furniture. They are quite small, buff coloured moths (9 - 16 mm wingspan), with a distinctive feathering at the trailing edge of their wings.<p>The larvae are seldom seen, since they spin a portable protective tube of silk and fibres, which they habitually live in, rendering them well disguised to the casual on-looker.<p>The adults are generally seen in flight in summer and autumn, but may be seen at other times in centrally heated buildings.<p><h3>Biology:</h3><p>The larvae form a silken case, about 10mm in length, usually the same colour as the substrate on which they have been feeding. Lifecycle is similar to the common clothes moth.<p><h3>Distribution:</h3><p>Less common than other clothes moths, and is found all over the world. Often infestations in the UK arise as a result of the importation of animal products from the tropics.<p><h3>Significance:</h3><p>Will often cause bare patches in carpets beneath rarely moved heavy furniture. Still relatively common pest of fabrics and carpets, but has declined in recent years, possibly due to the increased usage of synthetic fibres<p><h3>Control:</h3><p>A thorough inspection is necessary to determine the source and extent of any moth infestation. The inspection must extend to every room in the premises, including the loft. In domestic situations it is advisable to thoroughly vacuum, then to treat throughout with a residual insecticide.','success')){kind=link}
</i> is brownish in colouration, and has a wingspan of 9 - 16mm. The common clothes moth is less common today, than in years gone by. It is thought that the use of man-made fibres, and the dryer atmosphere of centrally heated buildings, has contributed to the decline of this once infamous pest.<p>Clothes moths feed on keratin, the protein found in animal fibres such as fur, feathers, wools, horsehair etc.<p><h3>Biology:</h3><p>The larve arise from eggs laid in clothes or carpet fibres. Eggs hatch at temperatures above 10 degrees in between 1 & 5 weeks. The larvae form silken tunnels camoufluaged with debris and fbres. The larvae are whitish in colour, and emerge at night to feed - hiding during the day. The larvae are fully developed in approx 2 - 7 months, usually going through five moults, although poor quality food and low temperatures may lead to increased moults of up to forty.<p>The adult females do not fly, though the males do occasionally. Neither adults feed and are short lived.<p><h3>Distribution:</h3><p>Found worldwide except in the tropics. A moderately commonly found indoor pest of animal derived fabrics, furs and feathers.<p><h3>Significance:</h3><p>Will often cause bare patches in carpets beneath rarely moved heavy furniture, and can cause significant damage if not treated. Can damage museum exhibits, stuffed animals etc.<p><h3>Control</h3><p>A thorough inspection is necessary to determine the source and extent of any moth infestation. The inspection must extend to every room in the premises, including the loft. In domestic situations it is advisable to thoroughly vacuum, then to treat throughout with a residual insecticide.','success')){kind=link}