Insect of the Month: Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)
Moths come in all different varieties but there is one type of moth that is a common enemy to most homes. Clothes moths are household pests that are drawn to fabrics throughout the home.
Like many clothes moth species, adult webbing clothes moths do not eat. Their larvae are vivacious feeders and damage natural fibers.
What do clothes moths look like?
The following information is helpful for clothes moth identification. The webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella adult moth has a length of 8.5 mm (0.3 inches) long with shiny golden scales on wings.
Webbing clothes moth are one color and do not have spots.
Eggs: Oval, ivory in color and 1 mm (0.04 inches) long.
Larvae: Creamy white, dark brown head capsule, 13 mm (0.5 inches) long
Pupae: Pupal cases whitish; sometimes hidden in fabric or fur; up to 13 mm (0.5 inches) long.
What is the clothes moth life cycle?
Adult moths live for 15-30 days whereupon mated females can lay 40-50 eggs singly or in groups. Eggs hatch in 4-10 days in warmer months and up to 30 days in cooler months.
Larvae feed and become mature in 35 days or as long as 30 months depending on food quality, temperature and humidity. Pupation will occur in infested materials. Adults will emerge from the pupae in 8 to 40 days depending on temperature.
Similar species include the casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella) and brown-dotted clothes moth (Niditinea fuscella).
Monitoring Guidelines for Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)
Click on the image or insect name above to view monitoring guidelines for webbing clothes moths. These guideline include details on Description, Lifecycle, Damage and Detection, Corresponding Products, Fun Facts, and more!
Stay tuned
Next week we are going to be sharing a solution Insects Limited offers when dealing with Clothes Moths and other textile pests.
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