Case-bearing Clothes Moth

This is one of the few moth species that can damage clothing and carpets but you can deter them from households. The adult moth is a pale silvery grey-brown with dark spots, and approximately 7mm long. The larva makes a portable case for itself out of wool and other fibres.

In outside buildings it has one generation, however, in heated buildings it can have two or more generations. The larval stage lasts up to 3 months after which time they spin a cocoon to pupate in. The discarded cocoons look like small grains of rice.

Flight Times

Generally, they fly between June and October but indoors they may have a longer flight season.

Size and Family

• Family – Tineidae

• Small-sized

• Wingspan Range – 9-16mm

Conservation Status

• Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

The larvae feed on wool, fur, feathers and hair.

Habitat

They live indoors and in outbuildings, or outdoors where they sometimes live in birds’ nests.

Distribution

• Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland

• This is a common and widely-distributed species across Britain.