Common 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
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Family – Tineidae
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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
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Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
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This is a common and widely-distributed species across Britain.
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Patrick Clement
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Patrick Clement
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Koen Thonissen
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Koen Thonissen
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Ilia Ustyantsev
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Ilia Ustyantsev
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Mick (zebart)
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Mick (zebart)
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Ben Sale
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Ben Sale
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Ilia Ustyantsev
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Ilia Ustyantsev
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Dave Shenton
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Dave Shenton
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Dave Shenton
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Dave Shenton
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Dave Shenton
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Dave Shenton
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (caterpillar) - Patrick Clement
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (caterpillar)
Patrick Clement
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (caterpillar) - Mick (zebart)
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (caterpillar)
Mick (zebart)
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (caterpillar) - Mick (zebart)
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (caterpillar)
Mick (zebart)