General Description                                                                                      

• The adult wingspread is greater than that of either the
  webbing or casemaking clothes moths.
• Carpet moths can be distinguished from these other species
  by the fact that the front third of the forewing is black and the
  rest of the wing is white, with a few black or gray spots.
• The adult moth’s head is white.
• The larva makes a silk tube as it burrows through the
  material on which it feeds, and it feeds inside this tube.

Life Cycle and Common Characteristics

• The life cycle of this species is similar to that of the preceding species.

Damage and Economic & Health Implications

• Carpet moth causes considerable damage when a severe infestation occurs. It is most common in old woolens, horse hair, furs, and feathers.

The post  Carpet Moth appeared first on ETS.

General Description

• This moth is browner in color than the webbing clothes moth                             
  and has three dark spots on the wings, which help to identify it.
• Adults vary in size as compared to the webbing clothes moth,
  depending on the larval diet.
• No tuft of reddish hairs arising from the top of the head of adult of
  this moth are apparent, compared to the hairs of the webbing clothes moth.

Life Cycle and Common Characteristics

• The larva spins a small silken cell, bag or case around itself and carries it about while it feeds. It moves about by extending its head and legs from the front end of the case.
• Larvae wander about on food material and slightly feeding on these materials. It is rarely do extensive damage at any one spot or in a small area.
• When ready to pupate, the larva draws itself completely within its case, seals both ends of the case with silk, and pupates in its cocoon.

Damage and Economic & Health Implications

• This moth is a pest of feathers, but it can feed on almost any material listed as food for webbing clothes moths.

The post Casemaking Clothes Moth appeared first on ETS.

General Description

• The body and wings of the adult are uniformly buff in color,
  and its head has lightly reddish hairs on top.
• The wings are silvery brown to golden tan in color,
  without spots, and measure less than 0.7 cm across when extended.
• Adult males are capable of flying, but seldom do so.
• Females are not good fliers, although they can fly for
  short distances within homes and elsewhere.
• Adults normally live about 15 to 30 days,
  and longer in colder weather this time
• Larvae are shiny, creamy white in color,
  and not more than 1.25 cm long.
• Eggs are oval, ivory-colored, and 1 mm long.

Life Cycle and Common Characteristics

• Eggs are laid singly or in small groups among the threads or in the cracks of a suitable food material.
• Eggs are attached to this food material with a gelatinous secretion.
• The female lays 40 to 50 eggs (up to 200), but in the summer, eggs hatch in 4 to 10 days (1 month in the winter).
• Each larva molts up to 10 times during its development.
• The larva then spins a silken pupal case and attaches bits of fiber to the outside of it.
• Length of the pupal stage varies from about 8 to 40 days.
• The entire life cycle may vary from 55 days to four years, but normally between 65 and 90 days.

Damage and Economic & Health Implications

• Adult webbing clothes moths may be found at any time of the year, but are more abundant during the warm summer months. They also develop in heated buildings in the winter.
• Larvae produce randomly placed patches of silken webbing as they move about on the surface of a cloth article they are attacking.
• Webbing is generally sparse in fur, but it may be present at the base of the hairs.

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