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Common Moth Species

Moths may look small and harmless but they can cause surprising amounts of damage to your clothing and textiles and stored products in general.

In the UK there are around 2,500 recorded moth species, according to ukmoths.org.uk with most being harmless. However four species of moths in particular, can cause problems in your home or business.

Brown House Moth

(Hofmannophila pseudospretella)

It is very common to see Brown House moths in your home.

Brown House Moth - Hofmannophila pseudopretella

Appearance

  • Adult — 8–14 mm long.
  • Brown in colour with three or four darker spots.
  • Larva — up to 20 mm long.
  • Larvae feed on animal textiles like wool, leather and feathers.
Life cycle and habits of the Brown House Moth

Lifecycle

  • Normally one generation per year.

Habits

  • Larva may wander considerable distances prior to pupation.
  • Generally regarded as a scavenger.

Case-Bearing Clothes Moth

(Tinea pellionella)

The Case-Bearing Clothes moth makes more regular holes in fabrics.

Tinea pellionella

Appearance

  • Adult — 6 - 8mm long.
  • Dark buff forewings with three faint spots (may appear as two).
  • Larvae — up to 10 mm long.  Creamy white in colour.
Life cycle and habits of the Case-Bearing Clothes Moth

Lifecycle

Similar to the Common Clothes moth.

Habits

More rare than the Common Clothes moth. Check imported goods such as hides or objects of animal origin.

Common Clothes Moth

(Tineola bisselliella)

The Common Clothes Moth larvae is responsible for making irregular holes in fabrics.

Appearance

  • Adult — 6 – 8 mm long.
  • Straw coloured wings with no markings.
  • Trailing edge of the wings is strongly fringed.
  • Larvae — up to 10 mm long. Creamy white with a brown head.
Life cycle and habits of the Common Clothes Moth

Lifecycle

  • Egg to adult is usually about 6 weeks. May reach 10 to 18 months if the food is poor or temperatures are cold.

Habits

  • Adult does not feed. Runs rather than flies, avoids the light.

White-Shouldered House Moth

(Endrosis sarcitrella)

White-Shouldered House moths are generally less damaging to textiles.

Cheryl Moorehead, individual, Bugwood.org

Appearance

  • Adult — 6 to 10mm long.
  • White head with mottled wings.
  • Larvae— up to 12 mm long.  Cream coloured larvae with red-brown head.
  • Pupa — in a silk cocoon.
Life cycles and habits of the White-Shouldered House Moth

Lifecycle

Normally one generation per year.

Habits

Often found in unheated outdoor buildings.

Larvae scavenge on a wide range of foods.