WEBBING CLOTHES MOTH (Tineola bisselliella)

Biology

• Wings are buff or putty in color and unspotted.
• The adult body is covered with shiny golden scales.
• Reddish hair can be found on the top of the head.
• Antennae are darker than the body.
• Length of folded wings is ¼ to 1/3 inches.
• Hind wing margins are trimmed with long hairs.

Distribution/Habits

• Distributed world-wide, most common of the fabric moths in the United States
• Eggs are oval in shape, about 1/24 of an inch in length, and ivory in color.
• Eggs are often laid in small groups.
• Eggs are laid among threads of clothing and fastened there by a gummy secretion.
• Damage to clothing is done by the larvae.
• Larva is translucent and has 3 pairs of jointed legs and 4 pairs of prolegs.
• Larva has short antennae, but no eyes.
• Larvae spin a feeding tunnel of silk.
• Larvae hatch and sometimes enter a dormant resting stage for no apparent reason that may last up to 24 months.
• Adults live 15-30 days.