Stored Grain Insects |
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Webbing clothes moth |
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Tineola bisselliella
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Webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella)
Courtesy of Degesch Inc.
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Description
The webbing clothes moth is generally light yellow in colour and has a shiny luster. The hind wings are grey-yellow and both fore and hind wings are fringed with fine hairs. The wings are quite thin and the wing span is between 12 - 16 mm. The adult moths have a reddish-gold tuft of hair on the top of their heads. The larvae are a dirty yellow with a yellow-brown head and can reach a length of 7 - 9 mm.
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Developmental stages
Courtesy of Degesch Inc.
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Life cycle
Shortly after copulation the eggs are laid by the moth securely among cloth threads and therefore do not readily shake off. The female lays the eggs individually and she can lay as many as 220 eggs over a 2 week period. The eggs usually hatch after 4 - 8 days but can take as long as 3 weeks. The hatching larvae begin feeding and spinning immediately. They produce two lengthy tubes that run onto or into the infested material. The larvae can molt over 40 times and the larval stage can take between 1 - 24 months. The larval period can vary greatly because of the ability of the larvae to undergo diapause (phase of dormancy). This period of dormancy usually lasts between 8 - 24 months. Pupating larvae spin a quiver like pupal case which is thicker than the feeding tubes and closed at both ends. Pupation usually lasts between 2 - 6 weeks and the hatching adults normally live between 2 - 4 weeks. |
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Webbing clothes moth infestation
Courtesy of Degesch Inc.
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Damage
The word "moth" means to devour, and it is the larval stage with chewing mouth parts that feeds on cloth. The adult moth has non-functional mouth parts and is incapable of eating clothes. However, it is the presence of adults which usually signals an infestation. The webbing clothes moth feeds on woolens and other animal products including pollen, hair, feathers, dead insects, and dried animal remains. It has also been found in wool carpets, stored blankets, sweater, wool suit, stuffing in bedding, fur coats, antique dolls, and feathers incorporated into hats and dusters. Adult clothes moths prefer to stay in the darker areas of a room and are not ordinarily attracted to lights like other moths. If you do see a clothes moth in flight, it is probably a male in search of females. |
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Control
The best way to avoid problems with clothes moths is through prevention. Woolens and other susceptible fabrics should be dry cleaned or laundered before being stored for long periods. Cleaning kills any eggs or larvae that may be present and also removes perspiration odors that are attractive to the pests. Articles to be stored should then be packed in tight-fitting containers with napthalene. The vapors from napthalene are lethal to clothes moths, but only when maintained at sufficient concentrations. In order to achieve these levels, the vapors must be tightly confined with the items you wish to protect. Effective concentrations can best be achieved by first sealing susceptible items in large plastic bags, and then storing the bagged articles in tight-fitting trunks, boxes or chests. Controlling existing infestations of clothes moths requires patience and a thorough inspection to locate all potential sources of infestation. |
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