Pest Files - Moths
Case bearing Clothes Moth
Clothes moths larva (caterpillar) stage damages items of animal origin, such as wool, fur, silk and feathers. The adult moths do not feed. They are rarely seen because they tend to hide in the dark during daylight.
The Indian meal moth, a common "pantry pest," flies about during daylight and is often mistaken for one of these moths.
Common Clothes Moth
Wingspan 9-16 mm.
Formerly far commoner than it is these days, this moth inhabits houses, and was at one time a pest species. Its decline is probably due to the increase in use of man-made fibres and the much drier atmosphere created by central heating. The larva, as its vernacular name suggests, feeds on woollen clothing, upholstery and carpets, as well as other animal-based material, such as hair or fur.
It lives in a silken tube, and when gregarious this can develop into dense matting. The moths are more or less continuously brooded except during the winter months.
Indian Meal Moth
If you ever had whitish worms crawling up walls and across the ceiling in a kitchen or food storage area, chances were excellent they were Indian meal moth larvae, one of the more common stored product pests. Often an infestation is discovered when the full grown larvae (about 1/2 inch) leave their food source and wander around looking for places to pupate. Other common stored product pests include cigarette beetles, drugstore beetles, flour beetles and saw-toothed grain beetles. Grain moth larvae can be found in any type of grain, nut, fruit or cereal product.
Case bearing Clothes Moth
Clothes moths larva (caterpillar) stage damages items of animal origin, such as wool, fur, silk and feathers. The adult moths do not feed. They are rarely seen because they tend to hide in the dark during daylight.
The Indian meal moth, a common "pantry pest," flies about during daylight and is often mistaken for one of these moths.
Common Clothes Moth
Wingspan 9-16 mm.
Formerly far commoner than it is these days, this moth inhabits houses, and was at one time a pest species. Its decline is probably due to the increase in use of man-made fibres and the much drier atmosphere created by central heating. The larva, as its vernacular name suggests, feeds on woollen clothing, upholstery and carpets, as well as other animal-based material, such as hair or fur.
It lives in a silken tube, and when gregarious this can develop into dense matting. The moths are more or less continuously brooded except during the winter months.
Indian Meal Moth
If you ever had whitish worms crawling up walls and across the ceiling in a kitchen or food storage area, chances were excellent they were Indian meal moth larvae, one of the more common stored product pests. Often an infestation is discovered when the full grown larvae (about 1/2 inch) leave their food source and wander around looking for places to pupate. Other common stored product pests include cigarette beetles, drugstore beetles, flour beetles and saw-toothed grain beetles. Grain moth larvae can be found in any type of grain, nut, fruit or cereal product.
Call our helpline now on
0845 603 1198
0845 603 1198